Why Seven News boss is still backing Mark Humphries comic spot

Despite backlash from viewers and commentators, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie continues to pump up the new three-minute comic spot at the end of the nightly news bulletin.

Despite backlash from viewers and commentators, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie continues to pump up the new three-minute comic spot at the end of the network’s nightly news bulletin.

“Three million TikTok views (and counting) on the Trump segment of the satirical 6.57pm News by Mark Humphries,” he boasted on X this week.

Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie. Picture: Supplied

Mark Humphries.

It appears the rookie news boss remains unfazed by the opinions of many mainstream viewers that remain overwhelmingly lukewarm, seemingly being more invested in reaction from the TikTok generation.

De Ceglie has previously defended the decision to introduce comic relief at the end of the news, explaining the network was “exploring new ideas and concepts”.

That has also led to astrology reports being added to Seven’s evening news by Natasha Weber, aka AstroTash. Time, and ratings, will decide the move’s success with all generations, but one man’s response to De Ceglie’s post was telling, saying: “While I commend your courage in trying something different at the risk of damaging the 7 news brand, if I really wanted to watch this sort of stuff, I would already be one of the few ABC or 10’s (The) Project viewers.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]