Channel 7 axes The Daily Edition, Ryan Phelan, Sally Obermeder depart network
Coronavirus has claimed another major media brand with Channel 7 axing its daily news and lifestyle show along with its hosts Ryan Phelan and Sally Obermeder.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Coronavirus has claimed another major media brand with the axing of daily news and lifestyle TV show, The Daily Edition.
Strong ratings and a successful seven year run were not enough to save the Seven program, hosted by Sally Obermeder and Ryan Phelan, who will both leave the network after the final show next week.
In a memo sent to staff internally, Seven Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson attributed the decision to “these difficult times”.
“The Daily Edition found its way onto the TV landscape seven years ago and has performed exceptionally over that time,” McPherson’s email read. “Sadly though, the economics of today and associated cost pressures across the entire industry has led to this decision. I want to thank co-hosts Sally Obermeder and Ryan Phelan and the talented production team for all their efforts.”
MORE NEWS
Why MasterChef contestants forgave Reynold for his gay slur
New Idea, Woman’s Day face uncertain future
Revealed: Big reason Big Brother ratings are down
The final episode of The Daily Edition will air from 2pm Friday June 26 with Seven’s dominant Sunrise and The Morning Show to continue as normal.
The Daily Edition launched in 2013 with Obermeder on the panel alongside Tom Williams and Kris Smith. Lauded as a first of its kind, it set new ground for a different style of afternoon programming.
Obermeder labelled the decision “the end of an era” on Instagram.
“I have had the great privilege of being welcomed in to your homes as host of The Daily Edition for the last seven years,” she wrote. “During that time I’ve been able to work with the best in the business, interview amazing people, report on breaking news and connect with you at times when as a community we were at our most vulnerable – that’s where we drew our strength and that’s where we all came together; and I want to thank you for that honour.”
She continued: “Like so many other businesses, COVID has impacted our show and as such our last day for The Daily Edition will be next Friday. I’ve spent my television career, the last sixteen years, as part of the Channel 7 family and in doing so, you’ve become a part of mine. Our world has changed so much this year and while we’re still finding our footing, I know that as Australian’s we’ll continue to come together, support each other and elevate each other – it’s what we do.”
The news comes as the Australian media landscape continues to face its most difficult time with advertising revenue slashed due to global business pressures from the coronavirus.
Earlier this week, Bauer Media Australia announced that it had sold all of its magazine titles to investment firm, Mercury Capital.
That puts a question mark over some of the biggest magazine titles that have run successfully for decades including Woman’s Day, New Idea and The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Originally published as Channel 7 axes The Daily Edition, Ryan Phelan, Sally Obermeder depart network