I always thought GTV9 would implement a double header with Alicia.
But I’m not sure Tom is the answer as many don’t know who he is. Even through he’s from Melbourne, he’s had very little connection to the local audience.
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Even better if Hitch had made the announcement himself during the bulletin. Could’ve been handled better in that aspect.
Reception on the socials so far seem fairly positive towards both Alicia and Tom.
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wow this is an extremely poor look treating the legend Hitch like this.
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I wish this would happen sooner rather than later.
Not a fan of Tom. Alicia is the right choice though. Will be interesting to see how he goes.
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My first reading was that they are trying to beat Channel 7 to the punch (knowing that they are potentially building Maddern/Amor up as a pair for the weeknight bulletin).
I guess timing is everything, but time will tell if Channel 9 have made the right decision. Peter Hitchener is a legend and while his slow reduction on screen was inevitable, is how they’ve gone about it, the right call ?
Maybe the ratings over the past year has triggered a re-think leading to this pathway ? I don’t think Alicia would have been strong enough on her own accord (great as weekend anchor, but may not have had the viewership to sustain weeknight news all year round ? from a solo perspective).
Have to say that the pairing with Tom is an interesting one, he’s been around for years across different parts of the network. But as a co-anchor for a main news bulletin ? It’ll be interesting to see if viewers embrace or revolt.
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There’s been an exodus of experienced talent at GTV9 over the last few years, the reporting books look more like Win News than the mix of older and younger on 7 and the ABC. Not a lot of people to tap on the shoulder internally.
Don’t think Tom is the right fit, sure he’s from Melbourne originally but he feels like a bit of a blow in these days. More Sydney than Melb. It’s a shame James Tahlia quit ages ago and Andrew Lund could have been a decent replacement with a few more years.
If Seven were clever they’d put Madden on with Mitch now to get people used to her on weeknights. Few years with Mitch then Mitch goes and Amor steps up with Bec as an established face on weeknights. Would be a seamless transition
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God… what are they thinking. If anyone was to double header with Loxley it easily should have been McLeod.
This screams to me Chris Bath dump > Mark Ferguson succession in 2014. ‘Poor ratings’ easier to just get a different presenter rather then fixing the content of the bulletin. Emus.
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Tone deaf. Should all be about hitch.
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Despite my interest in media I forgot that he started in Melbourne. I’ve always considered him to be a Sydney personality.
Makes me wonder what ordinary viewers less engaged with media think. Although I’m sure they will be heavily promoting his Melbourne credentials during the Australian Open.
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I would say Brett might have turned it down and opted to stay in London. But yes, I would have put Brett in there as my first pick to present with Alicia.
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Do we have an old clip anywhere of Tom presenting a news bulletin? From memory he did a few back around 2010 back at GTV9.
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He presented Nine Morning and Afternoon News on Fridays during 2017 (as well as cohosting WT)
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Semi-National afternoon news:
Sydney sport:
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I remember whispers a while ago that they had also approached Michael Rowland.
No doubt they approached Brett, he would’ve been my pick.
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I forgot about the random sport presenting gig
Brett and Tom are both dry personalities, not overly keen, but who else does GTV have? I really don’t see the issue with Alicia being solo.
Perhaps when Hitch retires push TS to weekends.
I think Alicia is better solo, but we will see.
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That was the second time that Mark Ferguson was the beneficiary of a presenter change - he quietly replaced Jim Waley at the helm of Nine News Sydney in 2005, before himself being (also quietly) replaced by Peter Overton just four years later.
Who could also forget the furore (if there was any) when Bill McDonald and Sharyn Ghidella replaced Kay and Rod on weeknights at Seven News in Brisbane? At the time BTQ was dominating the ratings but the sudden change saw viewers make the switch to QTQ’s news, which remains number one as of today.
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If you believe this was Peter’s choice, you’ll believe anything.
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But sometimes presenters don’t think they’re ready for retirement even though it’s obvious to others. They can’t stick with him forever if it’s affecting ratings.
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