George Negus goes mainstream.
TEN poaches veteran journalist to front its new 6pm news program.
Veteran journo George Negus has quit SBS to join Channel TEN as the anchor of its new-look 6pm program, to launch early next year.
TEN has signed the Dateline host as part of its revamp of the 6-7pm hour for 2011.
The still-untitled show will be a half hour news-based program that promises to dig "more deeply into the critical national and international stories and issues." It will be followed by 30-minute local news bulletins helmed by state-based identities including Sandra Sully and Mal Walden.
Negus, 68, has been with SBS for six years as the host of foreign affairs show Dateline. In that time he has interviewed top international identities including Prime Ministers, dictators and entertainers. The former 60 Minutes presenter has always maintained his desire to chase serious news and current affairs.
But he has also been a regular guest on 7pm Project where his years of experience have added gravitas to the youthful panel, in an arrangement that was always viewed by both networks as something of a "win-win".
Now he will work full time on the new program for TEN.
"Frankly, to be involved in TEN's bold plans is an unexpected opportunity. Not only that, it's also an opportunity to put my journalistic mind and body where my mouth has often been," he said.
"Over the years, comments I've made about commercial news and current affairs have not always been flattering.
"That said, what TEN has in mind for the 6pm time slot is seriously different. It could well change the landscape of free-to-air, prime time, national and international news and current affairs in this country -- for the better."
"When a network talks about 'restoring credibility' to commercial news and current affairs, I listen. Back whenever it was, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the ground-breaking advent of 60 Minutes. This 6pm concept of TEN's has the same sort of audacious freshness about it. Stay tuned!"
TEN's director of news, Jim Carroll, is equally chuffed by his poaching.
"George's story-telling ability and expertise as an interviewer will make him an extraordinary asset to the network," he said. "He is someone who really knows his stuff and is not afraid to put his point of view and our viewers will like that."
"George is able to connect with people at all levels, all ages and from all cultures. His intelligence, knowledge, charm and sense of humour mean our planned format for 6pm will play to George's strengths."
Joining Negus are reporters Hugh Riminton, Max Futcher, Danielle Isdale, Emily Rice and Emma Dallimore, plus renowned journalist Chris Masters as an editorial consultant.
The pitch for two and a half hours of news and current affairs next year is a bold, but risky move. It will begin as The Simpsons and Neighbours shift to new digital channel Eleven.
Negus will continue with Dateline until the end of the year.
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