Channel Seven announced this week that news presenter and TV reporter Helen Kapalos has been appointed as the host of Today Tonight. The news comes after weeks of speculation over her likely career move, and her unceremonious ousting by Channel Ten.
In a statement to the media, Seven celebrated their latest acquisition, describing Kapalos as “an accomplished journalist with a wealth of TV experience” and confirming that in addition to her fronting the program in the key Sydney and Melbourne markets, she will also report on the major stories for the program nationally.
Kapalos is set to bolster Seven’s prospects of holding on to pole position in the much fought-over prime time current affairs slot.
In 2012 Today Tonight was the leading 6.30pm public affairs program across the 5 City Metro Market, with an average nightly audience of 1,054,000 viewers.
The channel is banking on Helen’s presence increasing its audience share and putting some clear blue water between it and its competitors.
From her new office in Melbourne’s Docklands – Seven’s already most-celebrated anchor told Neos Kosmos the early omens were looking good.
“I have my feet under the desk and beyond my computer screen I can see the water, – which I think is auspicious, it’s an outlook which for me represents sunnier days ahead – a cheery illuminated path,” Helen said, excited by the challenge ahead.
As the host of a reinvigorated Today Tonight, the program offers a chance for Helen to reignite her role not just as an anchor, but as a journalist.
“It will be more content-rich, more broad-based public affairs. It’s much more expansive than what I have been doing previously as a newsreader – I’ll have a much more direct hand in the stories. I’ll be doing my own stories, and there will be more live interviewing.
“For me it’s a dream gig.”
The main point of difference viewers will experience she says – compared to the program’s previous reincarnation and its competitors – will be a tighter focus on journalistic content.
“Whatever is considered public affairs, has broad-based and accessible appeal will definitely remain, but there will be a greater emphasis on more in-depth reporting.
“There’ll be even more substantial journalism attached to the brief now. Viewers can expect more detail and depth. There’ll still be that fantastic range of stories though.”
Asked to comment on her new employer, Kapalos speaks in glowing terms, hinting at a comparison with the less than honourable treatment she experienced in her final days at Channel Ten.
She describes her new colleagues as “unbelievable”.
“It’s wonderful to be wanted, to be embraced, and for them to understand my vision and that it’s in harmony with theirs,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“To me it’s incredible timing and synergy – to be able to walk into a workplace that not only understands my vision but well and truly embraces it.
“They want a strong woman and they want women who will give the show a different tone. They’re really happy about me wanting to use my journalistic skills. They see that as a strength.”
In announcing their new catch, Seven’s Director of Public Affairs, Neil Mooney described Helen as a first-class journalist and presenter who had proven herself over a significant period of time.
“There is a real affection for her in Melbourne…and in Sydney, where she grew up and started her career,” said Mooney.
“Helen’s appointment as the host for Melbourne and Sydney – as well as reporting on the big issues nationwide – will only add to the strength of the program.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Helen has worked in broadcast TV and radio since 1994. She moved to Melbourne in 2006. Her love affair with her adopted home provides Helen with a set of unique qualifications for her new job.
A passionate engagement with the city at a community level – and her Greek heritage in particular – was remarked upon during her recruitment process.
“That I’m tapped into the Greek community, the AFL, that I’m on the board of Fed Square – that I love everything about Melbourne – that was all very appealing to Seven,” she says.
That the revamped Today Tonight will be produced not in Sydney – as it has been with host Matt White – but in the Victorian capital, makes it a perfect fit.
“The last 12 months haven’t been easy for journalism in Melbourne, with jobs being lost, but the fact that Seven is going back to those traditional journalistic values is gutsy, and I think it’s a move that will pay off for them,” she says.
“It’s wonderful for journalism. It shows they are genuinely concerned about connecting with the public in a deeper way.”
With a hands-on approach to managing her own public relations, Helen’s blog and very personally-managed social media have become a hallmark of her passion for connecting with her audience.
Under the corporate brand management of Seven will that continue?
“Absolutely,” she says. “That stuff is more important than ever. Seven are very embracing of that side of my personality; that I want to reach people and that I do it off my own back. I like connecting with people at all different levels and Seven are really supportive of that.”
With the new Today Tonight program on-air, her social media may take on an even greater role.
“It’ll be interesting to see how the new format augurs with the audience, how it connects.
“I see my social media as a way to not just gauge the audience’s reaction, but also a way to get ideas for program content – working with the public. The public have put me here and I value that so highly.”
Two days into her reincarnation as Seven’s newest host and hottest asset, Kapalos and her production team are already working through the editorial and technical planning for the program’s relaunch.
Will she be nervous? “Yes, absolutely. I’ll just have to distract myself a little that day.”
And how will it feel when she gets that count to her first cue, and the on-air light signals the return to her audience?
“It’ll be good to be in their lounge rooms again, good to be back in touch,” she says in tones of enthusiastic anticipation.
“Hopefully they’ll be welcoming back an old friend.”
Helen’s first appearance as host for Today Tonight is likely to be early next month.