News Archive:
Extra ideas at QTQ
Despite her departure from QTQ9’s newsdesk, Heather Foord could return as presenter of Brisbane’s 5:30pm Extra next year with its host Jillian Whiting redeployed to Nine News.
With Extra being pre-recorded, the set-up would suit Foord (pictured), a mother of four, who wants to spend more time with her daughter.
Last week Melissa Downes was announced as Foord’s replacement for the weeknight bulletin, didn’t News boss Lee Anderson didn’t rule out the speculation about Foord taking over Extra next year.
“At the moment, the main thing for Heather is being home with the kids …
Final week (almost) a Seven sweep
It was the last week of ratings for 2008, and the week all the free to air broadcasters bonded (temporarily) for Freeview with 4 of 5 metro CEOs there for the party, Nine scrambled to refinance its loans, an Australian actress was trapped in international terror, Seven sacked a reporter, former Sunday journos won the Gold Walkley, Nine let go another network celebrity, ACMA slapped Nine three times for A Current Affair, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and Spiderman, TEN dumped 90210 and rearranged its summer schedule again, a gangster’s wife was at …
Game over for Ed Phillips
Quiz host Ed Phillips has been dumped by Channel Nine.
His contract with Nine recently expired and he will not be offered a deal next year, says Confidential.
The non-renewal unfortunately makes for untimely news, just days before Temptation returns to screens.
Only this week Nine even sent out a press release enthusiastically quoting the host: “We’re certainly coming back with a bang, making contestants sweat on the buzzers over summer.
“I can’t wait until it’s game on,” he said.
Livinia Nixon fares a little better with the network, as weather girl for Nine News in …
Seven sacks reporter
The Seven Network has sacked sports reporter Dylan Howard, a day after being cleared by a police inquiry into stolen AFL medical records.
The private medical files were the basis of a Seven Network news story in September last year, which made allegations against several players at an AFL club.
Despite recent public declarations of support from the station, Howard is reported to have been called into a meeting this morning with news director Steve Carey and told the news. He was then told to clear his desk and leave immediately.
Two people …
Melissa for weeknights on Nine
QTQ9 Brisbane has announced that newsreader Heather Foord will be replaced by Melissa Downes on Nine News in the new year.
Downes will move across from the weekend news shift to link with seasoned veteran Bruce Paige, though the Courier Mail says there are many suggesting Paige’s days on the desk could be numbered.
“Being asked to step into Heather’s position is incredibly exciting,” Downes said yesterday. “Heather has been a wonderful mentor and friend to me, and I am thrilled to have her blessing.”
But Downes has her work cut out for her …
Brooke Satchwell in Mumbai terror
Actress Brooke Satchwell is in the middle of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.
Satchwell told Nine News today she is waiting out the scene in a hotel just 250 metres away from the Taj Hotel, which is burning from the attacks. She is there with other 8 Australians, including film crew members.
Satchwell said the chaos began when she stepped outside the hotel for a cigarette, but that it was possibly a ‘luckier’ move than for some of the others in her party.
“As I stepped inside the bathroom, gunshots started to go …
On covering Bega
Channel TEN journalist Daniel Sutton was one of the journalists assaulted during the week in an attack by locals. He has given an account of the events which gives a stark insight into how covering such tragedies isn’t pleasant for anybody.
Here are selected excerpts from a more compelling feature as published in the Sunday Telegraph:
I’d like to be blunt about this. Wednesday night’s attack on the media in Bega’s Commercial Hotel was unacceptable. We didn’t antagonize, we didn’t intrude, and we didn’t deserve to be bashed simply because of our profession.
It …
Media attacked by grieving locals
Television reporters from Channels Nine and TEN were injured when angry locals turned on members of the media covering a drowning tragedy in New South Wales.
The media were reporting on the the tragic deaths of a man and his two young sons this week at Tathra Wharf (pictured), which has shocked the local community of Bega.
The Daily Telegraph reports a group of about 20 males, believed to be members of a local rugby league team, surrounded a group of journalists and cameramen. The incident allegedly occurred about midnight following a long …
Brayshaw handballed Sunday Footy
Nine Melbourne’s long serving sports presenter Tony Jones (pictured) has been dropped as host of The Sunday Footy Show in favour of the (AFL) Footy Show’s James Brayshaw.
Jones, who has hosted the show since 2006, will remain as GTV’s chief sports presenter on Nine News.
Network insiders told the Herald Sun Jones was not happy losing the Sunday role, but Jones said he was “very comfortable” with the decision.
“I’ve spoken to James Brayshaw and told him he’ll have a ball doing it, just like I did,” Jones said. “The worst thing is …
Are we there yet?
It was the week that everybody said they had new toys to unwrap, TEN declared the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Aussie producers gathered on the Gold Coast for their annual gab-fest just as Nine decided not to revisit the only drama set there, TiVo dumped one of its key partners, the last original member of Hi-5 chose to retire, the axe fell on several shows in the US, network programmers tried to defend late amendments, Seven apologised for comments made by one of its stars, Nine was revealed as wanting “no …
The race that tops the nation
It was the week a Pay TV spokesperson called broadcaster feuding “juvenile” while another exec wanted better inclusion at the digital switch table, a TEN programmer conceded it had massive timeslot problems, Nine axed production staff, Sonia Kruger was criticised for an on air joke, a former soap star said he didn’t really enjoy soaps, belated guide amendments left viewers confused, an ABC journo pleads guilty to charges in Singapore, drug charges against a Seven personality were dropped, Seven revisits its C7 case against Pay television, the ABC launches its new …
Packered by the Rafters
It was the week the Packer family parted ways with Nine causing David Gyngell to vow to prove James Packer wrong, TEN announced a new channel, Pay TV launched another three, Minister Stephen Conroy signalled support for increased ABC & SBS funding, commercial networks (briefly) found a conscience but upset David Leckie, WIN sat down at the gambling table, Kath & Kim (US) got a greenlight for a full season, Andrew Denton announced the end of Enough Rope, David Tennant set his exit from his iconic role, Rove visited …