Web DevelopmentSky News will air Australia’s first 24 hour, seven days a week dedicated business channel on Foxtel in early 2008.
The Business Channel will deliver breaking business news, commentary and analysis around the clock from Australia and internationally. It will be produced from a new dedicated business news studio at the Sky News digital centre in Sydney. It will also have a bureau in the Sydney CBD and in Melbourne.
Foxtel promises a minimum of 16 hours a day of Australian-made programming on the channel. It will also draw from the Fox Business Network in the US, BSkyB in the UK and Reuters Televsion, as well as locally, from The Australian newspaper.
It will also feature a live on-screen ASX ticker and plans are underway to add an interactive multi-screen business application similar to that already offered by Sky News.
Foxtel CEO, Kim Williams AM, said: “Foxtel is very excited about delivering this new service to our subscribers, who now have access to eight dedicated news channels including three dedicated business channels. Sky News Business Channel’s emphasis will be on providing quality news and information that really matters to Australians.”
Sky News Business programs are available online and can be downloaded to audio iPod via the Sky News website – www.skynews.com.au
Sky News Business programming is also available on the Hutchison, Telstra and Vodafone 3G Networks.
ANC, owner of Sky News is also planning for Sky News’ expansion into mobile television services. Sky News has been participating in the Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) mobile television trials in Australia. SKY NEWS will offer video podcasting services to complement its existing audio podcasting services.
The company says “The future is about personalising news services for individual consumers 24 hours a day – and Sky News aims to be the leader.”
Details of the launch date for the Business Channel will be revealed soon.