After a media launch for Sky News Adelaide on Tuesday, Sky News Melbourne had its turn yesterday.
Victorian Premier John Brumby launched the dedicated news service for Victorians, set to screen 24-hours a day of local news, politics, business, sport and weather.
He was joined by Foxtel CEO Kim Williams and Sky News Chief Executive Angelos Frangopoulos in the Victorian Parliament.
The channel will be on air from November 15th as part of the new interactive features.
Sky News is also the first television channel to enter into an agreement to carry emergency information such as bush fire warnings issued by the Victorian Government. It will join ABC Radio in the initiative.
Mr Frangopoulos said “Sky News Melbourne is part of our national Sky News Local service expansion and complements our existing Sky News, Sky News Business Channel and A-PAC public affairs channel. We are also upgrading our Melbourne bureau which will enable us to expand our business news coverage in Victoria. At the same time, Sky News Business Channel Active will be introduced which will add interactive features including video and text choices for viewers.”
In addition to Melbourne and Adelaide Sky’s local services will be offered in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney at no extra charge to subscribers, as well as an interactive Sky News Weather.
@brad, it appears from the promo that the all six of the local screens on skynews active will be available to all viewers
Brad I suspect not.
If I’m on satellite will I have the option to view the local view from other states if I wish?
has sky news switched to Wide screen yet?
Sky News Acvtive needs an overhaul. The fact you can’t view full screen is a joke.
@jm it think that pic is just made for promos rather than an actual screen grab
so sky news will also re-package news stories from 7 and Nines local editions now?
Did anyone notice the Sky News poll at the bottom of that pic:
“Should you vote in todays poll?
Press Red to vote”
Am i missing something or is Sky News getting lazy
3AW says just 1 new employee is on board for Sky News Melbourne.
So what exactly happened to the promised interactive free to air digital tv? almost 9 years on and still nothing. It would have been nice to just have some basic features, ie a Poll button where you just press the red (or colour of their choice) button on the remote to vote.
it would be brilliant if they could finally give all the active screens full screen ability too like on Sky UK
These aren’t really “channels” but regional interactive services.
Also, if they are tailored to a state market like Victoria or Queensland, why are they being dubbed “Sky New Melbourne” and not “Sky News Victoria”