Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

As an ardent viewer of Channel Seven Brisbane news for nearly two decades, it feels like I’m witnessing a tragic drama unfold before my eyes. The recent exodus of veteran stars like Steve Hart and Shane Webcke leaves me with a sense of nostalgia and concern for the future of quality journalism in this city.


Another popular personality from Channel Seven has shared that they are leaving the Brisbane newsroom, following the current turmoil in the network’s workforce.

According to The Courier Mail, Senior Reporter Steve Hart is the most recent individual to leave the highly-rated news network, Seven News.

On Tuesday, an internal memo shared by the news outlet indicated that a personal matter related to family was the reason for the television personality’s resignation.

Hart will be moving to WIN News in Wollongong.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share that my personal decision to depart from the network was significantly influenced by my weekly commuting routine, which had my family and I spending considerable time apart due to my wife residing in Sydney.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven for comment. 

He has joined the list of Channel Seven Brisbane personalities who have recently left their positions, coming after Shane Webcke’s unexpected exit from the sports news desk last week.

Last Friday, the Brisbane broadcaster announced that he would be stepping down from his position in January; however, he will continue his association with Seven for NRL analysis.

As reported by The Courier Mail, Webcke was in talks with Seven’s management about cutting back on his working hours to devote more attention to his own family business.

After spending 18 years as a sports presenter for 7NEWS Brisbane, he has chosen to explore a different path starting from January, and he will no longer be at the news desk.

I’ve been contemplating this for quite some time now, as it would offer me increased freedom and the opportunity to dedicate more time to my family’s farming endeavors.

As for me, while I may not be venturing too far away, you can count on seeing me consistently on 7NEWS, right beside my trusty companion Gilly. Together, we’ll continue to bring our loyal viewers the inside scoop about the thrilling world of rugby league.

Over the past 18 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive nothing but kindness. I am deeply appreciative of Seven for standing by my side as I embark on this new chapter in my life.

The former rugby league player spent his footy career with the Brisbane Broncos, representing Queensland at the Stat of Origin 21 times. 

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

After retiring from the sport in 2006, he took up a role as the weekday sports presenter at Seven News in Brisbane. He’ll continue to hold this position until January.

Among several Seven employees, Webcke is one who has either scaled back his responsibilities or been let go as part of the company’s ongoing cost reduction measures over the past few months.

7West Media made significant layoffs, cutting approximately 150 editorial positions, impacting well-known figures such as newsreader Sharyn Ghidella from Queensland and longtime weatherman Paul Burt.

Recently, Anthony De Ceglie, who was recently appointed as head of news and current affairs at Seven Network, has been swapping out section leaders from various parts of the nation with younger professionals to manage these sectors.

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

He has also introduced a Friday night comedy spot and astrology to the news.

All three cities – Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide – now have newly appointed news directors, with each program – Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise, and Spotlight – receiving a fresh executive producer at the helm.

Additionally, veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton, and the Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud, nicknamed ‘The Harvester of Sorrow’ for his somber news coverage, have also been let go from the network.

In relation to Sydney, Ovadia (one of the most notable individuals let go prior to Ghidella), has declared his intention to file a complaint against Seven at the Fair Work Commission, alleging wrongful termination.

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

Previously, Daily Mail Australia had reported that Ovadia is said to have transmitted an unusual set of manipulated photos to a young female journalist prior to being dismissed.

As someone who has spent most of my career in the media industry, I can empathize with the struggles that Seven Network is currently facing. Seeing a major player like Seven West Media, led by industry veteran Kerry Stokes, suffer such a significant drop in profits to just $45 million for the full year is disheartening. With my years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how unpredictable and challenging the media landscape can be, and it’s clear that Seven Network is grappling with these challenges right now. However, I remain optimistic that they will find a way to adapt and thrive in this ever-evolving industry.

The group owns the Seven Network and Perth masthead The West Australian with its television network the subject of a Four Corners exposé on Monday.

In an explosive investigative report titled “Don’t Speak,” renowned journalist Louise Milligan brought forth accusations of a hostile work environment, bullying, and sexism within the organization.

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

Since that time, things have taken a turn for the worse. Furthermore, the latest financial results from last Wednesday in 2023/24 showed a drop of approximately one-third in pre-tax earnings, amounting to $187 million.

In light of the recent outcomes, Investment Manager and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Howard found himself in a high-pressure conversation with the shareholders.

Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s clear that FY24 posed significant challenges for Seven West Media, and I suspect several others within the industry as well,” said Mr. Howard.

Initially, investors showed a subdued reaction as share prices climbed by up to 16.5 cents following the announcement of the results. However, they eventually closed at 15.5 cents.

Another Channel Seven news personality suddenly quits in the wake of TV star carnage

The stock was trading at 40 cents a year ago and has fallen by more than 60 per cent since then.

Seven West Media houses top-tier Australian media specialists, as Mr Howard stated, however, certain staff members have been asked to depart.

He stated that the behavior of certain people does not align with the overall values, conduct, and mindset of the company as a collective entity.

Our goal is to foster a robust, results-driven work environment that empowers our exceptional team members to excel, while strictly prohibiting behavior that falls short of our standards.

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2024-08-22 04:34

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