If you’ve flicked on the telly at 7 pm lately, you might have noticed things look a little different. The purple-hued studio is still there, and the music still has that urgent, "the-world-is-ending-but-we-have-the-details" vibe. But the faces? They’re shifting.
Honestly, tracking news anchors Channel 4 uses can feel like keeping tabs on a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Just when you get used to a specific pairing, someone jumps ship to Sky or heads out on a massive international assignment. It's not just about reading a teleprompter anymore; it's about who has the "adversarial" edge that the channel is famous for.
2026 has been a particularly weird year for the roster.
The Shock Departure: Why Cathy Newman Left
Let's address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the elephant that just walked out the door.
Cathy Newman is gone.
After two decades of being the "investigations powerhouse" at Channel 4, she made the jump to Sky News in January 2026. It's a massive blow. You've probably seen her legendary (and sometimes controversial) interviews where she basically refuses to let politicians breathe until they answer the question.
She's taking over the 7 pm politics slot at Sky, which means she’s now directly competing with her old colleagues. It's kinda awkward, right? Imagine spending 20 years building a brand and then setting up shop right across the street at the exact same time.
Newman’s departure has left a gaping hole in the Channel 4 weeknight schedule. She wasn't just an anchor; she was the person who spearheaded the investigation into the Church of England abuse scandals. You can't just replace that with a generic "news reader."
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Krishnan Guru-Murthy: The Last Man Standing?
With Jon Snow gone and now Newman out, Krishnan Guru-Murthy is essentially the soul of the broadcast.
He’s been there since 1998. Think about that. He started when people were still using dial-up internet. These days, he’s the lead presenter, but he’s also become a bit of a pop-culture icon—mostly because of his stint on Strictly and his tendency to get into viral spats with movie stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Quentin Tarantino.
But don't let the celebrity stuff fool you.
Krishnan is still doing the heavy lifting. In 2026, he’s been fronting the major election specials and the big "Ways to Change the World" podcast episodes. He’s the anchor that provides the "gravitas" when everything else is in flux. If he ever leaves, the channel might actually have an identity crisis.
The New Guard Taking Over the Desk
Since the team is a bit thinner at the top, we’re seeing a lot more of the "specialist" editors stepping up to the main desk. It’s a different energy.
- Matt Frei: Still the Europe Editor, but he's basically a permanent fixture in the London studio now. He brings that slightly chaotic, highly intellectual energy that works well for breaking European crises.
- Fatima Manji: She’s been a trailblazer since 2016. While some reports suggest she’s moved more into long-form and authoring books, she still anchors the flagship show frequently. She represents the "new" Channel 4—sharp, diverse, and zero-nonsense.
- Jackie Long: As the Social Affairs Editor, she usually anchors when the news is "domestic-heavy." She’s the one who won everyone's respect for her reporting on Yarl's Wood and domestic abuse.
- Ciaran Jenkins: The Data Correspondent who moved from Scotland back to the main hub. He’s the "techy" anchor. If there’s a complicated chart that needs explaining, it’s usually him.
The Leeds Move: It’s Not Just London Anymore
One thing people often get wrong about news anchors Channel 4 employs is where they actually live.
In 2023, the channel opened a massive new hub in Leeds. It wasn't just a token gesture. It changed how the news is delivered. Now, a huge chunk of the broadcast happens from the North of England.
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This was a deliberate move by editor Esme Wren. The idea was to stop the "Westminster bubble" from dictating every headline. Now, you’ll often see Jackie Long or one of the newer correspondents anchoring from the Leeds studio while Krishnan is in London.
It makes the show feel less like a stuffy London club and more like a national broadcast. Honestly, it was about time.
Why This Lineup Matters More Than Ever
Channel 4 News is weird because it’s funded by ads but owned by the public. It has a "public service remit" which basically means they are legally required to be "edgy" and "challenging."
This affects who they hire as anchors.
You won’t find many "fluff" presenters here. You find war correspondents like Alex Thomson, who has literally covered 20+ wars. When Alex sits in the anchor chair, you know he’s not just reading a script—il has probably been in the trenches of the story he’s talking about.
The Challenges of 2026
The media landscape is currently a mess. Everyone is fighting for attention against TikTok and AI-generated "news."
Channel 4’s strategy seems to be doubling down on human expertise. They’ve recently poached Paul Morgan-Bentley from The Times to lead their "forensic journalism" unit. This tells you everything you need to know: they want their anchors to be backed by the best investigators in the business.
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They aren't trying to be "balanced" in the boring, "he-said-she-said" way. They’re trying to be "right." And that requires anchors who are comfortable with conflict.
What to Watch For Next
If you're a news junkie, keep an eye on the Friday night slots. This is usually where they "test drive" the next generation of anchors.
The departure of Cathy Newman has created a vacancy that hasn't been officially filled by a single "big name" yet. Expect to see a rotation of Ayshah Tull and Symeon Brown as they vie for a more permanent spot in the weekday rotation.
Also, watch the Leeds output. The channel is pouring money into that studio, and it’s likely that the next "Main Anchor" won't even be based in London.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
- Follow the Specialists: If you want the real story, don't just watch the 7 pm show. Follow editors like Victoria Macdonald (Health) or Gary Gibbon (Politics) on social media. They often drop the "raw" version of the news before it’s polished for TV.
- Check the Podcasts: The Fourcast and Ways to Change the World are where the anchors actually get to show their personalities. You'll learn more about the news in a 40-minute podcast than in a 5-minute TV segment.
- Leeds is the Future: If you’re a journalism student or a media nerd, watch how the Leeds studio handles breaking news. It’s a blueprint for how national news can decentralize away from the capital.
The news anchors Channel 4 uses are more than just faces; they are the gatekeepers of a very specific, very British brand of "punching up" journalism. Even with the big exits and the studio moves, that DNA doesn't seem to be changing.
The lineup is thinner, sure. But it’s also arguably more focused.