News figures looking better for Nine

CHANNEL Nine Perth’s new-look news, or its “next generation” of news, is winning viewers and closing the ratings gap between timeslot winner and arch rival Channel Seven, according to Channel Nine Perth programs and presentation manager Rob Pedretti.

With its all-female news duo of Dixie Marshall and Sonia Vinci at the helm, the news program has increased its average total viewership by 20,000 viewers over the past five weeks.

Before Ms Marshall and Ms Vinci moved into the Monday to Friday news reading slot, the station averaged 110,518 viewers a night compared with 207,686 who tuned into Channel 7.

In the five weeks since the duo has read the 6pm news Channel Nine Perth has recorded an average of 126,013 viewers. Channel Seven recorded a total average viewership for the same five-week period of 217,231.

Following the increased ratings for Channel Nine Perth the station has decided to maintain the Marshall and Vinci combination.

Former anchor Peter Holland has taken over the weekend job.

The station has, however, discontinued its initial promotion for the pair – “Nine News Never Looked So Good”.