Channel Seven Brisbane star Shane Webcke recently announced his departure from the sports news desk amidst a staff bloodbath at the network. After 18 years of presenting sport for 7NEWS Brisbane, Webcke made the decision to step back from his role in January to focus more on his family agricultural interests. Despite leaving the news desk, he will continue to provide rugby league insights for viewers alongside his colleague Gilly. Webcke, a former rugby league player for the Brisbane Broncos, had been in discussions with Seven management to reduce his work hours prior to his departure.
Webcke’s departure is part of a larger wave of cost-cutting measures at Seven Network, which has seen the slashing of 150 editorial staff in recent months. Notable figures such as newsreader Sharyn Ghidella and weatherman Paul Burt have been among those affected by the network’s restructuring efforts. The arrival of news and current affairs boss Anthony De Ceglie has also resulted in the replacement of section leaders across the country with younger managers, as well as the introduction of new content such as a Friday night comedy spot and astrology within the news.
The network’s cost-cutting measures have not been without controversy, with reports of unfair dismissals and allegations of inappropriate conduct among staff members. Veteran journalists like Robert Ovadia in Sydney and Cameron Baud in Melbourne have been let go, while others such as Andrew Frampton have also been affected. Ovadia, in particular, has announced plans to take legal action against Seven for unfair dismissal, adding to the challenges facing the network. Seven West Media, which owns the Seven Network, experienced a significant decrease in profits, with a 69% decline to $45 million for the full year.
Despite the challenges faced by Seven Network, managing director and CEO Jeff Howard remains focused on building a stronger, high-performance culture within the organization. While acknowledging the tough year experienced in 2023/24, Howard emphasized the importance of upholding values and ensuring that unacceptable behavior is not tolerated within the business. The company’s stock price has also taken a hit, falling by more than 60% over the past year and reflecting the challenges in the media industry. Despite these setbacks, Howard expressed a commitment to supporting the network’s talented employees and creating a more positive work environment moving forward.
In light of Webcke’s departure and the broader changes at Seven Network, it’s clear that the company is undergoing a period of transition and restructuring. The loss of experienced staff members like Webcke and the challenges faced by the network as a whole underscore the competitive nature of the media industry and the need for organizations to adapt to changing market conditions. As Seven Network navigates these changes, it will be important for the company to prioritize talent retention, fostering a supportive work culture, and delivering high-quality content to viewers. Only time will tell how Seven Network’s efforts to reshape its operations will impact its future success in the media landscape.
