Sýn to end television news broadcasts after four decades

Sýn will stop producing and broadcasting television news from September 1, with the final news bulletin scheduled to air on SÝN tonight, mbl.is reports. The company will also end production and broadcasting of the programme Ísland í dag.

In a statement, Sýn said the decision reflected changing media consumption habits, as more people obtain news and news-related content through digital media.

The company said it would instead focus more heavily on its news services on Vísir and Bylgjan, where demand for news content is high.

“Sýn’s newsroom will continue to provide professional news coverage and develop its news distribution in line with changing consumption habits in Iceland,” the statement said. The aim is to strengthen Sýn’s news services on Vísir and Bylgjan while creating a foundation for sustainable operations.

Herdís Dröfn Fjeldsted, Sýn’s chief executive, said television news had been an important part of the company’s operations and those of its predecessors for four decades.

She said the decision was difficult but necessary, adding that the operation of television news had been unsustainable for some time.

“Although this chapter in Sýn’s history is coming to an end, the newsroom’s contribution to Icelandic media history is undisputed and will remain,” Herdís said. She added that Sýn would continue to provide high-quality news coverage on Vísir and Bylgjan.