News Corp’s 24-hour news channel in Australia is getting a new name this summer.
On July 27, Sky News Australia will rebrand to News24, a move that brings the channel’s branding in greater alignment with its parent company.
Sky News Australia is separate from Comcast’s Sky News in the United Kingdom, but continued to use the Sky News branding under license after News Corp divested Sky Group to Comcast in 2019.
The move comes as the company seeks to position itself as a broader digital news business while maintaining its existing television operations, News24 executives said in a statement.
“Since we launched thirty years ago as Australia’s first 24-hour news channel, we have grown to become a trusted and central part of Australian journalism,” News Corp Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Whittaker said in a statement. “Today’s announcements further solidify our commitment and investment in delivering premium news coverage and incisive commentary that informs on the vital issues shaping our nation and the world.”
News24 programming will remain available across its existing distribution platforms, including DAZN’s Foxtel, BINGE, regional free-to-air television, free streaming TV, podcasts, YouTube, Facebook and DAB Plus radio services in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Foxtel and BINGE will continue carrying News24, News24 Weather and Fox Sports News, while a new News24 World channel will launch on July 27 with a focus on international political news, live events and major press conferences from Australia and overseas.
Regional viewers will continue receiving selected programming through News24 Regional on Channel 56 in parts of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The company will also continue operating its free ad-supported streaming channel, News24 Now, on compatible Samsung and LG smart televisions.
The company is also expanding its international reporting footprint with the opening of a London bureau in November. Stas Butler, currently based in Taipei as Asia Correspondent, has been appointed Senior Europe Correspondent and will lead coverage from the new bureau.
The London operation will join News24’s existing international bureaus in Washington, D.C., Taipei and Wellington, alongside its domestic reporting teams across Australia.
News24 also plans to launch an enhanced website and mobile app offering subscription streaming access to live news, opinion programming, business coverage, weather and documentaries across four dedicated channels.
The programming lineup will remain largely unchanged following the rebrand, with established weekday programs including “First Edition,” “AM Agenda,” “Business Now,” “The Kenny Report,” “Credlin,” “The Bolt Report,” “Sharri” and “Paul Murray Live” continuing under the News24 banner. The network will expand its digital-first programming with original shows produced for its YouTube channel.
The rebrand will come just a few months after News Corp Australia opened a new headquarters and production facility in Sydney, which supports News24 and other outlets, including national and regional newspapers like The Australian, The Sportsman, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier-Mail, The Sunday Mail and The Mercury; magazines GQ Australia, Vogue Australia, Australian Golf Digest and Big League; and websites The Punch, Code SPorts and KidSpot.
