Earlier this month, Sky News’ executive chairman David Rhodes revealed the broadcaster is working towards a new “premium-first” approach, which will see it prioritise a digital-first approach.
In a follow-up interview with the FT, Rhodes detailed some of the discussions that have taken place with staff about his plans for ‘Sky News 2030’.
The project includes a change in Sky News’ focus from its linear TV channel to outlets such as YouTube or its own Sky News app, enabling it to produce sponsored or paywalled content. “Linear TV as a category and linear TV monetisation is falling dramatically,” Rhodes told the FT as he discussed the future of broadcast news in the UK.
The change will impact many of Sky News’ staff, and Rhodes said he has spoken to the team about changing their traditional linear v digital mindset. “I talked about adapting, and how we all need to adapt, and looking at the messaging around premium: like, ‘what I’m doing, does it have a premium aspect to it? Is it a video first’? If I work on a podcast, what does the podcast look like? What do I think about the video? Is it built for a digital future?
“The biggest mistake we can make is if colleagues conflate video with linear television. ‘I’m a television producer’ — no, you’re a producer. [Or] ‘I’m a digital reporter’. Well, no, you’re a reporter. You might be asked to do that in a variety of ways.”
Rhodes added that some of the conversations he’s had regarding new technology and techniques have been “really encouraging”.
