Comments on: Mark Ferguson signs with Seven

By: John

John — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:52:20 +0000

For two presenters to work, you need good chemistry between the newsreaders (look at 10, especially when they had Ron Wilson and Deborah Knight/Jessica Rowe). I haven’t watched 10 news lately, so I don’t know how Bill Woods is going though. Bath and Ferguson seem a bit too much of a contrast to me for Seven to ever pull it off

By: greysfan

greysfan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:34:07 +0000

IMO all that double header stuff going around is just the media doing their thing. I think Chris Bath will do weekdays and Mark weekends. Bath has been waiting for weekdays and if she isnt given them i have a feeling she might walk the first chance she gets.

As for the double header stuff i dont think it would work. IMO Sydney/NSW viewers including myself prefer the one newsreader. Again i think its media going around trying to make a story. Still who knows. I just think it would be totally unfair for him to get weekdays when Bath has been waiting for them.

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:14:41 +0000

@ Kenny

I know Seven News Sydney pulls about 25% more viewers than This Afternoon. I was just questioning if going to a one city newscast is that big of a deal. If we had network news in Australia – absolutely. But this isn’t a national profile.

By: TrojanTroy

TrojanTroy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:31:18 +0000

If Channel 9 had any brains, they’d spend the time between October and now making this guy look as silly as possible so he doesn’t have any credibility left by the time he gets to 7. I’m not sure how they would achieve that and not look bitter themselves but that’s what I would attempt to do if I were in charge to ensure 7 ends up with damaged goods.
It’s a brutal tactic but hey, it’s a rough landscape at the moment….

By: newtaste

newtaste — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:58:18 +0000

With Seven confirming that Ian Ross will retire at the end of this year, the Daily Tele and The Australian are both reporting that Seven are expected to have a double header News next year with Mark Ferguson and Chris Bath.

By: John

John — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:57:46 +0000

He’s a fairly strong *news* presenter.

Leave it at that.

By: Kuttsywood

Kuttsywood — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:17:41 +0000

Russell: Ask Sharyn Ghidella. She did the exact same thing, and look where she is now.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:27:41 +0000

Nine News Sydney is actually up this year.

A 319K average so far compared to last year where the ABC was in front with 317K and Nine News less than that.

However, big shame – Fergo seemed like one of the nicest newsreaders on telly.

By: Heléna

Heléna — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:20:20 +0000

switching to 7 – 10/09

By: Kenny

Kenny — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:33:32 +0000

Russell – This Afternoon=307,00 nationally, 9News Sydney=351,000, 7News Sydney=421,000 – so your point is?? Anyway, inside sources say Fergo made the first contact with Seven, so Gyngell’s “We’re actually flattered that another network had to look to Nine to find a new newsreader” is baseless sour grapes. Lucy – Newsreader on $500,000 -v- Eddie the game show host on $5m is absolutely ridiculous. But then again, that’s Nine.

By: Danny

Danny — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:04:59 +0000

Dear Mr Gyngell and Mr Leckie,

You both are ridiculous children… dare I say worse than politicians in Canberra. Please leave the TV industry and stop comparing sizes in public, I’m embarrassed for you.

PS: Channel Nine, when you launch a new show, make sure your talents are signed… Unbelievable!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:35:15 +0000

I think Seven will put Mark in the hot seat doing the weekday news replacing Ian next year,going head to head with Peter on Nine.He will be moved around for rest of year filling in for other readers while they away l recoken.And Georgie Gardner going to weekends on Nine,great move shes a great newsreader,will be interesting too see who replaces her on Today reading the news……..maybe they might get Jessica Rowe back on Today show reading news lol.

By: mikeys

mikeys — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:48:26 +0000

Yeah that’s a good line from Gyngel… saving face to say the least…

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:24:15 +0000

Good move for Mark, I reckon 7 will use him as the 6pm anchor when Ian Ross retires. I bet he kick Peter Overtons butt as well, I bet channel nine watch Peter Overton every night and shake their heads thinking, what have we done! Channel nine have lost their best news reader, another reason too give nine a miss

By: Darryn

Darryn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:02:23 +0000

Fergo is deliocious. Hopefully he will take over from ross at the end of the year.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:41:58 +0000

Obviously Ch9 didn’t care too much for him if they punted him from prime time news, then stuck him with weekends then stuck him with ThISaFtERNOon then offered him a pay cut for the privilege.

Kudos to Meakin and Leckie, smart signing of good talent.