With a few Peter’s, a Sandra and a Mark all nominated in this category, we’re looking at some of the most recognisable newsreaders in the country today.
With Actor, Sports Broadcaster and Presenter out of the way, we move on to the people we invite into our lounge rooms each evening, with the five finalists chosen by you in the Most Popular Newsreader category.
Seven, Nine and 10 are all clocking up at least one nominee today, and the winner will be revealed this weekend when the TV Boxies goes live on Sunday, November 28.
MOST POPULAR NEWSREADER FINALISTS
PETER OVERTON (Nine News)
Sydney’s nightly news favourite anchor on Channel Nine is none other than Peter Overton, who has presented the Nine News bulletin since 2009.
With Overton at the helm, Nine News has consistently beaten 7 News in the Sydney market, year after year.
Before joining the newsroom, Overton was a reporter for 60 Minutes (where he continues to come in with occasional special reports). In September, he celebrated a 30-year milestone with the network.
Despite a lengthy career, Overton said it’s the story we’re living in now that has been the most significant: “COVID will be the biggest story in all our careers. It’s relentless and it’s exhausting. Every night I’m very conscious that we are rarely delivering good news”.
PETER MITCHELL (7 News)
As the newsreader for 7 News in Melbourne, Peter Mitchell is one of the most trusted journalists in the state.
Taking on the main weeknight role in 2000 after being the weekend presenter for 13 years, Melbourne has grown up with Mitchell behind the desk one way or another.
He has been there for some of the world’s biggest stories, including being the first newsreader in Australia to break the news of Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
With two years of uncertainty and extreme lockdown periods covering the state, Mitchell’s role of delivering the news each night to Melbourne has been a welcomed one, and may earn him a TV Boxie.
PETER HITCHENER (Nine News)
Taking on Peter Mitchell in the Melbourne market is another Peter, Peter Hitchener is Nine News’ weeknight newsreader in Melbourne, a role he has held since 1998.
Hitchener has enjoyed 48 years with the network, set to reach the 50-year milestone in 2023. When not behind the desk, Hitch spends his time on several community service activities.
In 2017 he was awarded the Order of Australia medal, joining the Australia Day Honours list, “for services to the broadcast media and to the community”.
Melbourne’s thankful for having Hitch anchor for them every weeknight on Nine News, as he’s certainly a staple figure for the network no matter where you look. He could easily scoop up the TV Boxie.
MARK FERGUSON (7 News)
After re-joining the Seven Network in 2009, Mark Ferguson began presenting the weekend bulletin for Sydney until he moved into the weeknight role in 2014.
Since then, he has become one of the most recognisable newsreaders both in the state and the country, leading 7 News’ coverage for several major state and national stories.
Ferguson rose to prominence when he spent 17 years with Nine, filling tenures as both a weeknight and weekend presenter for Nine News.
In 2019, he and the 7 News team won a Walkley Award for their coverage of the Sydney CBD Stabbing.
SANDRA SULLY (10 News First)
Presenting both the Brisbane and Sydney bulletins of 10 News First, Sandra Sully is one of the most respected journalists in Australian television.
As weeknight anchor for 10’s Sydney bulletin since 2011, Sully encompassed the Brisbane market when the network made a shake up of their news brand in 2020.
Sully celebrated 30 years with 10 last year, recording some iconic moments in her journalsitic career, including being on air when the first plane hit during the September 11 Attacks, breaking the news first to Australia and presenting the rolling coverage.
Despite 10 News First airing at an earlier timeslot and being uncompetitive with Nine and Seven, Sully is still popular with viewers and remains a trusted source for national, local and breaking news.
It’s over to you – are you voting for one of the Peter’s, throwing up a hand for Mark, or backing Sandra until the end? Cast all your TV Boxies votes before they go live on Sunday.
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