Channel 7 axes Gold Coast news bulletin in latest blow to network

A network insider has lashed out after Channel 7 axes its Gold Coast news bulletin saying it was a “terrible day for the station and for the Gold Coast”.

Channel 7 is axed its Gold Coast news service. Picture : Nicki Connolly

• History of TV shocks, scandals

Channel 7 is axing its Gold Coast news service in the latest blow to the television network.

Just months after the station axed some of its biggest stars, including popular newsreader Sharyn Ghidella and weatherman Paul Burt, network management on Tuesday informed staff at the Gold Coast Bureau that the nightly news bulletin would be axed, going to the air for the last time on Thursday night.

The bureau will remain, with network executives telling staff many jobs would continue as part of the station’s commitment to the city for the 6pm statewide bulletin.

Some staff have been offered the opportunity to move to Brisbane, while non-editorial positions, including in the sales team, are not expected to be affected by the decision.

Former Channel 7 newsreader turned Channel 10 Brisbane star Sharyn Ghidella. Picture: David Kelly

In a statement, a spokesperson for the network said the move would “modernise” the way it delivers its prime time 6pm metropolitan bulletin.

“Seven’s Gold Coast news operation will be streamlined to run as a multi-faceted bureau, with its award-winning stories and hot button issues to be given more prominence in the nightly metropolitan news at 6pm,” the statement said.

7NEWS Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said the network remained committed to the Gold Coast.

“This is about bringing together and modernising both our Gold Coast local news and Brisbane’s unrivalled 6.00pm bulletin hosted by Max Futcher and Sarah Greenhalgh,” he said.

“This change in direction in no way diminishes our commitment to news coverage on the Gold Coast. Quite the opposite.

“For viewers, it means more people across the region can get home from work, school and play in time for 6.00pm, and the issues and stories that matter to them most will have an even stronger voice in the all-important nightly news.”

Most recently, the bulletin has been presented by popular Gold Coast journalist Amanda Abate and Steve Titmus, the dad of Olympic swimming champion Ariarne, while former Olympic hurdles champ Sally Pearson has been presenting the sport segment.

Seven West Media’s Anthony De Ceglie said the network was committed to the Gold Coast. Picture - Supplied

It is understood high-profile staffers and presenters at the Gold Coast Bureau have been offered positions under any restructuring.

It will be the end of an era for the station, which has run head-to-head with Nine during the 5.30pm slot on the Gold Coast for almost a decade.

In recent years, rumours had continued to swirl that the bulletin’s future was on shaky ground.

Those rumours went into overdrive when several key staff on the Gold Coast, including Burt, were let go in July.

A network insider said it was a terrible day for the station and for the Gold Coast.

“Many saw it coming but they are still disappointed that years of hard work were in vain,” they said.

“For months executives have failed to invest in the Gold Coast office and provide leadership and support.”

From next week, Channel 7’s Gold Coast viewers will receive hour-long episodes of The Chase, instead of cutting to the local news at 5.30pm.

Executives told staff that the decision “in no way diminishes our commitment to news coverage on the Gold Coast”.

“Now a turbocharged news bureau will inject the most crucial Gold Coast news in the metropolitan 6pm bulletin every single night,” an email to staff said.