Sky News confirms new primetime lineup

Sky News has confirmed details of the programmes and presenters in its all-new primetime lineup.

The changes come into effect when the channel undergoes its long-anticipated revamp next month. The complete schedule overhaul coincides with a relocation to new, state-of-the-art studios in Osterley, West London.

James P. Rubin, former US State Department Spokesman under Clinton, joins Sky News to anchor a new nightly international show. Called World News Tonight with James Rubin, the programme will air between 8pm and 9pm.

"Foreign news is crucial to Sky News' new programme line-up," said Adrian Wells, head of foreign news at Sky News. "James Rubin, who brings with him years of experience, and an insider's knowledge of foreign policy, will offer viewers an incisive international voice to report, analyse and comment on global affairs."

Meanwhile, BBC Breakfast presenter Gillian Joseph has been poached to anchor primetime alongside Chris Roberts. The pair will front the evening news from 9pm, including the 10pm bulletin, then again from 11pm to midnight. Sportsline, a new half-hour review of the day's sporting action, will air at 10.30pm.

"Sky News is recognised as being the leading 24-hour news channel and I am looking forward to joining its award-winning team at this exciting time," said Joseph. "The evening is a busy news time, reviewing the day's events and looking ahead to the following day's news agenda."

Sky News presenters Kay Burley, Jeremy Thompson and Julie Etchingham, all of whom will have their own programmes as part of the new lineup, are currently in rehearsals developing different formats.