Channel Seven is SLAMMED by the ABC’s Media Watch after repeatedly airing an ‘unbelievable’ advertisement showing the network’s newsreaders interrupting their broadcast to place an order at McDonald’s
Channel Seven has come under attack from the ABC’s Media Watch after launching a bizarre in-house advertisement for McDonald’s.
The ad – which had ‘been running for weeks across Queensland’ – showed local reporter Simon Nicholls calling Nathan Spurling while he was at the news desk.
Nicholls interrupted Spurling’s broadcast to ask him if he wanted anything from McDonald’s, with the anchor pausing to take the call.
Scathing: Channel Seven has come under attack from the ABC’s Media Watch after launching a bizarre in-house advertisement for McDonald’s. Pictured, Media Watch host Paul Barry
‘Kind of in the middle of something, mate. What’s going on, Simon?’ a sheepish Spurling asked as he spoke on his mobile.
Nicholls then rattled off a list of McCafé options, with Spurling placing an order for a caramel iced coffee.
‘Ooh, hang on! You there? I’ll grab a Big Mac, too. Cheers… Thanks for that, mate. Beautiful,’ Spurling quickly added, before hanging up the phone.
Product placement: The ad – which had ‘been running for weeks across Queensland’ – showed local reporter Simon Nicholls calling Nathan Spurling (pictured) while he was at the news desk
Returning to the camera, Spurling then said: ‘Anyway, guys. Sorry for that, uh, little interruption.’
‘Just a little interruption? More likely a bloody big ad, topped with the jingle from you-know-who,’ said Media Watch host Paul Barry, before the recognisable McDonald’s jingle played.
Slamming the advertisement as a ‘fake news cameo’, Barry explained that it played regularly in ‘ad breaks during the real news’.
Taking orders: Simon Nicholls (pictured) interrupted Spurling’s broadcast to ask him if he wanted anything from McDonald’s, with the anchor pausing to take the call
He added: ‘Real journalists, on the real news set, selling coffee and burgers. Unbelievable.’
Barry said the ad ‘was Seven’s idea and the journalists weren’t even paid by Macca’s’, adding: ‘It’s apparently part of their job these days.’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for additional comment.
Not a fan: Slamming the advertisement as a ‘fake news cameo’, Barry explained that it played regularly in ‘ad breaks during the real news’
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