Channel Seven announces job cuts, weatherman among those sacked
- Channel Seven network to cut 150 jobs in a company-wide restructure.
- A popular weatherman from Channel Seven has been axed amid the job cuts.
- The network is facing challenges with further claims of potential job losses.
In a recent development at Channel Seven, popular weatherman Paul Burt has been let go amidst a wave of job cuts at the network. Burt, known for his weather reports in Gold Coast and Brisbane since 2013, was reportedly not on air for the weather bulletin on Tuesday, with Brisbane reporter Tony Auden filling in. However, he made a comeback on Wednesday night to interview NRL star Reece Walsh's brother ahead of the State of Origin. Burt's departure is part of a larger staff reduction at Seven West Media, with 150 employees being shown the door in recent days. The job cuts come as Chief Executive Jeff Howard announced the need to reduce costs, especially after Meta decided not to renew its deal to pay for Australian news content. Among the notable departures are chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette, chief marketing and audience officer Melissa Hopkins, and Seven's head of sport and managing director of Melbourne, Lewis Martin. The network aims to save $100 million by restructuring its operations into three divisions - digital, TV, and Western Australia. The mass exodus at Channel Seven is expected to continue, with reports suggesting up to 150 jobs could be axed across the television and print divisions, as well as sales, marketing, and printing teams. The network has recently undergone a reshuffle in its news leadership team, with Sean Power taking over as the director of news for Seven Sydney. The changes follow a series of high-profile departures, including director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson, managing director James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam, and Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn. In response to the ongoing restructuring, Seven's Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, expressed gratitude for the departing staff and highlighted the network's commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. The changes signal a significant shift in the network's operations as it navigates financial challenges and adapts to the evolving media landscape.