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Mark Ferguson signs with Seven

Updated: David Gyngell says, "We’re actually flattered that another network had to look to Nine to find a new newsreader." Seven declines to name Ferguson's job description.

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mfNine News presenter Mark Ferguson has suddenly signed with the Seven Network.

It is believed he will read weekend news for Seven.

Ferguson was demoted from his role as Nine’s Sydney weeknight newsreader earlier this year, when Peter Overton was elevated to the role by John Westacott in January. Ferguson was shuffled to weekends.

This week he also began on Nine’s new afternoon show, THIS afternoon, as its news presenter. The show has had a slow start, premiering with 321,000. On Wednesday its Sydney audience dropped to a paltry 48,000. Yesterday it had 307,000 nationally.

Ferguson has also appeared in promos for the new show, co-hosted by Andrew Daddo and Katrina Blowers.

John Westacott recently retired as head of Nine’s News and Current Affairs with Mark Calvert now in his place.

Updated: The Daily Telegraph now reports Ferguson will finish his contract in October, continuing with THIS afternoon and Nine News weekend bulletins before moving to Seven. It also reports his contract negotiations with Nine would have seen a pay cut.  However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports CEO David Gyngell made a “significant” offer to retain him. There is wide speculatation Chris Bath would take over from a retiring Ian Ross at Seven at such time as that occurs – a long held notion in the industry.

In a statement issued by Nine, the network said it was very disappointed Ferguson has turned down the generous offer that was made to re-new his contract:

Nine CEO David Gyngell said today, “Mark has been a colleague and friend for many years. I wish him all the best. We’re actually flattered that another network had to look to Nine to find a new newsreader.

“Our own news service is the strongest its been for many years, it’s building a dedicated audience. We’re delighted that Georgie Gardner is joining Pete Overton and the 6pm team to continue the fight back. They both bring a warmth and authority which Nine’s viewers appreciate.”

Mark Ferguson said: “I’ve had a wonderful journey at Channel Nine – and worked alongside some great people – but it’s time for a change. I wish David and his team all the very best.”

Mark Ferguson will continue on air as part of the Nine News team until his current contract ends later this year.

Nine added the Ferguson will be greatly missed by his colleagues: “Everyone at Nine wishes Mark and his family all the best for the future.”

Meanwhile Seven finally confirmed its signing mid afternoon, saying Ferguson will join Seven News when his contract with Nine expires towards the end of this year.

CEO of Seven Media Group, David Leckie: “Ian Ross, Chris Bath and Samantha Armytage are brilliant. Mark is Nine’s best news anchor. We clearly have the best in the business.

“It will be great to have Mark onboard with our market-leading news and public affairs teams.

“Although we are not announcing his job description just yet, I know we can offer him something far more challenging and exciting than THIS Afternoon. We’re number one. And, unlike some, we don’t need to toss money at viewers to persuade them to watch our news and public affairs and breakfast television programmes.”

Ian Ross said: “I welcome Mark’s decision to come to Seven. It’ll fun working with again.”

On today’s THIS afternoon, Andrew Daddo hinted at the news even acknowledging the loss of another ‘icon.’ But his repeated teases of “any more news to tell us?” went unanswered by Ferguson, a pro through and through.

58 Responses

  1. Nine News Sydney is actually up this year.

    A 319K average so far compared to last year where the ABC was in front with 317K and Nine News less than that.

    However, big shame – Fergo seemed like one of the nicest newsreaders on telly.

  3. Russell – This Afternoon=307,00 nationally, 9News Sydney=351,000, 7News Sydney=421,000 – so your point is?? Anyway, inside sources say Fergo made the first contact with Seven, so Gyngell’s “We’re actually flattered that another network had to look to Nine to find a new newsreader” is baseless sour grapes. Lucy – Newsreader on $500,000 -v- Eddie the game show host on $5m is absolutely ridiculous. But then again, that’s Nine.

  4. Dear Mr Gyngell and Mr Leckie,

    You both are ridiculous children… dare I say worse than politicians in Canberra. Please leave the TV industry and stop comparing sizes in public, I’m embarrassed for you.

    PS: Channel Nine, when you launch a new show, make sure your talents are signed… Unbelievable!

  5. I think Seven will put Mark in the hot seat doing the weekday news replacing Ian next year,going head to head with Peter on Nine.He will be moved around for rest of year filling in for other readers while they away l recoken.And Georgie Gardner going to weekends on Nine,great move shes a great newsreader,will be interesting too see who replaces her on Today reading the news……..maybe they might get Jessica Rowe back on Today show reading news lol.

  7. Good move for Mark, I reckon 7 will use him as the 6pm anchor when Ian Ross retires. I bet he kick Peter Overtons butt as well, I bet channel nine watch Peter Overton every night and shake their heads thinking, what have we done! Channel nine have lost their best news reader, another reason too give nine a miss

  9. Obviously Ch9 didn’t care too much for him if they punted him from prime time news, then stuck him with weekends then stuck him with ThISaFtERNOon then offered him a pay cut for the privilege.

    Kudos to Meakin and Leckie, smart signing of good talent.

  10. Oh My God! Things are turning ugly on THIS afternoon. After Mark read the news at 5:00pm, Andrew replied by saying:
    “Is that all the news, is there anything else you’ll like to tell us?”

    Then at the end of the show when Mark wrapped up the news, he ended by saying:
    “That brings you up to date with all the news, I’ll be back next week with more news.”
    Then Andrew replied by saying:
    “Oh you will be back next week? I thought you might have been somewhere else.”

  11. The funniest line I have heard from channel 9 all year comes from their own press release:

    “We’re actually flattered that another network had to look to Nine to find a new newsreader.”

  15. It speaks volumes when you have such people like Ian Ross and Sharon Ghidella, who both left 9 at different stages to “retire or rest” then popped up on 7. Good luck to the dapper Fergo.

    As much as Sunrise and 7 grates on me mostly I do have to admit, their network is like a fresh packet of tim tams, where as 9 is like a packet that’s been out on the shelf in the local milkbar since 1996.

  16. Maybe Seven are gearing up for the return of Late News @ 11:30pm in 2010?

    Anyway this is fantastic news for Seven because basically that leaves Channel 9 with no good news readers at all except for Georgie Gardener who was at Seven to start with. I think Mark may start by hosting the News at 6 in the Summer while the regulars take time off then after that anything is possible. Maybe a twosome like in Melbourne and other city’s?

  18. His contract was being renewed and he was offered less so you can’t blame him going elsewhere.

    Eddie must be nervous of the size cut he faces when his contract finishes next year. A game show airing outside of primetime does not need a $5M/yr host!!!

  19. Why do you all insist that this guy and the rest mentioned actually matter, the shpows they present have little genuine news and basically are a nothc above infotainment for the most part. Simply call it that and get rid of the suit/tie wardrobe and go fo the low brow himbo and bimbos who if you ask them a minute after the bulletin would have no idea which reports/issues were presented and why. pay a robot and use some cgi and presto problem solved re: ego’s / salary etc

    leave news to abc and sbs and any other organisation that gives a s**t – 9/7 don’t

  20. I wish him the best at Seven.
    But with Seven signing for between $500 – 700,000 something has to give in the News-department at Seven and I wonder who that will be??
    This is not the 1980’s and money is tight all round …. stay tuned!

  21. suck on that 9…you fools…i swiched news channels when 9 bought in the creep overton into the 6pm bullitin…and went to seven ..so now fego is there too…..ill never go gack to 9….monsterous mistake by 9…

  22. He’s a great newsreader, but has absoluetly no personality…. and I guess we don’t want to know our newsreaders on that level. Just give us the news…

    Georgie Gardner is Gorgeous….and a great reader. Sydney-siders are very lucky….

  23. i’m in melbourne so i haven’t seen much of him as news anchor but putting principal before paycheck is always a courageous move. i applaud him.

    i think his story is something that a lot of people can relate to. being demoted for the scary arch-enemy arrogant guy with less talent just because they he has a better CV. good to see him taking a stand and i think viewers will respond.

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