Seven News

"Seven News" is the television news service of the Seven Network in Australia. National bulletins are presented from studios based in Martin Place, with a flagship local news bulletin at 6:00 p.m. in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. As well as this, the network also produces "Seven Local News" bulletins in parts of regional Queensland. The news service is retransmitted via a number of regional affiliates, including Prime Television, the Golden West Network, Southern Cross Television and WIN Television in South Australia. Peter Meakin is currently the chief of the news service.

History

Seven News, previously known as "Channel 7 News", "Seven National News" and "Seven Nightly News", is one of Australia's longest-running television news services, along with rival National Nine News.

Falling viewers numbers in the mid-1980s, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane led the network to relaunch both its programming and its news service, which was renamed "Seven Nightly News", as part of the network's growing alignment (in terms of branding) with the US network NBC –- taking on both the American news service's name and well-known theme music "The Mission", composed by John Williams. Shortly after the 1991 creation of the Seven Network as a company, the national current affairs program "Real Life" was launched, hosted by ex-ABC reporter Stan Grant. It continued until 1995, when it was replaced by state-based editions of the current program "Today Tonight".

The 2003 appointment of former Nine Network news and current affairs chief Peter Meakin [cite web
url = http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s781431.htm
title = AM - Peter Meakin changes channel
accessdate = 2007-03-19
date = 2003-02-11
work = Australian Broadcasting Corporation ] has led Seven News to take a noticeably more 'local' feel, which has proved to be a ratings success in larger markets such as Sydney and Melbourne. A greater amount of locally-focused content is now shown, such as the 2005 'Seven Listens' campaign, which involved small, one-person studios at Westfield Shopping Centres for shoppers to discuss issues, in addition to a number of online surveys. Data collected from these surveys contributed to special reports on issues deemed to have been of importance to the public.

Ratings have gradually increased since 2004. "Seven News" was the top rating news service nationally in both the 2005 and 2006 ratings seasons, [cite press release | title = Year in review | publisher = Seven Network | date = 2005-11-28 | url = http://www.sevencorporate.com.au/uploads/files/1133152167296_0.3523812150364673.pdf | accessdate = 2007-07-01] [cite press release | title = Seven dominates television in 2006 | publisher = Seven Network | date = 2006-12-03 | url = http://www.sevencorporate.com.au/uploads/files/1165195762613_0.7959107373196659.pdf | accessdate = 2007-07-01 ] partly attributed to the success of television game show "Deal or No Deal", which provides it with a significant lead-in audience. [cite news | title = Bulletproof Waley wouldn't dare to quit | author = Brown, Rachel | coauthors = Huntington, Patty | work = Sydney Morning Herald | date = 2004-07-04 | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/03/1088488206089.html | accessdate = 2007-07-01 ] . In 2007, "Seven News" completed a clean sweep of being the most watched news bulletin across the five major capital cities.

Bulletins

National bulletins

even Early News

"Seven Early News" is a national news bulletin, broadcast live from Seven's Martin Place Studios from 5.30am to 6am. It is presented by Sunrise newsreader Natalie Barr and Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta.

The bulletin began from 14 July 2008, and draws upon overnight news stories from ITN and NBC sources. It also contains more weather and finance than other Seven News bulletins. [cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=Early News to boost Sunrise|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/07/early-news-to-boost-sunrise.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2007-07-11|accessdate=2008-07-11]

unrise

"Sunrise" is the network's breakfast program, aired weekdays from 6am to 9am and Sundays from 7:30am to 10am as "Weekend Sunrise". The show is broadcast live from the network's Martin Place studios, and is based on a mix of human interest, showbiz and entertainment, with half-hourly news, sport and weather updates. In addition, local traffic, weather and news updates for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart have been shown at various intervals since May, 2007 [cite press release | title = Sunrise Brings Local News to Breakfast Television in Sydney | publisher = eBroadcast | date = 2007-05-23 | url = http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/sunrise-local-news-230507.html | accessdate = 2007-06-13 ] .

The show is presented by Melissa Doyle and David Koch, with news presenter Natalie Barr, and sport presenter Mark Beretta. There is currently no weather presenter, however Fifi Box has been confirmed as the new weather presenter starting from 2009. Samantha Armytage and Andrew O'Keefe present "Weekend Sunrise" with Sharyn Ghidella, and Simon Reeve.

even Morning News

"Seven Morning News" is a national news bulletin presented from Seven's Martin Place studios by Ann Sanders, who also reads the news for "The Morning Show", at 11.30am on weekdays.

The bulletin was first shown on January 29, 2001, presented by Garry Wilkinson. Following his departure, Chris Reason took over until 2004, when Chris Bath began presenting the bulletin. Sanders presented the bulletin from 2006, when she swapped roles with Chris Bath (Sanders had originally been the Seven News Sydney weekend anchor from 2004-5, after Ross Symonds retired in 2003).

even 4.30 News

The network's 4.30pm national news bulletin is presented from Seven's Martin Place studios by Samantha Armytage from Monday to Thursday, and Monique Wright on Fridays. Weather is presented from Seven's Melbourne studios by David Brown.

The "4.30 News" was initially known as "Target Iraq", presented by David Johnston. It was aimed primarily at covering news from the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. After the initial invasion ended, it continued as the "4.30 News", still presented by David Johnston from Seven Melbourne. Following Johnston's retirement in late 2005, Rebecca Maddern presented the bulletin until it was moved to the network's Martin Place studios, to be fronted by Seven's United States Correspondent Mike Amor. However unimpressive ratings saw him replaced by Samantha Armytage in October 2006.

even Late News and Updates

Seven axed its late news bulletins in 2003, and now presents a 3 minute 'mini-bulletin' summary at around 10.30pm Monday - Thursday evenings (programming dependent). The bulletins cover major national and international news stories in summary form. It also contains a sports story and national weather update.

On Fridays during the AFL season, a "Seven Late News" bulletin is presented in a half-hour format. It is broadcast at 10.30pm for cities which do not receive the AFL on Friday nights (Sydney and Brisbane), while the cities which do receive the AFL (Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) have the bulletin airing at 11.30pm (a one hour delay). The bulletin is in similar format to the other National bulletins produced by Seven News.

The updates are presented by Chris Bath on Monday and Tuesday, who also presents Seven Late News on Friday. Samantha Armytage presents on Wednesday and Thursday. These national late news bulletins and updates are presented from Seven's Martin Place studios.

Other fill-ins:
Sara Groen,
Rebecca Maddern,Sophie Hull.

Local bulletins

=Sydney=

"Seven News Sydney" is presented from the network's national news studios at Martin Place, by Ian Ross from Mondays to Thursdays and Chris Bath on Fridays and weekends. TBA and Sara Groen present weekday sport and weather, while on weekends sport is presented by Ben Damon.

At the end of 2003, the dual-presenter format for "Seven News Sydney" came to a close. Previously, the news service was presented by two newsreaders - Ross Symonds and Ann Sanders (they presented together from 1997 to 2003), a combination which had struggled against "National Nine News Sydney", which was at the time leading in Sydney, as it had for several decades. Symonds has since retired, whilst Sanders presented the weekend bulletin from 2004-5 before being appointed the morning news presenter in 2006.

The Sydney bulletin's quest to pick up ratings began in late 2003 when Ross was appointed the news anchor. Mark Beretta was the sports anchor until mid-June 2004, when he was replaced by Matthew White, who formerly presented "Sports Tonight" on rival "Network Ten" on weekends. The bulletin relocated to new studios located in Martin Place in late-2004, allowing bystanders to watch the news bulletins being recorded live. After two years of presenting the national morning news, Chris Bath returned to her old role as weekend news presenter in 2006. Ben Damon replaced Nick McArdle at the end of 2006 as weekend sports anchor.

News updates for Sydney are presented by either Ian Ross or Chris Bath throughout the afternoon and the early evening, with updates during the night being shown nationally.

=Melbourne=

"Seven News Melbourne" is presented by Peter Mitchell (weekdays) from Seven's Broadcast Centre Melbourne, located adjacent to Telstra Dome in the Docklands precinct. Weekday sport and weather are presented by Sandy Roberts and David Brown, with Tim Watson and Rob Gell presenting on weekends alongside Jennifer Keyte (news).

"Seven News Melbourne" saw the end of the two presenter format in 2000 when David Johnston and Anne Fulwood (a partnership which only lasted from mid-1999 to late 2000) were replaced by Peter Mitchell. He had previously held the role of the weekend news presenter for over thirteen years. Jennifer Keyte was appointed as the weekday news presenter in 1990, becoming Australia's first solo female primetime commercial news presenter. In a network reshuffle in 1996, Jennifer Keyte terminated her employment after the Seven Network attempted to pair her with David Johnston. She returned to Seven in August 2003, assuming the role as the weekend news presenter, succeeding Jennifer Adams.

The Melbourne bulletin moved to the Docklands precinct in 2001; before which it was produced in the Seven Network's other Melbourne studio, located in South Melbourne.

Following frustrating decades of coming second in television ratings to "National Nine News Melbourne", "Seven News Melbourne" have at various points led in the ratings since 2006. This was subsequently followed by a series of advertisements and promos which have touted "Seven News Melbourne" as "Melbourne's New #1".

News updates for Melbourne are presented by Peter Mitchell on weekdays and Jennifer Keyte on the weekend. Throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Jennifer Keyte and Rebecca Maddern are fill-in presenters for the Melbourne news service, with Michael Felgate or Dylan Howard presenting sport, and Rob Gell presenting the weather.

=Brisbane=

"Seven News Brisbane" is presented by Kay McGrath and Rod Young (weekdays) from Seven's Brisbane studios, located at Mt Coot-tha. Sport is presented by Pat Welsh and Shane Webcke. Ben Davis and Rohan Welsh are sports reporters who also fill in the presenting role. Weather is presented by John Schluter. The bulletin is simulcast on local radio stations 96.5 Family FM and River 94.9.

On weekends, Sharyn Ghidella presents the news, (in spite of her Weekend Sunrise commitments) with Pat Welsh or Shane Webcke on Sport and Talitha Cummins on Weather. Liz Cantor presents a beach report on Friday and Saturday evenings. Previously, Tracey Challenor presented the weekend news for many years until her resignation in February, 2007.

In October 2002, Rod Young moved from ABC News in Brisbane to co-anchor with Kay McGrath. She had gone solo for the previous nine months following the retirement of Frank Warrick. Their dual presenter format has been very successful.

News updates for Brisbane are presented by Kay McGrath, Rod Young or Sharyn Ghidella throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Sharyn Ghidella, Talitha Cummins and Patrick Condren are fill-in presenters for the news service, with Ben Davis, Shane Webcke or Rohan Welsh presenting sport, and Talitha Cummins or Liz Cantor presenting the weather.

=Adelaide=

"Seven News Adelaide" is presented by Jane Doyle and John Riddell, with Bruce Abernethy (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Weekends) and Chris Dittmar (Tuesday, Wednesday) presenting sport and Melody Horrill as weather presenter. On weekends Graeme Goodings is the main news presenter. The bulletin was previously simulcast on Life FM until 1 September 2008.

Previously, Graeme Goodings had been weeknight presenter and John Riddell the weekend reader, until it was found that Goodings had bowel cancer. Goodings and Riddell agreed to swap roles in 2004; both Goodings and Doyle had been presenting Seven News Adelaide together since 1989, which had proven a success.

Prior to December 27, 1987, the presenters and crew behind "Seven News Adelaide" broadcast as "Ten News Adelaide". However, as the television industry was consolidating in Australia, these news services had each become associated by ownership with interstate news services being broadcast on opposite frequencies; therefore, to simplify network interaction, their respective networks agreed to swap channel assignments and network affiliations in Adelaide.

During the AFL season, Seven News Adelaide does not air at the regular time on Sundays if there is a twilight match involving Port Adelaide or Adelaide, in which case the bulletin is usually delayed until half time, revised into a 10-15 minute bulletin.

News updates for Adelaide are presented by Jane Doyle, John Riddell or Graeme Goodings throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Jessica Adamson and Mike Smithson are frequent fill-in presenters, in addition to Mark Soderstrom and Caroline Kelly (fill-in sport and weather presenters).

=Perth=

"Seven News Perth" is presented on weekdays by Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr, with Basil Zempilas presenting sport and Jeff Newman presenting the weather. Paula Voce or Emmy Kubainski present the weekend news with Adrian Barich presenting sport.

In 2005, Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr celebrated a twenty year anniversary as a news reading duo. They are one of the longest serving news anchor duos in the world and their dual-presenter format of "Seven News Perth" has been highly successful.

"Seven News Perth" has led in the ratings for decades, ahead of "National Nine News Perth".

News updates for Perth are presented by Rick Ardon or Susannah Carr throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Paula Voce and Emmy Kubainski are fill-in presenters for the Perth news service, with Adrian Barich presenting sport in the weeks before and following former sports presenter Chris Mainwaring's death. Mainwaring read his last sports report on September 22, 2007. Yvette Mooney was the weekend news presenter until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and subsequently departed from the network in June 2008.

=Regional Queensland=

"Seven Local News" bulletins are broadcast weeknights in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Wide Bay, and the Sunshine Coast. They are followed by "Seven News Brisbane", in place of "Today Tonight".

In early 2004, "Seven Local News" was introduced for Seven Network owned-and-operated stations in regional Queensland, as a result of regulations regarding local content on regional television introduced by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority).

The local news for all regions are recorded and formatted from the Maroochydore studios, with the Sunshine Coast being the only region to receive its news broadcast live. News editing is undertaken by local bureaus in several markets, and sent to the main Maroochydore studios for broadcast.

On March 5, 2007, "Seven Local News" bulletins commenced production and broadcasts in a widescreen standard-definition digital format. "Seven Local News" was the first local news bulletin in regional Queensland to convert to widescreen.

The bulletins are hosted by Rob Brough, with Joanne Desmond joining in Cairns and Townsville. Yvonne Sampson presents the sport, with Livio Regano presenting the local weather.

ee also

*Journalism in Australia

References

External links

* [http://yahoo7.com.au/news Seven News website]
* [http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=450227;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 Seven News at the National Film and Sound Archive]