Kay Burley quits Sky News after 36 years
Kay Burley has announced she is retiring from Sky News after 36 years at the broadcaster.
A member of the Sky News launch team in 1989, and famed for her forthright interview style, Burley said her Wednesday morning show was her last.
Burley’s departure was announced a week after Sky News unveiled a new strategy which placed less emphasis on studio based-rolling news.
With linear TV viewing in decline, the loss-making Sky News said it was focusing on “premium” news, with more in-depth “eyewitness” reporting with some content behind a paywall.
Closing her final show on the Sky News Breakfast programme, Burley said: “From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, its been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business.”
“News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.
“But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we – the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and days waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing.
“But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.”
Last week, Sky News set a target of being a “premium video-first newsroom built for the digital future” by 2030. There will be less studio “chat” and a greater push into podcasts and paid content for the first time.
Sky News loses several millions of pounds each year and freelance shifts have been cut as bosses adapt to a broadcasting landscape in which fewer people switch on to traditional rolling news channels.
Its funding is currently guaranteed from US owner Comcast under a ten-year deal agreed when it bought Sky in 2018. However after 2028, Comcast is no longer bound by that undertaking.
David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, said in a note to colleagues: “Just now– at the end of this morning’s Breakfast show– you will have heard Kay Burley report that she has decided to retire from Sky News.
“Talking with Kay about her plans, we all felt it was more fitting that Kay break this story herself. She’s done that now in her own words, and we’ll be sharing the clip on social channels today.
“A founding member of Sky News, Kay helped build our proposition from its launch in 1989. She has been a constant presence on our screens over the course of our 36 years. Kay covered 12 UK elections, leading our presentation of the most recent vote last summer. ”
“There have been numerous Royal occasions and some of most significant stories of our times– most notably the death of Diana, Princess of Wales… and the 9/11 terror attacks.”
“With millions of minutes presenting live rolling news, Kay’s legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky’s legacy. And I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.”
“Kay confirmed that today was her final broadcast with Sky News. Of course, Breakfast continues — with the other current presenters and with our Friday-Sunday team. We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.”
