Cathy Newman Joins Sky News as Political Coverage Steps Up

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky News has confirmed that award winning journalist and broadcaster Cathy Newman will join the newsroom in the coming months, taking on a prominent role across its political output. Newman will front the 7pm flagship daily politics programme, launch a new podcast and work on long form investigations and documentaries, marking a significant addition to the broadcaster's editorial line up.

One of the UK's most recognisable broadcasters, Newman arrives with nearly two decades of experience in political and investigative journalism. She first built her reputation at the Financial Times before moving to Channel 4 News, where she later became the programme's first female main presenter. Across that period, her work became closely associated with tough questioning and a refusal to settle for easy gotcha moments, even when interviews became tense or widely shared.

Her reporting has covered some of the most high profile political and legal stories of recent years. These include an eight year investigation that exposed Church of England abuser John Smyth, coverage of sexual harassment allegations involving Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard, and an investigation into British sex offender Simon Harris that ultimately led to a 17 year prison sentence. In each case, Newman focused on sustained investigation rather than quick fire gotcha exchanges.

The appointment comes as Sky News continues to expand its political journalism under its 2030 strategy, with politics positioned as central to its ambition to be a premium, video first newsroom. Newman's role will be fully cross platform, spanning television, podcasting, online and social output, with the 7pm slot evolving to include deeper reporting alongside daily political analysis.

Newman will also continue to produce original investigative journalism, which is expected to play a key role in the future shape of the evening programme. That work will sit alongside Sky News' long form ambitions, including Full Story Films, the documentary production unit launched last year. For a newsroom often associated with sharp questioning, the message is clear. This is about substance over surface, and moving beyond the easy gotcha.

And while we are talking about Gotcha moments, here is our favourite Cathy Clip.

Enjoy.

River City: Our Story Brings Shieldinch’s Journey to a Close

Image BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Scotland is preparing to mark the end of River City with a special one-off documentary that looks back on the drama's long and influential run. River City: Our Story will celebrate the series as it bows out in Autumn 2026, closing the door on more than two decades spent in the fictional community of Shieldinch.

The hour-long documentary is being made by Solus Productions and directed by Tony Kearney, a familiar face to viewers who played Scott Wallace for almost ten years after the show launched in September 2002. For Kearney, the project carries a personal weight, returning him to the programme he helped shape from its earliest days.

River City: Our Story will revisit some of the most defining moments from the show's 24 years on screen. Members of the current cast will come together in their on-screen family groups to rewatch key scenes, share memories, and reflect on what it was like filming moments that became part of the show's history. The documentary will also feature behind-the-scenes footage captured as cast and crew prepare to shoot the final episodes at Dumbarton Studios, filmed earlier this year.

The programme will widen its focus beyond the studio gates by including contributions from the audience. Long-time fans will talk about the unexpected impact River City has had on their lives, as well as their memories drawn from more than 1,500 episodes filled with love, murder and humour on Montego Street. Details on how viewers can submit their stories are expected to be announced soon.

Gavin Smith, Commissioning Editor for Drama at BBC Scotland, described the documentary as a key part of the show's farewell. He said the team was delighted to be working with Solus on a celebration that offers a warm look back at Shieldinch, packed with memorable clips and stories.

Tony Kearney, who also serves as executive producer, reflected on the significance of the moment. Having appeared in the very first scene filmed for River City, he said being present to observe the final scene being shot would feel like a full circle moment and a genuine privilege.

A Solus Production for BBC Scotland, River City: Our Story is executive produced by Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland, Martin McCardie for BBC Studios and Jim Webster for Solus Productions. The documentary will air in Autumn 2026 on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland.

COMPETITION: Win Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale Season 1 on DVD

Spellbinding new crime drama series, Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale, based on the Sunday Times bestselling novel Sanctuary by V.V. James and starring Elaine Cassidy (A Discovery of Witches, The Wonder, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die), is coming to UK screens this festive season, with a murder mystery set to cast a spell on you. 

And to celebrate we have a copy on DVD to give away!

Synopsis:

This enchanting mystery thriller centres Elaine Cassidy’s Sarah Fenn alongside other powerful female characters with Hazel Doupe (Smother, Into the Badlands) as Harper Fenn, Amy De Bhrún (Line of Duty, Vikings) as Abigail Whithall and Stephanie Levi-John (The Spanish Princess) as DCI Maggie Knight. 

 

When local teen rugby star and town golden boy, Dan Whithall dies in a sudden and unexplained accident, the tight-knit community turns to Sarah (Cassidy) for answers. Though witches are welcome to live openly in Sanctuary, the weight of Dan’s death brings to light how deep old prejudices can run and just how quickly suspicions can turn deadly. In the wake of a police investigation and as rumours spiral, grief soon curdles into blame and Abigail (De Bhrún) – Dan’s devastated mother and once Sarah’s closest friend – begins to stoke the pyre on a modern-day witch hunt.  

 

As suspicion grips the town, Sarah and her teenage daughter Harper (Doupe) find themselves in the middle of a mounting storm: a community unravelling; an investigation steeped in bias and a deadly force of paranoia determined to destroy them.  

 

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale is a spellbinding murder mystery drenched in magic and moral complexity – with a second season on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dive into the beguiling new crime series filled with endless twists and turns.  

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4qldHcS

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who plays Harper Fenn in Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 26-01-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Assume Nothing: The Stormont Spy Ring and a Murder That Still Haunts Northern Ireland

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Assume Nothing: The Stormont Spy Ring is a new eight-part documentary series for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster that revisits one of the most unsettling stories to emerge from the post-conflict years in Northern Ireland.

At its centre is Denis Donaldson, a long-standing Sinn Féin figure who was exposed in 2005 as having worked as an informer for the police and MI5 for two decades. The revelation sent shockwaves through politics and republicanism alike. Months later, in 2006, Donaldson was found shot dead at a remote cottage in Donegal.

The series is narrated by actor Martin McCann, known for his role in Blue Lights, and begins not with the murder but with events leading up to it. It opens months earlier, when a break-in at the Belfast headquarters of Special Branch triggered a major criminal investigation. At the time, suspicion quickly fell on the IRA.

Police inquiries eventually led officers to Denis Donaldson's home, where they recovered material believed to have been taken from government offices. Some documents were missing or incomplete. Attempts by police to trace and recover them transformed what had been a covert inquiry into a full political crisis, one that threatened the stability of Stormont's power-sharing government.

Donaldson was arrested along with three others, accused of operating a republican spy ring at the heart of government. What followed was a complex and drawn-out legal process that ended in a way few expected. Prosecutors dropped all charges.

Soon after, Denis Donaldson publicly admitted that he had been passing information to the police and MI5. He then vanished from public life. He resurfaced months later living alone in a whitewashed stone cottage in rural Donegal. It was there that he was murdered.

In 2009, the Real IRA claimed responsibility for killing him, yet no one has ever been convicted. Two decades on, the case remains unresolved and surrounded by unanswered questions.

One possible piece of evidence continues to cast a long shadow. A journal Donaldson was believed to be writing around the time of his death is held by Irish police. His family has repeatedly sought its return, but without success.

The series draws on voices from journalists, members of the security services, and people with close knowledge of the events, piecing together a story that remains deeply contested and politically sensitive.

Assume Nothing: The Stormont Spy Ring is available now on BBC Sounds.

Steph McGovern Steps Into the Art Market for BBC Two

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

BBC Arts has announced Steph McGovern as the presenter of a new six part arts series, co commissioned with BBC Northern Ireland for BBC Two, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer.

Titled The Big Deal with Steph McGovern, the programme was first revealed at the Belfast Media Festival in 2023 under its original working name, The Art Game. The series follows seven pairs of contestants as they enter the competitive world of contemporary art dealing, all with the aim of winning a substantial prize.

The global art market regularly grabs attention with record breaking auctions and sold out exhibitions, yet for many people it still feels difficult to access or understand. This series sets out to lift the curtain by placing complete newcomers at the centre of the action and letting them learn by doing.

Across the series, the aspiring dealers are encouraged to trust their instincts, think like entrepreneurs and see whether they can turn art into profit. While some have an interest in art, none have professional experience of buying or selling artworks. Each episode introduces challenges that push them to identify emerging talent, build connections with established artists, attract buyers and close a sale.

Their progress is overseen by series expert Cordelia De Freitas, alongside a rotating panel of guest specialists from across the art world. Among those judging the contestants are curator Matt Carey Williams, artist Margo McDaid and Ani Petrov, marketing vice president at a digital art marketplace. At the end of the competition, the winning pair will take home £50,000 worth of art.

Steph McGovern says the series aims to challenge the idea that art is only for a select few. While people may feel comfortable spending money on experiences like theatre, music festivals or travel, she believes art can feel more daunting. The show, she says, breaks down that barrier by following dealers from different backgrounds as they navigate the heart of the art market, with the clear goal of making money.

Bargain Holiday Secrets Heads to Channel 4

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has commissioned Firecrest Films to produce a new peak time consumer series focused on helping viewers land genuinely good value holidays.

With millions of travel options now available, finding a great deal can feel confusing and time consuming. In this new five part series, Jasmine Harman guides viewers through practical tips and insider knowledge designed to help them recognise real bargains and stretch their holiday budgets further.

The programme opens up the travel industry from the inside, with contributors from some of the world's biggest travel companies revealing how pricing and marketing decisions are made. The series digs into familiar features such as all you can eat buffets, cruise drinks packages and airline pricing models, while also exposing the fear of missing out tactics that encourage rushed bookings. These behind the scenes insights aim to give holidaymakers the confidence to make smarter choices and avoid common traps.

Across the episodes, viewers also explore how Britain's most popular holiday destinations became so sought after and what fuels demand behind the scenes. The show looks at the rise of cheaper destination alternatives and breaks down how to save on flights, accommodation, food and added extras without sacrificing the experience.

Covering a broad range of travel styles, the series moves through cruises, long haul trips, all inclusive deals, city breaks and traditional beach holidays. Each episode is packed with practical advice designed to help viewers get more out of their money when planning their next escape.

Deborah Dunnett, Glasgow based commissioning editor for Channel 4, said the channel is excited to work with Firecrest Films on a programme that offers a rare look behind the scenes of the travel industry while helping viewers secure better value holidays.

Executive Producer Nicole Kleeman added that Firecrest Films is pleased to expand its consumer journalism into the holiday sector, giving insiders the chance to share how people can book a dream trip for less.

The Apprentice Returns for Milestone 20th Series in 2026

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Lord Sugar is back in the boardroom as The Apprentice returns to the BBC for its 20th series in 2026, continuing the search for his next business partner. Joining him once again are Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE, ensuring the high-stakes business challenges and boardroom drama fans have come to expect.

This year marks a special milestone, with the first-ever boardroom set in Hong Kong for episode one, giving the series an international twist from the very start. The full line-up of candidates will be announced in due course, but viewers can expect 20 ambitious contestants, celebrating the show's 20th series, all hoping to secure Lord Sugar's investment and a shot at launching their business dreams.

The Apprentice 2026 will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in early 2026.