New name and digital features for Sky Sports News

BSkyB’s Sky Sports News channel is relaunching as Sky Sports News HQ to deliver breaking sports news across multiple platforms.

The revamped service, which will go live on August 12 in time for the new football season, will offer news across a streamlined TV, digital and mobile service, according to Sky.

The channel will include an enhanced digital offering, with redesigned and personalised Sky Sports apps and website. The service will offer catch-up video clips and additional content alongside the live channel. It will also provide new social media features, with users being able to comment via apps and the Sky Sports website as well as via social media.

Users of the Sky Sports iPad app will be able to personalise rugby union and rugby league news as well as football and cricket. The app also features a live stream of Sky Sports News around the clock and is available to Sky Sports subscribers for free and non-subscribers for £4.99 (€6.30) a month. All other live channels are restricted to Sky Sports subscribers.

The channel will have a new position in the Sky EPG – channel 401 – pushing the other Sky Sports channels up a number, with the new European football channel Sky Sports 5 being found on channel 406. Sky Sports News HQ will feature a new schedule with greater emphasis on reporting stories under investigation, according to the broadcaster.

A new studio, almost double the size of the previous Sky Sports News Studio will feature an 18 square-metre video wall or investigation desk as two of 11 different presenting positions.

“Sky Sports News is the number one sports news service in the UK & Ireland and we aim to make it even better,” said Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis.

“The launch of Sky Sports News HQ will extend and enhance the experience across TV, mobile and online. It’s just the latest innovation from a channel that’s pioneered sports news broadcasting for over 15 years. And by launching on channel 401, we want Sky Sports News HQ be the first port of call for sports fans, transforming the way they follow sport in a multiplatform era.”