Channel 10 has now officially confirmed South Australian journalists Kate Freebairn and Max Burford are set to front Adelaide’s 10 News First weekday bulletin commencing in 2023.
The official confirmation comes after TV Blackbox recently exclusively revealed Kate Freebairn was set to host the network’s relaunched dedicated Adelaide bulletin from the network’s Sydney studio facility.
From early next year, Network 10 presenter Kate Freebairn who is currently on maternity leave, will return to the network in the new position of Adelaide News Presenter, while Adelaide’s award-winning 10 News First sport journalist, Max Burford has been appointed to the role of Adelaide Sports Presenter.
The move to reintroduce a dedicated Adelaide bulletin comes after viewers have been forced to endure a mix of South Australian and Victorian stories produced as part of a hybrid bulletin presented by Jennifer Keyte from the network’s Melbourne studio.
The appointments will coincide with a refreshed live weekday bulletin format, which will offer Adelaide audiences more local content across news, sport, weather, events and current affairs.
Kate Freebairn said:
“After a year-long break to focus on life as a Mum, I couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to work and taking on this new role.
“I’m a proud South Australian and it will always be home to me, so I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue to connect with our local audience and work closely with my colleagues and friends in the Adelaide newsroom.”
Max Burford added:
“I have fond memories from my childhood switching on 10’s news for the sport breaks, and now to be on the other side presenting sport is going to be a surreal experience.
“And while I fell a (very) long way short of any professional sporting career, to report on what I love and call it work is a true honour and dream opportunity. I can’t wait to get out and about, bringing everyone the latest sport news from our iconic venues around Adelaide.”
The new presenting line up coupled with the existing team of credible journalists leading the Adelaide newsroom, underpins the network’s ongoing commitment and investment in news resources to remain live and local for the community of South Australia.
Martin White, Head of Broadcast News, said:
“Local stories are at the heart of 10 News First. We pride ourselves on journalism that matters to people, and that’s exactly what we deliver in Adelaide every night at 5pm.
I’m excited about the evolution in our approach in South Australia and thrilled to have Kate and Max leading our comprehensive Adelaide coverage.”
Gerda Jezuchowski, Executive Editor 10 News First Adelaide, added:
“Kate Freebairn has long been a pivotal member of the 10 News First presenting team – and it’s wonderful to welcome her to the helm as our lead news anchor, on her return from maternity leave.
“I’m equally delighted to announce Max Burford as presenter of sport.
The 2023 local refresh of 10 News First Adelaide is incredibly exciting – and backed as ever – by our dedicated and professional team of journalists, camera operators and producers from our Eastwood newsroom.”
Does anyone in Adelaide watch 10 News ? Good grief
So, is it coming out of Sydney or not? The early paragraphs refer to this but, then, there is no mention of this aspect by 10 or your journo. Surely they couldn’t be doing it out of Sydney?
Hi Mike – 10 are being very gun-shy about this. It is being made in Sydney and broadcast live into Adelaide. The story in the ‘Tiser yesterday also mentioned this, which we’re sure 10 wouldn’t have been happy about.
Hosts in Sydney, control room in Melbourne, broadcast in Adelaide.
A very logistical task with Adelaide news having to transfer from Melbourne to Sydney studios. Back in early 2000, the Adelaide News production was transfered to the Melbourne Studios while the sports and weather were produced via Adelaide studios. During that 2000-10 era (Mal Walden presented the Melbourne news from ATV10 studios, while George Donikian presenting the Adelaide weeknight news from ATV-10 studios though through a different room). In early 2011, TEN News Adelaide returned home to the SA Capital to coincide with the TEN News Revolution. And this was set to continue for another 9 years when Adelaide News were transferred to Melbourne studios and axing Bec Morse.