Despite Sky’s low ratings – most programs average fewer than 200,000 weekly viewers – Speers’ interviews are frequently reported in other media outlets.

“The power of that amplification is a huge benefit for Sky,” Allen says.
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“You can’t just stick someone else in his chair and hope for the same result. It takes years to cultivate the kind of contacts David has. When he leaves with his little black book, it’ll be a loss for Sky.”

Cassidy – a former press secretary to the late Labor prime minister Bob Hawke – founded Insiders in 2001.

While most established programs continue to shed viewers, Insiders has bucked the trend and grown its audience.

via Rocked by Speers’ defection, Sky News may delay his move to ABC