Sky News launches downloadable news application

Broadcaster will distribute content via platform developed for Apple users

iPhone users can have news content delivered to their handset

Sky News has launched a downloadable application for iPhone and iPod Touch users that allows the delivery of news direct to their devices.

The application – claimed to be a UK first – enables users to receive news by text, images and video. Content is available under different categories, such as top stories, UK news, sport, business, world news, showbiz and "strange news".

Consumers will also be able to watch news headlines videos, weather reports, send their own stories and pictures to Sky News and sign up for news alerts, delivered by text to iPhone users.

“We have spent a long time developing this application to make sure that it delivers first-class breaking news in the way that Sky News viewers and web users have come to expect,” said James Weeks, executive producer of new media at Sky News.

“We are also looking forward to receiving news and pictures from iPhone users, further enhancing our reputation for being first for breaking news, wherever you are.”

The launch follows Sky’s previous mobile-focused innovation, Remote Record, which allows customers to program their Sky Plus box from a mobile phone and has been downloaded more than a quarter of a million times since April.