Sky News bosses are planning a complete overhaul of the broadcaster to bring it into the digital age, sparking fears of job cuts as rumours swirl over one of its star presenters.
David Rhodes, the broadcaster’s executive chairman, has outlined a strategy aimed at reshaping its service up to 2030 in a bid to win audiences prepared to pay for news.
The channel has struggled, along with other linear broadcasters, to reverse a decline in traditional television audience numbers.
Mr Rhodes reportedly told staff at a meeting on Tuesday the priority would shift to putting some of Sky News‘s content behind a paywall.
It comes as more people seek news on the internet and via social media rather than on traditional, linear TV. This has put pressure on Sky News’s revenues as advertising has followed consumers online.
Comcast, which owns Sky, guaranteed the broadcaster’s £100million annual budget until the end of 2028 as part of its multi-billion pound takeover.
Meanwhile, star presenter Kay Burley was forced to quash rumours about her future amid reports she was to leave her role hosting Sky’s breakfast show.
Ms Burley has been with the channel since 1989 and formed part of the team which launched the broadcaster. She has denied the rumours, telling MailOnline “none of them are true”.
According to the Telegraph, Mr Rhodes is planning to shift Sky News’s focus on live and breaking news to “high-quality” programming, newsletters and podcast consumers are prepared to pay for.
He told the Financial Times a premium offer at Sky News would be focused on what people are prepared to pay for, adding: “It’s about putting engagement over reach.”
Mr Rhodes has reportedly told staff they will need to adapt to the changes, while bosses insist the overhaul is not about cutting costs.
Despite this, some staff are said to fear what might happen, with one journalist telling the Telegraph staff who aren’t as proficient with digital content will be worried about their futures at Sky.
Sky News’s executive chairman is reportedly also trying to take the channel back to the centre ground of British politics, with media watchers detecting a Left-leaning tilt.
When Sky was launched it formed part of media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s empire, which leans to the Right.
Mr Rhodes has said Comcast supports Sky News changing, adding: “It is 2025 and we’ve got a 2030 plan and I feel really good about that.”