Media personalities, television fans slam Channel 9’s decision to axe popular newsreader Kate Collins
The shock axing of a popular Channel 9 newsreader who was blindsided by her dumping has drawn condemnation from Adelaide media personalities and strong fan backlash.
The shock axing of a popular newsreader who was blindsided by her dumping has drawn condemnation from Adelaide media personalities and strong fan backlash.
Channel 9 Adelaide newsreader Kate Collins was axed this week just days after hosting the Christmas Pageant coverage in a move said to have left Collins, who joined Nine in 2006, “heartbroken”.
FIVEAA’s David Penberthy did not mince his words on Tuesday morning on his radio show.
“I reckon the biggest story in Adelaide right now is the way poor old Kate Collins has been treated by Channel 9,” he said.
“I mean treated by Channel 9 nationally. It’s a classic example of the head office in Sydney treating us... like you know what and as a result there’s one fewer South Aussie on our TV screens.”
Penberthy slammed the handling of the cut while acknowledging the challenges of television stations in 2025.
“The manner in which this was handled I think was appalling – apparently she only found out in the middle of the day yesterday,” he said.
“I think this is P-I-double S weak - she’s lovely, she’s really smart, she’s good at her job.”
“Part of this is the commercial squeeze on commercial TV everywhere. Good luck to her and she’ll land on her feet but a crap way to treat a good person.”
Former Channel 10 newsreader Mark Aiston said he wished Collins all the best and said the community was feeling for her.
“When you’re high profile like Kate Collins from Channel 9 – those who watch Channel 9 – feel as though they know her,” he said in a video online.
“And so there’s this sort of empathy and sympathy and I think most people would be feeling for her.
“When someone like that is axed, it would be nice if they were given a night to say goodbye, because there’s no real closure there,” he said.
He warned more change would be on the horizon.
“The media, television and radio is changing rapidly, there are so many different things going on behind the scenes a lot of people don’t know,” he said.
“Landscapes are changing significantly and will change even more in the next six months.
“There is less money around, revenue is down. Competition is higher. There’s a lot more stress out there.”
Online backlash was also evident after news broke, with people calling the move “absolutely horrible.
“The television industry is so cruel to their loyal employees especially in South Australia,” one commenter said.
“Kate’s the only reason why I watched 9 news such a warm and beautiful person”
Others indicated they would switch news sources in the wake of the decision.
“Shame on you Channel 9 – have been watching 9 News Adelaide for years. My late husband wouldn’t watch any other bulletin. Looks like I’ll be watching Channel 7 from now on.”
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