Sports reporter Matthew White will step into Anna Coren’s Today Tonight hosting chair after the gorgeous presenter ditched the network on the weekend to take up a role with CNN in Hong Kong.
Rumours have been circulating for months that Coren would leave the show with the network cutting off moves sideways for the star who has been anxious to leave the TT anchoring role.
Late last month Seven news and current affairs boss Peter Meakin was blocking a move to an international post and playing a cool hand when it came to the very public negotiations with the star.
“She’s been open in telling us she would like to spend time overseas, and that is her right.
“But I don’t think it would be with us – she has been talking to CNN and to be honest, overseas positions are limited at Seven.”
“It would be good if she stayed, but it’s not compulsory for her to work at Channel Seven.”
But today he had nothing but good words to say about the star saying the 33-year-old was a talented and ambitious reporter.
“Anna is an asset to any news organization and I know she’ll do herself proud,” said Meakin in a statement.
Coren had been looking for an exit form the show since the recent unceremonious departure from TT of her producer boyfriend Andrew Bourke.
News of White’s elevation will end speculation that Samantha Armytage, whose stocks have risen sharply on the back of hosting duties on Weekend Sunrise, would be the new TT host.
White started his career at The Manly Daily before presenting breakfast news on Newcastle radio and moving into television. He started at Seven as a sports reporter four years ago.
White will become the first male presenter in Seven's prime time current affairs slot since Stan Grant in 2000.
Seven chief executive David Leckie said White had done a wonderful job since joining the network four years ago as a sports reporter.
"He's familiar to millions of Australians through his network commitments, is part of a Logie Award winning team at 7 Sport and is undeniably one of the more versatile on-air people on television," Leckie said in a statement.
"He's going to add a new dimension to Today Tonight and our network."
White, who played a major role in Seven's recent Olympics coverage will continue to play a role in the network's sporting broadcasts, he said.
