Kay Burley in shock-exit from Sky News after 36 years with abrupt sign-off

by Thinus Ferreira

Kay Burley is leaving Sky News (DStv 402) after 36 years and made her abrupt exit this morning at the end of this morning's edition of her show on the United Kingdom TV news channel, telling viewers it's her final show.

She told Sky News viewers this morning that "It’s been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business news".

"After over a million minutes of live TV news, more than anyone else in the world, it's time for me to indulge in some of my other passions, including my love for travel."

Sky News staffers stood on the side of the studio and clapped.

Aftermore than three decades Kay has covered everything, including stalking out at the infamous Lindo Wing, interviewing everyone while waiting for the birth of Prince William and Katherine's baby George.

David Rhodes, Sky News chairman, followed with an email to Sky News staffers, saying: "Kay's legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky's legacy".

"And I'm sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won't face her indomitable questioning in the mornings. We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck."

Kay Burley was one of the original Sky News presenters when the channel launched in 1989 and she has anchored across various day parts.

ALSO READ: Sky News overhauls for digital future, plots move to premium pay news content with increased AI as traditional TV news declines in 'Sky News 2030' strategy

Sky News overhauls for digital future, plots move to premium pay news content with increased AI as traditional TV news declines in 'Sky News 2030' strategy

by Thinus Ferreira

Britain's Sky News (DStv 402) has announced the start of an organisational overhaul as part of its "Sky News 2030" strategy in which it will pivot to create and deliver digital and premium pay news content as the state of traditional TV news continues to decline.  

Sky News will give less resources on breaking news and covering live news, will have to reorganise the newsroom, eliminate duplicate processes and use artificial intelligence (AI) more.

While American TV news like CNN and Britain's Sky News and starting to face the inevitable future that requires a drastic rethink to remain viable, South Africa's eNCA (DStv 403) from eMedia on MultiChoice's DStv, SABC News (DStv 404), as well as Newzroom Africa (DStv 405) have not yet announced drastic realignments to their operating models.

Sky News chairman David Rhodes, in a speech to staff, announced that Sky News will overhaul its programming and newsroom as part of a new editorial strategy to create premium paid content that will have to offset the losses and decline of traditional television and TV news.

Sky News, as part of its "Sky News 2030" strategy, will try to build "new income streams centred around subject hubs that will offer paid products from podcasts and newsletters to events and live shows".

Sky News' app is not available in South Africa for South African viewers, but David Rhodes wants to build out new products and services for Sky News to get UK and international TV news viewers to pay for that.

With all of the planned new products and services, the traditional, 36-year-old Sky News channel will continue to remain available as a traditional pay-TV channel.

According to David Rhodes, Sky News' resources will now focus more on creating premium content for which audiences will have to pay. According to him, only 30% of Sky News' current news output can be classified as "premium" and he wants that to change to "70%".

"Linear TV audiences and linear monetisation are in a structural decline," he said.

"We are not the first to recognise that premium experiences, where engaged audiences are willing to pay, are where we need to be."

The Sky News newsroom will be reorganised and "duplication" cut down by increasing the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Breakfast on Sky News starts hour earlier at 8am from 15 January from new Westminster studio as Gareth Barlow, Mhari Aurora and Wilfred Frost join Kay Burley as presenters.

by Thinus Ferreira

From Monday 15 January Sky News (DStv 402 / StarSat 258) is overhauling its early morning programming blocks yet again with Breakfast with Kay Burley which will start an hour earlier at 08:00 and is adding new presenters and a new look.

Sky News' Breakfast, currently seen from 09:00 to 12:00 in South Africa, will add another hour from 15 January and now start at 08:00 from 15 January and run from 08:00 to 12:00 on weekdays from a new studio at Sky's Westminster bureau.

From 08:00 presenter Gareth Barlow and political correspondent Mhari Aurora will co-present Breakfast on Sky News. Gareth Barlow joins Sky News after having worked for 10 years with BBC News.

Both remain in studio from 9:00 to 12:00 when the timeslot's existing Kay Burley joins to do interviews.

Also joining Breakfast will be Wilfred Frost with previews of the day's news agenda. The Breakfast team will join Anna Jones for Breakfast every Friday to Sunday, along with Jacquie Beltrao who will deliver the sports headlines every weekend.

"We're really pleased to present Breakfast earlier each morning and delighted to welcome Gareth Barlow to our team," says David Rhodes, Sky News executive chairman, in a statement.

"From a new Westminster newsroom now - and a new studio in the coming months - Kay Burley, Gareth Barlow, Mhari Aurora, and Wilfred Frost will bring the whole range of Sky News to audiences each morning."

Kay Burley says "Breakfast is becoming even brighter here on Sky News. I'm excited to be presenting from a new state-of-the-art studio - and to be joined by a great new line-up. Gareth, Mhari and Wilfred will be with me, each bringing their unique brand of first-rate, quality journalism.  It'll be the best breakfast show in the business."

Gareth Barlow says "I'm thrilled to be joining Sky News to work alongside Kay and the incredible Breakfast team".

"I can't wait to bring an even bigger and bolder Breakfast to our viewers around the United Kingdom. With elections in Westminster and Washington on the horizon - there will be no better place to keep up to date with the latest UK and international news, than the new look Sky News Breakfast."

Mhari Aurora says "This year will see an explosive election campaign and I am delighted to be a part of the incredible Sky News Breakfast team bringing viewers the twists and turns of UK politics as they happen, holding power to account with sharp snap analysis to cut through all the noise and make sense of the spin."

Wilfred Frost says "Sky News is the home for news across all platforms in the UK - but in my view, at breakfast, television remains the best place to digest your news. And I can't wait to be involved in delivering the news that matters to viewers and voters in a fun and friendly way with Kay and the team each day."