Media scramble over Jessica Watson arrival

Tomorrow’s coverage of the arrival of Jessica Watson will be fiercely contested by commercial networks.

While TEN / ONE has been a sponsor of Watson’s around the world sail, Nine and Seven are pulling out all stops to cover the event by stealth.

As a sponsor TEN’s coverage has access over rival channels, with Hugh Riminton as the only journalist travelling on the VIP boat with Watson’s family, while Sandra Sully will also be on ground to MC official proceedings and Bill Woods will host the broadcast.

TEN’s coverage begins at 11am with ONE running extended coverage between 1 and 2pm to follow her media conference. Jessica Watson: Sailing into History will air at 6pm Sunday on TEN and is repeated at 8:30pm on ONE.

Updated: Watson will also chat with Jesse Martin for The 7PM Project on Monday night.

But Nine will have an interview with Watson on 60 Minutes. “Charles Wooley will sit down with Jessica as this courageous teenager reflects on the highs and lows of her epic achievement.” Nine indicates Woolley “will be joining the Watson family to welcome her back home.”

Such access so early upon her return is likely to rile TEN.

Nine’s live coverage will see Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson in a two-hour broadcast from 11.00am as they track Watson’s arrival through the heads and on to the Sydney Opera House. Channel Nine cameras and reporters will be dotted right around the Harbour, which TEN has no exclusivity over. Highlights will be replayed at 5:30pm.

Meanwhile, Seven will have Mark Ferguson hosting a live Seven cross to Jessica’s arrival, although the network is yet to advise of any programming change. It will however have a Seven News chartered yacht attempting to get alongside Watson on the harbour, with surfer Layne Beachley on board.

Seven will also feature Jessica Watson: The Homecoming at 5:30pm with her arrival, reunion with her parents, the first media conference back on Australian soil and interviews with experts.

50,000 spectators are expected to cheer Watson as she arrives.

This 16yo sailor may have survived all sorts of storms at sea, but she’s about to face a media storm tomorrow.

All times are AEST.