Future of Sky News is female: Sharri Markson takes prime-time slot
The future of Sky News is female, with the channel’s prime-time set to be filled by an award-winning woman journalist, as the station reveals a female-forward 2023 lineup. See the full schedule.
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Award-winning political journalist Sharri Markson will take the helm in the coveted 5pm prime-time slot on Sky News, as the broadcaster today reveals its full 2023 lineup.
Markson will take on the slot originally slated for broadcaster Chris Smith who was suspended by the network and from Nine’s 2GB in December after alleged inappropriate behaviour.
Markson’s show Sharri previously aired at 7pm on Sundays, but from February 20, she will be on-air from Monday through Thursday.
“Sky News has been my second home for four years, and I’m thrilled to now join the network full-time with the privilege of a nightly program,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“I’m looking forward to breaking big stories and continuing to pursue investigative journalism on Sky News.”
Chris Kenny, who previously steered the 5pm hour, will debut in the later timeslot of 8pm, with the launch of Chris Kenny Tonight.
But it’s the women who have influenced Canberra who will be steering the Sky News ship in 2023, with former prime ministerial chief of staff Peta Credlin, former senator Amanda Stoker, political reporter Laura Jayes also heading this year’s line-up.
“A lot of people in the media treat politics like a spectator sport — like a game— when the consequences are much more real for everyday Australians,” Credlin said, calling her return to 6pm weeknights a “blessing”.
“I just don’t take much of what happens in Canberra at face value … I don’t fall for spin.” “Unfortunately rather than debate those we might disagree with, these days we’re more inclined to want to shut them down,” Credlin said.
“If we want to turn this around, we need to relearn how to disagree with civility.”
Amanda Stoker’s new opinion program Sunday with Stoker will fill the gap left by Markson, premiering on January 29.
The former Queensland Senator will be tackling big issues like inflation, energy, and cybersecurity.
Also returning is hard hitting political journalist Laura Jayes, who will head up the AM Agenda from 9am.
Of her role, she said: “I tell it straight. Nothing is vague. Our audience doesn’t have time for naff lines and preordained party political cliches.”
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