Brand new television network GB News could start broadcasting at the end of May, it has been reported.
The BBC's rival is said to be gearing up to go live on Monday 31 May, with the likes of Kirsty Gallacher, Alastair Stewart and Colin Brazier all featuring as on-air staff.
According to The Telegraph, industry sources said the opinionated news service will begin by broadcasting showreels of its presenters from May 27, with live programming set to start four days later.
However, GB News told the publication that the timing of the launch had not yet been decided.
"The only confirmed dates are related to technical launches," a GB News spokeswoman said.
"No date has been decided for the launch of live programming. That decision will not be made for some time, possibly weeks."
GB News will air on Freeview channel 236 and will be broadcast across Sky, Virgin Media, YouView and Freesat, alongside a dedicated on-demand streaming service.
The channel will not provide rolling news, but instead will be a mix of news, opinion, and debate, and is spearheaded by veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil.
Colin Brazier, the former Sky News presenter, said he joined GB News because "the mainstream broadcasters were getting out of touch with a large portion of the viewership".
"I think people will be surprised to find that it is not as shrill as they are expecting," he added. "It is going to be more thoughtful and positive, and it will not be po-faced.
"Sometimes watching the existing news offerings can feel like being in the audience for an extended sociology lecture - and I don't think this will," he added.
Scottish journalist Andrew recently addressed rumours that Piers Morgan would be joining GB News.
During an appearance on This Morning, Andrew suggested that Piers would be a "great asset" to GB News since he quit Good Morning Britain in March.
"I think Piers would be a huge asset to [GB News] but I wouldn't want to transfer what he was doing for Good Morning Britain straight to GB News. I would want to do something different.
"We'll try to come to a mutual agreement but he won't be short of offers, so no doubt there will be a bit of competition," Andrew added.
