The new GB News channel has announced that it has secured a transmission deal with Arqiva ahead of its launch later this year.

The company is a specialist in broadcasting channels through all major platforms and its connectivity will enable GB News to reach over 96% of British households through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat and YouView from launch day.

Having secured its launch funding earlier this month, GB News is moving quickly to get the channel up and running and is in the middle of recruiting 120 journalists for the venture.

"It's been two decades since the launch of a UK news channel like ours, especially one that's creating so much unique content for the whole nation," said GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos.

"Arqiva's superb track record in transmission services, particularly for Freeview, means we will be connected to the platform with the greatest reach in the UK.

"This deal enables us to deliver programmes in multiple ways so we connect to more homes."

Yesterday the broadcaster announced that it has poached The Sun's executive editor Dan Wootton to host a new show on the channel.