Head of news Anthony Flannery departs Ten
Ten’s head of news and current affairs at Anthony Flannery has resigned after two years in the role.
Flannery was originally brought in, by then Ten CEO Lachlan Murdoch, to drive strategy for news and current affairs programming across the station.
With extensive experience in news and breakfast television Flannery was at the time of his appointment hailed as the man who could lead Ten’s news division: “from breakfast through to the daily 90-minute news bulletin”,
However, in August of 2013 Ten announced it had hired former Seven news boss Peter Meakin, and that Flannery would have to report to Meakin.
The appointment sparked wide industry speculation that Flannery’s time with Network Ten was limited.
In making the announcement Ten CEO Hamish McLennan, said in a statement: “I would like to thank Anthony for his hard work and contribution over the past two years.
“Our news operation has become stronger and more efficient over that time and our flagship Ten Eyewitness News bulletins at 5pm continue to dominate their timeslot in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. We wish Anthony all the very best for the future.”
Flannery wished the news division well.
“Ten Eyewitness News is an outstanding operation with an exceptionally talented and committed team. I couldn’t be more confident about its future. I wish Hamish, Peter Meakin and all the great staff at Ten the very best,” he said.
The announcement:
Network Ten today announced the resignation of Head of News and Current Affairs, Anthony Flannery.
Mr Flannery, who joined Network Ten in January 2012, will depart on February 28.
Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Hamish McLennan, said: “I would like to thank Anthony for his hard work and contribution over the past two years.
“Our News operation has become stronger and more efficient over that time and our flagship TEN Eyewitness News bulletins at 5pm continue to dominate their timeslot in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. We wish Anthony all the very best for the future.”
In August 2013, Network Ten announced the appointment of Peter Meakin as Executive Director of News and Current Affairs. Mr Meakin will join the company on February 17.
Mr Flannery said: “TEN Eyewitness News is an outstanding operation with an exceptionally talented and committed team. I couldn’t be more confident about its future. I wish Hamish, Peter Meakin and all the great staff at Ten the very best.”
Peter Meakin once famously said when asked about returning to TEN where he started his news career……”it would be like a dog returning to its vomit”. Eat up Peter
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He had an impossible job. He tried to make the station a serious contender in news and current affairs by having a one hour bulletin followed by The Project but the big bosses barged in and wedged The Simpsons in between both. Nobody took TEN’s news seriously after that.
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Too hard to change peoples news viewing habits
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There is one of the genuinely nice guys in TV . Also very talented . Flanners good luck mate.
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Welcome to ratings 2014
Just when TEN appeared to be getting their act together.
I guess there is always 2015 ratings
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Anthony,
Parkes boys always bounce back. Best of luck in your future endeavours.
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Just fix the fvcking news.
I watch channel ten as i land home as it starts, but it is poor, they must have less people on the gorun, never seem to have footage from actual news events.
They are very good at standing reporters infront of buildings but never have the action, the chase/capture/fall/ arrest/fire.
Then, far far too much crap…does channel ten know there is an entire civilisation outside Australia (excluding Sochi, where standing in front of buildings and snow is awesome)
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Ten’s First at Five News has generally been the highest rating program for Ten during it’s few ‘annus horribilis’s’, but under Flannery it undeservedly had some pretty rough times with hundreds of jobs axed despite it’s success.
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wonder if 10 are providing Peter with a driver like 7 had to? Maybe a book of cab charge dockets?
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