Not at all surprised. Sky News AU is very reminiscent of Fox News with it's heavy right-wing agenda.
I personally see this as a good thing, utilising a well-known right-leaning name, instead of using the brand of something completely different in terms of execution.
It also makes sense given how Murdoch doesn't own the Sky brand anymore, but continues to, and probably always will, operate Fox News.
<r><I><s></s>Never forget TV Forum.<e></e></I></r>
If true, it's good news for Sky (UK). The Australian and British channels don't have much in common these days. Sky News is a reputable news service, with a strong stable of domestic and international correspondents. Sky News Australia is... not.
And probably good news for Sky News Australia to be honest. They've been operating like a poor man's Fox News for years now. Greater involvement/influence from New York might well lift the quality of their primetime opinion programming. Many of Sky News Australia's opinion presenters are (IMO) unwatchable. Sky News Australia has tended to take provocative newspaper columnists, radio hosts or ex-politicians and plonk them in front of a camera. But merely being provocative is no guarantee that one is an engaging presenter - and that's where Sky News Australia falls short. While it's not my cup of tea, Fox News has managed to build up a portfolio of watchable hosts with strong/provocative views.
With all that said, it's not the first time I've heard the suggestion of Sky News Australia being rebranded as Fox News Australia. It makes sense on many levels. But the argument against such a move has always been that (at least among decision makers) "Sky News" is an established brand in the Australian market. I'm not immediately convinced that the case for a rebrand has suddenly become more compelling.
It will be interesting to see what Sky News UK does - there’s been a fair bit of correspondent sharing even post-Murdoch departure. Will they end up with a dedicated Oceania correspondent if they no longer want to use Sky News Australia journalists on-air, or are there reporters for NBC (etc.) who they may use instead?
I'm going to assume that there's a lot of personnel redundancies from after the merger and will be leaning on NBC News reporters a bit more for Oceania-based reporting, that or take someone from other Asian bureaus and extend their footprint to cover that too.
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Note that Comcast's NBC has a long standing partnership with Channel 7 in Australia. May be Sky News in the UK can use their resources.
ITV Region: ITV News London
BBC Region: BBC London News
In any case, while there's an evening segment of right-wing opinion, the rolling news element of Sky News Australia is no different to the UK.
Well throwing my two pence in. As we didnt see the full statement from Lachlan he denied the name change will be FoxNews. But its interesting that he didnt say there wont be a name change. These PR reps for big companies are masters of not saying whats clearly obvious. I do think this situation still bears watching very closely. Also the fact there's trademark and domain registered doesnt mean something isnt happening behind the scenes and we might see a name change in the near future. They will typically register MULTIPLE trademarks or domains at the same time. So the actual name may have been registered alongside FOXNEWS AU so as to prevent someone from grabbing it and using it. I cant see NBCU allowing Sky's name continue to be tarnished by this opinion channel masquerading as a news channel. American companies are big on image and branding. Its not a matter if the name will change its a matter of when.
<r>"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time" - Maya Angelou <E>8-)</E></r>
AllWillBeWell
Unregistered
Does Fox News not have a the same reputation in AUS? They could have thought of a new name.
Edit: Looks like they will if it's not going to be Fox
Watch them change it to FoxTel News Channel. And then the pr svengali's say something like....We are creaing a new unique brand for Australia's original news channel, blah blah. Australia's News channel by Australians with an Australian name...blah blah blah.
<r>"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time" - Maya Angelou <E>8-)</E></r>
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Dare I suggest "The Australian News & Talk", taking name from News Corp Australia's nationwide newspaper?
