WIN Network is planning to slash dozens of jobs at NBN News, with internal documents revealing a restructure that would strip the regional television operation back to a fraction of its current size.
The proposal, outlined in internal documents seen by Mediaweek, would cut journalist numbers in Newcastle alone from 10 to 4 – a reduction of 6 full-time roles in a single newsroom. Camera operators in the same city would fall from seven to three.
Across the broader network, the plan would remove around 10 journalist positions and nine camera operator roles spanning newsrooms in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
WIN Network cited shifting viewing habits, rising cost pressures, and technological change as the drivers behind the overhaul, saying the proposed model would allow NBN News to continue delivering a dedicated local news, sport, and weather bulletin each weeknight while creating a more sustainable operating structure.
The company has opened a consultation process with affected staff, with a final decision expected by 17 June 2026.
Should the restructure proceed, changes would take effect from 29 June 2026.
Several employees have reached out to Mediaweek to voice their concerns, with one saying, “If they offer me a position that’s not close to my home and I say I can’t do it, they won’t have to pay out a redundancy.”
Newcastle takes the biggest hit
Newcastle, the heart of NBN News operations, is where the cuts bite hardest.
The sports presenter team, currently comprising two full-time roles, would be eliminated entirely and replaced with a single Journalist/Sport position.
The full-time Hair & Makeup role would drop to part-time.
Gone altogether are the MEX Operator roles, the part-time Archivist, and the Executive Assistant to the news director.
The boss gets a new boss
The current Director of Regional News would become a State News Director, reporting into a newly created National News Director position.
The Chief Producer title also disappears, replaced by a State Editor/Executive Producer.
Network 10 ties deepen
Two new “Journalist TEN” roles appear in the proposed structure – one sitting under the State Editor/Executive Producer, another under the Chief of Staff – pointing to a tighter content-sharing arrangement with Network 10, which sits alongside NBN News under the Birketu-controlled WIN Network.
New positions also include a State Producer/Lineup role and a full-time Social Media journalist, while two NXT Operator/Studio roles would replace the outgoing MEX operators as part of a technology platform upgrade.
Regional bureaus also feel the squeeze
The cuts spread well beyond Newcastle.
Coffs Harbour, Lismore, and Central Coast would each lose one journalist. Tamworth drops from three journalists to two. Camera operators in Coffs Harbour would shrink from three to one.
Port Macquarie and Taree are the only bureaus to emerge from the proposal with their numbers intact.
WIN responds
WIN Network confirmed the restructure in a statement to Mediaweek, saying it held a meeting with all NBN News staff to announce the proposed changes, which are designed to enable the network to continue delivering dedicated 30-minute local news, sport, and weather bulletins each weeknight.
The network said it was prioritising redeployment opportunities across WIN and would conduct the process “transparently and collaboratively.” A formal consultation period is underway, with staff invited to submit feedback by 15 June 2026.
“Out of respect for the consultation process, no further comment will be made at this time,” a spokesperson said.