Ah that’s right they had that newsroom too (didn’t last long through). Do you have one with Mike Amor and the Melbourne Newsroom?
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At the time, I believe Mike Amor was being tested to take over Sydney’s 6pm news for when Ian Ross retired. Unfortunately, ratings for the 4.30 News took a bit of a dive and Sam took over in 2007. Mike ended up moving back to the US.
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Amor was to replace David Johnston who retired the previous year.
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Rebecca Maddern officially replaced David Johnson on the 4.30 News. She did a good job too, ratings held up well before management moved production to Sydney with Mike then taking over.
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One has to wonder if they didn’t shaft Bec for Mike would she still be at Seven and doing Melbourne’s afternoon news these days.
No.
Funny enough Rebecca Maddern took back the bulletin in 2013 (presented it again from Melbourne) for another 6 month stint, but was once again shafted and pushed aside for Mel Doyle and Matt White to take over.
From memory Rebecca rated very well on both occasions. Sadly this became a common occurrence with her at Seven and it was only a matter of time before she jumped ship.
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I also recall him reading Seven News Sydney on Christmas Day in 2006. So that suggests he was back in Australia for about six months in the second half of the year.
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4:30 News - with ticker aspect error and autocue problems. (Excuse the DIVX watermark) god that takes me back.
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He returned for a good 12 months. As said, I would assume it was meant to be permanent. I recall Sam talking over around Easter 2007.
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Here’s a terrible video from the time (apologies), just before the relaunch.
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Quite weird to see/hear “Lance Armstrong Finishes on Top” as a news headline these days…
By this point in time, Sydney probably would’ve been focusing on rehearsals at Martin Place?
Of course I’m loving all these old clips! 
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Well done 
This is great stuff. I remember the 4.30 News and I believe Today Tonight took a break over the Olympics. Sunrise and The Morning News both came out of Melbourne along with Sevens 2004 Olympic Coverage.
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Correct. Hence why all production other than Sydney’s News was moved to BCM.
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From memory HSV7 use to put up a blue glass wall over the newsroom at this time (2004) for Melbourne’s local news. It was taken down on national bulletins to show the open newsroom.
Then from memory they changed again (for Melbourne’s news) with a blue local cityscape that looked like they were underwater with fish swimming around, this was just prior to them implementing the twisted metal set in July 2005.
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Yes please. As much as you can! The picture quality is amazing and almost unseen for this era. Same goes with the Nine content.
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We’ll get there soon. In the meantime, here’s a Brisbane opener captured by the late Sharpy/
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Here’s the ‘Under the Sea’ chroma key’ that didn’t last long.
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Looked like Ten News Melbourne with the blue chroma key
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