Mark Ferguson’s Newsreading Career Takes A Turn For The ‘Deliverance’

I bet Mark Ferguson is really, really pleased that the media still aren’t tired of using the term “boned” whenever a Channel Nine employee is demoted/fired! Now that he’s been moved to the weekend newsreader role and Jessica Rowe’s husband Peter Overton has been given the coveted Monday to Friday seat, headlines are screaming “Mark Ferguson boned in favour of Peter Overton at the Nine Network”. It sounds like journalism slash fiction, but it’s just another day at Channel Nine…

Sixty Minutes journalist Peter Overton will replace struggling Mark Ferguson as the six o’clock newsreader as the Nine Network attempts to win back its audience from Channel Seven. Overton, who has coveted the prestigious slot for much of his journalistic career and was a protege of former star Brian Henderson, will start in the top job on Monday.

That’s today, people! What a shame… And to think, just the other day the papers were raving about how the cricket had helped Mark “crush” Channel Seven in the ratings.

Channel Nine word things a bit nicer, of course:

Nine news boss John Westacott said last night he believed the combination of Overton and Ferguson gave the network a “formidable team”.

“I want to strengthen the anchor team at six o’clock, and I think we have the best chance of improving the performance with Pete on Monday to Friday and Mark on Saturday and Sunday,” Westacott said.

“Sunday night is the biggest night of the week, so Mark’s role remains crucial to our performance, but this also gives him a chance to get out from behind the desk and report on some of the major events.”

Suuuuuuuuure. Lucky you, Mark Ferguson! Enjoy the bone! It’s a treat, or at least that’s how the bosses would prefer you looked at it!

MORE: Mark Ferguson boned in favour of Peter Overton at the Nine Network