A decision by Channel Seven to have Angela Cox as a solo presenter for Sydney’s 6pm news bulletin has added to speculation about the hosting future of the prime time broadcast.
Rumours have swirled among TV insiders that Seven’s new bosses are investigating replacing Sydney newsreader Mark Ferguson, who has spent more than a decade as the network’s 6pm weeknight newsreader.
Ferguson is on leave during the Olympic period – when games broadcaster Nine is expected to sweep the ratings – and Seven chiefs are understood to have been testing alternative anchors with audience panels.
Cox and longtime anchor Michael Usher had been suggested as a possible double act.
But some insiders were taken aback by Cox solo hosting on Monday evening, suggesting it was a trial for her becoming a long-term option behind the desk.
One said: ‘Everyone thought it was going to be Angela and Michael together. But people are really impressed with Ange on her own – she’s a bit of a dark horse.’
Cox had been a US correspondent for Seven, worked on its former regular current affairs special Sunday Night and helmed its nightly news program The Latest.
The insider added: ‘Both networks know Angela pulls incredibly strong audience ratings in focus groups, so bosses at all networks will be watching very closely and doing their own research.
Angela Cox hosted Seven’s Sydney news bulletin on Monday night – raising eyebrows among some TV insiders
Seven news anchor Mark Ferguson’s future in the prime time weekday slot is under a cloud after a decade
‘Nine are going to have the “golden glow” over the next few weeks with the Olympics, but the question remains if they’ll be able to hold onto it once the games are over and the world moves on’ back to their daily lives.’
Ferguson reportedly earns a salary of between $600k and $750k-per-year – at a time when the network has been looking to cut costs amid a difficult advertising environment and a staff shake-up, with former West Australian newspaper editor Anthony De Ceglie promoted to editor-in-chief of the network.
The network surprisingly cut longtime Queensland news anchor Sharyn Ghidella earlier this month – with the 58-year-old unleashing on changes at the network in a fiery Facebook post.
Ghidella told followers she got a ‘tap on the shoulder’ while getting her hair done for a network promo rather than a face-to-face meeting.
She then took aim at the network’s changes to its news bulletins, including an astrology reading, and a news satire segment at 6.57pm on Friday nights.
Cox and host Michael Usher have been floated as a potential double act behind the newsdesk. But Cox featured on her own last night
‘When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren’t expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder… After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,’ Ghidella said.
She continued: ‘I’m also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go.
‘As I’m known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.’
Other experienced staff to be axed recently include Sydney and Melbourne crime reporters Robert Ovadia and Cameron Baud. Ovadia has signalled he will take the network to the Fair Work Commission.
