Adam Boulton to Leave Sky News

[Brekkie]

I do like his rather refreshing take on the diversity factor which I think sums it up better than many comments I've seen, especiallyfrom people of his generation.

“We all think we got there on merit. I like to think we did, but nonetheless, on balance, a disproportionate number of people like me got there on merit, if you see what I mean.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/n...n-30-years


No doubt the death of Sky News is being greatly exaggerated. Putting presentation to one side to focus on presenters Sky do have big hitters in the schedule in the breakfast slot and from early evening with Mark, Dermot and Anna but daytime could do with a sprinkling of star power.

[bfgarmy]

I do like his rather refreshing take on the diversity factor which I think sums it up better than many comments I've seen, especiallyfrom people of his generation.

“We all think we got there on merit. I like to think we did, but nonetheless, on balance, a disproportionate number of people like me got there on merit, if you see what I mean.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/n...n-30-years


No doubt the death of Sky News is being greatly exaggerated. Putting presentation to one side to focus on presenters Sky do have big hitters in the schedule in the breakfast slot and from early evening with Mark, Dermot and Anna but daytime could do with a sprinkling of star power.

I guess the issue is how do you strengthen daytime on weekdays without weakening the weekend line-up which already has slightly more inexperienced anchors.
Anna Jones does feel slightly wasted on just a half-hour fairly niche climate programme but Sky perhaps see it as a big role. The likes of Gillian Joseph and Niall Paterson are fantastic anchors and are strong enough for daytime and Niall does seem a bit hidden away on the ‘Early Rundown’. That said Gillian’s slot is provably the main weekend shift and moving her from weekends weakens them.

Actually for any criticism of the 2005 relaunch many of those around then are still on Sky News 16 years on - Steve Dixon, Gillian, Kay, the 2 Annas.

[Brekkie]

Of course for some the weekend with occasional weekday cover may suit them better. Personally would like to see Gillian get a flagship show in the week but if they do keep All Out Politics the best option is surely moving Niall Paterson from the early morning shift where he is somewhat wasted IMO.

[Newsroom]

This is sad news. I don't think Adam has been as effective as a 'mere' presenter as he was as political editor, but he's an absolute star of the channel and in no small way helped make it what it is (or was). Certainly his take on politics was never boring and he had the gravitas to go with it. I am a fan.

I fear for the future plans because it just sounds like more 'dumbing down' and trying to appeal to teenagers and suchlike.

I know they've got to try and make it profitable...but still.....

I'm happy to retract 'abhorrent" from my initial post. In honest, my views are based on experience at working at Sky and a relationship with sky newsers since. He truly is seen as the word I have used previously, but then I guess the longer you're with a company the bigger your ego becomes. I would suggest new management and especially Cristina Nicolotti's arrival combined with John Ryley's view on how the delivery of news should be played a big part if his 'mutual'. departure.

[Craigwills]

Maybe it's just me but it feels like Boulton has been sidelined/had a foot out the door for a while anyway so his departure doesn't feel as big a piece of news as it maybe should.
Back around a decade ago he had his daily Boulton & Co. show and was the political editor and anchoring election coverage etc.

Whereas I can't say I particularly see him on-screen these days - his AOP show is on when I'm at work and he doesn't hugely appear outside that. He no longer presents elections either and they've had Faisal Islam and currently Beth Rigby as political editors since. He does have that 'editor-at-large' title but it seems to be more a grand title than some particularly high profile role. The AOP show too feels targetted very much to the Westminster bubble so not exactly a mass-appeal newscast.

These days the likes of Kay Burley, Dermot Murnaghan and Mark Austin much more seem to be the main faces of Sky News with Adam Boulton sidelined.
I thought as a political editor he was always strong (though I did prefer Joey Jones)and he undoubtedly his knowledge is excellent but I've never overly rated him as an anchor. He's a very dry watch and lacks energy and it's noticable how much more watchable the election coverage was with Dermot presenting rather than Adam.

See I’m not so sure on this one. Adam has still felt like a senior anchor even just recently for the Climate Summit in Glasgow, Adam was anchoring his own 11am slot and then staying on throughout Sky News Today/SJM Show slots, Jayne/SJM barley appeared as Adam was leading coverage. He also led budget day, covered the Sir David Amess killing on location and led the daytime local election coverage (albeit alongside Sophy Ridge iirc) and that’s all just the last few months or so. If Adam had been kept strictly in his 11am slot, then I’d be inclined to agree but he hasn’t.

I feel like I’m somewhat in the minority to suggest that I think Sky’s presenter line is is pretty good. You’ve got Niall/Kay on earlies, Jayne and Sarah-Jane do well on daytime, Mark/Dermot in the evening, Anna on the late shift. I’m not sure it’s particular weak or inexperienced, and I’m not sure who is the weak link in that. Whilst the cover options/weekend teams are all capable hands too, Stephen Dixon and Gillian provide a solid start/end to the weekend. JonathanSamuels and Sarah Hewson both good in studio or on location and can pretty much cover any shift. I’m also enjoying seeing more of Kimberley Leonard and Sam Washington on the prime shifts too. Nick Quraishi is also a great presenter, in my opinion.

Having said that, not sure Gillian’s been around much recently - the late shift has had a mix of a few presenters.

[CantGetIn]

A certain political blog suggests A.B may join Murdoch’s new Tv channel once he leaves Sky. Purely rumour at this stage.

If this is true, very possible other presenters may get an offer if they are unhappy at Sky. One or two names I can think of. And even elsewhere in the industry.

[Brekkie]

Although probably less risky than a move to GB News I can't really see Murdoch's Fox News Lite UK, which lets face it is what it will be, getting an audience any bigger than GB News - especially if they don't categorise themselves as "news" so end up in the depths of the EPG.