Channel Seven's recent staff bloodbath continues, with Brisbane sports presenter Shane Webcke announcing his shock departure from the network. This latest departure comes amidst a wave of layoffs and a growing crisis within Seven, highlighting a period of significant turmoil for the media giant.
Webcke, a former rugby league player known for his time with the Brisbane Broncos, revealed on Friday that he will be stepping back from the news desk in January, citing a desire for greater flexibility and time to focus on his family agricultural business.
However, the news of Webcke's departure comes as no surprise given the recent string of high-profile exits from the network.
Seven's Cost-Cutting Measures and Staff Departures
The network has been undergoing significant cost-cutting measures in recent months, resulting in numerous departures and a shakeup of its leadership structure. These actions have been attributed to the network's declining financial performance, with Seven West Media, the parent company of Channel Seven, reporting a 69 per cent dive in profits for the full year, leading to a 60 percent drop in its stock price in the past year.
Among the notable departures, Queenslanders newsreader Sharyn Ghidella and veteran weatherman Paul Burt were among 150 editorial staff let go in a recent round of redundancies.
The Network's Toxic Workplace Culture
The recent departures and financial woes have also been linked to a toxic workplace culture at the network.
An investigative report by ABC's Four Corners, titled 'Don't Speak', aired allegations of bullying, sexism, and a hostile environment at the network, painting a bleak picture of the workplace environment.
This report highlighted the struggles faced by various individuals within the organization, contributing to a climate of distrust and dissatisfaction among the staff.
A New Direction for Seven?
With a new news and current affairs boss, Anthony De Ceglie, at the helm, Seven is facing a challenging task in rebuilding its reputation and restoring confidence in its leadership.
De Ceglie has implemented a number of changes, including introducing a Friday night comedy spot and astrology to the news, as well as replacing section leaders across the country with younger managers.
While these changes may signal a new direction for the network, it remains to be seen whether they will be enough to address the underlying issues and revive its fortunes. The network's ability to retain its talent and attract new viewers will be key to its future success.
The network has also been criticized for its handling of the recent departures.
In particular, the dismissal of veteran reporter Robert Ovadia has sparked controversy, with Ovadia taking Seven to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal.
The Future of Seven
Seven faces a number of challenges in the coming months, including a need to address the toxic workplace culture, improve its financial performance, and rebuild its reputation.
The network's ability to navigate these challenges will determine its future success.
Whether Seven can recover from this difficult period and regain its status as a leading media company remains to be seen.
The network's recent challenges are a reminder of the ever-changing media landscape and the need for companies to adapt and innovate to remain relevant.
