The Seven Network has made some big changes with long-serving news director Rob Raschke departing the same day the new director of news and public affairs started.
Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner announced the changes on Wednesday, saying Craig McPherson has taken on responsibility for news, current affairs and breakfast programs while Mr Raschke would step down.
Mr Rashcke's role was always under scrutiny following the announcement in late July that McPherson had signed with the network.
Former 2GB presenter Jason Morrison has also joined Seven as its Sydney director of news.
Mr Worner said Mr Raschke had established a body of work to be proud of in "a mighty 18-year campaign".
"He has helped identify and launch the careers of a legion of news people and leaves the Seven News teams across the nation in good shape," Mr Worner said.
Mr Morrison replaces former Sydney news director Chris Willis who has also stepped aside after 24 years at Seven.
Mr McPherson, who is married to the Nine Network TV presenter Sonia Kruger, had been at Nine before rejoining Seven in July.
He defected to Nine two years ago but was welcomed back to manage Seven News, Sunday Night, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Daily Edition and Today Tonight (in Perth and Adelaide).
The shake-up at Seven is not all that surprising, given Nine has been leading the way with its nightly news service, in the two biggest ratings markets, Melbourne and Sydney.
Nine has regularly been beating Seven's evening news bulletin by between 50,000-100,000 viewers per night in each market.
The change in the news team is only part of Seven's strategy to win back viewers.
Recently it axed it's own quiz show Million Dollar Minute in favour of a local version of the The Chase which is a UK format.
The Chase has been beating Nine's Hot Seat in the ratings and therefore giving Seven the best lead-in show to the nightly news.
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