Real reason why Channel Seven weatherman Paul Burt was sacked – as he sends shocked colleagues an emotional email

As someone who has spent the better part of my career in the broadcasting industry, I can empathize with Burt’s sentiments as he prepares to say goodbye to Seven after 11 years. The bond between a weather presenter and their audience is unique, and it’s evident that Burt has cultivated a deep connection with his viewers in Queensland. His ability to connect with the public was on full display during his live cross from Surfers Paradise, where he was greeted by hundreds of fans holding banners declaring their admiration for him.

EXCLUSIVE 

An insider from Seven Network revealed that veteran weatherman Paul Burt was let go due to unfavorable feedback from focus groups indicating that his audience appeal was waning.

In his final broadcast during Queensland’s 6 pm news on Saturday, Burt, who had been with Seven for over a decade, mentioned his unexpected departure.

“Given a chance, I wouldn’t have chosen this path – it’s the consequence of being let go,” the 51-year-old expressed during his last interview.

A well-placed insider at the network explained to Daily Mail Australia why Burt was let go: his shows failed to draw in enough viewers.

According to the source, Paul Burt was let go from his job following a thorough investigation into viewer preferences in Queensland. Sadly, it was discovered that he was one of the least favored broadcasters, often causing viewers to tune out.

That research had been conducted in the first quarter of 2024. 

According to the source, the potential appeal to viewers played a significant role in determining which contestants would be removed from the show, and it wasn’t simply a matter of randomly selecting names.

Networks invest heavily in surveys and discussion groups to discover upcoming stars and evaluate established presenters, as stated.

‘The audience decides who reads the news.’

1. After receiving numerous heartfelt messages of encouragement since his departure, Burt declined the research offer.

‘I mean, these people are going to try and cover their backs,’ Burt told Daily Mail Australia. 

Based on my personal experience and understanding of how organizations function, if I were in a position where I was receiving data that consistently seemed off or unreliable, I would likely consider making changes to the team responsible for providing those numbers. It’s crucial for any decision-making process to have accurate information, and if the data is not trustworthy, it can lead to poor outcomes and wasted resources. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that the people generating the data are competent, reliable, and committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy.

Down on the ground, I can listen to what people are saying and figure out their needs. I have had this ability for the past 28 years.

7-Day Australiasian News Outlet shared a goodbye email reportedly sent by Burt to his seven coworkers on a Monday afternoon.

‘Hey everyone, never thought I’d be writing this email anytime soon, but here we go,’ he wrote.

Above all, I’d like to express my gratitude to each of you who have closely collaborated with me. Your work is exceptional and consistently goes above and beyond, meriting greater acknowledgement than currently received.

1. Let me express my heartfelt gratitude to those who contacted me following the recent news, both over the weekend and today, to ‘check in’ and share their kind words with me. It has truly been a humbling experience, and I want to extend my sincere thanks for your thoughtfulness.

Last month, Michael Coombes, the news director at Seven in Brisbane, informed Burt that his employment contract wouldn’t be extended. Unfortunately, news of his termination was made public before Burt had a chance to share this information with his family.

‘It feels horrible,’ Burt said. ‘It makes you feel sick in the stomach. 

At times, it feels nice to have a conversation with higher-ups, as they might not be fully aware of our day-to-day tasks.

The evening prior to submitting his final report, Burt made a live broadcast from Surfers Paradise for the 5:30 PM news update on the Gold Coast.

During his weekend weather report, the crowd waved signs that read “Burty is a legend,” “Queensland’s favorite weatherman,” and “Bring Back Burty.”

When we arrived, there were around two hundred people present, waving banners and such. This sums up the situation quite well, according to Burt.

1. “The folks carrying banners are our loyal clientele. They were the ones who faithfully followed me and this network in the past.”

I’ve worked in media for years, and I can tell you this from personal experience: our ratings are a precious asset. They’re the ones who bring in the revenue for the advertisers, allowing us to keep producing the content we love. Our viewers are not just numbers on a screen; they’re real people with unique perspectives and preferences. We have a responsibility to listen to them, engage with their feedback, and create programming that resonates with their lives. After all, it’s their loyalty and support that keeps us in business.

In a heartfelt video shared on the I Love Robina Facebook page, Burt extended an invitation to the local community to join him at Surfers Paradise beachfront. This post has since garnered an impressive 60,000 views.

1. Apart from his speech, he additionally advocated for Hermann Vorster, a Liberal National Party contender running for the Burleigh constituency, during that televised event, in reference to the Queensland state election.

‘Elect this guy,’ the presenter said. ‘Or it just won’t happen at Burleigh in future.’ 

In 1996, Burt kicked off his TV journey at Channel Seven. Later, he was lured away by Ten and then Nine. However, he came back to Seven in 2013, marking his return to the network where he initially built his career.

‘Seven brought me back for a reason,’ he said. 

‘So if the numbers aren’t there, well I don’t see how that adds up, in my view.’

1. “Seven West Media, the company that publishes The West Australian newspaper, is letting go of 150 editorial team members as part of a series of layoffs that have affected other well-known figures such as Brisbane’s newsreader Sharyn Ghidella.”

‘You look at people like Sharyn Ghidella – staunch Channel Seven,’ Burt said. 

‘When you see people like that being moved on, it kind of says something. 

‘I understand business is business. We are going through cutbacks across the board. 

‘Unfortunately it’s not a nice feeling for us and her and everyone else who got the flick as well.’

At the hair salon during her preparations for work, following 17 years at Seven, Ghidella received a surprise signal that hinted at some news. This prompted her to openly express her thoughts and feelings about Burt.

‘All the best, Burty for what lies ahead,’ the 58-year-old wrote on X. 

1. “Your skills are truly exceptional! I have no doubt that you’ll encounter numerous thrilling journeys in the future. All the best to you, though I don’t think you’ll require it. I can only imagine all the opportunities coming your way. Take care and keep shining! Xx.”

Recently, newsworthy and current events head at Seven, Anthony De Ceglie, has been swapping out section heads in various locations with newer, younger managers.

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

1. In Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, the news directors have recently changed, while the leadership for Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise, and Spotlight has newly transitioned to different executive producers. (This paraphrase maintains a professional tone but is more conversational and easier to read.)

In the last part of Burt’s broadcast on Saturdays, there was a compilation of memorable moments from his eleven-year tenure at Seven, set to the tune of “Weather with You” by Crowded House.

2022’s Surfers Paradise incident, where a 10-year-old boy was about to be pulled under by a rip, was one of the scenes captured. Remarkably, Burt interrupted his weather report midway to aid in the rescue effort.

1. “News anchor Samantha Heathwood acknowledged Burt’s dedicated weather coverage spanning over ten years, expressing gratitude. However, our reliable sources at Seven Network indicated that Burt didn’t part ways amicably.”

The source shared that he failed to attend his own goodbye event, which included a cake being prepared for him, and also didn’t inform his managers before missing some of his final shifts, causing them unnecessary stress in handling the situation.

Last Friday’s farewell event, I regrettably missed, a fact which Burt confirmed. A week prior, I made it clear to management that I wouldn’t be in attendance for the occasion they had planned.

He replied, “I’m not the type for that situation. I prefer things to be low-key. I don’t require a celebration. I have no desire for it.”

As an obsessed fan of meteorology and a devoted creator of my own weather reports, I, Burt, hesitated to disrupt my productive Friday evening routine for ten live crosses to the newsroom.

‘I don’t want to give up my time to get back to the office when I’m on location,’ he said. 

I preferred not to receive the cake, well-wishes, farewells, and thanks at that spot. I hadn’t requested them in the first place.

Speaking from my overly passionate perspective as a die-hard fan, let me share that last week, while engrossed in filming a vision of an overturned vessel at Tweed Heads, I unfortunately had to miss another shift. And if you can believe it, the same thing happened the previous Friday when I missed my initial cross due to the very same captivating scene!

Both times he had notified management. 

‘Don’t get me wrong, I really admire the network,’ Burt said. ‘I love the network. I truly do. 

I’m deeply invested in the goings-on at the newsroom, and I can’t help but feel that some situations could have been managed more effectively from my perspective. At this moment, I believe different approaches could have led to better outcomes.

1. “If a store has its top-performing products in stock, would it make sense to remove them and only handle the remaining items? As a businessperson, I strongly believe that wouldn’t be a smart choice.”

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2024-07-30 18:20