Sharri Markson, Peter Hoysted and Miranda Devine on Sky News. Photo: Sharri Markson/Twitter.
Wagga viewers concerned about losing the likes of Andrew Bolt and Sharri Markson from their free-to-air TV screens can breathe a sigh of relief, after Sky News Regional reached a deal with Network 10 to keep them on the air.
However, Griffith residents, who lost Sky News from their terrestrial TV a year ago, will continue to miss out.
Sky News is a British news channel launched by Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch. Its Australian offshoot commenced service in 1996 and began broadcasting Sky News Regional into rural areas for free in 2021.
There were fears towns like Wagga might lose their Sky coverage when the Ten Network took over the regional licences of WIN TV and Southern Cross Austereo, which had been broadcasting Sky News.
After some negotiations, a deal between Sky and Ten was finalised last week.
“The new multi-year distribution agreement with Network 10 sees Sky News Regional continue to be broadcast in existing regional markets,” a Sky News spokesperson said.
“Sky News Regional is keeping its home on Channel 56 in regional Victoria, southern NSW (including Wagga Wagga and surrounds) and regional Queensland and Channel 53 in northern NSW and the Gold Coast.”
The WIN Network had previously broadcast Sky News Regional in Griffith and South Australia, but this agreement ceased on 30 June 2024. Network 10 will not revive Sky coverage in Griffith.
The irrigation town also lost Channel Seven coverage of AFL and cricket for a few days, but it was restored to screens when an agreement was reached for the WIN Network to continue its broadcast.
Sky News is known if its mostly right-leaning commentators, such as Andrew Bolt, Peta Credlin, Sharri Markson, Paul Murray and Chris Kenny.
TV show host Peta Credlin and British politician Nigel Farage on Sky News. Photo: Nigel Farage, Twitter.
The news that Griffith would no longer have Sky was greeted by mixed views.
“I’d say that they’ve done the residents an intellectual service,” Wagga councillor Richard Foley said at the time.
A Sky News spokesperson said there was hope for Griffith residents missing out.
“Viewers in Griffith NSW can continue to watch Sky News via the SkyNews.com.au streaming subscription that provides streaming access to four 24/7 Sky News produced news channels via SkyNews.com.au and the Sky News Australia app,” the spokesperson said.
“The full suite of premium 24-hour Sky News channels are also available to watch on Foxtel and news streaming service Flash.”
