TELEVISION news presenter Jo Hall hopes her familiarity will breed content among Border audiences.
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The veteran Melbourne journalist will anchor Nine News Albury Shepparton which debuts on March 20.
The bulletin will be served by three reporters and two cameramen based in Albury, while Hall will read the news from Melbourne.
She will be competing against news programs on WIN and Prime7 in the same 6pm weekday time slot
Nine News Albury Shepparton will put Border items into a seven to 10-minute segment which will follow the first advertising break.
Hall, who will be facing off against Bruce Roberts (WIN) and Madelaine Collignon and Kenny Heatley (Prime), hopes viewers choose her based on recognition.
“I would assume that many viewers would be familiar with me, because I’ve grown up in front of the camera and I’ve been in their loungerooms for so many years,” Hall said during a visit to Albury’s Monument Hill.
“I like to think I have a good relationship with the viewing public and I’m very, very passionate about newsreading and think it’s a privilege to be allowed into people’s loungerooms to deliver the news of the day. I hope that they know that of me and that I’m trusted.”
Hall, who admits to being “a very city girl”, defended her new bulletin opening with national rather than local stories.
“I’m sure in Albury you are interested in a big decision the local council is making, but I’m sure that doesn’t come ahead of say the mother who has been missing and her body is found and her husband is likely to be charged with her murder,” Hall said.
“I still think that is of enormous interest.”
The Albury newsroom will include former Border Mail sport writer Chris Mitchell as senior journalist and he will be joined by ex-WIN News Shepparton-based reporter Ashlea Kunowski and past Southern Cross News update presenter Caitlin Knight.
Veteran Border Prime7 News cameraman Brett Perston and past Albury WIN News cameraman Ryan Selwood will be behind the lens.
Video-reporter Lana Murphy will be at Shepparton.
Joining Hall in the studio on sport presenting will be Nathan Currie, a former WIN News Albury reporter, and Sonia Marinelli will describe the weather.
Hall will also present bulletins for Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland.