Country Australia Replaced A-PAC | Language English | |
Launched 1 May 2016 (2016-05-01) Closed 23 January 2017 (2017-01-23) Picture format 576i (SDTV 16:9)
1080i (HDTV) | ||
Sky News Election Channel is an Australian 24-hour cable and satellite news channel available on the Foxtel platform, operated by Sky News Australia. It launched on 1 May 2016, temporarily replacing A-PAC as a linear channel, dedicated to coverage of political events relating to the 2016 Australian federal election and American presidential election. Although the channel was originally planned to close on 29 November 2016 (with A-PAC returning as a broadcast channel), this was later postponed, and ultimately the channel did not cease broadcasting until 23 January 2017.
Contents
Programming
The channel broadcasts coverage of news conferences, policy announcements and events related to the Australian and American elections, as well as the United Kingdom referendum on remaining in the European Union. It also broadcasts coverage and programming from Sky News' international partners including Sky News UK, C-SPAN, CBS News and ABC World News.
Reruns of Sky News original programs including AM Agenda, PM Agenda, Paul Murray Live, Beattie & Reith and The Bolt Report will also be part of the schedule.
It debuted in time to broadcast President Barack Obama's final address at the White House Correspondents’ Association live as the channel's first major event.
The channel also broadcast coverage of the memorial service for Muhammad Ali on 11 June 2016.
The 2016 Walkley Awards were broadcast on both the Election Channel and A-PAC on 2 December 2016.
Availability
The channel is available on the Foxtel platform on two channels, 606 and 648, temporarily replacing A-PAC on the latter which became available only online and through the Sky News Multiview service. Although the channel was only initially available in standard definition, a high definition simulcast of the channel launched on 15 May 2016.