Torchwood vanishing in HD hole

Changes in programming for TEN HD today illustrate how unsettled networks are with their programming for the new channels.

An amendment from TEN looks like Torchwood will now be dropped from its upcoming SciFi night before it even starts.

It was to have aired in repeats at 9:30pm Thursday Dec 20 as part of the themed SciFi night, but a repeat episode of The 4400 is bumped forward, leaving the 10:30pm slot as "TBA."

If having a second channel is cause to aggravate viewers two-fold then suddenly this new toy doesn't seem like such a great idea.

TEN committed to two series of Torchwood when it announced the series earlier this year.

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Samantha in the TT seat

Seven has confirmed Samantha Armytage to take over the hosting of Today Tonight for summer. The presenter, who currently reads News at 4:30, has previously filled in for Anna Coren before. Coren was once the summer host for Naomi Robson.

Armytage takes the helm from Monday December 10.

Meanwhile, Seven will fill Armytage's duties on News at 4:30 with Rebecca Maddern, a role she held prior to Mike Amor.

And none other than Jessica Rowe will present Seven Morning News at 11:30am from Monday December 17 for Ann Sanders. Read more...

Night Cap brews for 7HD

Jessica Rowe, Big Brother's Zach Douglas and sports presenter Matthew White look set to front a new late night chat show being prepared for 7HD, The Night Cap.

The show, to be produced by morning whiz-kid Adam Boland, is understood to be slated for the 10:30pm timeslot.

"We're now in week eight of multi-channelling and move to a broader model of more than 50hours in the coming days, before Ten launches its channel," Seven spokesman Simon Francis has told The Australian.

"We then build on this expanded presence with new Australian programming only on Seven HD in the new year."

It is likely the crucial 6pm-10:30pm timeslot will be "ring-fenced" in order to protect big advertisers.

A network executive also confirmed TiVo was in alpha-testing mode.
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Naomi's ex in drug arrest

"So how's Naomi?" asked Tony Mokbel.

"She's alright, she's made, yeah," replied the 'supergrass.'

So went a telephone exchange between Victoria's most wanted man and a high-profile convicted drug dealer, turned police informer, who was arrested on Wednesday in the Netherlands.

According to the Herald-Sun, the phone conversation in 2000 was a question to a man dating one Naomi Robson. He had secretly recorded a phone conversation between himself and drug-lord Mokbel for Victorian Police. But he fled Australia in 2004 after underworld figures put a bounty on his head.

The 'supergrass' was one of three men arrested after a tip-off by Australian Federal Police.

Last year Robson confirmed she had once dated a man for several months without realising he was a drug dealer and con man.

The 'supergrass' is said to have dobbed in models, entertainers and other members of Melbourne's A list.

The arrest of the man again raises the association Robson had with the informer, with her name being a lead story hook by the media.

Ironically, stories of women tricked by con men were the staple of Today Tonight's tabloid stories. Who could have known the host was in the middle of one herself?
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