Staff at Nine’s Perth bureau have been told they are not affected by the latest round of job cuts, as the network continues its major streaming and broadcast restructure.
In an internal email seen by Mediaweek, Nine News Perth director Michael Genovese assured staff there would be “no impacts” to the local newsroom, while acknowledging the uncertainty facing colleagues in other markets.
“I understand this is a time of uncertainty and I want to assure you that my priority is to support everyone through this process,” Genovese wrote. “There are no impacts to our immediate team here in Perth, however please be mindful of our colleagues in other locations and teams.”
He also reminded staff that confidential support remains available through Nine’s employee wellbeing partner, Sonder, following confirmation from management that a number of roles have already been made redundant across other states.
Upon hearing the news, a source reached out to Mediaweek to say the decision “makes sense” as “there’s nothing left to cut in the newsroom”.
“They are on bare bones”.
Cuts hit multiple newsrooms
The exemption for Perth comes amid widespread change across Nine’s national news and streaming operations.
As Mediaweek reported earlier this week, the first wave of redundancies has already impacted senior on-air and production staff across several markets.
In Queensland, long-time sports reporter Jonathan Uptin will depart after his contract was not renewed, while in Adelaide, presenter Kate Collins was stood down days after anchoring the city’s annual Christmas Pageant. In Sydney, weather presenter and anchor Amber Sherlock has also exited the network following a sudden on-air absence.
Meanwhile, regional broadcaster NBN’s Gavin Morris is the latest high-profile casualty, with TV Blackbox reporting the respected news presenter has entered redundancy negotiations after 15 years with the network.
Around 50 roles are expected to be cut from Nine’s Streaming and Broadcast division as part of a broader cost-saving program.
L-R: Kate Collins, Jonathan Uptin, and Amber Sherlock.
Nine confirms restructure aims
In an earlier internal memo to staff, Nine’s managing director of streaming and broadcast, Amanda Laing, confirmed the company has been reviewing its operating model to “reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for the Nine Group.”
A Nine spokesperson told Mediaweek the restructure is designed to bring the company’s broadcast and digital operations closer together.
“The new operating model brings together teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now,” the spokesperson said.
“It is designed to reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for Nine, while working to offset the challenging external advertising market.”
The spokesperson said Nine’s primary focus during the consultation process was supporting affected employees through access to wellbeing services and potential redeployment opportunities within the broader business.
Main image: Michael Genovese