“I’m Alan Jones”
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Also noticed there was no mention of that infamous cardboard set from 2004, nor the static background (which was similar to what GTV had at the time) that existed between that and the introduction of the twisted metal set in June 2005.
This is the static background that I am talking about:
Courtesy: Aus TV Uploader
All the while, the 4:30pm news was still coming out of the desk set which was overhauled. This is the only video I could find of it (note this was a combined HSV/BTQ video):
Courtesy: Dan Martin
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Was this the “Under the Sea” set? Definitely a downgrade from the original newsroom background.
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Yes, correct. This came at a time when HSV was struggling in the Melbourne market, wherein without the AFL it more often than not came third behind Nine and Ten.
But the turning point wasn’t too far away; regaining the FTA rights to AFL and Supercars, among other things, was just the start of better and brighter times for Seven not just in Melbourne but also the network as a whole.
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That big red Seven may have become a Melbourne landmark, but it won’t be moving to MQT, which stands almost opposite Southern Cross railway statton.
“We’ve been told, sadly, it’s being sawn up into scrap metal. We saw the workers with the cherry pickers there yesterday taking off the Seven Melbourne signage from our building, and that’s going to suffer the same fate. Unfortunately, that’s progress for you.”
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What a shame
There was also ‘‘the blue screen set’’ between the newsroom set and under the water set in 2004. This also lead to them changing the lighting to the newsroom to a darker blue. The 4.30 News continued to use the newsroom backdrop while Melbourne local news inserted a blue screen background.
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7NEWS Melbourne to broadcast from new home
Seven Melbourne moves to high-tech studios
After 24 years broadcasting from the famous waterside strip of Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, the Seven Network’s entire Melbourne operation today begins an exciting chapter at the bustling new Melbourne Quarter Tower (MQT) on Collins Street.
The 7NEWS Melbourne team signed off for the final time from Broadcast Centre Melbourne (BCM) on Sunday night, and the first historic broadcast from the new state-of-the-art newsroom and studios will be tonight’s edition of 7NEWS live at 6.00pm with Peter Mitchell, Rebecca Maddern and Jane Bunn.
The high-tech facility, purpose-built across two floors of MQT to mirror Seven’s world-leading Eveleigh office and studios in Sydney, is now home to the network’s entire Melbourne news and sport operation and will see all 7NEWS afternoon and evening bulletins, Seven Horse Racing and popular 7AFL shows Sunday Footy Feast and The Wash Up broadcast from the new facility. Sunrise also has a new dedicated studio space to allow more flexibility to broadcast the show from Melbourne.
Part of a major building transformation project of Seven’s Melbourne headquarters over the past two years, the innovative space features a digital IP-based television facility, full high-definition LED based news set and non-linear file-based story capture and editing, and a large-scale sports control room capable of controlling and presenting the largest of sporting events, making it one of the most advanced broadcasting facilities in Australia.
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: “Our new Melbourne home is purpose-built to embrace the future of media, and is setting the benchmark for innovation in broadcast and digital production.
“Our investment in the new Melbourne Quarter Tower facility reflects the importance of the Melbourne market to Seven, which is home to some of our most valued clients and content partners, including the AFL and Cricket Australia."
Seven Network Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in Seven Melbourne’s rich history and an exciting new era for our news team, as we move from a newsroom that served us well for decades into a purpose-built space designed for the future.
“It’s a shift that honours our legacy, reflects the strength and commitment of our Melbourne team, and sets the stage for what we can deliver in this state-of-the-art environment – built for today’s demands and the energy and ambition of our journalism.”
The move also marks a significant milestone for 7NEWS Melbourne anchor Peter Mitchell, who has helmed the 6.00pm bulletin every weeknight since Seven’s very first broadcast from BCM in March 2002 – a testament to his enduring presence in Melburnian’s homes.
“There’s a tinge of sadness about it for sure,” Mitchell said. “I take great pride in looking back and knowing that I’ve been the main guy in the history of 7NEWS at Docklands. It has been my privilege to represent all our staff who work so hard during all hours of the day.
“I recall when we first came here and we were part of the Chairman’s bold new plan to help redevelop the western part of Melbourne with a new state-of-the-art football stadium with a retractable roof, and a new central broadcast centre for his network. I must admit I thought we would be here for more than 24 years, but that just goes to show you the changing media landscape.
“But the team is very excited about our new home. The first thing the viewers will notice is that our new studio is much bigger, and the clarity and crispness of our new screens, so our graphics will be better and brighter and the whole look will be much cleaner,” he said.
Join 7NEWS Melbourne for the first historic broadcast from its new home tonight, live at 6.00pm on Seven and 7plus
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Mitchell really trying to spin this move on behalf of his bosses. Love it.
Unfortunately, this is a massive downgrade in Sevens Melbourne’s operations.
Very sad day for HSV7 and the former BCM studios.
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The downgrade and lack of investment in Melbourne happened long ago, this is just the last piece in the process. HSV7 is now just a minor outfit like Brisbane or Perth, no longer the heart of the network
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Agree. It started around 2017 when Seven started outsourcing a number of departments and slowly moving productions to Sydney. But as I’ve previously said, the design of the new fitout at Collin Street should be better. It was a missed opportunity by Seven for HSV7.
Hopefully we see improvements made in years to come.
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It wasn’t always as low as made out, Seven’s dramas were still a major drawcard, as well as Home & Away, Today Tonight with Naomi Robson, Sunrise and Deal or No Deal.
But yes, news was struggling and the loss of AFL (Fridays and Saturdays hurt) was significant, as well as failing to fire against the might of Ten’s new reality hits and several Nine hits, including US shows.
Can’t recall how BH&G or The Great Outdoors did in Melbourne pre-2005. After this things started quickly turning around thanks to some big Sunday-Thursday shows, mainly from the US and some changes to other shows and timeslots which worked well, plus some luck with major sports.
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Needed more Seven logos.
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Seems like they’re holding off a proper reveal until 6pm.
No long shots (yet)
EDIT: I’m wrong 
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Not unusual, though seeing that the whole set has already been revealed …
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is the backdrop on google
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Love that backdrop