Wednesday 6 August 2014 09:39, UK
Ahead of the launch of Sky Sports News HQ on August 12 we ask some of our presenters and reporters to share their memories. Today it's Pete Graves.
What are your first memories of SSN (as a viewer)?
Sky Sports News was a mainstay in our family home from the day it launched. But a couple of big moments that stick in my mind are Jim White unveiling Michael Owen as a Newcastle United player at a packed St James Park and Jeff Stelling announcing that Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass had scored a goal to save the Cumbrians from relegation.
What was your first story covered on SSN?
The first big story I remember covering as a reporter at SSN was Alan Shearer's appointment as Newcastle United manager. I'd been in London a couple of months and the newsdesk sent me up north to help the team on the day. We transmitted the press conference live, and every single bar and household on Tyneside (where I'm from) was glued to our coverage. It was probably the day I realised just how big an organisation I'd joined.
What's the biggest story you've broken on the yellow ticker?
Wow, so many. The ones that stick in your mind are often the more controversial news stories or tragedies because they require a certain tone, plus there are often important legal and ethical elements to consider, so you have to be really switched on as a presenter. Huge transfer stories such as Gareth Bale to Real Madrid can produce dozens of breaking developments on the yellow ticker... from him boarding the plane, to landing in Spain, to arriving for his medical, to passing his medical... and so on. It can run for days, and it's great to be part of it. I think as presenters we all secretly hope to be on air when the official announcement is made... that's when there's a real buzz in the newsroom and the viewer responses explode on social media.
What are you most looking forward to within the new HQ studio?
It's an exciting time. I really enjoy getting out of my seat and being able to present on my feet and on the move and there's a lot more scope to do that in the new studio.
Do you have a Twitter account and how many followers do you have?
I do! @PeteGravesSky - and I've got around thirty thousand followers I think?
I love Sky Sports News because...
We're the best at what we do yet we continue to improve. I'm so proud to be a tiny part of something, that's the first port of call for most sports fans across the UK.
