Sky News Irish Service

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Sky News will launch a daily half-hour evening bulletin for Irish viewers early in 2004, hosted from new studio facilities in Dublin - and London – by two Irish presenters.

At 21:00 each weekday evening, Sky will broadcast a dedicated thirty-minute bulletin of Irish news, weather and sport, as well as UK and international reports. A news review of the week's major events will be broadcast on Saturday and Sunday.

One presenter – Sky News' new Dublin correspondent – will present the news from a purpose built studio in Sky Ireland's new offices, which will be located just five minutes from the Dáil. The other will be based, with weather presenter Lisa Burke, in Sky News' London studios.

Sky will be recruiting seven extra staff to be based in Dublin. These will include a technician and four multi-skilled video journalists - all able to shoot, edit and assist in live transmissions - as well as a news editor and a new correspondent/presenter. A further five - a presenter, executive producer and three producers – will be based in London. These new jobs will be advertised shortly.

The new team will be backed up by Sky News' Belfast team where two correspondents – David Blevins and Gary Honeyford – and two cameramen, equipped with one mobile SNG satellite truck and mobile editing van, will provide at least one or two stories daily across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Nick Pollard, Head of Sky News said: “Since it began broadcasting in 1989, Sky News has always played an important role with Irish viewers. The launch of the service is a natural progression which we hope will enhance this relationship and increase Sky News' relevance to the viewer.”