Sky News to go paid?
January 28, 2025
Sky News is considering a big programming shake-up to create a paid model as its linear viewing continues to slide.
David Rhodes, executive chair of the Comcast-owned channel, laid out a strategy dubbed ;Sky News 2030′ that will reshape its digital-focus over the next five years to attract new audiences willing to pay for news, reports the FT.
Rhodes told staff that news revenues were “largely stagnant” given a reliance on advertising and sponsorship. The new model seems centered on subject hubs that will offer paid products from podcasts to events and live shows. This is expected to include some subscription-based services where premium content is held back for paying customers. While its traditional 24-hour linear TV channel will continue, Rhodes said priorities and resources would be shifted to these premium content tiers.
Like similar outlets, Sky News is struggling to arrest a steep decline in ratings, putting pressure on revenues as advertising moves online and where viewers increasingly use social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.
The loss-making broadcaster’s budget is guaranteed by parent Comcast as part of its $39 billion takeover of Sky, but these funding commitments end in 2028.
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