The Sky News app is getting a full rebuild. On November 2, 2026, Sky News and Arc XP, the publishing platform built inside The Washington Post, said they will develop a new app and website, with launch targeted for the end of 2027. Until then, the current app keeps working and the live channel stays free to stream.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Sky News and Arc XP announced an expanded partnership on November 2, 2026, for a new app and website due by the end of 2027.
- Sky News says video views in its current app more than doubled year on year.
- Today’s Sky News app is free on iPhone, iPad and Android and streams the channel live around the clock.
What did Sky News announce?
Sky News is expanding its deal with Arc XP so the company can supply the technology behind a new app and a new website. Arc XP will provide its media platform, which runs on Amazon Web Services, along with tools for mobile apps, video and personalisation. Sky’s own product and technology teams will build the products with it.
The project is part of Sky News 2030, a five-year plan that Arc XP’s announcement describes as an effort to become “a premium, video-first news organisation.” The two companies first worked together in November 2025, according to The Desk. That earlier work produced Ask Sky News, an AI-powered search tool that answers questions using Sky’s own reporting.
What will change in the new Sky News app?
Video moves to the center. Based on the announcement, three changes stand out:
- Video first. The app and website will put video at the heart of the experience and showcase more original reporting.
- Personal feeds. Readers will get more personalised ways to discover stories and follow the ones they care about.
- AI search. Ask Sky News, the conversational search tool, is part of the plan for the new platforms.
However, Sky has not shown any designs yet. It also hasn’t said whether the current app will be replaced in one step or updated in stages, so expect more detail closer to launch.
Will the Sky News app stay free?
For now, yes. The current app and the live stream cost nothing. Sky does say the investment should open the door to premium and paid-for products. Still, Broadband TV News points out that Sky has not announced any pricing or detailed plans for them, so nobody outside Sky knows yet what would sit behind a paywall.
Why is Sky News doing this now?
Sky is building from strong numbers. The Arc XP release cites Ipsos data from September 2026 that ranks Sky News as the UK’s largest commercial news publisher app. Video views inside the app have more than doubled in a year. In addition, Sky’s clips have drawn nearly 4.5 billion social video views so far in 2026.
There is also a defensive reason. Arc XP president Matt Monahan argues that more people now meet the news through AI summaries and search results instead of visiting the newsroom that did the reporting. A strong app gives Sky a direct line to its audience. David Rhodes, Sky News executive chairman, told The Desk the deal gives viewers “even more reasons to come directly to Sky News.”
Arc XP is a big player in this market. The company says its platform powers more than 3,000 sites worldwide, including The Irish Times and the French papers Libération and L’Express.
How to watch Sky News live today, in the app and on TV
Nothing changes for viewers before the new platforms arrive. As of November 2026, these are the official ways to watch the channel:
| Option | Where it works | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sky News app (iPhone, iPad, Android) | UK and many other countries | Free |
| Sky News app for Apple TV | Where the App Store offers it | Free |
| YouTube live stream | Most countries | Free |
| news.sky.com “Watch live” | Most countries | Free, no login |
| Freeview channel 233 | UK | Free-to-air (TV Licence needed for live TV) |
| The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus | US | Free with ads |
The UK App Store listing for the current Sky News app, published by Sky UK Limited, promises live coverage 24/7 and notes that several livestreams often run at once during big stories. It also lists breaking news alerts and Sky’s podcasts. Keep in mind that UK viewers need a TV Licence to watch any channel live, including online streams.
For the full list of devices, the current schedule and the presenters, see our complete guide to the Sky News live stream. If you are in America, our guide to watching UK news channels in the USA covers the other British options too.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We’re building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development. See what the NewsLive app will offer and join the early-access list.
What it means for viewers in the US and Europe
Outside Britain, most viewers watch Sky News International. It carries the same live programmes as the UK channel, with different breaks. So a better app matters most to people abroad, because the app and YouTube are often their only direct route to the channel.
Sky News is also one of the few big British channels with a free official stream in the US. By contrast, the BBC News channel charges American readers for some of its online content, while GB News is the newer, opinion-led option. For a side-by-side look at the three, read BBC vs Sky News vs GB News compared, or browse more stories in our Streaming News section.
Frequently asked questions
When will the new Sky News app launch?
Sky News and Arc XP are targeting the end of 2027. Neither company has given an exact date, and the current app stays available until then.
Is the Sky News app free?
Yes. The current app is free to download and streams the live channel at no cost. Sky says the new platforms could support premium and paid products later, but it hasn’t announced any prices.
What is Ask Sky News?
Ask Sky News is an AI-powered conversational search tool that Sky built with Arc XP. It answers questions using Sky’s own reporting, and it is part of the plan for the new app and website.
