“We will now be the only commercial network in Perth to have two hours of live, local, rolling news coverage each weeknight; first at 5pm with Monika, and then at 6pm with Thommo,” Best said.
“It means the people of Perth will be better informed about the latest news as it happens, from the moment they get home.
“We will also continue to broadcast Nine News Late from our Perth studios, which makes us the only commercial station locally to deploy its crew to broadcast a late-night bulletin across the country.”
Nine’s previous shift in focus on news reaped rewards in the television ratings, where is has edged closer to main rival Seven this year.
Kos has been a warm and familiar face to Perth viewers for more than three decades, previously hosting Today Tonight and Ten News.
She brings a wealth of experience to Nine’s weeknight news offering after the station bid farewell to Louise Momber who, after 14 years with the network, finishes up presenting Nine News on Friday before relocating to Canberra with her family, where her husband Rob Scott is due to take on a new role as Seven’s federal political reporter.
“I’m tremendously excited. I feel like it’s where I belong,” Kos said of her move to Nine.
“There wouldn’t be too many journalists who’ve worked across all three commercial networks in the space of 13 months, and although it was never my intention, I’m enormously appreciative of the opportunities I’ve been given.
“I’m finding myself moving around later in life. And it’s wonderfully invigorating.”
Kos said news was changing, and it was essential the Nine team was nimble in its presentation and local offering.
“By 5pm the kids are home from school, grown-ups come home from work and families settle in for the night,” she said.
“Starting the news at 5pm means we can inform viewers earlier and extend developing news coverage directly into the main bulletin at 6pm.”
Thomson said he had known Kos for years and was thrilled she was joining the team.
“She will be a great asset to Nine. She knows Perth and Perth knows her. I’m looking forward to working with her,” he said.
Nine News at 5pm begins next Monday, December 7, with Monika Kos at the helm. Nine is the owner of this masthead.
David writes about sports and lifestyle for WAtoday.
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