The Seven Network’s 7NEWS Melbourne – led by anchor Peter Mitchell – has delivered its best result in more than a decade to seize the TV ratings crown at 6.00pm.
Mitchell, alongside sports presenter Tim Watson and respected meteorologist Jane Bunn, triumphed in 2022 to win the weekday news hour for a staggering 32 out of 39 consolidated ratings weeks.
TV Blackbox previously revealed how the 7News Melbourne had stolen the ratings crown from Channel 9 thanks to the effort from its team of journalists and a refreshed graphics package.
It marks a historic changing of the guard on Melbourne television, with Seven dominating the survey year and taking the number one 6.00pm news spot for the first time since 2011.
7News Melbourne is now regularly securing audience figures 30k larger than the Peter Hitchener presented broadcast in an audience switch that will have Channel 9 executives asking serious questions regarding what has gone wrong with their once dominant bulletin.
2022 has seen highly popular presenter Rebecca Maddern defect from Nine to join the team at Seven alongside weekend presenter Mike Amor.
Maddern’s instant success and connection with viewers have again left this media observer to wonder why Channel 9 wasted her talents for so long.
7News Melbourne has also benefited from a bold new graphics package and strong reporting from a team of highly regarded journalists including Sharnelle Vella, Cassie Zervos and Paul Dowsley.
The ability of sports journalists Tom Browne and Mitch Cleary to deliver a consistent stream of exclusive AFL reports has also clearly played a key role in getting a sports-obsessed city to switch channels.
Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, said:
“It’s been a watershed year for 7NEWS Melbourne. We have dominated the news market in Australia’s biggest viewing city, with the best result in 11 years. It’s a phenomenal effort by our team superbly led by Shaun Menegola.
“With our presenting team across the full week of Peter Mitchell, Tim Watson, Jane Bunn, Rebecca Maddern, Mike Amor and Abby Gelmi, complemented by a quality team of reporters and a vibrant production desk, 7NEWS Melbourne offers the people of Victoria the very best choice to turn to for everything they need to know, every day of the year.”
7NEWS Melbourne Director, Shaun Menegola, paid tribute to his team, on and off air.
“We’re thrilled to be recognised as Melbourne’s number one news service. As a team, we put a hard focus on the news and issues that impact directly on Victorians,” he said.
“Every member of the team sets out every day to make sure we deliver the full picture at 6.00pm. Our objective each night is to not just cover every aspect of the news of the day, but to cover it better than everyone else.
“It’s fantastic that Melburnians have turned to our bulletin in 2022 and trusted us to deliver coverage of everything that happened – floods, Federal and State elections, and conflict in Ukraine, as well as the outpouring of grief following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“We see this result as the beginning, not the finish line. We understand we have to work hard to maintain the trust of the audience. We look forward to building on that in 2023.”
Peter Mitchell said: “These results show the hard work of the entire crew here at Seven and I am so incredibly proud and humbled to be a part of the team. There is always something happening in Melbourne and we are so honoured to be the number one news service, keeping the city informed.”
For channel 9 it’s because of the arrogant Tony Jones on sport and Maddy on the weather who always stuffs up when she talks. It’s also looking a bit tired