Sky News and Independent Radio News (IRN) have announced an expanded agreement, bringing video content to commercial radio stations across the UK. This builds on their existing relationship providing national and international news, sport, business and showbusiness content.
The enhanced deal allows IRN stations – including LBC, Absolute Radio, talkSPORT, Smooth Radio, Heart, Magic and Times Radio – to integrate Sky News video clips into their digital offerings. This move reflects the changing media environment and leverages Sky News' reputation for high-quality, video-first journalism.
Video content includes access to Sky News’ award-winning breaking and live television news channel for social media, plus footage from the ‘cameras in courts’ initiative, which Sky News actively supported. David Rhodes, Executive Chairman of Sky News Group, stated: “We’re delighted to continue our collaboration with IRN, and expand our service to commercial radio stations across the UK with video access. Sky News’ reputation for breaking news, and video-first journalism provides our partners with an unparalleled service of accurate and fast reporting that gives audiences the full story, first.”
Tim Molloy, Managing Director of IRN, expressed the organization's satisfaction with the continued partnership: “In an uncertain world commercial radio news teams rely on IRN for coverage of the biggest stories at home and abroad, which will now include video for the first time. Sky News’ radio team of journalists remain ideally positioned to produce the IRN service, sitting within a world class multi-award winning 24/7 newsroom, with access to a network of the best correspondents globally.”
The agreement underscores the enduring popularity of commercial radio, with RAJAR figures reporting a weekly listenership of 39.9 million (Q4 2024). Sky News’ 24/7 service for IRN includes scripts, audio clips, live and recorded bulletins, plus Premier League and Wimbledon coverage. The partnership also allows radio stations access to Sky News’ newsgathering resources, providing breaking news updates and in-depth analysis.
This IRN agreement is part of Sky News’ broader audio strategy, encompassing podcasts and smart speaker content. Sky News remains committed to expanding its newsgathering and audio services, including a dedicated podcast team and increased visualized episodes.