Channel Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie is leaving the network after a year of slashing jobs while trying to boost ratings to take on a new role with the NRL. The Fremantle-born journalist, considered Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes' right-hand man, was the former editor-in-chief of The West Australian newspaper before he took on the top editorial role for Seven West Media in April 2024. Just over a year later, he's leaving the media game to become the first CEO of the Perth Bears. It was confirmed last week the Bears would join the national competition in 2027 and the NRL is preparing to appoint a seven-person board, a coach and the CEO - a role which De Ceglie, 39, is reportedly the frontrunner. As director of news and current affairs and editor-in-chief, De Ceglie, 39, was responsible for 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, Spotlight and the online news website in addition to the WA newspapers. During his first 12 months he introduced national online newspaper The Nightly and improved The West Australian's performance, but news ratings struggled as he introduced horoscope readings and a satire segment to Seven's news bulletins. The 6.57pm News, as the satire slot hosted by comedian Mark Humphries was dubbed, was an attempt to bring in a younger audience but was axed over the summer ratings break, as was the astrology segment hosted by Natasha Weber. De Ceglie's appointment followed a period of upheaval at Seven sparked by the Spotlight scandal, in which the news program was accused of offering cocaine and sex workers to Bruce Lehrmann to secure an exclusive interview. His first few months were spent cutting costs at the network which involved slashing about 150 jobs, including popular newsreader Sharyn Ghidella and the Sydney and Melbourne news directors. NRL Chairman Peter V’landys said De Ceglie's appointment was an important step forward for the code in Western Australia. 'To succeed in Perth, you need a well-connected local who knows how to get things done and has a can do attitude,' he said. 'Anthony is a brilliant operator with a proven track record and a genuine Western Australian, and I am excited about what he can do for us as we grow rugby league in the WA market.' More to come...