To capitalise on strong growth across their digital media platforms, Sky News has announced they are launching a direct to consumer streaming subscription service across their owned dedicated news channels.
Costing just $5 per month, and accessed via SkyNews.com.au and the Sky News Australia mobile and tablet app, you’ll be able to watch on the go, or stream and cast to a compatible TV.
Shows from Sky News will be available live and on-demand, including Paul Murray Live, Credlin, Bolt and many more.
Of course, the key feature will be for $5 a month being able to tune in for breaking news as it happens, including political coverage from Kieran Gilbert, Laura Jayes, Peter Stefanovic and the rest of the team.
Anchor Kieran Gilbert and Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell, together with Laura Jayes, Peter Stefanovic, Ashleigh Gillon and Tom Connell.
Paul Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, Sky News Australia said: “We’ve seen exceptional growth across our digital platforms over the past few years as more than eight million Australians seek out our content online each month.
“The launch of the SkyNews.com.au Streaming Subscription service is a pivotal moment in the evolution of our digital strategy that will provide our highly engaged and growing online audience around-the-clock access to quality news, opinion and documentary content across four dedicated news channels.”
The four dedicated channels are:
- Sky News – Australia’s news channel featuring award-winning journalists, insights from the biggest names in opinion, ground-breaking special investigations, and live breaking news, sport, and weather. Available live and on-demand.
- Sky News Extra – A dedicated 24/7 channel featuring live press conferences and Parliament broadcasts, with unfiltered access to Australian democracy in action. Available live.
- Sky News Weather – Australia’s only 24/7 weather channel bringing you the latest weather forecasts from the country’s largest team of meteorologists. Available live.
- FOX SPORTS News -Australia’s only 24/7 sports news channel, first and live in breaking sports news. Available live.
Sky News is hoping to capitalise on their digital strength, already reaching 3.7 million YouTube subscribers as the Number 1 Media brand in Australia as well as strong engagement on Facebook.
This release comes direct from the News Limited team that owns Sky News, and there’s no mention of the future for Flash News, the streaming service owned by Foxtel’s Streammotion. That’s $8 per month, and features a range of additional News channels.
While struggling, it’s bringing in several million dollars per year for Foxtel. so this solo move is a fascinating one when you look at the media politics of Foxtel, News Limited and Sky News.
Watch this space.
