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George Negus to quit SBS for TEN

Exclusive: George Negus will exit SBS at the end of the year to join TEN, leading to speculation he will front the new 6pm news-based programme.

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EXCLUSIVE: George Negus will exit SBS at the end of the year to join Network TEN, leading to speculation he will front its new 6pm news-based programme.

Negus has fronted SBS international current affairs series Dateline for six years  as well has appearing on TEN’s 7PM Project in a mutual arrangement enjoyed by both networks. The appearances have helped give him a younger audience following. Now he will make a permanent move.

Negus is understood to have had a number of discussions with SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown about his future, but will continue with Dateline until the end of the year.

TEN is yet to reveal its presenter for the half-hour news-based programme that comprises its 6pm timeslot, but rumours of ABC’s Jennifer Byrne have been denied by TEN.

In a statement to SBS staff Negus said, “It has been both a personal and professional privilege to work with you all for the past six years. I’ve worked with great colleagues at Dateline, NACA, in the studio, the control room, wardrobe, make-up, the atrium, the café – even in Management!

“In the process, terrific friendships have been made that I’m sure will remain long after ‘the moustache has left the building.'”

With The Simpsons and Neighbours shifting to Eleven, TEN is investing heavily in the News landscape.

It plans to introduce a 30-minute national news program targeting viewers seeking “a smarter, more informed and insightful approach to the stories, issues, events and news-makers of the day.”

It will be followed by 30 minute local news editions with state-based hosts around the country including Sandra Sully and Mal Walden.

TEN is expected to confirm Negus’ appointment this weekend.

32 Responses

  1. People who think it would be good for Jennifer to anchor with George – bad idea, dual presenters on half hour bulletins don’t work in the two biggest TV markets of Sydney and Brisbane. Single presenter is better.

  6. I agree if they got both George Negus and Jennifer Byrne presenting together at 6 or 6.30pm that would sure as hell scare the bejesus out of 7 and 9 and give them a good run for their money. Then they would really show they are becoming a more serious network.

  7. That was pretty decent of SBS. Kudos to them 🙂 As for George, I think the money is playing some role in this move. I do love him on 7PM though (in stark contrast to Steve Price). To be honest, I probably won’t be watching the new news anyway (2 hours is way too much and Simpsons ftw).

  11. It’s all just a little bit of history repeating. 20 years after Ten tried a serious half hour news bulletin at 6 with an original 60 reporter as reader…

    Don’t tell me they’re going to call it Ten Evening News.

  15. I’ve been a fan of George’s ever since the good ol’ days of Sixty Minutes (yes! it used to be good).

    “I can’t think of anyone who can fill George’s shoes.” – Depends on what you want them filled with.

  19. imagine if negus and byrne presented at 6pm together, that would really scare 7 and 9 (and probably hurt their audience)
    i really hope he doesnt leave 7pm he is the best regular guess they have on the show.

  24. If they got Byrne as well they’ll have a pretty impressive line-up. I find Negus a little lacking on 7pm but perhpas in a more formal news format he’ll be as good as he used to be. It’s hard to dislike him.

  25. Ten’s definitely taking this news expansion seriously. Who knows, we could have a new leading news network in a few years.

    George Negus is definitely good to have on board but to host a news program? He’s more current affairs host/reporter than news presenter.

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