Channel 9 has provided Melbourne viewers a first look at their brand new news presenter combination for 2024.
2024 will signal the dawning of a new era for 9News Melbourne with the introduction of an all-new presenting line-up.
Taking the reins as joint hosts of the Monday to Friday editions of 9News Melbourne are Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort – both proud and passionate Melburnians.
Alicia, who has been the trusted weekend presenter for 9News Melbourne for the past 12 years, will now take the helm during the week, showcasing her deep understanding of the local news landscape and her innate connection to the Melbourne community.
Tom, currently a highly-respected reporter on 60 Minutes, will join Alicia as co-anchor, bringing a fresh perspective and investigative rigour to the weeknight news.
The changes come after the once-dominant Melbourne news bulletin has now lost the ratings battle for the second consecutive year to arch-rivals at Channel 7.
A spokesperson for Channel 9 has previously confirmed to TV Blackbox that veteran sports presenter Tony Jones and beloved weather presenter Livinia Nixon will be remaining in their current weekday roles in 2024.
The weekend sport/weather presenter combination of Clint Stanaway and Madeline Slattery will also remain unaffected by the lineup changes.
Alicia Loxley said:
“It’s a huge honour and privilege to be appointed to this role and to do it alongside Tom, who I started with at Bendigo Street, makes it extra special.
Our newsroom is filled with exceptional people and we’re looking forward to bringing you the news in 2024 and beyond.”
Tom Steinfort said:
“After so many years living out of a suitcase chasing the biggest stories around the world, I’m beyond excited to return home to Melbourne and partner with my old friend Alicia.
It’s also such a privilege to follow in the footsteps of an icon like Hitch, and I’m so glad he’ll continue to be part of the team. It will be great to live and breathe this magnificent city again, and thankfully get my kids to the MCG for Richmond games more regularly!”
Hugh Nailon, Director of 9News Melbourne, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Alicia and Tom to the forefront of our news team. In what will be just the fourth hosting line-up for the bulletin, this really does signify the onset of a new age. Alicia and Tom will bring a fresh dynamism to Melbourne viewers as they follow in the footsteps of Sir Eric Pearce, Brian Naylor and Peter Hitchener.
We have big plans for 2024 and look forward to bringing viewers the most accurate and informative news that they have come to rely on from 9News.”
Veteran anchor Peter Hitchener, an iconic presence on our television screens for more than 50 years, will now anchor the weekend edition of 9News Melbourne.
‘Hitch’, as he is affectionately known, has been the face of our weeknight news broadcast since 1998, and will bring his expertise and charisma to the weekend bulletins.
Hugh Nailon, Director of 9News Melbourne, said:
“We’re delighted that Hitch will continue to be a valuable and much loved part of the 9News Melbourne family.
He has an unwavering passion for delivering news to Melbourne and we look forward to the wealth of experience he will continue to bring to our weekend broadcasts.”
Still don’t think it will worry the bosses at 7…probably increase the margin
Why does any news bulletin actually require TWO newsreaders ? It’s really silly, and it can so easily end up being like a Playschool sketch. Are they trying to appeal to the under-ten demographic ? I have worked in news rooms since 1967. READING news is a different art to writing it. Authors aren’t an automatic choice to act in their plays. The manager of Dulux isn’t necessarily a great painter. Journalists prove every day that their verb-dropping, tense-changing words are often poorly read, too.
I’m not familiar with the term “highly respected journalist” – by whom, exactly ? Is there a survey somewhere we don’t know about ?
Let’s see if this new team works. Alicia just reads, no feeling, no emotion and known as the ice queen. Tom is more well know as a Sydney person, great reporter but a head newsreader, no!!!! I will never watch the new team Mon-Fri as many other’s are saying the same but weekends watching the best newsreader in the country Mr P. Hitchener.