Jim Waley
Encyclopedia
Jim Waley is a veteran & experienced Australian television presenter best known for his work on the Nine Network
, an Australian television network.
He hosted Sydney Extra, a news-based program for Sydneysiders, in 1992 and later that year was appointed presenter/reporter for Nightline, the nightly 30-minute late-night news program seen nationally.
Widely regarded as the newsreader with the most credibility and gravitas, Waley worked largely in the studio until 1994 when it was suggested he should report from the field for the Sunday Program. For example, in March 1998, he went on the trail of Saddam Hussein
's hidden fortune, a journey that took him to Switzerland and a confrontation at the home of Saddam's private banker. The report won the gold medal for Best Special Report at the New York Festivals.
On several occasions every year, Waley would anchor the Sunday program from major world events, including elections in the US and Russia, conflicts in the Balkans and the Middle East, and the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Also reported Princess Diana's death in August 1997.
Other foreign assignments included Waley's coverage from Sarajevo in 1998 and reporting breaking news in Washington of the growing political storm engulfing U.S. President Bill Clinton
and Monica Lewinsky
. Waley also went on assignment to Nepal and the United States to profile the inspirational Tom Whittaker who, with an artificial leg, climbed to the top of the world, Mount Everest.
On 2 December 2002, Waley replaced the Nine Network's Brian Henderson to present National Nine News
in Sydney. He served in this role for two years after which the Nine Network began to experience serious ratings and management problems for the first time in 20 years, despite the fact National Nine News
was the top rating news service in Sydney. In 2004, ratings dropped off, mainly due to the relaunch of National Nine News
' rival Seven News
. The Nine news service only won 27 of a possible 40 weeks. A settlement was reached and Waley retired early from his contract. He was replaced by Mark Ferguson
in early 2005.
In October 2007, Waley was at a lunch to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Nightline. After the axing of the Clive Robertson late night news program in 1987, Waley moved into the timeslot and hosted the first version of Nightline called "The World Tonight". This first version focussed exclusively on international news. At the 20th anniversary lunch, Waley said he had plans to return to the media in the near future.
On 9 May 2009 Sky News
announced that Waley had joined the 24 hour news channel to present a new nightly news bulletin called Sky National News with Jim Waley. The new bulletin premiered on 29 June 2009 at 6:00pm (AEST).
In May 2010, Sky News
announced that Waley has been diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer in his left ear, he will be taking a few months leave.
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
, an Australian television network.
Career
In 1981, Waley was appointed founding presenter of Sunday. In 1986 was invited to be founding presenter of the network's business and finance program Business Sunday.He hosted Sydney Extra, a news-based program for Sydneysiders, in 1992 and later that year was appointed presenter/reporter for Nightline, the nightly 30-minute late-night news program seen nationally.
Widely regarded as the newsreader with the most credibility and gravitas, Waley worked largely in the studio until 1994 when it was suggested he should report from the field for the Sunday Program. For example, in March 1998, he went on the trail of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's hidden fortune, a journey that took him to Switzerland and a confrontation at the home of Saddam's private banker. The report won the gold medal for Best Special Report at the New York Festivals.
On several occasions every year, Waley would anchor the Sunday program from major world events, including elections in the US and Russia, conflicts in the Balkans and the Middle East, and the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Also reported Princess Diana's death in August 1997.
Other foreign assignments included Waley's coverage from Sarajevo in 1998 and reporting breaking news in Washington of the growing political storm engulfing U.S. President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and Monica Lewinsky
Monica Lewinsky
Monica Samille Lewinsky is an American woman with whom United States President Bill Clinton admitted to having had an "improper relationship" while she worked at the White House in 1995 and 1996...
. Waley also went on assignment to Nepal and the United States to profile the inspirational Tom Whittaker who, with an artificial leg, climbed to the top of the world, Mount Everest.
On 2 December 2002, Waley replaced the Nine Network's Brian Henderson to present National Nine News
National Nine News
Nine News is the news service of the Australian Nine Network.Nine News's flagship bulletin is the nightly 6:00pm localised bulletin, produced by networked owned-and-operated stations in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and Darwin alongside localised bulletins produced by the WIN-owned Nine Network...
in Sydney. He served in this role for two years after which the Nine Network began to experience serious ratings and management problems for the first time in 20 years, despite the fact National Nine News
National Nine News
Nine News is the news service of the Australian Nine Network.Nine News's flagship bulletin is the nightly 6:00pm localised bulletin, produced by networked owned-and-operated stations in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and Darwin alongside localised bulletins produced by the WIN-owned Nine Network...
was the top rating news service in Sydney. In 2004, ratings dropped off, mainly due to the relaunch of National Nine News
National Nine News
Nine News is the news service of the Australian Nine Network.Nine News's flagship bulletin is the nightly 6:00pm localised bulletin, produced by networked owned-and-operated stations in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and Darwin alongside localised bulletins produced by the WIN-owned Nine Network...
' rival Seven News
Seven News
Seven News is the television news service of the Seven Network in Australia.National bulletins are presented from Seven's high-definition studios in Martin Place, Sydney, while flagship 6pm bulletins are produced in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. The network also produces Seven...
. The Nine news service only won 27 of a possible 40 weeks. A settlement was reached and Waley retired early from his contract. He was replaced by Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson (television presenter)
Mark Ferguson is a news presenter.Ferguson is currently presenting the weekend Sydney bulletin for Seven News in Sydney and Seven 4.30 News on Thursday & Friday, due to Samantha Armytage's commitments with Weekend Sunrise....
in early 2005.
In October 2007, Waley was at a lunch to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Nightline. After the axing of the Clive Robertson late night news program in 1987, Waley moved into the timeslot and hosted the first version of Nightline called "The World Tonight". This first version focussed exclusively on international news. At the 20th anniversary lunch, Waley said he had plans to return to the media in the near future.
On 9 May 2009 Sky News
Sky News Australia
Sky News Australia is an Australian 24 hour cable and satellite news channel available in 2.5 million homes on Foxtel, Austar, Optus Television and Neighbourhood Cable subscription platforms....
announced that Waley had joined the 24 hour news channel to present a new nightly news bulletin called Sky National News with Jim Waley. The new bulletin premiered on 29 June 2009 at 6:00pm (AEST).
In May 2010, Sky News
Sky News Australia
Sky News Australia is an Australian 24 hour cable and satellite news channel available in 2.5 million homes on Foxtel, Austar, Optus Television and Neighbourhood Cable subscription platforms....
announced that Waley has been diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer in his left ear, he will be taking a few months leave.
Television roles
- Sunday (1981 – 2002)
- Business Sunday (1986)
- Sydney Extra (1992)
- Nightline (late 1990s)
- National Nine NewsNational Nine NewsNine News is the news service of the Australian Nine Network.Nine News's flagship bulletin is the nightly 6:00pm localised bulletin, produced by networked owned-and-operated stations in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and Darwin alongside localised bulletins produced by the WIN-owned Nine Network...
(2002 – 2004) - Sky News AustraliaSky News AustraliaSky News Australia is an Australian 24 hour cable and satellite news channel available in 2.5 million homes on Foxtel, Austar, Optus Television and Neighbourhood Cable subscription platforms....
(2009 –)