Nine and Seven’s nightly news ratings wars heats up amid job cuts and cost-saving measures

The nation’s two major commercial TV networks face intense pressure to win the ratings for the 6pm news amid turbulent times in the media industry.

TV presenters from left to right: Andrew Lofthouse, Melissa Downes and Peter Overton from Channel 9 with Mike Amor, Rebecca Maddern and Mark Ferguson from Channel 7.

The fierce battle to win the TV ratings has entered turbulent times following cost-cutting and widespread job losses at the major networks, with the focus remaining firmly on the traditional 6pm news bulletins.

News anchors on high salaries nearing the end of their contracts are under immediate threat as executives look at ways to curb expenses and lift audiences.

Controversially, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie recently opted to add comedy and horoscopes to the hour-long weekday bulletins.

Latest official TV ratings figures show that in the nation’s three key markets – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – Nine is now winning the crucial Monday to Friday 6pm news ratings, while Seven is easily ahead in Perth and Adelaide.

Sources told The Australian the lead-in program to Seven’s nightly news, The Chase Australia, was a serious concern to the network as it was consistently beaten in the ratings by Nine’s quiz show Tipping Point, hosted by Todd Woodbridge, which started this year.

Nine’s broadcasting rights for the Paris Olympics are also expected to deliver the network solid ratings wins during the two-week event.

In Sydney, Nine’s weeknight news, led by Peter Overton, has a total average TV audience of 227,000 viewers per night, up 5 per cent this year, compared to Seven, presented by Mark Ferguson, with at 199,000 viewers, down 1 per cent. The male anchors both read the news from Sunday to ­Thursday.

It’s understood Ferguson, who is on six weeks’ leave, remains in negotiations with his employer, with his contract up for renewal.

Channel 7 Sydney newsreader Mark Ferguson. Photo: Supplied

If he does sign on the dotted line it is unclear whether he will continue to anchor the weeknight news.

While he’s away there will be a rotation of hosts, including Michael Usher, Angela Cox and Angie Asimus, and both single and dual newsreading line-ups are expected to be trialled.

But Seven’s woes don’t end there. In 2024 it has fallen behind Nine to consistently lose the ratings battle in the second biggest market, Melbourne.

Under former Nine news boss Darren Wick – who left the network after a formal complaint about inappropriate conduct was made about him – and Melbourne news director Hugh Nailon, newsreaders Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort replaced veteran newsreader Peter Hitchener on the weeknight news at the start of the year, and so far the change has paid off for the network.

Nine’s weeknight news in Melbourne is averaging 268,000 viewers Monday to Friday, up 12 per cent, compared to Seven’s Peter Mitchell, who draws 228,000 viewers, down 16 per cent. It’s understood Mitchell has several years to go on his existing ­contract.

Nine has won 27 of 28 weeks in both the Sydney and Melbourne markets and is ahead in both markets for the weekend news.

In Melbourne, Nine’s Peter Hitchener, who reads the weekend news, is ahead of Seven’s Rebecca Maddern and Mike Amor, while in Sydney Georgie Gardner leads Angela Cox and Michael Usher.

Seven sacked veteran Brisbane anchor Sharyn Ghidella earlier this month, leaving Max Futcher as a solo presenter, and the station remains behind on weeknights against Nine’s Melissa Downes and Andrew Lofthouse.

Channel 7 Brisbane weeknight newsreader Max Futcher. Picture: David Clark.

Veteran TV executive Peter Meakin, who was a news boss at Seven, Nine and Ten during his career, said despite falling ratings the 6pm news bulletin remained critical for the major commercial networks.

“It’s important for the network’s prestige and it leads into the programming that follows. It still fulfils an important role but maybe not as vital as it used to be,” he told The Australian.

“The idea that the family sits down and watches the news at six o’clock I think is long gone.

“Certainly, the younger generation – most of them are getting their news elsewhere.”

Meakin said the days of “humungous” TV salaries – some with seven digits – are over too.

Nine’s director of news and current affairs Fiona Dear said the network’s focus remained firmly on delivering the “day’s most important stories and what Australians need to know”.

Seven’s De Ceglie said the 6pm news remained “extremely important”.

“For Seven, the 6pm news is a critical part of our brand, our content schedule and our nightly line-up,” he said. “It’s the lead into prime time. It is appointment viewing for millions of Australians every single night of the week … 7NEWS is #1 nationally. TV news is a very competitive business and of course our aim is to be #1 nationally and in all capital cities.”