Automation will cut 50 roles at Sky News and Sport
July 8, 2016
Sky has told about studio staff with news and sport that its plans for an automated system controlling robot cameras will see 50 jobs cut.
The proposals, told to staff on Thursday, see 46 roles scrapped but 31 created in areas such as “automation direction”. They will be subject to a 45-day consultation and will be finalised towards the end of August. The changes are part of a move for Sky news and sports into a new shared studio space. Though the studio already uses robotic camera technology, the new Ross Overdrive system means fewer staff will be needed to record shows for both Sky News and Sky Sports.
Roles expected to be eliminated include technical and camera operators, vision mixers and directors’ assistants.
The changes come as Sky is also trimming its presenting line up. Three anchors – Andrew Wilson, Lorna Dunkley and Samantha Simmonds – have left, with other presenters covering their shifts.