Network Seven Brisbane viewers were left furious on Monday after rising star journalist Katrina Blowers was promoted to Queensland Chief Reporter.
Katrina will continue to share 4pm weekday presenting duties with Samantha Heathwood while in the role, which is part of the Brisbane newsroom revamp.
However, the presenter’s title change has been slammed by viewers, with some believing Katrina isn’t suited for the role while others say she should be slated for bigger and better titles.
‘When Katrina Blowers started to take over reading weekend news after Kay McGrath left, I found her to be quite opinionated and unpleasant to watch,’ one person wrote.
But other viewers seemed to disagree, saying Katrina deserved an even better promotion.
Fans of the journalist slammed Seven for only giving Katrina the Queensland Chief Reporter title rather than promoting her to co-anchor for 7NEWS Brisbane.
The flagship 6pm weeknight bulletin recently saw a shakeup that now has Sarah Greenhalgh replacing sacked presenter Sharyn Ghidella alongside Max Futcher.
Some have called Katrina to receive the coveted seat instead.
Network Seven Brisbane viewers were left furious on Monday after rising star journalist Katrina Blowers was promoted to Queensland Chief Reporter
‘Katrina would have been the perfect person to slot into 6pm—having already worked there for many years,’ one person said.
‘Not some no name who Brisbane audiences have never heard of!
‘This “promotion” is so obviously a make good to try and not p**s [Katrina] off from not getting the top gig.
‘So she’s going to be the chief QLD reporter, but still has to read 4pm news—how does that work?’
Another commended Katrina for ‘coming a long way since she was one of the three co-presenters on Nine’s short-lived THIS afternoon’ over 15 years ago.
‘But I still can’t help but wonder if either Katrina or Samantha Heathwood… should’ve been selected as Max Futcher’s new co-presenter ahead of Sarah Greenhalgh?’ they added.
Katrina will continue to share 4pm weekday presenting duties with Samantha Heathwood while in the role, which is part of the Brisbane newsroom revamp. Pictured with former Sunrise anchor David ‘Kochie’ Koch
Despite the discourse, Seven Network Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie has sung his praises of Katrina and her new position.
‘Katrina is one of the fiercest and most respected news reporters in the country and in this new role she will take the lead on uncovering and delivering north-east Australia’s biggest stories to our national audiences,’ he said.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven for further comment.
It comes after Katrina announced in January this year she would be stepping down from her role behind the Queensland weekend news desk after four years.
The journalist shared the news to Instagram at the time, and explained she was moving into a new role with the network.
The presenter’s title change has been slammed by viewers, with some believing Katrina isn’t suited for the role while others say she should be slated for bigger and better titles
Katrina stepped in as afternoon anchor from Monday to Wednesday to focus on her family.
‘End of an era… My final weekend in the 6pm chair for @7newsqueensland. Nearly four years ago to the day, I inherited the most beautiful audience,’ she wrote.
‘Not only did you stick with me and give me a chance, but you’ve welcomed me into your lounge rooms and hearts.
‘During the last year when I was going back and forward on the idea of stepping away from weekends in my head, it was leaving this audience that gave me greatest pause.’
Katrina went on to say it has been a ‘privilege to anchor bulletins and share those big stories with you’.
‘Family time beckons now on weekends—and a new career chapter at Seven. See you for the 4pm Queensland bulletin tomorrow!’ she ended.