Fed: Rowe to take seat at Nine's Today Show breakfast table

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2005
Fed: Rowe to take seat at Nine's Today Show breakfast table

By Adam Gartrell and Erin McWhirter

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - Popular newsreader Jessica Rowe will begin the new year as co-host
of the Nine Network's Today Show after a court today dismissed a challenge by the Ten
Network aimed at preventing the move.

Ten launched legal action against Rowe in the NSW Supreme Court, claiming a termination
clause in her contract required her to give the network 26 weeks notice before leaving.

Rowe revealed earlier this month she was moving to Nine to co-host the Today show from
January 1 after more than 10 years at Ten.

But Justice Carolyn Simpson today dismissed Ten's challenge saying the contract made
it clear Rowe was not required to give 26 weeks notice.

"The dispute between the parties involves one simply stated question - what is the
expiration date of the contract," Justice Simpson said in a written judgment.

"In my opinion, the answer is equally simple, derived from the terms of the contract
itself, and favours the defendant."

After the verdict was read out, a smiling Rowe kissed and embraced husband Peter Overton,
a reporter on Nine's 60 Minutes program.

Outside the court Rowe gave a brief statement thanking Overton and her supporters.

"I would like to thank my husband, my family, my friends and my legal team for their
support during this personally challenging time," she said.

Justice Simpson also ordered Ten pay Rowe's legal costs.

She said the network could have been "in no doubt" Rowe was considering leaving the station.

"Since the middle of 2005 the parties have been in discussion about the defendant's
future," she said.

"At no time during the course of these discussions did any executive of the plaintiff
convey any view that, even after that time, it would be necessary for the defendant to
give 26 weeks notice of termination of the agreement."

Rumours had been circulating in the media that Rowe may take up different employment, she said.

Nine's director of communications Christine Lacy said the network was happy with the
decision and looked forward to Rowe joining the Today team.

"We are delighted to have Jessica Rowe join the network," she said.

"We look forward to her co-hosting the today show in 2006."

AAP ag/dg/smb/lma/de

KEYWORD: ROWE LEAD

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