Anthony De Ceglie vows to keep taking risks at Seven News

Anthony De Ceglie introduced a comedian and an astrologer to Seven’s 6pm news bulletin six months ago. Both fell flat, but the News boss has vowed to keep trying new things.

Channel 7 bosses only told “funnyman” Mark Humphries late last week that his services were no longer needed for the final three minutes of the Friday news bulletin.

A one-time darling of the ABC, he had been a risk for the network, taken to put a smile on viewers’ dials with a bit of a laugh at the end of the week.

But it turns out Humphries’ jokes didn’t land so well on commercial TV.

From his first foray into a clumsy take on the Donald Trump assassination attempt, he failed to pick up steam, despite Seven heavily promoting him.

Anthony De Ceglie, who was brought on as director of news and current affairs last April, introduced comedian Humphries and astrologer Natasha Weber to Seven’s 6pm news bulletin six months ago. Now, both are gone for the start of the official ratings season this month.

Mark Humphries in a still from his 6.57pm NEWS segment.

“The 6.57pm NEWS won’t be returning to the 6pm bulletin, but we’re in discussions with Mark Humphries about how to incorporate his enormous talent into other areas,” De Ceglie said in a statement to Confidential. “Meanwhile, our very popular horoscope segment will continue on The Morning Show and online.

“7NEWS won’t shy away from trying new things. It’s integral that traditional media doesn’t sit still, and our team prides itself on always trying to innovate in the search for new audiences.”

Seven news executive Anthony De Ceglie. Picture: Supplied

Co-anchors Mark Ferguson and Angela Cox. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Confidential inquired about Humphries’ future on January 31, but was told it was business as usual.

One insider claimed there was reluctancy from some executives within Seven to introduce the controversial segments from the get-go.

Humphries was axed from the ABC’s 7.30 program in 2023, after seemingly struggling to adjust his political satire to a landscape where Labor had won government.

The ABC blamed budgetary constraints.

De Ceglie has made a suite of other changes, including installing Angela Cox and Mark Ferguson as joint weeknight readers – a change he believes is being well received by viewers.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]