Comcast’s international news channel Sky News is launching a new daily political affairs program.
“Politics Hub” will air weeknights at 7 p.m. British Time (4 p.m. Eastern Time), and will be hosted by Sophy Ridge, a political correspondent who previously hosted a Sunday morning current affairs program on the channel.
“Heading into a critical election year, Sophy and the team will offer an unparalleled mix of interviews, insights and analysis, getting stuck into the hard news but also the quirkier things going on in the country’s corridors of power,” a Sky News spokesperson said in a statement. “On this TV manifestation of the popular Sky News Politics Hub digital product, Lead Politics Presenter Sophy Ridge will be joined by a panel of expert guests who will analyze and debate stories, offering a range of views and perspectives on how the political events of the day have unfolded.”
Ridge said it was a “privilege to be hosting a daily show for Sky News, in what will be a blockbuster year for politics.”
“We’ll interrogate politicians and their policies and hear from voices across the spectrum — Politics Hub won’t be an echo chamber,” Ridge said in a statement on Saturday. “And we’ll try to focus on the issues that matter to you – whether the amount of rent you pay or the school your kids go to – but we promise to have a bit of fun while we’re doing it. Sky’s political team is the best in the business – both on and off screen – and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
“Viewers know Sophy’s insightful approach to Sunday mornings,” David Rhodes, the executive chairman at Sky News, said on Saturday. “That made her the ideal candidate to lead our political coverage each evening in this critical time. We’re pleased to extend the Politics Hub digital brand to TV with this great new program.”
In addition to the daily evening news program, “Politics Hub” will air special editions during key political moments throughout the year.
The hour-long program starts Monday, September 4 and will be available on Sky News across Freeview, Sky satellite and cable platforms, as well as the Sky News live stream in the U.K. and around the world.
