Sky Sports News Channel Is Going ‘Free To Air’ Next Week – Cord Busters
Sky Sports News is set to mark its 25th anniversary next week, by making its channel free-to-air for everyone in the UK.
However, before you get too excited, there’s one catch: the channel will only be free on Monday, October 2, for a 12-hour window.
The Sky Sports News channel, which normally only airs on Sky (and its NOW streaming service) will be available from 7am to 7pm via YouTube and the streaming app (see full details below).
This move will allow UK viewers to access a range of sports news and reactions from the preceding weekend, which includes events such as the Ryder Cup, Premier League football, the Rugby World Cup, and the Women’s Super League.
The anniversary broadcast will be conducted from the channel’s recently refurbished studio and will feature appearances from special guests.
Sky Sports News has been a fixture in UK sports journalism for 25 years, providing breaking news and in-depth coverage across a variety of sports.
In some of its early years, Sky Sports News was also available as a Freeview channel – but that ended in 2010.
The channel has positioned itself as a primary source for sports news, often being the first to report on major stories.
Mike Wedderburn and Kelly Cates were the inaugural presenters when the channel first aired in 1998.
Both continue to contribute to Sky Sports News and the broader Sky Sports network, along with a newer roster of broadcasters and presenters.
The channel has covered a wide array of sports, from football to rugby and beyond, maintaining a focus on timely and comprehensive reporting.
Mark Alford, Director of Sky Sports News, commented on the channel’s milestone, stating, “It’s a landmark year for us in Sky Sports News.
“We’re celebrating our 25th birthday from a fully refurbished state-of-the-art studio and broadcast gallery.”
Alford acknowledged the contributions of journalists and technical professionals to the channel’s ongoing success and innovation.
He further noted, “We’re immensely proud to bring people sports news they can trust, first and fast.
“And that’s why you’ll find Sky Sports News rolling on the screens in gyms, pubs and clubs throughout the UK and Ireland and our content being consumed on millions of mobile phones across the world.”
Over its 25-year history, Sky Sports News has accumulated more than 154,700 broadcast hours.
The channel has deployed around 100,000 Sky Sports News crews for reporting from various locations worldwide.
And it has covered 49 transfer deadline days and approximately 25,000 Premier League goals.
As part of the 25th-anniversary observance, a specially curated video has been produced. This video aims to highlight some of the most memorable moments in sports that the channel has covered over the years, and it’s expected to air on Monday.
As mentioned, Sky Sports News will only be free for 12 hours on October 2 – but during that time, viewers across the country will be able to watch it on:
Beyond those 12 hours, Sky Sports News is normally a paid channel, available as part of the Sky Sports bundle.
Subscribers can get Sky Sports either directly through Sky (on either Sky Q, Sky Glass or Sky Stream – where Sky Sports is currently discounted), or via Virgin Media’s TV bundles.
Additionally, Sky Sports News is available on Sky’s streaming service NOW (which in turn is also available on BT TV and TalkTalk).
For more streaming and TV news, updates and deals – Subscribe to our free newsletter.
About The Editor
My name is Or Goren and I’ve been a personal finance writer for many years, as well as a long-time TV cord cutter and a tech enthusiast. Learn More.
*Some posts on Cord Busters contain Affiliate Links. Using those links to buy products or services may earn us a referral fee, at no extra cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Work With Us • Privacy Policy • Earnings Disclaimer
Get Cord Buster’s Free UK TV Streaming Cheatsheet
FREE
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Get TV And Tech News
Get Bonus Streaming TV Guide
