No it not. It’s a cost cutting move. They could easily program around the cricket.
This is similar to when they rested The Latest for two months over the summer months.
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Of course it’s a cost cutting move. It would be expensive to have staff there over summer and not working on the days of cricket. Then you’d have to scramble on the days when the test matches finish early. Plus you’d have to hire additional staff so the regulars can take their summer holidays.
I think it’s way to early in the year to rest it.
And in that article, it still says that he is hosting the news weekdays at 1pm, despite it not airing until next year. Probably towards the end of January too… Oops
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People’s jobs remain even when they are on leave…
Looks like Mark might’ve taken a early leave this time compared to last year. So if Michael & Angie are on Sun-Thu duties. Could see Chris Reason on tonight.. Unless I’m just jumping the gun a bit, and Ferguson is off sick and will be back on Sunday 
Mark presented last night.
The reason he had Tuesday and Wednesday off is because he will work Fridays and Saturdays when the cricket is on.
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Aha good to hear. Smart strategy from 7NEWS.. Another attempt to lure viewers from Nine because of the Ashes lead-in
The Australian says that Fergo has signed a new contract - no info on how long it is for.
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I would like to see the Sydney bulletin return to a single header on weeknights.
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When will 7 grow a pair and take a chance on Usher & Asimus or just Usher for 6pm.
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Why’s that?
Unbelievable really… This guys has been there more than a decade now and am I right in saying NEVER once won the ratings battle?
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Correct, he also never won any of the four years he was at the helm of Nine News (during which period Seven News was anchored by the late Ian Ross, who was poached from Nine).
Ferguson was only 38 when he was parachuted into the hot seat after Jim Waley was quietly axed in January 2005, in a move that backfired IMO (given Waley won both of his years in charge).
Promo just featuring Angie Asimus (from October):
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Did 7 have state-based or a national 4pm today?
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State based
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And here we go again with this ‘Dump Ferguson for Musher’ argument.
The main reason they would be keeping Ferguson is for viewers. Overton has a more Eastern-Suburbs targeted approach. Adding comments that are completely useless. While Ferguson on the other hand, appeals to the Western Suburbs, which all they want is the news and that’s it. No comments about September ending, or lights not working in the studio
There is a reason why I watch 7NEWS. I get the news presented by someone who knows what they are doing.. and has authority at the news desk
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