ABC replacement Juanita Phillips: Massive shake-up for the broadcaster’s bulletin anchor at 7 p.m.
ABC replacement Juanita Phillips: Massive shake-up for the broadcaster’s bulletin anchor at 7 p.m.
- Broadcasting announces 7 p.m. news anchor
- Beloved presenter takes over from Juanita Phillips
The ABC has announced the new face of its nightly news bulletin after host Juanita Phillips quit in a shocking move.
The national broadcaster has appointed popular weekend presenter Jeremy Fernandez as the main anchor of its flagship NSW 7pm news bulletin, five nights a week from September 11.
Fernandez has thanked his colleagues at the ABC and paid tribute to his predecessor and mentor Phillips.
“I feel immensely humbled to be entrusted with this role alongside colleagues I have admired for so many years. I look forward to continuing my work on the ABC network in addition to the 7 p.m. nightly news bulletin,” said the seasoned host.
Jeremy Fernandez is the new host of ABC’s premier nightly news bulletin
Fernandez replaces Juanita Phillips (pictured) as the nightly news host
“Through my years of reporting, I have met so many people who have generously trusted the ABC to share their stories. Their stories of hardship, achievement and community service – and their resilience and sense of humor – have impressed me and my journalism.
“Our audience always informs everything we do.”
The ABC has yet to announce who will replace Fernandez as the weekend news anchor.
Phillips announced on July 31 that she would be leaving the ABC after a career spanning two decades and more than 4,500 news bulletins.
She praised her successor as a good friend and talented announcer.
“He has that rare combination of warmth and seriousness that the audience connects with. Viewers already know and trust Jez from his presentation over the weekend and I’m excited we’ll be seeing more of him at 7pm,” said Phillips.
Jeremy Fernandez (pictured) has been with the ABC for 23 years
ABC news director Justin Stevens added that Fernandez will continue to work in other presenting roles within the broadcaster.
Fernandez has been with the ABC for 22 years in a number of roles, including as an inaugural member of the ABC News channel.
He has covered the biggest events in Australia and around the world, from the deaths of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Martin Place Siege in Sydney in 2014, the 2015 Paris terror attacks and the result of the Brexit referendum in the UK to the Black Summer Bushfires in 2019-2020. multiple royal visits and numerous federal elections.