Sky News Australia comenced its 24-hour news service at 5pm on the evening of February 19th 1996, becoming the first and only Australian produced television news channel. 

Since that first broadcast, Sky News has grown to become an essential part of the Australian media landscape. Sky News Australia features news on the hour, every hour and headlines every fifteen minutes changing the way Australians get their television news.

Apart from the flagship news on the hour service, Sky News also produces a variety of half hour programs each week, including Agenda, Eco Report, Health Report and Sportsline. 

Sky News is available in more than 2.5 million homes and locations across Australia and New Zealand on the FOXTEL, AUSTAR, Optus and Neighbourhood Cable pay television networks and on the Sky pay television network in New Zealand.

In 2004 Sky News launched Sky News Active giving viewers access to news on demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sky News Active offers 8 screens of video content ranging from the latest news headlines to business and finance plus sport, weather and showbiz. Sky News Active is available at no additional charge to viewers subscribed to FOXTEL, AUSTAR and Optus.

Sky News also delivers content across other digital media platforms, including 3G mobile, podcasts, SMS and online. 

Australian News Channel Pty Ltd is a joint venture of PBL Media, Seven Media Group and British Sky Broadcasting.