Sky News Ireland
| Sky News Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Sky News Ireland logo | |
| Launched | 24 May 2004 |
| Owned by | Sky Ireland |
| Website | www.skynews.ie |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Sky Digital | channel 501 (ROI) |
| Astra 2B | 12207 V |
| Cable | |
| Chorus NTL | channel 202 & VHF analogue |
Sky News Ireland was a television news channel which broadcast in the Republic of Ireland. Sky News International is now available throughout Ireland. Sky News Ireland was carried on Sky Digital, and Chorus NTL.
Launching in May 2004, the channel broadcast the same programming as the main Sky News channel, except for two thirty-minute weekday programmes, initially broadcast at 19:00 and 22:00.
They were presented by Gráinne Seoige, news anchor Ray Kennedy - now with RTE - and Brian Daly. On 24 October 2005, the 19:00 programme was moved to 18:30, this put it in direct competition with RTÉ News: Six One.
The bulletin was also available to British viewers via the Sky News Active service which proved quite popular with Irish audiences in the UK. The channel was seen by European viewers with a DVB-S satellite receiver across Europe. Sky News Ireland was the first Irish news service to be broadcast in widescreen, beating plans by RTÉ News and TV3 News. On 27 December 2005 it was announced that Sky News Ireland's 18:30 bulletin was to be simulcast on Sky1 Ireland from 9 January 2006.
Reporters for the service included Jonathan Healy, Alison O'Reilly, Orla Chennnaoui, David Blevins, Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, Geraldine Lynagh, Amanda Cassidy, Aisling Ni Choisdealbha and John Sherwin. Weather on Sky News Ireland was usually presented, by Lisa Burke.
In October 2006, viewer ratings for the 10.00pm programme were 135,000 avg, the 18:30 programme received 65,000 avg. (Neilsen)
On 31 October 2006 it was announced that the Irish bulletins would cease at the end of November 2006[1]. From 3 November 2006, no further Sky News Ireland bulletins were broadcast when the staff walked out. Ray Kennedy presented the final programme at 10.00pm on November 3[2], after which the staff left in protest at the handling of the closure by their British Sky News managers in London[citation needed].
Although Irish programming has now ended, Sky News still sells advertising specific to Ireland. Coverage of Irish events takes place only on an ad hoc basis.
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