Access to news from around the world, twenty-four hours a day, this is the challenge of Sky News. Broadcasting from the heart of London, Sky News is a channel that addresses the needs for the latest events on the national and international level. It was one of the four channels founded in 1989 by Rupert Murdoch as Sky Television, and although initially the service covered only UK and the Republic of Ireland, Sky News is now broadcast via satellite with access options for users in different parts of the globe too. The network also uses complex systems of radio stations all around Great Britain; News Corporation thus includes the seven bases in Great Britain as well as the rest of global bureaus located in various parts of the globe.
Sky News relies on a somehow classical formula, there are two anchors or presenters for each news bulletin; yet, despite this traditional element, Sky News has introduced all sorts of innovations in the broadcasting sector, for which it has received multiple awards. The forecasters and the news anchors are just the front line of news broadcasting, as thousands of journalists are behind the collection and editing of the news we watch every day. Then, consider the hundreds of technicians and other employees that deal with all the details of broadcasting and, you get a complex picture of what Sky News is in terms of stuff management.
Sky News aims at constant improvement! Graphic revamping is performed yearly, and the latest change dates from last April when Sky News went for a minimalistic design in screen graphics. Modifications are a must in order to preserve a new and fresh image able to compete with BBC and other international channels. Along the years BBC and Sky News overtook each other in ratings even if there are multiple platforms on which the channels are carried. Interactive features managed to set a difference between the two, with Sky News getting the advantage.
Outside the United Kingdom, Sky News is transmitted through many cable providers that have created English language line-up packages to target immigrants. Expatriate subscribers enjoy Sky News the most since it allows them to stay in touch with their home country. While free-to-air on the Astra 1L satellites Sky News remains encrypted on a number of other satellites designated for international reception. Northern Europe can only access it by cable package subscriptions, but, Sky News is also transmitted to Central and Southern Europe too.
