Is it an age thing? Or a wage thing? Another 7 veteran leaves the network

Is it an age thing — or a wage thing — as Channel 7 boss Anthony De Ceglie moves on yet another news veteran?

Is it an age thing? Or a wage thing?

That’s the question many are asking at Channel 7 after new boss Anthony De Ceglie moves on yet another veteran.

It was announced this week that experienced content director Frances Sheen, who was formally Editor-In-Chief at 7News.com.au, has been replaced by baby-faced Natalie Wolfe. Wolfe was awarded News Corp’s Young Journalist of the Year award in 2019.

In a press release issued yesterday, De Ceglie said: “Natalie is one of Australia’s most exciting young leaders in the journalism profession. Ms Wolfe will have editorial oversight of 7NEWS.com.au.”

Frances Sheen. Picture: Supplied

Natalie Wolfe. Picture: Supplied

Her predecessor, Sheen, lured a monthly audience of 9.15 million according to the industry-audited IPSOS iris figures for July, making it Australia’s No.2 news website.

Many at Seven question whether De Ceglie’s move is a bid to wipe legacy salaries from the books or simply to have a younger, more malleable team.

Whether it is working is yet to be seen, however, media commentators have noted that Seven has had a few strong weeks with Angela Cox reading the 6pm news

“During the second week of the Games in Paris, Nine had a lead over Seven of around 40,000 on weeknights in Sydney,” said Media Week editor-in-chief James Manning. “You could argue that was a good result for Seven given the drawing power Nine should have got.”

Angela Cox reading the new on Channel 7. Picture: Supplied

According to those in the know, De Ceglie is a massive fan of Cox – reportedly unlike the hair and make-up team – and it is “highly likely” she will take the prime time news reading gig from Mark Ferguson (whose $700k contract is in De Ceglie’s sights and who is due back in the hot seat the week after next).

Further proof De Ceglie seems to have a preference for the under-35s – making the comparisons to Romper Room warranted – comes as Sunday Confidential’s spies spotted him having an “intense”, “in-depth” conversation with the ABC’s Louise Milligan at The Logies.

Milligan was the journalist at the ABC’s Four Corners who recently touted Seven as a “second chance club” for men, with allegations of bullying, sexism, assault and exploitation.

Maybe De Ceglie was providing more intel to bring the old guard down? Or perhaps attempting to quash a second instalment?

Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

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