Journalist and television presenter George Negus has earned himself, according to the Sunday Telegraph, the title of ‘television’s oldest newsreader’ in taking on the role of anchor for Network Ten’s new 6.00pm news program to launch in the new year.

Negus, a veteran of TV current affairs dating back to This Day Tonight and the early days of A Current Affair and 60 Minutes, will leave his current position as host of SBS’ Dateline at the end of the year.

The 68-year-old (pictured, in 1981) has endeared himself to viewers and the network through his weekly commentary on The 7PM Project.

The new 6.00pm program (“It isn’t really news, it isn’t really current affairs,” according to Negus) will be broadcast nationally and will sit between Ten’s existing 5.00pm news hour and a new city-based 6.30pm bulletin – representing Ten’s most aggressive attempt at news and current affairs in many years as it aims to regain credibility at the expense of Nine and Seven.

For Negus it gives him a chance to put a new perspective on commercial television news coverage:

“Over the years some of the comments I’ve made in regard to commercial news and current affairs have not always been flattering.

“It’s put your money where your mouth is time for someone like myself.”

Also joining Negus at Ten is former ABC journalist Chris Masters, who joins the network as a part-time “editorial consultant”.

Ten’s existing early evening programs, The Simpsons and Neighbours, will be moved across to the network’s new digital channel, 11, when it launches in the new year.

Source: Sunday Telegraph