Sky News poaches Cathy Newman from Channel 4

Cathy Newman is to leave Channel 4 after 20 years for a major new role at Sky News.

The veteran presenter, 51, is one of the lead hosts of Channel 4 News but is departing the broadcaster to host a new political show for Sky.

The new programme will air in the 7pm hour – opposite Channel 4 News in the schedules – as a replacement for Politics Hub, currently hosted by the soon-to-depart Darren McCaffrey.

Newman will also host a new podcast and work on long-form investigations and documentaries for Sky News, which fell behind GB News in the ratings in the second half of 2025.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the incredible, multi-award-winning Sky News team,” said Newman. “There couldn’t be a more exhilarating time to return to Westminster, and I’m hugely looking forward to bringing in exclusive interviews and investigations on a brand new programme, and launching a podcast too.

“It’s been a total privilege working on Channel 4 News for exactly two decades. In that time I’ve interviewed eight Prime Ministers past and present, covered five General Election campaigns, attended 19 party conference seasons, and broken stories that saw the Archbishop of Canterbury quit for the first time in history and an investigation that led to British paedophile Simon Harris being jailed.

“I’ll miss my talented Channel 4 News colleagues enormously, but as Mary Shelley once wrote: ‘the beginning is always today’. And I can’t wait to begin again.”

Newman takes up her new role “in the coming months”.