Hitch did a phone chat with Nova 100’s Ben, Liam and Belle this morning. Hitch said he would start a TikTok account pretty soon.
3 Likes
doesn’t want to? or they don’t want her to?
1 Like
I don’t see why they wouldn’t want her, solid anchor known well in Vic. That awareness might have drifted now.
1 Like
Why was Jo removed from weekends in the first place? Was it her decision or did management push her out?
3 Likes
From my understanding, she decided to step down after doing weekends for 15 years. She opted to be a fill in presenter along with doing special reports. Basically a lifestyle choice.
7 Likes
That’s what I remember too. I ask because I find it odd she wanted to scale back but ended up presenting Nine News Local, unless she specifically wanted her weekends back.
4 Likes
From memory, the statement said she wanted her weekends back to spend more time with her boys. She also did Qantas inflight bulletins and the 9Gem 7pm bulletin prior to doing regional news.
4 Likes
Has she filled-in since then?
1 Like
I think she did some fill in work on Melbourne’s news the year she left, but nothing since that I can recall.
1 Like
Nine News Gold Coast announcing Bruce Paige will return for a short summer stint of news-reading, alongside new presenter Carla Tooma.
Renowned journalist and presenter Carla Tooma is gearing up to bring her wealth of experience to the 9News Gold Coast desk, ensuring Gold Coasters remain well-informed throughout the festive season, starting December 7.
Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Tooma is well-versed at keeping the community informed about the latest local happenings, drawing from over a decade of experience connecting with locals during her time at myGC.com.au and behind the microphone at 1029 Hot Tomato.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be presenting the Gold Coast’s top news bulletin in my beloved city. My enthusiasm for everything Gold Coast is no secret, and I can’t wait to channel that passion with the loyal audience of 9News Gold Coast , keeping them informed about the latest happenings”.
In a double dose of good news, Gold Coast’s revered news presenter, Bruce Paige , will make a return to the role he held for more than a decade to join Carla Tooma from December 26.
Paige said: “I cannot think of a better way to spend the festive season than to reconnect with my favourite Gold Coasters. While I thoroughly enjoy spending time with our local communities as a Seniors Reporter for 9News Queensland , slipping back behind the desk alongside Carla will be fantastic.”
Bruce and Carla will take on presenting duties over the holidays while 9News Gold Coast presenters Eva Milic and Paul Taylor take a break before their return in 2024.
11 Likes
Damn, Bruce Paige just can’t retire 
Great to see though.
6 Likes
I hope this is making Nine realise what a big mistake this is.
5 Likes
Well, they were losing in the ratings, so i guess they needed to do something.
But I wonder what Plan B will be if Alicia and Tom rate even worse?
2 Likes
Mark Ferguson hasn’t beaten 9Sydney in the 10 years he’s been up against him and 7 haven’t removed him.
9Perth hasn’t beaten 7 and the presenter there seems to be safe.
I don’t think any Nine Perth newsreader would be considered “safe”, it’s been an almost constant changing of news readers there for 50 years 
It’s just a matter of time before the current one is moved aside.
10 Likes
Ratings slide has nothing to do with Hitch - I’d say it’s the increased trashiness of the bulletin and the lack of experienced and familiar journalists on their books. No Brett and Andrew Lund is being felt. And there’s been no break out newer talent like Sharnelle Vella on Seven.
2 Likes
No, but the newsreader(s) are usually the ones held accountable and moved on if ratings take a dip and there is a push to be seen to “refresh” the bulletin to the public.
He probably volunteers his time 
On a more serious note, probably indicates that the newsroom on the GC is bare in terms of talent to present over Summer that they’ve asked Bruce to come back 
3 Likes