Sky News is reshaping its 2026 line-up with new opinion formats, an in-house polling brand, expanded digital originals and fresh reporting appointments across Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
From Monday 19 January, the channel’s refreshed schedule will roll out across broadcast and digital platforms, ahead of a year that includes the South Australia and Victoria state elections, the United States midterm elections and major global news events.
New opinion programs join primetime slate
Each Friday at 5.00pm, Caleb Bond will front The Bond Report, a news-driven opinion program that wraps the week’s main stories with commentary and analysis.
Friday nights add further debate with Opinionated, a new half-hour format hosted by Danica De Giorgio at 8.00pm. The show will feature specially commissioned editorials from contributors in Australia and overseas.
De Giorgio also moves into the Sunday 7.00pm slot, followed by a new weekly program, The Macpherson Angle at 8.00pm, hosted by James Macpherson. The series is pitched as bringing added depth to issues dominating public discussion.
James Macpherson
Later in 2026, Macpherson will extend his presence with Quizzical, a weekly news quiz that aims to tackle major stories with humour and debate.
The new titles sit alongside Sky News’ existing nightly primetime slate, including The Kenny Report, Credlin, The Bolt Report, Sharri, Paul Murray Live, The Late Debate and The Rita Panahi Show.
Sky News Pulse and digital originals target multiplatform growth
In a move that strengthens its data offering, Sky News is launching Sky News Pulse in partnership with YouGov.
The new brand will release national polling every second Wednesday across TV and digital, with Sky News chief election analyst Tom Connell unpacking the results on issues such as cost of living, immigration, housing and energy.
Digital content also gets its largest expansion to date. Global hit Power Hour extends from three to four weekly episodes, with new format Power Hour Deep Dive joining the Sky News Digital Originals slate.
Hosted by Gabriella Power and rotating co-hosts, the Deep Dive edition steps away from the daily rush to examine major international stories in more detail.
De Giorgio will front digital-only series Danica Goes Global each Monday, offering an Australian perspective on global flashpoints and viral news moments for international audiences.
After decades of commentary from his father Andrew Bolt, the channel will introduce James Bolt to younger viewers with The James Bolt Show.
James Bolt
The digital original, launching weekly from February, will focus on trending topics and social debate as Sky News looks to bring the next generation into its national conversation.
Expanded reporting footprint in Australia, NZ and the US
On the reporting side, Sky News has appointed Jonathan Lea as national affairs correspondent. Lea will lead coverage of economic, political and social issues affecting Australian households.
Jaynie Seal becomes regional correspondent, tasked with focusing on the concerns of regional communities. She will also host investigative series State of Health, which explores pressures on regional healthcare services. The first episode, airing in February, travels to Chinchilla in Queensland to examine workforce shortages and systemic strain, while Seal continues to host Weekend NewsDay.
Bridie Witton joins as New Zealand correspondent, based in Wellington, while former CNBC anchor and senior correspondent Matt Taylor becomes senior Sydney reporter.
In the US, Sky News has expanded its Washington presence. Annelise Nielsen moves into a new role as Washington analyst, and Jonathan Kearsley joins from Nine as Washington correspondent. The network says the strengthened bureau will support coverage of what is expected to be a pivotal American election year.
Weather and climate coverage adds new faces
Sky News Weather has added meteorologist Tamsin Green to its on-air team, joining weather experts Rob Sharpe, Alison Osborne and Marina Neuman. The channel positions the group as bringing both accuracy and personality to its forecasts.
Rob Sharpe, Nikolina Kharoufeh, Tamsin Green, Marina Neuman, Stevie Jacobs. Sky News Weather
Presenter Stevie Jacobs joins Nikolina Kharoufeh on the Sky News Weather channel. His appointment is aimed at further lifting audience engagement as weather coverage continues to feature across live breaking news and political programs, including First Edition, AM Agenda, NewsDay, Afternoon Agenda, Sunday Agenda and Politics Now.
Documentaries mark Howard and US anniversaries
The Sky News documentary unit will mark two significant political milestones in 2026. In March, Chris Uhlmann will host a special on the 30th anniversary of John Howard becoming prime minister, revisiting the long-term impact of his government.
Later in the year, Paul Murray will tour the United States for a documentary marking 250 years since American independence, examining how the nation has changed and assessing the state of the union through the lens of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Top image: Danica De Giorgio