“Sydney never really sleeps,” Sean Power laughs, reflecting on his new role as director of news for Seven Sydney.
This week, Power moves into the role from his previous position as executive producer of Sunrise. Whilst 7News Sydney and Sunrise can come across as quite different platforms, he points out that “both shows are built around storytelling, and what’s happening in people’s communities.”
“Sunrise is obviously a national program, therefore, the opportunity to delve into more hyper-local issues is harder – I’m not saying that we don’t do it when the story warrants it, but it’s a lot harder.
“Where Sunrise has excelled is trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on. We can have a bit more Cash Cow action in the morning, but I don’t think they’re as far apart as people think when you look at the nuts and bolts of what people come to watch.”
The new role is also far from Power’s first foray into the news space, with a resume that includes stints in talkback radio, A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, and crime reporting.
“News is where I started, news is the foundation of what I do. Sunrise has been the most incredible chapter, I’m incredibly proud of its performance and how it stands as the number one breakfast program. But I know news back to front, and I’m really excited to jump back into that space.”
Overseeing a 24-hour operation like 7News Sydney, Power adds “in terms of the fundamentals of moving fast and chasing stories, it’s all I’ve ever really known. It’s what I enjoy the most, as well as working with great teams.”
Power is quick to sing the praises of those teams, saying that “the Seven newsroom is one that is incredibly, exceptionally talented.” This certainly helps when you’re working in television, or as he refers to it, “the ultimate team sport.”
“I’m really excited to jump in there and start working with all of the journos, they’re so experienced in areas that they work in. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of them through the Sunrise lens, but also on the road as competitors when I was with another network – so to be reunited with them is going to be really exciting.”
One of the newest members of the team is Mark Humphries, who joins the team to present a weekly satirical segment, The 6.57pm News. Humphries made his debut on the 7News screen for the first time on Friday – with Seven’s national, metro, and regional audiences all up week on week between 6.55pm and 7.00pm.
Seven’s director of news and current affairs, Anthony De Ceglie, said of the first segment, “This is simply about trying to put smiles on the faces of our audiences as we wrap up the week on a Friday night” – a position that Power backed up.
“I’ve spent a fair bit of time with Mark over the last couple of weeks, I’m blown away by how incredibly talented he is. The intention for that particular piece of content is something that Anthony [De Ceglie] has really championed as a way of telling stories and news differently. I’m confident when people see it, they will understand the intention – which is to engage audiences on issues that traditionally people might not have necessarily paid as much attention to.
“It’s to challenge people’s thinking, it’s to allow the audience to see things from another perspective. When you’ve got someone as talented as Mark finding the double standards that exist within politics and journalism, you’re sure to have a laugh.”
Looking ahead, Power says that “some of the most exciting opportunities” for 7News lie in what the platform can bring audiences in the future.
“7News is such an incredibly strong new brand, it remains number one nationally, and when something big happens, we know people turn to 7News. They trust us to get it right, and to tell them what’s going on in their community. We will be continuing to bed that down, to make sure where the stories are, we’re there and we have the information.
“We also have the opportunity to champion things that need to change. I’m a real advocate for using our news broadcast services to highlight what is going on in our viewers’ lives, and using it where something isn’t right – using it as a tool to champion answers from the people who hold power. I don’t see enough of it in terms of where we are as a climate, I think there is too little scrutiny on those that have power concerning the decisions that they make in our day-to-day lives.”
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Top Image: Sean Power