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Despite decades of ratings domination, the Nine network continues a policy of generational change, reports media writer MARCUS CASEY
JIM Waley spent 36 years aiming to become the main man on the main TV news bulletin in Australia's major city, telling us with trust and credibility what had happened in the world each day.
For 20 years the Nine veteran was understudy to 6pm news anchor Brian Henderson, who had the job for 38 years until Waley, a proud man, replaced him 26 months ago.
But even then Waley fought hard for what was long promised.
"This person was going to do it, that person was going to do it, and no one came along from Nine to reassure me I had it until very recently," he told The Daily Telegraph at the time.
"I had given up all hope of getting the guernsey but they've decided to hand the baton to me -- and I won't let them down."
He didn't, but "they" did.
On Thursday, a holidaying Waley was dumped from the 6pm gig to be replaced by summer and weekend newsreader Mark Ferguson.
After a tough 2004, Waley was told 11 days ago his time was probably up -- and he hasn't taken that news at all well.
Seven's bulletin, headed by Ian Ross, took a big chunk of Nine's news audience, dominating it mid year before Waley took the lead from September -- helped by a million-dollar promotional campaign.
As tacky as it is to link the events, the fact is the vast majority of viewers...