A popular newsreader is among the high-profile casualties as the Nine network looks to restructure its newly created broadcast and streaming division and implement a “new operating model.”
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that Kate Collins is “heartbroken” to have been given the boot by the network she’s been with since 2006, just days after she hosted the SA capital’s Christmas Pageant coverage for Nine.
And a popular radio host has denounced Nine for letting go of Collins, 42, calling her axing “the biggest story in Adelaide.”
“I reckon the biggest story in Adelaide right now is the way poor old Kate Collins has been treated by Channel 9,” FIVEAA’s David Penberthy said on-air on Tuesday morning.
“I mean treated by Channel 9 nationally. It’s a classic example of the head office in Sydney treating us like you-know-what and as a result there’s one fewer South Aussie on our TV screens.
“The manner in which this was handled I think was appalling – apparently she only found out in the middle of the day yesterday,” he continued.
“I think this is P-I-double S weak – she’s lovely, she’s really smart, she’s good at her job.
“Part of this is the commercial squeeze on commercial TV everywhere. Good luck to her and she’ll land on her feet but a crap way to treat a good person.”
News.com.au understands that up to 50 jobs may be affected by the restructure, although the number of jobs lost may less than this, with some staff to be redeployed elsewhere.
It’s understood the restructure is aimed at reducing duplication of roles in the business, with consultations only starting this week.
Collins isn’t the only on-air talent to be affected by the restructure: Mediaweek reports that 9News Queensland sports reporter Jonathan Uptin has not had his contract renewed and that longtime Nine presenter Amber Sherlock has also been let go.
Sherlock was mysteriously absent from her usual role as weather presenter on Nine’s evening bulletin on Monday.
Sherlock, 49, joined Nine in 2007 and found herself at the centre of a controversy in 2017 when footage leaked that showed her having an on-set clash with a fellow presenter because they were wearing similar outfits. Sherlock later conceded she had “probably overreacted” in the footage, which was quickly dubbed “JacketGate.”
A Nine spokesperson today told news.com.au:
“We have this week commenced consultation with some team members, whose roles within Nine’s Streaming and Broadcast division are impacted by our new operating model.
“The new operating model formally brings together teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now. It is designed to reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for Nine, while working to offset the challenging external advertising market.
“Our primary focus during the consultation is supporting these team members through access to our employee wellbeing provider, as well as exploring redeployment opportunities within the broader Nine Group.”
The shake-up comes amid a slew of high-profile departures for the network, with much-loved weather presenter Livinia Nixon last week announcing her shock departure from 9News Melbourne to focus on her family.
And Weekend Today’s Clint Stanway last week opened up about the reason behind his September decision to quit Nine altogether in a candid podcast interview.
“Physically, first and foremost, I was just getting sick a lot, pushing the envelope,” he told the Big Bros podcast.
“When I finished work, I was going home because I was exhausted. I’d sit on the couch, go to bed.”
He said his punishing breakfast television schedule had finally proven too much to handle.
“In fact, every day was set an alarm, go to bed, wake up, go to work, and sometimes go to work radio, go to work TV in the same day, come home at seven o’clock, make my dinner, sit on the couch, go to bed. That was all I was doing.”
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