Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

As a seasoned television viewer and follower of the industry, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I witness these changes unfolding before my eyes. Sharyn Ghidella’s return to Channel 10 after nearly three decades is reminiscent of a full-circle moment, much like finding an old pair of comfortable shoes that still fit perfectly.


Tony Armstrong is a frontrunner for a major gig at Channel Seven, according to a new report.  

It emerged in September that sports broadcaster Tim Watson has expressed his intention to retire and pass on his evening sports news segment during Melbourne’s 6 pm news, as reported by The Australian’s Media Diary.

And Tony may be leaving the ABC and stepping into the hot seat, the Herald Sun claimed on Friday. 

This week, Garry Lyon, a host on Fox Footy, sparked further discussion by playfully suggesting that Armstrong could potentially take over Watson’s role as Channel 7’s sports news anchor.

Lyon made the comments on his SEN Breakfast radio show, which he and Watson co-host. 

Channel Seven declined to comment on the matter when approached by the Herald Sun.  

Watson landed his commentary role with Seven in 1992 after retiring from AFL.

It’s thought that Rebecca Maddern is negotiating with the network about potentially replacing Watson when he leaves.

Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

She will switch from working weekends to reading sport Monday to Friday.

Instead, Karina Carvalho, the latest addition to our network following her move from ABC, might assume Maddern’s weekend hosting duties.

The anticipated change follows Sharyn Ghidella returning to work, now anchoring on Channel 10 news.

7News dismissed their Brisbane-based news anchor, aged 57, in July, following a series of layoffs within the media industry and after 17 years of service.

She has now joined Network 10 to anchor the 5pm Queensland news bulletin. 

Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

Moving forward, her shift to the network will mark the return of the 10 News First show to its Brisbane studios following several years where it was broadcast from Sydney.

Sharyn referred to her latest job as a “roundabout return” since she’s going back to Network 10, where she started her metro news journey way back in 1990.

‘I wonder if my security tag still works,’ she joked in a video announcing the news.

‘Returning to 10 News First feels like coming home,’ the veteran broadcaster added in a statement.

In the early ’90s, Network 10 provided my initial major opportunity. Returning now to provide a local news service for Queensland residents is not just exhilarating, but an experience that goes beyond simple excitement.

At the age of 24, she got hired for the role of a field reporter and news presenter in the newsroom of Channel 10 in Brisbane.

In 1992, Sharyn joined Sydney’s Nine Network and regularly appeared as a newscaster on the Today Show. Later, in 2007, she switched networks to Seven.

Since 2013, she has been anchoring the Brisbane edition of our network’s news bulletin. However, she was let go from her position following 17 years of service last month.

Rumours heat up that Tony Armstrong is set to leave ABC to take over major gig at Channel Seven amid shake-up that saw Sharyn Ghidella punted

At Seven, there’s been a massive restructuring with a focus on reducing expenses, as their news department experiences a change in leadership.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my deep concern over the recent staff cuts at Seven West Media. In this unfortunate round of layoffs, they let go of 150 editorial team members, including some big names like newsreader Sharyn and veteran weatherman Paul Burt. This news has left me saddened and hopeful for their future endeavors.

Recently, Anthony De Ceglie, who was recently appointed as head of news and current affairs at Seven Network, is swapping out section leaders nationwide with more youthful managers.

He has also introduced a Friday night comedy spot and astrology to the news.

In Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, there are brand-new news directors, and the management positions for Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise, and Spotlight have all been filled with fresh executive producers.

The rounds of cost reduction resulted in the termination of experienced individuals such as Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton, and long-time Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud, affectionately referred to by friends as ‘The Harvester of Sorrow’, a title that reflects his coverage of grim news events.

Regarding the changes in Sydney, one of the most prominent individuals, Ovadia, who was let go prior to Ghidella, has declared his intention to file an unfair dismissal case at the Fair Work Commission against Seven West Media.

Read More

2024-10-11 18:12

Previous post Citadel: Diana season 1, episode 5 recap and review: “Attack”