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Sky News debuts on Channel 5

Sunrise is fronted by Simon McCoy

The 30-minute simulcast of Sunrise was shown at 0600 GMT on both Channel 5 and Sky News.

The programme replaces news programming from ITN's 24-hour rolling news channel.

ITN remains the main provider of news programmes for Channel 5 with three news bulletins throughout the day.

'Engaging way'

Sky has long been keen to establish a slot on terrestrial television and has battled with ITN for news contracts on five previous occasions, losing out each time.

"Sky News has a well earned reputation for bringing breaking news stories to viewers first - in an engaging way," said a BSkyB spokesman.

The spokesman said the debut of Sky News on terrestrial television would be good for viewers.

"Competition is generally a good thing as it increases viewer choice.

"To have one of the big three main news providers in the UK now available on terrestrial television can only be a good thing."

A spokesman for Channel 5 said the broadcast went without a hitch.

Tune in

"We're delighted it has started and we believe it offers viewers a real alternative at that time."

About 25,000 people usually tune in to the slot on Channel 5.

Sky News will also be make a series of documentaries for the channel.

It is not the first time the satellite broadcaster has worked with a terrestrial channel - it used to produce news for TV-am, ITV's breakfast programme provider, which shut down almost 10 years ago.