Sky News Australia has revealed its 2021 programming line-up featuring new hosts, new programs, increased investment in long-form investigative documentaries and expanded foreign news coverage.
From 24 January, Sky News’ top-rating primetime programs hosted by Chris Kenny, Peta Credlin, Andrew Bolt, Alan Jones and Paul Murray return.
Joining the leading line-up to anchor their own programs in 2021, Cory Bernardi will host Bernardi and Catherine McGregor will bring audiences The McGregor Angle.
Nicholas Reece also joins Sky News as co-host of a new Friday afternoon program The Friday Showdown alongside leading conservative commentator Rita Panahi. Each week Panahi will face off with Reece, a former senior Labor political advisor to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, in a new show that will look at issues through the prism of both sides of politics.
Sky News expands its foreign news coverage, announcing the establishment of a Washington Bureau with political journalist Annelise Nielsen becoming Sky News Australia’s first Washington Correspondent.
Annelise Nielsen
In 2021 political journalist and interviewer Laura Jayes will anchor the morning political program AM Agenda, alongside Sky News award-winning national affairs programs hosted by experienced political journalists and newsbreakers Kieran Gilbert, Andrew Clennell, Peter Stefanovic, Ashleigh Gillon and Tom Connell.
Paul Whittaker, Sky News Australia, chief executive officer said: “In a year of uncertainty our experienced Sky News team has been a mainstay for Australians, leading the live news coverage keeping the nation informed, questioning and advocating for change, providing newsbreaking political coverage and probing commentary.
“In 2021 our team will continue to provide audiences with all sides of the story. With more trusted voices and more viewpoints than anywhere else, more investment in long-form investigative journalism and more coverage of international news from a distinctly Australian perspective, Sky News will give Australians the full picture.”
SKY NEWS’ GUIDE TO NEW PROGRAMS IN 2021
Bernardi, Fridays at 7:00pm live from Adelaide, Premieres 29 January
During his time in the Senate, Cory Bernardi was in the thick of some of the biggest policy debates of recent years. Known for his frank common-sense approach, he brings deep insight and broad political experience to viewers. Each Friday night live from the Sky News studios in Adelaide, Cory will give his take on the big stories of the week.
The McGregor Angle, Fridays at 8:30pm live from Canberra, Premieres 29 January
Joining Sky News’ primetime line-up is Catherine McGregor: prominent writer, commentator and former senior Australian Defence Force officer. Not one to shy away from tough conversations, Catherine will use her unique perspective to have the debates others won’t. The McGregor Angle will bring together Catherine’s knowledge of defence and security issues, and her understanding of federal politics. Her insight will lead discussion and drive the national conversation. And she loves her sport, too.
The Friday Showdown, Fridays at 4:00pm live from Melbourne, Premieres 29 January
Rita Panahi and Nicholas Reece face off on the big issues of the week. Politics, social issues, culture wars, the controversies. And the crazy side of life. It’s all here. Discussion, debate and drama from mates who aren’t afraid to disagree.
Panahi is a popular Herald Sun columnist and co-host of Sky News’ Outsiders program. Reece is a prominent Melbourne councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor, as well as a Sky News regular.
Sky News Australia establishes Washington bureau. Annelise Nielsen appointed first Washington Correspondent
At a crucial time in international affairs, from her Washington D.C. base Annelise Nielsen will provide extensive foreign affairs coverage on issues affecting the United States, Europe and Asia.
An accomplished political reporter, Annelise Nielsen will remain in the U.S, after heading over in August to cover the Presidential Election. Her coverage of the contentious election has widely been regarded as some of the most insightful Australian reporting of the campaign, and saw her report from outside of the beltway into the mid-west and the key swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin which played a decisive role in the election result. Annelise will lead Sky News Australia’s coverage of the upcoming U.S. Presidential Inauguration.
Catching the Claremont Killer: The Untold Story, Investigative Documentary, Premieres February
Following the success of Sky News Australia’s locally produced documentaries, next year the investigative team is set to bring audiences even more compelling documentaries.
First in 2021, Sky News will explore how a notorious killer stayed hidden in plain sight for more than three decades bringing audiences the compelling one-hour special investigation.
SKY NEWS 2021 PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
(From Sunday 24 January)
• First Edition with Peter Stefanovic, weekdays at 5:30am, returns 25 January
• AM Agenda with Laura Jayes, weekdays at 9:00am, returns 25 January
• NewsDay with Tom Connell, Monday & Friday from 11:00am – 2:00pm, Tuesday –Thursday from 11:00am – 12:00pm, returns 25 January
• NewsDay with Ashleigh Gillon, Tuesday – Thursday at 12:00pm, returns 26 January
• Afternoon Agenda with Kieran Gilbert, and featuring Andrew Clennell, Monday – Thursday at 2:00pm, returns 25 January
• The Kenny Report with Chris Kenny, Monday – Friday at 5:00pm, returns 25 January
• Credlin with Peta Credlin, weeknights at 6:00pm, returns 25 January
• The Bolt Report with Andrew Bolt, Monday – Thursday at 7:00pm, returns 1 February
• Alan Jones with Alan Jones, Monday – Thursday at 8:00pm, returns 1 February
• Paul Murray Live with Paul Murray, Sunday – Thursday at 9:00pm, returns 24 January
• The Front Page with Peter Gleeson Monday- Thursday at 11:00pm, returns 25 January
• The Friday Showdown with Rita Panahi and Nicholas Reece, Fridays at 4:00pm, premieres 29 January
• Bernardi with Cory Bernardi, Fridays at 7:00pm, premieres 29 January
• Kenny on Media with Chris Kenny, Fridays at 8:00pm, returns 29 January
• The McGregor Angle with Catherine McGregor, Fridays at 8:30pm, Premieres 29 January
• Hardgrave with Gary Hardgrave, Fridays at 9:00pm, returns 29 January
• Weekend Edition with Jaynie Seal and Tim Gilbert, Saturdays & Sundays from 6am
• Sunday Agenda with Kieran Gilbert and Andrew Clennell, Sundays at 8am, returns 24 January
• Outsiders with Rowan Dean, Rita Panahi and James Morrow, Sundays at 9am, returns 24 January
• Business Weekend with Ticky Fullerton and Adam Creighton, Sundays at 11am, returns 31 January
• Sharri with Sharri Markson, Sundays at 6pm, returns 24 January
• Chris Smith Tonight with Chris Smith, Sundays at 7pm, returns 31 January
• In My View Sundays at 8pm, returns 24 January