Sky Launches News Website For Tyne And Wear

A new website has been launched by Sky for people in Tyne and Wear, providing them with local news, sport and events.The pilot site employs a team of locally-based video journalists who airm to produce an in-depth view of life, local stories and sport, from top flight to lower league. The service is also available on mobile tablets and smartphones. In addition to the news generated locally, stories from Sky News and Sky Sports News with specific local interest will also be included. Sky Tyne and Wear will give local people the opportunity to highlight news and events in their own area and provide a new platform for community engagement. The website includes a listings section, where people can submit details of their own events, from family fun runs to local theatre productions. Since plans for the pilot were announced last September, 13 journalists have been recruited and trained in filming, new media production and remote editing. Simon Bucks, an associate editor at Sky News, said: "The launch of Sky Tyne and Wear provides a great opportunity to explore the possibility of creating a genuinely local news, sport and listings service. "The team on the ground will dedicate themselves to covering the local news agenda, including community events and lower league football teams, as well as big events like the Great North Run, all subject to Sky's high editorial standards. "There is a famous sense of local pride in Tyne and Wear and we hope that the new service is well received by people here." For more details, visit sky.com/tyneandwear