Seven has announced new presenter Melissa Doyle will be moving to the Sunday Night program on a full-time basis, with speculation that Doyle was shifted to make way for Michael Usher, who will be taking the lead as news presenter on Sydney’s Seven News on Fridays and Saturdays.
Seven announced the appointment this morning, after recruiting 60 Minutes‘ journalist Usher last week, who will also work on the Seven News Investigates series currently in production.
Doyle will begin her new post on August 28, while Usher will join the network in October.
Seven network director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson said, “This is a major appointment for Sunday Night and for Mel.
“It allows her to give 100 per cent commitment and time to Sunday Night as it continues to grow as Australia’s number one public affairs program. With the experienced team behind her, this will be an exciting new horizon for Mel and I’m sure she will excel.”
Sunday Night executive producer Hamish Thomson added, “Melissa has been a huge part of the success of Sunday Night over the past year and we are thrilled to have her join us full time. Mel is an outstanding journalist and interviewer with more than 25 years’ experience and the move will further strengthen the program.”
Doyle, once news anchor for Sunrise but ‘resigning’ to make way for Samantha Armytage, stepped in for Chris Bath on Sunday Night when she decided to leave in 2013, however now has made the position permanent. In between these two stints, Doyle worked on a 7pm new bulletin on 7Two, before being moved on from this role.
Per News Corp reports, Doyle is believed to be “very happy’’ with the shake up. “It will give her a chance to travel with the show and work on it 100 per cent of the time,” a Seven source told News Corp.
