Sharyn Ghidella’s axing by Channel Seven: Damning numbers TV network does not want you to see

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As a devoted fan and follower of Australian news, I have been closely monitoring the recent developments at Seven Network, specifically regarding their decision to sack long-time newsreader Sharyn Ghidella from Seven News Brisbane. The numbers don’t lie; the exclusive ratings figures obtained by Daily Mail Australia are alarming! In just two short weeks, Seven has lost a significant number of viewers – a staggering 29,000 to be exact.

Internal ratings data reveal a significant drop in Seven’s TV news viewership following their unexpected termination of Sharyn Ghidella as the newsreader.

According to Daily Mail Australia’s exclusive data, Seven News Brisbane lost approximately 29,000 viewers within a two-week period.

On Mondays, the number of viewers for Nine’s Brisbane news was around 88,000 more than Seven’s viewership – a significant difference from the previous Monday, July 8, when Seven trailed by only 60,000 viewers. (Before her termination.)

In simpler terms, since the well-known newsreader was let go from Seven News, their viewership has come close to matching that of Nine’s popular game show, Tipping Point.

A source close to the industry warned Daily Mail Australia that having fewer than 30,000 viewers by 5 pm for a game show in this small town with only two major markets is dangerously close to a tipping point.

Since 2007, Ghidella has been the well-known anchor for Seven News in Queensland. However, she was unexpectedly let go from the network about ten days ago, bringing her nearly forty-year career in broadcasting to an abrupt end.

Ghidella was at the salon getting her hair done for a network promotion at the time.  

According to data from the Mail, Ghidella’s final Monday of news consumption in late March saw Seven’s Brisbane ratings amounting to 182,000 viewers. In contrast, Nine attracted 242,000 viewers, while Tipping Point garnered 137,000.

On Monday, July 22nd, the viewership numbers were: Seven News with 153,000 viewers, Nine News attracting 241,000 viewers, and Tipping Point having 127,000 viewers.

On July 12, Ghidella, who is 58 years old, didn’t keep quiet about losing her job. She made a passionate Facebook post to announce the news.

After several weeks of media personnel layoffs and whispers of change in the halls of Seven following the arrival of new CEO Anthony De Ceglie, Ghidella spoke out against the network.

Instead of her critique, it could be phrased as: She pointed out that the priority given to novel features such as astrology readings and a weekly comedy segment came at the expense of established talent.

As a seasoned TV professional with over three decades of experience under my belt, I can tell you that an unexpected tap on the shoulder is a daily occurrence in my line of work. And today, after all these years, that very tap came my way.

‘It wasn’t quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven.

While I was having my hair done at the salon for business reasons, I received a surprising phone call announcing that my 17-year tenure with the network had come to an end.

After sharing her experience, Ghidella expressed that her last stint with the network had been an unhappy and lengthy period for her, and she was looking forward to leaving.

‘While somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief. 

‘As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair.’

According to the TV insider’s report to the Mail, the decision to dismiss Ghidella from Seven has led to a significant loss of viewers.

Seven has faced backlash following the introduction of a satirical segment led by comedian Mark Humphries during the conclusion of its Friday night broadcast.

Viewers were divided over the skit, with many sharing their thoughts on social media. 

“Instead of keeping Sharyn Ghidella on the team, Seven News has hired someone unamusing and seemingly unintelligent to conclude their broadcasts. One displeased viewer expressed her disappointment by declaring she will no longer tune in to Seven News.”

I, as a devoted supporter of Seven Network, am pleased to share that our Seven News program emerged victorious in the ratings during last Sunday’s broadcast in Brisbane.

The representative additionally stated that Nine’s Olympics broadcast was beginning to impact Seven’s viewership, preceding the opening ceremony.

As an obsessed fan, I can’t help but notice the exciting changes happening at our beloved network recently. Amidst all this transformation, there’s been quite a buzz around the country about Angela Cox taking on the challenge of anchoring the Sydney 6pm bulletin all by herself.

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2024-07-23 15:28