Anthony De Ceglie to leave the network and take up a new role with the NRL

Channel 7’s news boss Anthony De Ceglie is leaving the network after a little more than a year to take up a surprising new role.

Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie is leaving the network. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Channel 7’s news boss Anthony De Ceglie is leaving the network for a new significant new role with the NRL.

Considered the right-hand man of Kerry Stokes, the former editor-in-chief of The West Australian has been put in charge of the new NRL team, the Perth Bears.

De Ceglie, 39, joined Seven West Media from News Corporation tabloid The Daily Telegraph in 2019, where he was deputy editor for almost three years in the NRL’s heartland territory of NSW.

“I have loved every minute of my six years at Seven West Media, both as editor-in-chief of West Australian newspapers and more recently as the director of news and current affairs at Seven,” De Ceglie said.

Anthony De Ceglie is the director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief at Seven West Media. Picture – Supplied

He replaced former Seven news director Craig McPherson in 2024.

His leadership oversaw programs including 7News, Sunrise, The Morning Show and investigative program Spotlight, but came under fire after a series of decisions that saw veteran broadcasters axed.

Seven were forced to strip $100m in costs which led to 150 jobs being slashed and network stalwarts being tapped on the shoulder, and experienced news producers being replaced by younger staff.

Popular Queensland weatherman Paul Burt and veteran newsreader Sharyn Ghidella were among the high-profile targets of Seven’s bloodletting.

Ghidella – who spent 38 years at the network – later revealed she received the news while she was at the hairdresser, describing it as a miserable affair.

“When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren’t expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder … after 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,” Ghidella wrote on social media at the time.

“It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel 7.”

Under De Ceglie, Seven’s news bulletins introduced segments from last century – including horoscopes become part of bulletin for about three months – before they were ditched.

The network lost ratings to its rival Nine, which reclaimed more viewers of the 6pm news by the end of last year for the first since 2015.

Seven West news director Ray Kuka will replace editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie, who has been appointed the Perth Bears’ chief executive officer. Picture: The West Australian

Broadcast news veteran Ray Kuka will take De Ceglie’s place at the Seven Network as director of news and current affairs.

Mr Kuka has been with 7News for more than two decades, he started with the news team in Brisbane as an intern, and worked for the network in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, London and China.

Mr Kuka is currently the deputy director of news and current affairs and director of news in Perth.

He starts the new job on May 19.

“Now being charged with leading them is next level and a privilege I’ll never take for granted. I love working in television and can’t wait to see what the future brings our staff and our audiences,” Mr Kuka said.

Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes thanked De Ceglie for his contribution and leadership and wished him success in his future role, which would see him return to Perth.

“The SWM team is full of the best operators in the business. Ray is the ideal person to lead Australia’s number one news and current affairs team to an even better future,” he said.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys says De Ceglie is a “brilliant operator” with a proven track record. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

The Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed the appointment of De Ceglie as the chief executive of the Perth Bears on Thursday.

Chairman Peter V’landys said De Ceglie’s appointment was an important step forward for the code in Western Australia.

“To succeed in Perth, you need a well-connected local who knows how to get things done and has a can-do attitude,” he said.

“Anthony is a brilliant operator with a proven track record and a genuine Western Australian, and I am excited about what he can do for us as we grow rugby league in the WA market.”

Seven West Media is expected to make an announcement shortly.

Earlier this month, WA Premier Roger Cook signed a $65m deal with the ARL Commission to introduce a Perth team to the NRL after a 26-year hiatus.

The Perth Bears are expected to join to the national league in 2027.

Originally published as Anthony De Ceglie to leave the network and take up a new role with the NRL