Reuters becomes exclusive distributor of Sky News archive

Reuters has announced it will be the exclusive distributor of the Sky News archive.

Users of Reuters Connect now have access to more than 150,000 Sky News archival clips alongside content from Reuters and 100+ other content providers.

The Sky News archive contains more than 35 years of news material dating back to the channel’s launch on 5 February 1989, capturing pivotal moments, from the fall of the Berlin Wall and the death of Princess Diana, to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Sky News’ Royal Family collection alone spans approximately 40,000 clips documenting official engagements, weddings, births, funerals and other significant moments.

Political coverage captures key figures and turning points from the UK, US and beyond, while war and conflict footage documents every major global conflict since 1989, from Sarajevo to Syria and Ukraine.

The archive also includes extensive material on crime and justice, sport, extreme weather and natural disasters, global health coverage, business and economics, arts and entertainment, and travel and transport.

Approximately 90% of the collection comprises raw, unbranded footage with natural sound and no reporter voiceover, much of which has never been broadcast. The archive spans decades of eyewitness international coverage across multiple continents, with material drawn from Sky News bureaus worldwide and across the UK.

“The Sky News archive is an extraordinary historical resource and adds to more than a century’s-worth of licensable content on Reuters Connect,” said Alphonse Hardel, head of Reuters News Agency. “The platform provides the full depth of history and the breadth of global coverage in one place, with AI-powered search to make it all discoverable and useable for content creators across multiple industries.”

Andrew Thomson, executive director of business operations, Sky News, added: “For more than 35 years, Sky News has brought audiences the full story, first, reporting from the heart of the moments that have shaped Britain and the world. Our archive captures that first draft of history, from royal occasions and political milestones to conflicts, natural disasters and major global events. This partnership with Reuters will help elevate this extraordinary collection, built on decades of impartial, on-the-ground eyewitness reporting, making it accessible to a global community of filmmakers, producers, broadcasters and content creators.”