Anushka Asthana to join Channel 4 News as US Editor
Channel 4 News is delighted to announce the appointment of Anushka Asthana as its US Editor.
Channel 4 News is delighted to announce the appointment of Anushka Asthana as its US Editor.
Anushka is one of the UK’s foremost political journalists. She joins from ITV News where she has been Deputy Political Editor since July 2021.
Renowned for her agenda-setting journalism and exceptional political reporting, Anushka has worked across some of the most recognisable international newsrooms, including The Guardian where she served as Political Editor and Sky News as Senior Political Correspondent, alongside The Times, The Observer and Washington Post.
A familiar face to UK audiences, Anushka co-hosts ITV’s Peston, and previously presented BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster. In 2018, she was appointed to host The Guardian’s flagship podcast, ‘Today in Focus’, which has since become one of the most successful news podcasts in the UK.
As Channel 4 News’ US Editor, Anushka will deliver the network’s acclaimed coverage from Washington DC. She will lead the brand’s US political programming across all platforms and continue its proud record of outstanding international news and current affairs output.
Anushka brings with her a significant record of investigative excellence, reputation for forensic insight and analysis, and eye-catching accountability with some of the most prominent political figures.
At a time of significant growth for Channel 4 News, following one of its most successful years across all platforms, her commitment to digital engagement and new audiences will help to shape the future for one of the UK’s most trusted, public news services.
Esme Wren, Editor of Channel 4 News said: “Anushka is truly one of the UK’s brightest political talents, performing at the top of her game to deliver agenda-setting coverage on some of the biggest stories of the day. We are delighted she’ll be joining Channel 4 News at this vital moment for American and global politics, with her true craft, expertise and journalistic enterprise. Her commitment to bringing new audiences to trusted, public service news reflects the spirit of Channel 4 News, and I know she will take us forward as we continue to engage global audiences in our operations from the US. I want to thank Siobhan for her truly outstanding commitment to this brief over the past six years, with her signature tenacity that I know she’ll inject back here in the UK.”
Anushka’s appointment follows a highly competitive process that attracted applications from across the industry. She succeeds Siobhan Kennedy who has served supremely as US correspondent for six years – Channel 4’s trusted voice on some of the most iconic news events and news-making moments, from Trump doorsteps to two Presidential elections, alongside the Covid-19 pandemic, mass protests after George Floyd’s murder, January 6th, and much more.
Siobhan is returning to the UK to rejoin the Channel 4 News team in London.
During her tenure as Deputy Political Editor of ITV News, Anushka has spearheaded exclusive coverage and helmed major news events, including co-hosting ITV’s overnight coverage of both the US presidential elections in 2020 and 2024.
Anushka has been recognised with numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named Journalist of the Year at the Asian Media Awards in 2024 and awarded the prestigious Laurence Stern Fellowship by the Washington Post in 2006. In 2020, ‘Today in Focus’ was named Best Current Affairs Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.
Anushka began her career in journalism at The Observer in 2003, before moving to The Times in 2011. Last year, she joined the board of the Society of Editors alongside a distinguished group of media and news executives.
Anushka Asthana said: “I am thrilled to be appointed US Editor of Channel 4 News, and join such an exceptional team at a pivotal moment for US and global politics. It’s a newsroom known and loved the world over, renowned for its distinctive, agenda-setting journalism, on some of the biggest stories of our time. Public service journalism has never been more vital, and I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of Channel 4 News in bringing world-class
reporting to a global audience.”
Anushka will join Channel 4 News this Summer.