Channel Seven bloodbath continues with claims network could axe jobs

The mass staff exodus at Channel Seven is set to continue, with dozens of redundancies set to be announced.

As many as 150 jobs across Seven West Media could be axed on Tuesday in the wake of a recent string of high-profile departures, according to a report.

It comes less than a week after veteran television reporter and fill-in presenter Robert Ovadia was sacked by the broadcaster, following an internal investigation.

It’s understood that chief executive Jeff Howard will announce the cuts across the television and print divisions, as well as the sales and marketing teams, and printing staff. 

Last week, Mr Howard told a parliamentary inquiry that the network would need to cut costs if the revenue from its commercial arrangement with Meta runs out later this year, TV Tonight reported.

Editor in Chief Anthony de Ceglie has already implemented various staffing changes and new appointments within Seven’s News division. 

The network announced a reshuffle in its news leadership team last Thursday, including a new director of news in Sydney, and new executive producers for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise.

Sean Power will take on the role of director of news for Seven Sydney, replacing veteran news chief Neil Warren, who was at the network for 32 years.

Mr Power will leave his post as the executive producer of Sunrise, with current supervising producer Jake Lyle to take over the role.

Mr Lyle is a recent addition to Seven, having only been at the network for six months, previously working on Nine’s Today show and with Ben Fordham at 2GB.

They’re among the latest changes at Seven in the wake of the damning Bruce Lehrmann sex and drugs allegations that hit the network’s flagship current affairs show Spotlight.

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In April alone, the network lost director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson, managing director James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam, and Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

In a statement, Mr De Ceglie paid tribute to Mr Warren: ‘Neil is extremely well-regarded by all his peers at Seven and across the industry.’ 

‘We’re sad to see him go but wish him all the best, and we’re grateful he will be sticking around for some time yet to ensure a smooth transition.’

Announcing the new director of news for Seven Sydney, Mr De Ceglie said Mr Power’s time at Sunrise had been marked by incredible success and creativity.

‘I can’t wait to see what he will bring to the all-important 6pm news bulletin,’ he said.

Of his new appointment, Mr Power said: ‘The opportunity to lead the Seven News Sydney team in this next chapter is incredibly exciting.’

‘We have the best journalists, producers, cameramen and editors in the country, in a new state-of-the-art studio and newsroom, and we will continue to put our audience first when telling the stories that matter most to Sydney.’  

In other changes at Seven, Holly Fallon takes on the role of executive producer on Weekend Sunrise, while Chloe Flynn remains executive producer of The Morning Show.

Veteran TV news producer Richard Cunningham will leave Seven after 36 years.

Mr Cunningham joined the network following a 20 year career in the newspaper industry including working as a correspondent in New York and London.