10 News Adelaide presenters Rebecca Morse, Will Goodings, Kate Freebairn tipped to lose jobs in national shake-up
Channel 10’s local news will now be presented from Melbourne in a sweeping national restructure, and Adelaide newsreaders including Rebecca Morse have lost their jobs.
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Network 10 will cut jobs across its news department which will see Adelaide’s bulletin presented from Melbourne and some of its most prominent faces axed.
It isn’t clear how many roles are affected but local presenter Rebecca Morse and Kate Freebairn confirmed on Twitter they are going and it is tipped that Will Goodings will also lose his role as part of the restructure.
The network will continue to employ local journalists, camera crews and producers, but the nightly bulletin will be presented from Melbourne.
Reports indicate Jennifer Keyte will anchor a combined Melbourne and Adelaide bulletin, while Sandra Sully will present a 90-minute bulletin for viewers in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Stephen Quartermain will present sport in Melbourne and Adelaide.
A national weather presenter is to be introduced across all bulletins.
The changes will come into effect from Monday, September 14.
Sad to confirm the news that I am among those leaving Network Ten. Proud of our team at @10NewsFirstAdl currently working to bring you your local bulletin tonight.
— Rebecca Morse (@RebeccaMorse10) August 11, 2020
Thank you for your messages of support.
ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand chief content officer and EVP, Beverley McGarvey, in an email, told staff the changes to production methodology would allow Ten to be more efficient but would mean a farewell to “incredibly talented colleagues who have made important contributions to our business”.
The Advertiser has made contact with Ten to confirm the impact locally and is waiting on their response.
And just like that, 12 years in the incredible @10NewsFirstAdl newsroom comes to an end. A very sad day for me, our news team, and Australia's media industry. Thank you for your kind messages of support. Onto the next chapter. ☀ï¸
— Kate Freebairn (@katefreebairn) August 11, 2020
The axe has also landed on Channel 10’s beleaguered morning show, Studio 10.
High-profile presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerley and news reader Natarsha Belling have lost their jobs at the network with a question mark over Joe Hildebrand’s future on the program.
Industry murmurs suggest major changes to the format of the show in 2021 with Sarah Harris to continue as host and Angela Bishop to remain on the panel.
Sad today for local news and the South Australians that rely on it. Most sad however for @10NewsFirstAdl colleagues, journos, cameramen, producers, hair and makeup artists and countless others who are exceptional professionals and even better human beings. Thank you all.
— William Goodings (@WGoodings) August 11, 2020
“There is a lot of shock,” said one executive at the network. “It is pure cost-cutting.”
Elsewhere, some 20 jobs are understood to have been cut with veteran weatherman Tim Bailey also leaving.
It is understood The Project would not be affected.
Ms McGarvey said “these decisions are not being made lightly (but) are essential to future-proofing our business”.
Network 10 director of news content Ross Dagan said the changes “reflect the state of the media industry in recent years and the need for all media companies to achieve new efficiencies”.
“While our viewers in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will see some on-air changes, we will continue to produce local news and employ local reporters, camera operators and production staff in those cities,” he said.
