Channel Seven has faced further criticism from frustrated viewers after its controversial decision to include a horoscope in its news bulletins.
Natasha Weber, aka Astro Tash, made her Seven News debut on Monday night as part of the network’s wider effort to revamp its nightly bulletins.
Mrs Weber’s lectures were broadcast immediately after the sports segment in the Sydney Bulletin.
The new 20-second evening program was originally announced to air after the weather report, concluding the hour-long bulletin.
The horoscopes flashed quickly across the screen, allowing viewers to find their star sign and read what was in store for them on Tuesday.
The new segment sparked divided reactions among Seven viewers.
Some wondered whether the network was still taking the news seriously.
‘Channel 7 news now has a horoscope. What nonsense. It seems they don’t really care about news,’ one viewer fumed at X.
Natasha Weber, aka Astro Tash (pictured centre during a recent appearance on The Morning Show), made her horoscope reading debut on Seven News on Monday night
Another joked: ‘Now that Seven News has horoscopes and comedy sketches, we might as well go all out. How about Denise Drysdale spinning a wheel and giving away prizes too?’
A third wrote: ‘Looks like the Seven News horoscope segment is starting tonight. I don’t expect it to last long, that’s a typical Women’s Day/New Idea concept for me!’
‘Seven News treats viewers like idiots with horoscopes. Is this really what’s going to make us watch Seven News instead of 9, 10, 2 or SBS? Biggest turn off ever. Who are these new muppets making such infantile decisions?’ said another.
A fifth said: ‘There is no science to astrology. Science has actually debunked it. It should absolutely not be anywhere near the news. 7News should be ashamed of themselves.’
Still, there were some viewers who defended the new addition.
“Astrology is a science, just like meteorology, and deserves the respect it deserves,” one person wrote.
The addition of horoscopes is just one of many changes being made to Channel Seven.
Insiders told Daily Mail Australia that the changes at the network came as morale was already at “historic lows” following the Bruce Lehrmann fiasco on the Spotlight show and the firing of veteran reporter Robert Ovadia.
De Ceglie, Seven’s new director of news and current affairs, stressed that morale is “great” and that “trying new things” is part of the network’s bold new future.
Ms Weber wrote her horoscopes after her appearance on Channel Seven’s Morning Show in February, where she discussed the effects of five supermoons.
Her appearance was cheered by her nearly 80,000 followers.
“Absolutely fantastic and very insightful Natasha,” someone said.
“You shed new light on an old system,” wrote another.
She now provides weekly horoscope readings in the program.
The new 20-second horoscope segment, written by Ms. Weber (pictured), was originally intended to air after the weather report to round out the bulletin
The inclusion of Ms Weber’s (pictured) horoscopes was criticised by Channel Seven viewers, who accused the network of not taking the news ‘seriously’
In addition to her work with the Seven Network, Ms Weber is a horoscope columnist for Marie Claire Australia and Mama Mia. She also received the AAAC diploma for her contribution to astrological research.
Weber’s horoscope debut follows a controversial new satirical segment hosted by comedian Mark Humphries.
The 6.57pm news will become a weekly feature following the Friday news bulletin and is just one of many changes being made to the channel.
Humphries decided to make some jokes about President Joe Biden after making a series of gaffes during a high-pressure press conference.
Comedian Mark Humphries’ first comedy sketch aired on Channel Seven on Friday night
“Today, people around the world waited with bated breath for news of Joe Biden, the leader of the (for now) Free World,” the comedian began.
His press conference was delayed by more than an hour, presumably because the president was late, or more likely, staggered late.
“And you know it was serious because of the way it was billed by the White House. A big boy press conference. And that’s technically correct if you use Benjamin Button’s definition of ‘boy.’
“Biden, who is 81 but doesn’t look a day over 90, spoke fluently on a range of topics and allayed voters’ concerns about his age. That’s what I’d like to tell you.”
“Well, he didn’t miss,” Seven presenter Angela Cox said at the end of the segment.