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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 \u201cnew operating model.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Adelaide Advertiser<\/a> reports that Kate Collins is \u201cheartbroken\u201d to have been given the boot by the network she\u2019s been with since 2006, just days after she hosted the SA capital\u2019s Christmas Pageant coverage for Nine.<\/p>\n And a popular radio host has denounced Nine for letting go of Collins, 42, calling her axing \u201cthe biggest story in Adelaide.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon the biggest story in Adelaide right now is the way poor old Kate Collins has been treated by Channel 9,\u201d FIVEAA\u2019s David Penberthy said on-air on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean treated by Channel 9 nationally. It\u2019s a classic example of the head office in Sydney treating us like you-know-what and as a result there\u2019s one fewer South Aussie on our TV screens.<\/p>\n \u201cThe manner in which this was handled I think was appalling \u2013 apparently she only found out in the middle of the day yesterday,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n \u201cI think this is P-I-double S weak \u2013 she\u2019s lovely, she\u2019s really smart, she\u2019s good at her job.<\/p>\n \u201cPart of this is the commercial squeeze on commercial TV everywhere. Good luck to her and she\u2019ll land on her feet but a crap way to treat a good person.\u201d<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n It\u2019s understood the restructure is aimed at reducing duplication of roles in the business, with consultations only starting this week. <\/p>\n Collins isn\u2019t the only on-air talent to be affected by the restructure: Mediaweek <\/a>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. <\/p>\n Sherlock was mysteriously absent from her usual role as weather presenter on Nine\u2019s evening bulletin on Monday. <\/p>\n 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 \u201cprobably overreacted\u201d in the footage, which was quickly dubbed \u201cJacketGate.\u201d <\/p>\n A Nine spokesperson today told news.com.au: <\/p>\n \u201cWe have this week commenced consultation with some team members, whose roles within Nine\u2019s Streaming and Broadcast division are impacted by our new operating model. <\/p>\n \u201cThe 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. <\/p>\n \u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a> from 9News Melbourne to focus on her family. <\/p>\n And Weekend Today<\/i>\u2019s Clint Stanway last week opened up<\/a> about the reason behind his September decision to quit Nine altogether in a candid podcast interview.<\/p>\n