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“Thanks for your company,” Roscoe…

A teary Ian Ross signed off from Seven News tonight in Sydney ending six years with the network, and fifty years in media. And in Melbourne there was another send-off.

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roscoeSeven News presenter Ian Ross signed off from his chair in Sydney tonight, and in doing so ended a fifty year career in media.

Seven rolled a stirring montage of Ross’ career dating as far back to when he even had a curly moptop.

Fighting back tears, a grateful Ross said, “Firstly to the Seven Network for giving me the opportunity of hosting its Sydney News bulletin. I’ve just had such a good time, it’s been fantastic.”

Ross had a special message for viewers, saying, “Most importantly though, I’d like to thank you our viewers for your trust your loyalty and all the support you’ve shown me and us over these past six years.

“I wish you all good luck and good health. I’m Ian Ross and for the final time,” he said taking a deep breath, “thanks for your company…. goodnight.”

Joining Ross at the desk was Chris Bath who takes over the role for the network. He was affectionately farewelled by the news team, no doubt before heading for due celebrations.

“This is a bittersweet moment,” news director Peter Meakin said earlier this week. “On the one hand, we are sorry that Ian is leaving. He has led Seven News to victory for five consecutive years and we are hugely in his debt. But we rejoice that someone as talented and popular as Chris is available to replace him.”

“Ian has been an absolute superstar,” said Channel Seven CEO David Leckie. “We thank him profusely for taking Seven News to the top and keeping it there. Much as we’ll miss him, we are fortunate indeed to have someone as brilliant as Chris to inherit the crown.”

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Nine News Livinia Nixon finished her final weather report before taking maternity leave.

Sports presenter Tony Jones presented her with flowers as she was given best wishes by presenter Peter Hitchener at the end of the bulletin.

24 Responses

  2. Best wishes Ian. What a great career. How fantastic would it be for Australian television and women in general if we see a send off like this for Chris Bath (or any other women in prime time) after reading the news for all those years when she is 69.

  3. Such a masterful newsreader, I have so enjoyed watching him anchor Channel 7 news for the last six years. I was absolutely delighted when he took Seven news to the top (and has kept it there for the last five years) in Sydney not long after he left Nine, who treated him shabbily in the wake of Brian Henderson’s retirement. Have a happy retirement Roscoe, and best of luck to Chris Bath, another excellent newsreader. I’m sure she’ll keep Seven news at the number one spot for many years to come.

  4. Why on earth didn’t the news team give Ian Ross as a gift???
    When Ann Sanders and Ross Simons were hosting for their last time, they got at least flowers.

    How disapointing 🙁

  5. @Evan: Judging by the Walkley BTQ won the other night (with a Gold Coast story none the less), surely they need a GC service. Seven kept the new Gold Coast facility very quiet, right up until opening (which had as a special guest of all people, Peter Meakin, head of news for the network, cue reference to your comment back in July, “My guess is Meakin has forgotten that he runs Brisbane.”)

    DoNd’s ratings are proof, that Seven will need to try a new direction in the south-east corner before any switch from dual to solo anchoring for BTQ’s weekday 6pm will work.

    It is a matter not, of if Seven will act, but when will Seven act, and when they do Rob Readings better not be sitting in a corner at Nine, but to help make dramatic improvements to QTQ’s GC news service, when they have well funded competition, probably with a big name.

  6. Well, that just brought tears to my eyes.. I hope he comes back for special reports… or something similar… What a talent. What a Sydney Icon… I’ll miss you Roscoe.

    T.

  7. Oh wow it’s amazing how you can connect so much with TV personalities/TV shows. I cried at the end of that clip along with Roscoe! So long mate. You will be missed.

    Even though I now live in Melbourne, I have been a big fan of Chris Bath’s since her NBN Newcastle days. Good luck Chris!

  8. Wow! What an emotional sign-off last night, it almost brought tears to my eyes. I have watched 7 News since Ian Ross began presenting the bulletin in 2002, He is one of the best in the Industry and will truly be missed – Good Luck with everything Roscoe!

  9. I believe he lives here on the Gold Coast.

    I wonder if he will pop up to read a BTQ bulletin from time to time?

    BTQ have just opened a new studio in Surfers Paradise (it was mentioned and shown during the 50 Year special last month)….. Surely Seven aren’t thinking of a competing news service to Nine’s Gold Coast News?

  13. I’d never heard nor seen Roscoe before apart from here on TVTN, but anyone finishing 50 years in anything, especially in media deserves a good send off.

    In his 50 years in media Ian must have seen and covered some of the most amazing stories of our lifetimes…

    Good luck Ian Ross.

  14. Sad to see Roscoe going, he’s a fantastic newsreader. I wish him all the best.

    Interesting that we haven’t seen or heard a peep out of Mark Ferguson considering he is set to read weekends from tomorrow!

    @ Gary – Seven won the 18-49 and 25-54 demos this year. Not really nursing home age brackets there.

  15. @Boy Wonder yeah I like Chris Bath too… especially since she started dressing more appropriately. She used to look like she was dressing up for some kind of event. It just didn’t look right, sitting there delivering the day’s news.

  17. Andy, I’m fairly sure they work together behind the scenes in some capacity and not just on their allocated days…

    Be interesting to hear how Mark Ferguson’s first day goes tomorrow!

  20. He seems like a lovely guy and it’s sad to see him go. I was actually surprised to find out he was 69 (maybe 70 now).

    @ Ryano: the old timers command a lot of respect, because viewers tend to trust them… that’s why the networks have tended to hold on to them (it was the same witth Ian Henderson, and I’m sure others like them, in other cities).

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