Sky News rethinks revamp, axes shows

Sky News is ditching its "appointment-to-view" schedule and returning to a rolling news setup from July 10, the broadcaster confirmed Wednesday.

The radical changes were introduced last October as the latest weapon in the channel's ongoing ratings battle with BBC News 24, but failed to increase - and actually lost - viewers.

James Rubin, who anchored World News Tonight in the 8pm hour, has been dropped from the regular schedule and will instead become a presenter of "special programmes" on international affairs.

Martin Stanford becomes the star of primetime, anchoring the 8pm-midnight slot. Gillian Joseph remains co-anchor for the final two hours, while Chris Roberts moves to daytime.

In daytime, the "revolutionary" three-anchor setup has been dropped in favour of a traditional two-person team.

Well-respected presenter Julie Etchingham - host of The Sky Report - returns to daytime, fronting the 2pm-5pm slot with Mark Longhurst.

Jeremy Thompson remains in place with Live At Five, then anchors 6pm-8pm with Anna Botting.

Kay Burley's Lunchtime Live - considered to be the only successful part of the revamp - stays put in the 12pm-2pm slot.

As many as 17 staff will lose their jobs under the new revamp, including presenters Ginny Buckley and Juliette Foster.

Dawn Airey, MD of Sky channels and services, said: "Like any good news broadcaster, our goal is to continuously innovate and improve our news service, Sky's determination to be the best 24 hour news service is as strong as ever."