Sky Sports News set for big shake-up with presenters to leave as statement released

Sky Sports is reportedly gearing up for a significant reshuffle, with plans in motion to let go established presenters and reporters as part of an overhaul. The company let staff know on Tuesday about impending job cuts at Sky Sports News as it seeks to modernise and streamline its operations, reports the Daily Mail.

Staff are bracing themselves for substantial changes as part of the broadcaster's shake-up.. The specific identities of those who could leave have not yet been disclosed with an initial consultation process coming before any action.

Sky staff were said to be in 'shock' after attending a briefing at the company's headquarters this week.

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Speaking to the , a Sky Sports News representative said: "We've shared proposals with the Sky Sports News team to change how we're structured, aimed at making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences across TV, digital and social.

"A small number of roles are impacted, and we are now entering a period of consultation with those colleagues."

It is reported in the Daily Mail that Sky bosses remain steadfast in their belief that the channel, the UK's sole all-day sports TV network, will be committed to breaking sports news.

In the bid to attract younger viewers, has gradually increased its collaboration with influencers and internet personalities within their programming. With the intention of keeping pace with evolving consumer trends, they are expanding beyond just breaking news to offer a variety of content, adapting to shifting viewer appetites, reports .

Ofcom's statistics from the previous year indicated a stark decline in traditional TV viewing among younger demographics with fewer than half of individuals aged 16 to 24 tuning into broadcast television weekly.

Jonathan Licht, the managing director of Sky Sports, spoke to The Telegraph last year about changes to on-screen personnel.

"Generationally, there comes a time where the people that have been on screen for long periods and people that we’ve been hugely grateful for their exceptional service, there’s going to be points of natural change," he said.

"What happened last year... I think people were joining lots of dots that didn’t necessarily exist. There were different circumstances.”

In 2023, Sky saw reporters Bianca Westwood, Guy Havord, Dickie Davis, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper, and Jaydee Dyer depart the company.

This followed the notable alteration of Soccer Saturday when Simon Thomas took over as presenter, succeeding Jeff Stelling who had helmed the show since 1994 but parted ways with the channel in a move aimed at refreshing Sky's content.

Moreover, the decision to cancel Soccer AM in 2023 led to presenters Jimmy Bullard and John "Fenners" Fendley being let go. Soccer AM had become an institution since its inception in 1995, especially during its peak with hosts Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy.

These shake-ups form part of an ongoing shift that began back in 2020, which saw the dismissals of Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas, and Matt Le Tissier. Reminiscing about his stint on Soccer Saturday, Thompson remarked, "That was the great thing about Sky. They mixed things up. They created new programmes. They pushed the boundaries."