Latest news with #AnthonyDeCeglie
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Seven's secret plan to sack most of its best-paid stars earning more than $300,000 a year
Seven News bosses were secretly planning to sack some of their most popular and best-paid stars, a new report has claimed. Former top news boss Anthony De Ceglie had a plan to axe every Seven personality on more than $300,000 a year in favour of upcoming TV stars, according to The Australian. Spotlight chief correspondent Liam Bartlett, Seven News chief reporter Chris Reason and Seven News Sydney anchor Michael Usher were going to be quietly dismissed as part of a 'drastic cost-cutting operation'. Sunrise and Morning show presenters, Natalie Barr, Matt Shirvington, Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur were the only stars not at risk of losing their jobs. However, De Ceglie's proposal was met with 'immediate resistance from Seven's more seasoned executives'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Veteran Channel Seven presenter Sharyn Ghidella was axed from the network in July last year, after almost four decades working in the news industry. Ghidella, 58, the face of Seven News in Queensland since 2007, confirmed the news in a fiery Facebook post at the time. She said her 'tap on the shoulder' finally came while she was at the salon, admitting it was a 'relief' of sorts after several anxious weeks of media job cuts. But she was determined not to go quietly as she took aim at the failing network for prioritising gimmicks like astrology readings over keeping veteran talent. '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 began. 'It wasn't quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven. 'I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.' Ghidella then said her recent time at the network had been 'miserable' and she was glad to be heading out the door. Queensland cloud watcher Paul Burt and Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud were also axed from the network. Burt has lashed out at Channel Seven in an awkward final on-air segment after he was axed by the network in July last year. He presented his final weather segment and took aim at the network during his sign off. 'If I'd had the opportunity I wouldn't have wanted to go this way. It's what happens when you get sacked,' he said at the end of the 6pm news.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Local media snubbed it. But Origin just out-rated AFL in Perth
Perth has embraced State of Origin, with more television viewers tuning in to game II than both AFL matches played at the same venue over the weekend combined. Queensland's thrilling 26-24 win at Optus Stadium was the highest-rating game II since 2015, pulling a total audience of 3.751 million – a 17.5 per cent increase year-on-year. That figure was a smidgen lower than the 3.755 million that tuned in for the opening game, which remains the highest-rating program of the year. However, the most encouraging result for league bosses was the response in the west. Despite being almost totally snubbed by the AFL-aligned West Australian newspaper – owned by Kerry Stokes' Seven West Media, which broadcasts AFL – the match recorded the highest-ever TV total audience for an Origin match in Perth. The locals voted with their TV remotes, with 190,000 tuning in across Perth to watch the Maroons send the series to a decider. That was on top of the 57,023 fans that packed into Optus Stadium, just shy of the venue's 61,266 capacity. To put those viewing figures into context, 82,000 viewers tuned into the North Melbourne-Fremantle clash at Optus on Saturday night via free-to-air on the Seven Network. On Sunday, 90,000 watched West Coast Eagles-Carlton on Seven (those figures don't include Kayo/Fox viewership). 'The incredible match was the perfect showcase for rugby league in the state and the excitement we want to bring sporting fans with the Perth Bears,' said Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie. 'I was fortunate to spend a lot of time among the fans with [Bears coach] Mal Meninga and the buzz about the Bears was simply electric. Sports fans can't wait.' Origin II also recorded a streaming audience of 957,000 on 9Now, up 29.5 per cent year-on-year. The total reach for the match was 5.467 million.
The Age
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Local media snubbed it. But Origin just out-rated AFL in Perth
Perth has embraced State of Origin, with more television viewers tuning in to game II than both AFL matches played at the same venue over the weekend combined. Queensland's thrilling 26-24 win at Optus Stadium was the highest-rating game II since 2015, pulling a total audience of 3.751 million – a 17.5 per cent increase year-on-year. That figure was a smidgen lower than the 3.755 million that tuned in for the opening game, which remains the highest-rating program of the year. However, the most encouraging result for league bosses was the response in the west. Despite being almost totally snubbed by the AFL-aligned West Australian newspaper – owned by Kerry Stokes' Seven West Media, which broadcasts AFL – the match recorded the highest-ever TV total audience for an Origin match in Perth. The locals voted with their TV remotes, with 190,000 tuning in across Perth to watch the Maroons send the series to a decider. That was on top of the 57,023 fans that packed into Optus Stadium, just shy of the venue's 61,266 capacity. To put those viewing figures into context, 82,000 viewers tuned into the North Melbourne-Fremantle clash at Optus on Saturday night via free-to-air on the Seven Network. On Sunday, 90,000 watched West Coast Eagles-Carlton on Seven (those figures don't include Kayo/Fox viewership). 'The incredible match was the perfect showcase for rugby league in the state and the excitement we want to bring sporting fans with the Perth Bears,' said Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie. 'I was fortunate to spend a lot of time among the fans with [Bears coach] Mal Meninga and the buzz about the Bears was simply electric. Sports fans can't wait.' Origin II also recorded a streaming audience of 957,000 on 9Now, up 29.5 per cent year-on-year. The total reach for the match was 5.467 million.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meninga's major sacrifice to become Bears boss
The Perth Bears have locked in their most important piece with rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga confirmed as the inaugural coach of the NRL's newest franchise. Meninga has had to vacate his role as Kangaroos coach and will officially start his new job on July 1 as he prepares to build a roster for when the Bears enter the competition in 2027. The Raiders legend oversaw the greatest Maroons side of all time and has enjoyed World Cup success with Australia, but this will be his first time back in club land since he left Canberra in 2001. 'This is bigger than me,' he said. 'It's about the game and the growth of the game in WA. I want to leave it in a good place. The foundations are going to be set in stone, and when I move on, the great club called the Perth Bears will hopefully be a success. 'It's a huge responsibility, but I believe I'm up for it. 'It's a huge challenge, but I love challenges.' With Meninga signed on for the next three years, Perth finally has a big Bear over there, but they'll need a chair as well and hopefully people willing to share the stories that the NRL wants them to tell. It's why Meninga, Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo stressed the importance of understanding the rugby league community in Western Australia and ensuring the link to North Sydney isn't lost. De Ciglie is aware of the sporting landscape in Perth where AFL remains king, but rugby league has already ruffled a few feathers and will only get bigger with Meninga at the helm. 'It's obvious that Mal is an Immortal of the NRL, but I think it's important to note that he's an Immortal of the national sporting landscape,' De Ceglie said, with Meninga beating out other candidates like Brad Arthur and Sam Burgess. 'Mal is a part of the Australian identity, so we're incredibly honoured that he's taken up this opportunity. 'It's small steps. We've gone from one Bear in me to two Bears with Mal, so we've doubled our staff overnight. 'I genuinely feel like the first thing we need to do is listen and appreciate and respect the legacy of the North Sydney Bears but also the fans in WA who have a proud tradition as well. 'They've kept the candle burning for decades, and we have to marry those things together to make this thing a huge success.' The NRL will work with the Bears to finalise the board, with attention now turning to who will replace Meninga as Kangaroos coach. Meninga has played a key role in growing the international game but won't be there for the Ashes tour at the end of the year, with former Blues boss Brad Fittler the early favourite to take over. 'The commission has long held the view that the Kangaroos coach can't be involved in coaching clubs as well, and that policy is going to continue,' Abdo said. 'As Mal said, this is a full-time job and it's about building a team from the ground up. It's exciting, but it's going to take a lot of hard work, so the focus on the club is one thing, but the commission also has the existing policy. 'We're all excited for the end-of-season tour, and it's been a long time coming. Today was about announcing Mal as the Bears coach, and with Mal secured and finalised, the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos.'
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Bigger than me': Mal Meninga at ease with giving up Kangaroos role to coach Perth Bears
The Perth Bears have locked in their most important piece with rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga confirmed as the inaugural coach of the NRL's newest franchise. Meninga has had to vacate his role as Kangaroos coach and will officially start his new job on July 1 as he prepares to build a roster for when the Bears enter the competition in 2027. The Raiders legend oversaw the greatest Maroons side of all time and has enjoyed World Cup success with Australia, but this will be his first time back in club land since he left Canberra in 2001. 'This is bigger than me,' he said. 'It's about the game and the growth of the game in WA. I want to leave it in a good place. The foundations are going to be set in stone, and when I move on, the great club called the Perth Bears will hopefully be a success. 'It's a huge responsibility, but I believe I'm up for it. 'It's a huge challenge, but I love challenges.' With Meninga signed on for the next three years, Perth finally has a big Bear over there, but they'll need a chair as well and hopefully people willing to share the stories that the NRL wants them to tell. It's why Meninga, Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo stressed the importance of understanding the rugby league community in Western Australia and ensuring the link to North Sydney isn't lost. De Ciglie is aware of the sporting landscape in Perth where AFL remains king, but rugby league has already ruffled a few feathers and will only get bigger with Meninga at the helm. 'It's obvious that Mal is an Immortal of the NRL, but I think it's important to note that he's an Immortal of the national sporting landscape,' De Ceglie said, with Meninga beating out other candidates like Brad Arthur and Sam Burgess. 'Mal is a part of the Australian identity, so we're incredibly honoured that he's taken up this opportunity. 'It's small steps. We've gone from one Bear in me to two Bears with Mal, so we've doubled our staff overnight. 'I genuinely feel like the first thing we need to do is listen and appreciate and respect the legacy of the North Sydney Bears but also the fans in WA who have a proud tradition as well. 'They've kept the candle burning for decades, and we have to marry those things together to make this thing a huge success.' The NRL will work with the Bears to finalise the board, with attention now turning to who will replace Meninga as Kangaroos coach. Meninga has played a key role in growing the international game but won't be there for the Ashes tour at the end of the year, with former Blues boss Brad Fittler the early favourite to take over. 'The commission has long held the view that the Kangaroos coach can't be involved in coaching clubs as well, and that policy is going to continue,' Abdo said. 'As Mal said, this is a full-time job and it's about building a team from the ground up. It's exciting, but it's going to take a lot of hard work, so the focus on the club is one thing, but the commission also has the existing policy. 'We're all excited for the end-of-season tour, and it's been a long time coming. Today was about announcing Mal as the Bears coach, and with Mal secured and finalised, the commission will turn its attention to the right candidate for the Kangaroos.'
