In a week marked by major announcements in British media, two of the country’s most influential news and drama institutions are undergoing significant transformations. Channel 4 News presenter and investigations editor Cathy Newman is set to leave the program after two decades, moving to Sky News for a high-profile role. Meanwhile, acclaimed scripted production company The Forge, responsible for hits like Help, National Treasure, and Ackley Bridge, has unveiled a sweeping reorganization of its senior leadership team as it gears up for a new era under Banijay UK ownership.
On January 14, 2026, Channel 4 News confirmed that Cathy Newman, a familiar face to millions of viewers and a stalwart of British investigative journalism, will depart after 20 years at the channel. Newman will join Sky News, where she is slated to front the network’s flagship 7pm daily politics slot, launch a new podcast, and spearhead long-form investigations and documentaries. Sky News, which has been shifting its focus from traditional breaking live TV news to premium video content across digital platforms, sees Newman’s hard-hitting journalism as essential to this evolution.
Sky News executive chairman David Rhodes expressed his enthusiasm, telling Press Gazette, “Cathy has broken some of Britain’s biggest stories and brings a clear, engaging style that audiences trust and we’re delighted to welcome her to Sky News. Our future plan requires just the kind of premium investigative and political expertise that Cathy will bring to our team.”
Newman’s move comes on the heels of an extraordinary year. In December 2025, she was named both Journalist of the Year and Interviewer of the Year at the British Journalism Awards. The accolades recognized her eight-year investigation into an abuse scandal within the Church of England, as well as her exclusive interview with Archbishop Justin Welby—an encounter that led to the first-ever forced resignation of an Archbishop. Her reporting also contributed to Channel 4 News being named News Provider of the Year, cementing the program’s reputation for fearless journalism.
Reflecting on her time at Channel 4 News, Newman said, “There couldn’t be a more exhilarating time to return to Westminster, and I’m hugely looking forward to bringing in exclusive interviews and investigations on a brand new programme, and launching a podcast too. It’s been a total privilege working on Channel 4 News for exactly two decades. In that time I’ve interviewed eight Prime Ministers past and present, covered five General Election campaigns, attended 19 party conference seasons, and broken stories that saw the Archbishop of Canterbury quit for the first time in history and an investigation that led to British paedophile Simon Harris being jailed. I’ll miss my talented Channel 4 News colleagues enormously, but as Mary Shelley once wrote: ‘the beginning is always today’. And I can’t wait to begin again.”
Newman’s departure signals a new chapter for Channel 4 News as well. Just a day before the announcement, the program revealed the hiring of Paul Morgan-Bentley, former head of investigations at The Times, as its new head of forensic journalism. Morgan-Bentley will work alongside Newman, at least for a transition period, as Channel 4 News continues to invest in its investigative prowess.
As Sky News prepares to welcome Newman, the network is also recalibrating its political programming. Sophy Ridge, who previously hosted the 7pm politics slot, began co-hosting a new Sky News breakfast show with Wilfred Frost in November. Details regarding the exact timing of Newman’s start date, the launch of her new program, and further information about her podcast remain under wraps, but anticipation is already building within the industry.
Elsewhere in British media, January 14 also brought news of a major shakeup at The Forge, the Banijay UK-owned scripted production company behind a string of acclaimed dramas. After a decade at the helm, founder and Managing Director George Faber has stepped into the newly created role of Executive Chairman. Faber will continue to executive produce both new and existing projects, providing guidance on creative and commercial strategy while ceding day-to-day management to a new leadership team.
Executive Producers Beth Willis and George Ormond have been promoted to Co-Managing Directors, taking responsibility for running the business, shaping its strategic direction, and driving the programming slate. Producers Jade Taylor and Joe Innes have also been elevated to Executive Producer roles, joining existing Executive Producer and Head of Business Affairs Mark Pybus. This team will oversee a diverse slate of upcoming projects, including A Woman or Substance starring Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds for Channel 4, Jack Thorne’s six-part series Falling featuring Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu for Channel 4, and the third season of The Buccaneers with Christina Hendricks and Kristine Froseth for Apple TV+.
Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland praised the new structure, stating, “We’ve loved working with The Forge over the past few years since they joined Banijay UK. George Faber is a major figure in the world of scripted television, someone who has not only been responsible for a stream of fantastic shows but also helped to shape and grow the UK drama industry, most recently through the genesis of this terrific production company. In Beth Willis and George Ormond, The Forge has two formidable creative leaders to take the reins with George Faber still very much in the business as executive producer, sage and consultant. I can’t wait to see the next chapter of the development of this brilliant team under this new leadership structure.”
Faber, who founded The Forge in 2014 after 15 years at Company Pictures (where he co-founded the company in 1998 and oversaw landmark series like Shameless, Skins, Wild at Heart, and Inspector George Gently), reflected on the journey so far. “It’s been a privilege to lead The Forge from its inception for its first decade. I’m immensely proud of the quality and diversity of our dramas and of the extraordinary talent we’ve had the honour to work with. I know the company will continue to flourish under the new leadership of George and Beth and I’m delighted to be continuing my close association with the team.”
Beth Willis echoed the sentiment, saying, “George Faber put something very special in The Forge’s DNA – an infectious creativity and passion for great storytelling flows through it and all the talented people who work there. It’s a privilege to work alongside the brilliant George Ormond and Mark Pybus – and with Joe Innes and Jade Taylor stepping up to executive produce, I couldn’t be more excited about the future.”
As The Forge looks ahead to a slate of new and returning series, including a yet-to-be-announced limited series for a major broadcaster, the company’s leadership transition seems poised to build on a decade of creative success. The company’s acquisition by Banijay UK in November 2023 has further solidified its position in the competitive world of scripted drama, setting the stage for growth and innovation.
From the halls of Westminster to the writers’ rooms of Britain’s top drama producers, these changes reflect a media landscape in constant motion. As familiar faces embrace new challenges and creative teams evolve, audiences can expect the next chapter in British news and television to be every bit as compelling as the last.
