Less than two weeks after TODAY TONIGHT was unceremoniously axed by Channel 7, MONIKA KOS has already found new employment.
TV Blackbox can reveal Kos will replace Narelda Jacobs as the presenter of 10 News First Perth. Just last week Jacobs announced she would be joining 10’s morning show Studio 10 from January next year.
Speaking about her appointment to the role Monika was full of praise for her predecessor:
“Narelda has been the face of 10 News First Perth for over a decade and I’m proud that she has been given this opportunity on Studio 10 to showcase her talent to the rest of Australia. As a fellow West Australian, it’s an honour to be filling her seat and to be entrusted with such an important role.
“I look forward to immersing myself in a newsroom that’s as enthusiastic and passionate about reporting issues that matter to Perth as I am. Whether reporting on local, interstate or international events, it will be a privilege to be part of a team that delivers them to you first. It’s a new chapter for me and I cannot wait to join the team.”
Kos, a respected journalist in Western Australia, fronted the now defunct Today Tonight for 22 years in Perth until it finished up on Friday 29 November. The program was a strong number 1 in the timeslot right until the very end. Seven cut the program for budgetary reasons.
Network Director of News Content, Ross Dagan, believes he has found the perfect replacement:
“Narelda’s shoes are big to fill, but we’re confident that Monika is the perfect fit. It’s rare to have an opportunity to replace Narelda’s experience with such an outstanding presenter in a market like Perth where I know local knowledge is vital to our audiences.”
Moving across from the number 1 network in Perth will certainly help Kos transition to her new role at 10 and viewers will forgive her move to a rival network due to the way she was treated at Seven.
10’s 5pm news service in the west has always held its own, with its ratings on par with Nine News at 6pm. Narelda Jacobs has proven to be a popular presenter and her departure is a big blow for 10. The appointment of Kos, however, will lessen the blow and possibly drawn in new viewers who’d like to show their support for Kos.
HUGE NEWS: We're just as excited as @NareldaJacobs10 ? pic.twitter.com/YSuWuwyeQJ
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) December 6, 2019
Speaking about her replacement, Narelda Jacobs was glowing in her respect of Kos;
“I’m so pleased to be handing over the baton to Monika, a journalist I’ve respected since I was a broadcasting student at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. I sat in awe of her as she motivated my class to pursue a career in journalism. Over the years, she’s inspired generations of reporters and she’ll continue to help lead an experienced and talented newsroom at 10.”
Narelda Jacobs will commence with Studio 10 on 13 January, 2020 and Monika Kos will join 10 News First Perth in January 2020.
*Additional reporting by Aaron Ryan
Co-Creator and Editor of the TV Blackbox website, Robert McKnight is highly regarded Australian Television Producer, he has worked at SEVEN, NINE and TEN, and is most well-known for creating and producing STUDIO 10. Currently Rob is the host and producer of the TV Blackbox, McKnight Tonight and Monsters Who Murder podcasts.
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