Channel Nine producer finally explains weird detail about A Current Affair

An executive producer at Channel Nine has finally explained an unusual detail about the network’s nightly news and consumer affairs show, A Current Affair.

For years, host Tracy Grimshaw has said a story is ‘coming up’ – even though it’s just a promo for the following night’s episode.

The phrase ‘coming up’ suggests the segment will air after a commercial break, and some viewers say the practice is misleading.

A Current Affair executive producer Fiona Dear explained to industry website TV Tonight on Wednesday why they do this.

‘I want to keep [viewers] going into the next show. That’s our jobs… to serve the next show coming up,’ Ms Dear said.

‘The other thing you have to understand is that promo also serves so many purposes. It’s a timing issue,’ she continued.

‘We are a half-hour show and have timing constraints. So there are technical reasons why we have it in there.’ 

Tracy has been hosting A Current Affair since 2006 but is currently on a break, with Sylvia Jeffreys serving as her replacement. 

Earlier this month, Sylvia shared a selfie to Instagram in which she beamed while sitting at the news desk.

The 34-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, wrote: ‘Starting the working year at the @acurrentaffair9 desk. See you at 7pm.’ 

The journalist was moved from Nine’s Today show to a prime-time slot with A Current Affair in 2019.

Sylvia has reportedly made a good impression on network executives since becoming a reporter for the program.

She is even being considered as a full-time replacement for Tracy when she retires, reports Woman’s Day.