Sky News to produce Queen's Christmas message

Copyright ATV

For the first time Sky News will be allowed to produce the annual Queen’s Christmas Day message.

 

The Christmas Day message, which is broadcast at 3pm in the UK will this year and next year be produced by Sky News. The duties of producing the message had been shared between the BBC and ITN, who alternate most years. Prior to 1997, it had only been the BBC who produced the message, available to all to broadcast.

 

The Queen’s press secretary announced today that Sky, BBC and ITN will now alternate every two years. Sky News have landed the honour at an ideal time to produce the message, with the Royal Wedding this year of Prince William to Catherine Middleton and the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012.