Sunday 10th October, 2010 GEORGE NEGUS TO HEAD UP TEN’S 6PM NATIONAL NEWS PROGRAM

TEN is delighted to announce that George Negus, one of Australia’s most celebrated and respected journalists will present the Network’s new daily 6pm national news and public affairs program when it launches in early 2011.

George’s 40 years in media have put him at the very heart of some of the most important and groundbreaking programs on Australian television. He began his broadcast career on This Day Tonight before becoming one of the three original correspondents on 60 Minutes. After travelling the world for seven years covering the most significant stories of that period George decided to spend some time on home turf hosting The Today Show.

The lure of anchoring Foreign Correspondent proved too enticing and he made that role his own from the program’s launch in 1992. Most recently George has hosted Dateline and become well known to a new generation of TEN viewers through his regular appearances on The 7PM Project .

TEN’s Head of News and Public Affairs, Jim Carroll, said “George’s conversations with and profiles of some of the World’s most significant figures in politics, business, entertainment and sport have gained him international recognition. The list includes political leaders Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Colonel Gaddafi and Al Gore through to legendary entertainers such as Bob Dylan and Bob Marley.

“George’s story telling ability and expertise as an interviewer will make him an extraordinary asset to the Network,” Mr Carroll said. “He is someone who really knows his stuff and is not afraid to put his point of view and our viewers will like that.”

“George is able to connect with people at all levels, all ages and from all cultures. His intelligence, knowledge, charm and sense of humour mean our planned format for 6pm will play to George’s strengths.”

The new 6pm program will flow out of News at Five digging more deeply into the critical national and international stories and issues. It will be the destination for viewers seeking a smarter, more informed and inquisitive approach.

George will lead a team of some of Australia’s best reporters including , Max Futcher, Danielle Isdale, Emily Rice and Emma Dallimore, who will remain based in the United States for the program.

George says: “Frankly, to be involved in TEN’s bold plans is an unexpected opportunity. Not only that, it’s also an opportunity to put my journalistic mind and body where my mouth has often been.

Over the years, comments I’ve made about commercial news and current affairs have not always been flattering.

“That said, what TEN has in mind for the 6PM time-slot is seriously different. It could well change the landscape of free-to-air, prime time, national and international news and current affairs in this country – for the better.”

“When a Network talks about ‘restoring credibility’ to commercial news and current affairs, I listen. Back whenever it was, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the ground-breaking advent of “60 Minutes.” This 6PM concept of TEN’s has the same sort of audacious freshness about it. Stay tuned!”

The 6pm program is a key element of TEN’s expanded evening news offering. It will start with the News at Five , the existing locally produced and presented hour which dominates viewing in each mainland capital city. 6pm will be followed by Ten’s Evening News , a half hour of news, sport and weather in each market, leading into The 7PM Project .

In another key appointment Network Ten announced that Australia's most acclaimed investigative journalist, author and Gold Walkley winner, Chris Masters, is joining the news team.

Chris is taking on a part-time position as an editorial consultant providing expertise and guidance to TEN News on investigative stories and mentoring reporters and producers.

“We are incredibly proud that Chris is joining TEN News,” Mr Carroll said. “He is an icon of Australian journalism and our expanded suite of news programs will benefit enormously from his knowledge and experience.”

For more information, and interviews with George Negus , please contact: Kirsty Wilson – Sydney Publicity Manager P: 02 9650 1102 or M: 0434 070 223 or E: [email protected]