Sky News Regional will continue to broadcast across key regional markets in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland following a new multi-year agreement between Sky News Australia and Network 10.
The announcement comes as Network 10 finalises its strategic expansion into regional Australia, completing its acquisition of critical broadcast licences.
Network 10 expands regional footprint
The deal follows Network 10’s acquisition of Southern Cross Austereo’s television licences in Queensland, southern New South Wales, and Victoria in December 2024, and its more recent purchase of the WIN Network’s northern New South Wales and Gold Coast licences in May 2025.
These acquisitions position the network to consolidate its presence across major non-metro markets.
Under the new agreement, Sky News Regional will continue to broadcast free-to-air on Channel 56 in Victoria, southern NSW and Queensland, and Channel 53 in northern NSW and the Gold Coast.
It provides 24-hour access to live news, commentary, sport, and weather content from Sky News Australia and FOX SPORTS News.
Sales integration and commercial opportunity
As of today, Network 10’s national sales team will represent all advertising inventory for Sky News Regional.
This alignment allows for a unified commercial approach and expands Network 10’s advertising offering across key regional markets.
The move is expected to appeal to advertisers looking to reach audiences outside metropolitan areas with consistent messaging and placement.
Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 and Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Paramount Australia, said the agreement was in line with the company’s broader regional strategy. “This deal also leverages the expertise of our unified national sales team, broadens our advertising inventory and national market offering, giving our clients and partners unparalleled access to key regional audiences,” she said.
Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 and Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Paramount Australia
Meanwhile, Sky News Australia Chief Executive Paul Whittaker said the channel was created to serve regional Australians with essential news coverage and has steadily built its audience since launch. He added that the new agreement with Network 10 ensures continued free-to-air access for regional viewers to Sky’s live news, opinion, documentaries, sport, business and weather content.
Audience growth and programming highlights
Since its launch as Sky News on WIN in 2018 and its rebrand to Sky News Regional in 2021, the channel has reported steady growth.
In 2024, it reached over three million unique regional viewers, with average audiences up 23 percent year-on-year, according to internal data.
The channel’s programming includes live political and business coverage throughout the day, with presenters such as Kieran Gilbert, Andrew Clennell, Laura Jayes and Ross Greenwood.
Primetime opinion programming features hosts including Chris Kenny, Peta Credlin, Andrew Bolt and Sharri Markson.
The long-running Paul Murray Live, now in its fifteenth year, continues to air Sunday to Thursday. The Paul Murray Live: Our Town series, which focuses on regional communities, will next broadcast live from Mount Gambier on 27 July.