Sky News Extra

Sky News Extra

Industry	News media
Founded	2009
Headquarters	Australia , Australia
Area served	Australia
Owner	Foxtel
Parent	Sky News Australia

Sky News Extra—previously known as A-PAC and the Australian Public Affairs Channel—is an Australian 24-hour public affairs news outlet available via cable and satellite, owned by Foxtel.

History

The announcement of an Australian public affairs channel named A-SPAN (Australian Subscription Public Affairs Network) was made on 8 December 2008, with a planned launch date of 20 January 2009. This channel was inspired by the American network C-SPAN. Before its debut, the name was changed to A-PAC (Australian Public Affairs Channel). Operated as a not-for-profit independent entity, A-PAC was financed by Austar and Foxtel and produced by Sky News Australia.

The channel officially commenced broadcasting on 20 January 2009, inaugurating its service with coverage of U.S. President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony via a C-SPAN feed. On 17 May 2009, A-PAC transitioned to broadcasting in a 16:9 widescreen format, aligning with sister channels Sky News Business Channel and Sky News Australia.

Following Foxtel’s acquisition of Austar in May 2012, Foxtel assumed full ownership of A-PAC. In February 2014, the channel underwent a refresh of its on-air graphics, launched a new website alongside a weekly newsletter, and appointed Sky News presenter Helen Dalley as host.

In May 2018, A-PAC rebranded as Sky News Extra and was relocated to channel 604 on Foxtel. This change aimed to synchronize the channel’s branding with other Sky News outlets and reflect an expanded programming slate.

During March 2020, the channel temporarily adopted the name Sky News COVID-19 to deliver focused coverage on the pandemic through live news updates and press briefings. It reverted back to Sky News Extra on 1 June 2021.

On 25 July 2023, it briefly rebranded as Sky News: The Voice Debate to cover the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum extensively, featuring both live broadcasts and pre-recorded analysis. The channel returned to its Sky News Extra identity on 16 October 2023.

Programming

Sky News Extra broadcasts live sessions from Australia's Parliament House in Canberra, including proceedings from the House of Representatives, Senate, parliamentary committees, and political press conferences. Coverage extends to state parliaments in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, as well as the United States Congress and addresses from the Australian National Press Club. Furthermore, it features parliamentary sessions from New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom alongside content from the United Nations and European Parliament.

Availability

At its inception, Sky News Extra was available through satellite, cable services, online streaming platforms, and as a free-to-air digital television trial in Sydney.

Starting 1 May 2016, the linear broadcast of Sky News Extra was replaced by the original Sky News Election Channel—which also began HD transmissions—rendering Sky News Extra accessible solely via Sky News Multiview and online platforms. Although plans were made to relaunch it as a linear channel on 30 November 2016, this was delayed and eventually resumed on 24 January 2017 following the American presidential inauguration. The HD feed originally launched by SNEC was retained by Sky News Extra. On 28 June 2024, SNEC resumed broadcasting over the channel space previously occupied by Sky News Extra on cable, Foxtel, and satellite services.