 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV16:9) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Australian News Channel (News Corp Australia) |
| Sister channels | Sky News Australia Sky News Weather Channel |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 May 2016; 9 years ago (2016-05-01) (2016–17U.S. electoral cycle) 28 June 2024; 19 months ago (2024-06-28) (current electoral cycle) |
| Replaced | Sky News Extra |
| Replaced by | Sky News Extra |
Sky News Election Channel is an Australian 24-hourcable andsatellite news channel available on theFoxtel platform, operated bySky News Australia. It launched on 1 May 2016, temporarily[1] replacingA-PAC as a linear channel, dedicated to coverage of political events relating to the2016 Australian federal election andAmerican presidential election.[2] Although the channel was originally planned to close on 29 November 2016 (withA-PAC returning as a broadcast channel),[3] this was later postponed,[4] and ultimately the channel did not cease broadcasting until 23 January 2017.[5]
The channel was relaunched on 28 June 2024, temporarily replacingSky News Extra as a linear channel, dedicated to coverage of political events relating to the2024 United Kingdom general election, theFrench legislative election and the2025 Australian federal election.[6]
The channel broadcast coverage of news conferences, policy announcements and events related to the Australian and American elections, as well as theUnited Kingdom referendum on remaining in the European Union. It also broadcast coverage and programming from Sky News' international partners includingSky News UK,C-SPAN,CBS News andABC World News.[7][8] For the 2024 relaunch, the channel also broadcasts coverage and programming from Sky News' international partners includingSky News UK,C-SPAN,CNN,Fox News,Reuters andAP.[9]
Reruns of Sky News original programs includingAM Agenda,PM Agenda,Paul Murray Live,Beattie & Reith andThe Bolt Report were also part of the schedule.[10]
It debuted in time to broadcastPresidentBarack Obama's final address at theWhite House Correspondents' Association live as the channel's first major event.[8]
The channel also broadcast coverage of the memorial service forMuhammad Ali on 11 June 2016.[11]
The 2016Walkley Awards were broadcast on both the Election Channel and A-PAC on 2 December 2016.[12]
The revival channel debuted to broadcast the2024 United States presidential debates live as the channel's first major event.[6]
The original channel was available on the Foxtel platform on two channels, 606 and 648, temporarily replacing Sky News Extra on the latter which became available only online and through the Sky News Multiview service.[2] Although the channel was only initially available instandard definition, ahigh definition simulcast of the channel launched on 15 May 2016.[1]
The revival channel is available on the Foxtel platform on channel 603, temporarily replacing Sky News Extra. It is also available on streaming servicesFlash and theSky News website.[13]