Seven signs Jana Wendt
Jana Wendt has signed a 3 year multi-million dollar contract with the Seven Network -with the option of choosing where she wants to fit in.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Jana Wendt has signed a lucrative television deal with the Seven Network.
The legendary television personality is poised for a major role with the network, in line with a 3 year multi-million dollar contract.
The deal follows her appearance on Sunrise this week where she plugged her new book, “Nice Work.” A quick phone call from the top brass saw her whisked away from the Sunrise set to Seven executives, causing her to miss morning radio engagements.
Wendt’s role within the network is believed to be wide open, with the Gold Logie-winner given the luxury of choosing where she wants to fit in.
Industry sources say Seven is keen for her to host Today Tonight, potentially demoting Matt White back to a sports role. But some execs are also toying with the idea of Wendt fronting its Sydney News service, elbowing Chris Bath to a weekend role.
Bath is believed to be fuming at such a wild proposition, having only won the key presenting role after the retirement of Ian Ross.
Such a move would also leave question marks hanging over Mark Ferguson, who left Nine for Seven.
But Seven execs are so quietly chuffed by nabbing Wendt they are willing to ride out any short-term storm.
So far sources close to Wendt say she is disinterested in returning to News and Current Affairs. Instead she is believed to have her eye on the resurgence in variety and keen to front a contender to Hey Hey it’s Saturday. Talks are underway with former currrent affairs identities Mike Willesee, Ray Martin and Mary Kostakidis to launch a new live to air show with international pop acts, news bloopers and political puppets.
Yesterday Wendt even had talks with Seven CEO David Leckie to join The Matty Johns Show but decided “it was a shit show” and is determined to go it alone.
Wendt has until the end of Easter to sign 16 writers, fire 11 of them the next day and get the show on air by the return of official ratings.
A logo for ‘Hey Hey it’s the Perfumed Steamroller’ has reportedly been registered as a trademark with IP Australia.
Wendt, Seven and the Jackson Jive were all unavailable for comment.
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- Tagged with Hey Hey its Saturday, Logie Awards, Seven News, Sunrise, The Matty Johns Show, Today Tonight
72 Responses
Atleast make it believable! Yeah, Jana and variety, suure!
Has Seven not learned anything from the Witness disaster in the late 1990s, when Jana was poached from Nine to host the current affairs program, then quit over editorial differences?
Woot… I love Jana… but I also love April 1 Pranks
good one David. You had me till the Matty Johns show option came up…not in a thousand universes HAHAHAHA
HAHA very funny!
April Fools anyone ????
It’s April Fool’s right David?
April Fools much?
Nice try David!
You had me until the “eye on…variety” bit. Nice work.
Happy April Fools Day David…!
april fools.
And a Happy April Fools to you too David 😛
Yep… happy April 1!
April fools!
Its great to see Jana back! ROFL @ Wendt has until the end of Easter to sign 16 writers, fire 11 of them the next day!
Thanks for reminding me it’s April Fool’s Day David……now to think of a prank to get my boss at work!
Haha. You had me going for way too long on that one! Well done!
you actually had me there for a minute, David.
nice work!
So which part of this is an aprils fool?
Happy April Fools Day, David, you had me up until the suggestion that seven wanted her to host today tonight!
riiiiiiiiiiight … what day is it today? ;0)
Creative stuff.
Jana Wendt, a Baby Boomers delight. Pay her millions because she’s like, soooo Jana Wendt!
Love it!!!
AFDJ?