TV3's Janika ter Ellen to join Prime News as Eric Young is dropped

TV personality Janika ter Ellen.

She was hotly tipped to join Paul Henry on the couch of his new cross-platform breakfast show but Janika ter Ellen is switching channels to join Prime News.

In a joint statement from Prime and MediaWorks, it was announced the newsreader will take over as Prime's weekend anchor, while former TVNZ sports anchor and Al Jazeera correspondent Wayne Hay will host the weekday bulletin.

Janika ter Ellen and Paul Henry.

"We are delighted to have Wayne and Janika on board," said SKY CEO John Fellet.

"Wayne already has a relationship with Prime viewers so we are delighted to welcome him to the Prime News team. He brings with him a wealth of international and national experience and will be a terrific addition to our on-air pool of talent from next month. Janika is also an exceptional talent and will be perfect as our weekend anchor."

Wayne Hay and Janika ter Ellen will be the new hosts of Prime News.

"We appreciate viewers will be keen to see Eric Young remain at the front of our bulletin, however due to his current commitments this is not possible from launch. Eric is deservedly a popular and professional member of the Prime team and should his circumstances change we would welcome the opportunity to work with him again," he said.

Last month MediaWorks announced it would take over the production of Prime's news bulletin, reportedly following a negotiation collapse between Sky New Zealand and Sky News Australia. Incumbent presenter Charlotte Bellis confirmed there would be no personnel "carry over" to TV3 and all existing 15 staff had been made redundant.

The new look Prime News - First at 5.30 will begin screening on Sunday, March 1. MediaWorks will act as an independent production company, shifting the programme's production to the same studio as 3 News.

The announcement comes after MediaWorks announced Hilary Barry will join Paul Henry's upcoming breakfast show as newsreader.

- nzherald.co.nz