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'''Seven News''' is the television news service of the Australian Seven Network. National bulletins are presented from studios based in Martin Place, with a flagship local news bulletin at 6pm in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. In parts of regional Queensland the network also produces a number of ''Seven Local News'' bullletins. Peter Meakin is currently the network's head of news and current affairs.

Contents

History

Bulletins

National bulletins

Sunrise

Seven Morning News

Seven 4.30 News

Late News and Updates

Local bulletins

References

See also

External links

History

Seven News, previously known as ''Seven National News'' and ''Seven Nightly News'', is one of Australia's longest-running television news services, along with rival National Nine News.
Falling viewers numbers in the mid-1980s led the network to relaunch both its programming and its news service, which was renamed ''Seven Nightly News'', as part of the network's growing alignment (in terms of branding) with the US network NBC –- taking on both the American news service's name and well-known theme music ''The Mission'', composed by John Williams. Shortly after the 1991 creation of the Seven Network as a company, the national current affairs program ''Real Life'' was launched, hosted by ex-ABC reporter Stan Grant. It continued until 1995, when it was replaced by state-based editions of the current program Today Tonight.
The 2003 appointent of former Nine Network news and current affairs chief Peter Meakin^[1] has led Seven News to take a noticeably more 'local' feel, which has proved to be a ratings success in larger markets such as Sydney and Melbourne. A greater amount of locally-focused content is now shown, such as the 2005 'Seven Listens' campaign, which involved small, one-person studios at Westfield Shopping Centres for shoppers to discuss issues, in addition to a number of online surveys. Data collected from these surveys contributed to special reports on issues deemed to have been of importance to the public.
Ratings have gradually increased since 2004. ''Seven News'' was the top rating news service nationally in both the 2005 and 2006 ratings seasons,^[2][2] partly attributed to the success of television game show ''Deal or No Deal'', which provides it with a significant lead-in audience.^[4].

Bulletins

National bulletins

Sunrise

Main articles: Sunrise (TV program), l1=Sunrise

''Sunrise'' is the network's breakfast program, aired weekdays from 6am to 9am and Sundays from 8am to 10am as ''Weekend Sunrise''. The show is broadcast live from the network's Martin Place studios, and is based on a mix of human interest, showbiz and entertainent, with half-hourly news, sport and weather updates. In addition, local traffic, weather and news updates for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Hobart have been shown at various intervals since May, 2007^[2].
The show is presented by Melissa Doyle and David Koch, with news presenter Natalie Barr, sport presenter Mark Beretta, and weather presenter Monique Wright. Samantha Armytage and Andrew O'Keefe present ''Weekend Sunrise'' with Talitha Cummins, and Simon Reeve.

Seven Morning News

''Seven Morning News'' is a national news bulletin presented from Seven's Martin Place studios by Ann Sanders, at 11.30am on weekdays.
The bulletin was first shown on January 29, 2001, presented by Garry Wilkinson. Following his departure, Chris Reason took over until 2004, when Chris Bath began presenting the bulletin. Sanders presented the bulletin from 2006, when she swapped roles with Chris Bath.

Seven 4.30 News

The network's 4.30pm national news bulletin is presented from Seven's Martin Place studios by Samantha Armytage from Monday to Thursday, and Rebecca Maddern presenting on Fridays. Weather is presented from Seven's Melbourne studios by David Brown.
The ''4.30 News'' was initially known as ''Target Iraq'', presented by David Johnston. It was aimed primarily at covering news from the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. After the intial invasion ended, it continued as the ''4.30 News'', still presented by David Johnston from Seven Melbourne. Following Johnston's retirement in late 2005, Rebecca Maddern presented the bulletin until it was moved to the network's Martin Place studios, to be fronted by Seven's former United States Correspondent Mike Amor. However unimpressive ratings saw him replaced by Samantha Armytage in October 2006.
Since 2007 the ''4.30 News'' has been available for live streaming through Seven's joint venture internet portal Yahoo!7.

Late News and Updates

Seven axed its late news bulletins in 2003, and now presents a 5 minute summary at around 10.30pm Monday - Friday evenings (programming dependant). Occasionally, a 15 minute bulletin appears depending on space within the schedule. The bulletins cover major national and international news stories in summary form. It also contains a sports story and national weather update.
The updates are presented by either Samantha Armytage, Ben Damon, or Chris Bath.
Other fill-ins:
Simon Reeve,
Rebecca Maddern.

Local bulletins

Sydney

''Seven News Sydney'' is presented from the network's national news studios at Martin Place, by Ian Ross from Mondays to Thursdays and Chris Bath on Fridays and weekends. Matthew White and Sara Groen present weekday sport and weather, while on weekends sport is presented by Ben Damon.
At the end of 2003, the dual-presenter format for ''Seven News Sydney'' came to a close. Previously, the news service was presented by two newsreaders - Ross Symonds and Ann Sanders, a combination which had struggled against ''National Nine News Sydney'', which was at the time leading in Sydney, as it had for several decades.
News updates for Sydney are presented by either Ian Ross or Chris Bath throughout the afternoon and the early evening, with updates during the night being shown nationally.

Melbourne

''Seven News Melbourne'' is presented by Peter Mitchell (weekdays) from Seven's Broadcast Centre Melbourne, located adjacent to Telstra Dome in the Docklands precinct. Weekday sport and weather are presented by Sandy Roberts and David Brown, with Tim Watson and Rob Gell presenting on weekends alongside Jennifer Keyte (news).
''Seven News Melbourne'' saw the end of the two presenter format in 2000 when David Johnston and Anne Fulwood (a partnership which lasted only one year) were replaced with Peter Mitchell. Peter Mitchell had previously held the role of the weekend news presenter for over thirteen years. Jennifer Keyte was appointed as the weekday news presenter in 1990, becoming Australia's first solo female primetime commercial news presenter. In a network reshuffle in 1996, Jennifer Keyte terminated her employment after the Seven Network attempted to pair her with David Johnston. She returned in 2003, assuming the role as the weekend news presenter, succeeding David Johnston.
Following decades of coming second in television ratings to ''National Nine News Melbourne'', ''Seven News Melbourne'' led in the ratings in the early 2000s. This was subsequently followed by a series of advertisements and promos which have touted ''Seven News Melbourne'' as ''Melbourne's New #1''.
News updates for Melbourne are presented by either Peter Mitchell or Jennifer Keyte throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Jennifer Keyte and Rebecca Maddern are fill-in presenters for the Melbourne news service, with Michael Felgate or Dylan Howard presenting sport, and Rob Gell presenting the weather.

Brisbane

''Seven News Brisbane'' is presented by Kay McGrath and Rod Young (weekdays) from Seven's Brisbane studios, located at Mt Coot-tha. Weekday sport is presented by Pat Welsh from Monday to Wednesday, and Ben Davis on Thursdays and Fridays. Weather is presented by John Schluter. The bulletin is simulcast on local radio stations 96.5 Family FM and River 94.9.
On weekends, Sharyn Ghidella presents the news with Pat Welsh on Sport and Talitha Cummins on Weather, in spite of her Weekend Sunrise commitments. Liz Cantor presents a beach report on Friday and Saturday evenings. Previously, Tracey Challenor presented the weekend news for many years until her shock resignation in February, 2007. She read her last bulletin on February 18, 2007.
In 2002, Rod Young took over from the retired Frank Warrick, who had been the face of Seven News Brisbane for many years. Their dual presenter format has been very successful.
News updates for Brisbane are presented by Kay McGrath, Rod Young or Sharyn Ghidella throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Sharyn Ghidella, Talitha Cummins and Patrick Condren are fill-in presenters for the news service. With Ben Davis presenting sport, and Talitha Cummins and Liz Cantor presenting the weather.

Adelaide

''Seven News Adelaide'' is presented by Jane Doyle and John Riddell, with Bruce Abernethy (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Weekends) and Chris Dittmar (Tuesday, Wednesday) presenting sport and Melody Horrill as weather presenter. On weekends Graeme Goodings is the main news presenter. The bulletin is simulcast on 107.9 Life FM.
Previously, Graeme Goodings had been weeknight presenter and John Riddell the weekend reader, until it was found that Goodings had bowel cancer. Goodings and Riddell agreed to swap roles in 2004; both Goodings and Doyle had been presenting Seven News Adelaide together since 1989, which had proven a success.
Prior to December 27, 1987, the presenters and crew behind ''Seven News Adelaide'' broadcast as ''Ten News Adelaide''. However, as the television industry was consolidating in Australia, these news services had each become associated by ownership with interstate news services being broadcast on opposite frequencies; therefore, to simplify network interaction, their respective networks agreed to swap channel assignments and network affiliations in Adelaide.
During the AFL season, Seven News Adelaide does not air at the regular time on Sundays if there is a twilight match involving Port Adelaide or Adelaide, in which case the bulletin is usually delayed until half time, revised into a 10-15 minute bulletin.
News updates for Adelaide are presented by Jane Doyle, John Riddell or Graeme Goodings throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Jessica Adamson and Mike Smithson are frequent fill-in presenters, in addition to Mark Soderstrom and Caroline Kelly (fill-in sport and weather presenters).

Perth

''Seven News Perth'' is presented on weekdays by Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr, with Basil Zempilas presenting sport and Jeff Newman presenting the weather. Until recently when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Yvette Mooney presented the weekend news while Chris Mainwaring presented sport. Paula Voce or Reece Whitby has since filled in for her.
In 2005, Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr celebrated a twenty year anniversary as a news reading duo. They are one of the longest serving news anchor duos in the world and their dual-presenter format of ''Seven News Perth'' has been highly successful.
''Seven News Perth'' has led in the ratings for decades, ahead of ''National Nine News Perth''. The current taglines for the Perth news service are ''Nobody Knows News Like Seven'' and ''Seven news - The Pulse of Perth''.
News updates for Perth are presented by Rick Ardon or Susannah Carr throughout the afternoon and the early evening. Paula Voce, Reece Whitby and Mark Gibson and are fill-in presenters for the Perth news service, with Chris Mainwaring presenting sport.

Regional Queensland

''Seven Local News'' bulletins are broadcast weeknights in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Wide Bay, and the Sunshine Coast. They are followed by ''Seven News Brisbane'', in place of Today Tonight.
In 2004, ''Seven Local News'' was introduced for Seven Network owned-and-operated stations in regional Queensland, as a result of regulations regarding local content on regional television introduced by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (now the Australian Communications and Media Authority).
The local news for all regions are recorded and formatted from the Maroochydore studios, with the Sunshine Coast being the only region to receive its news broadcast live. News editing is undertaken by local bureaus in several markets, and sent to the main Maroochydore studios for broadcast.
On March 5, 2007, ''Seven Local News'' bulletins commenced production and broadcasts in a widescreen standard-definition digital format. ''Seven Local News'' was the first local news bulletin in regional Queensland to convert to widescreen.
The bulletins are hosted by Rob Brough, with Joanne Desmond joining in Cairns and Townsville. Justin Veivers presents the sport, with Livio Regano presenting the local weather. Ann Sanders presents morning daytime updates, with Rob Brough or Joanne Desmond updating the news throughout the afternoon and the early evening.

References

1. AM - Peter Meakin changes channel
2.
3.
4. Bulletproof Waley wouldn't dare to quit
5.

See also

★ Journalism in Australia

External links

★ Seven News website

★ Seven News at the National Film and Sound Archive