Rightwing commentator Andrew Bolt recruited to the one-hour program, to start in May, to ‘inform viewers without fear or favour’ on the news of the day

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Andrew Bolt’s political discussion show The Bolt Report will be relaunched in May as a program aired every weeknight on Sky News.

The Herald Sun columnist and blogger will also continue his daily radio spot syndicated on the Macquarie Radio Network.

The rightwing commentator will also have to fit in his filming commitments for the ABC on a prime-time documentary series I Can Change Your Mind About Recognition, to air on the public broadcaster in 2017.

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Sky News has declined to confirm a rumour that former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, Peta Credlin, is considering an offer to join the 24-hour news channel as a commentator for the federal election.

The Bolt Report was dropped by the Ten Network last year after News Corp Australia refused to keep funding its production to the tune of $2m.

On pay television platform Foxtel, The Bolt Report will air live at 7pm every weeknight. With fewer produced packages or prerecords, it will be a cheaper proposition.

Bolt will interview guests, critique the media and politicians and give his take on the news of the day.

“Sky News beats all the networks in its commitment to news and true debate, and I am proud to be joining it,” Bolt said in the Sky announcement. “My brief: to unspin the usual spin and inform viewers without fear or favour on the issues that matter most.”

The CEO of the Australian News Channel which owns Sky News, Angelos Frangopoulos, said Bolt had a proven track record of driving the news cycle and he would encourage debate on the one-hour program.

“The Bolt Report is an exciting addition to our 2016 prime-time schedule and we are delighted to welcome Andrew to the Sky News team,” Frangopoulos said. “Andrew is one of Australia’s most influential political commentators whose analysis and views will undoubtedly add context and stimulate discussion during this important election year.”

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Bolt has already appeared extensively on Sky recently, commentating on the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse from Rome and interviewing Cardinal George Pell live.

Bolt writes columns which appear regularly in the Herald Sun, the Daily Telegraph, the Courier Mail and the Advertiser and he also writes Australia’s most-read political blog.

In an interview with the Australian on Monday Bolt said the new show would be similar to the one he did for Channel Ten.

“It’s a bit scary,” Bolt told the newspaper. “Sky has been brilliant at news. Now it’s beefing up the views. Five nights with the radio show as well, so it will be full-on – but it’s an election year, so why not?

“The worst thing of any of the jobs I’ve got, whether it’s the newspaper, radio or TV, is trying to get guests on,” he said. “You go from being fearless to supplicant! The big question is, will Malcolm Turnbull come on?”