For two decades, she’s been one of the most respected and authoritative voices of Channel 4’s news operation.
But in a major blow for the broadcaster, Cathy Newman has announced that she is defecting to Sky News, where she will lead a new daily political news show at 7pm.
The Surrey-born journalist, 51, said she can’t wait to ‘begin again’ and return to Westminster in her new role, which will also see her launch a podcast and work on investigations and documentaries.
Ms Newman, who studied at Charterhouse and went on to read English at Oxford University, will join current political team Beth Rigby, Sam Coates, Trevor Phillips and Sophy Ridge.
She said she was ‘thrilled’ with the new role and that there ‘couldn’t be a more exhilarating time to return to Westminster.’
She said: ‘I’m hugely looking forward to bringing in exclusive interviews and investigations on a brand new programme, and launching a podcast too.’
Cathy Newman has announced that she is defecting to Sky News, where she will lead a new daily political news show at 7pm (interviewing Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson on Channel 4 in 2018)
The Surrey-born journalist, 51, said she can’t wait to ‘begin again’ and return to Westminster in her new role, which will also see her launch a podcast and work on investigations
Ms Newman said it had been a ‘total privilege’ to work at Channel 4 for 20 years, during which time she covered and broke a number of high-profile stories.
‘In that time I’ve interviewed eight Prime Ministers past and present, covered five General Election campaigns, attended 19 party conference seasons, and broken stories that saw the Archbishop of Canterbury quit for the first time in history and an investigation that led to British paedophile Simon Harris being jailed,’ she said.
‘I’ll miss my talented Channel 4 News colleagues enormously, but as Mary Shelley once wrote: “The beginning is always today.” And I can’t wait to begin again.’
Ms Newman joined Channel 4 in 2006 as Gary Gibbon’s deputy and went on to become the first female lead presenter of Channel 4 news.
Cathy joined Channel 4 in 2006 as Gary Gibbon’s deputy and went on to become the first female lead presenter of Channel 4 news
In the past she has spoken about the sexism she experienced when she last worked in Westminster as a political correspondent, which included inappropriate behaviour and belittling.
Her role will be ‘cross-platform’ as Sky continues to grow its political output and coverage, with the aim to pivot towards a video-first newsroom by 2030.
David Rhodes, Executive Chairman of Sky News, said: ‘Cathy has broken some of Britain’s biggest stories and brings a clear, engaging style that audiences trust and we’re delighted to welcome her to Sky News.
‘Our future plan requires just the kind of premium investigative and political expertise that Cathy will bring to our team.’
