Swift changes at Channel 7 as the network axes Melissa Doyle’s Sunday Night program

Channel 7’s new boss James Warburton has made big changes in super-fast time, realigning 17 business units into just eight and axing Melissa Doyle’s Sunday Night program during his first six weeks in the job.

James Warburton has moved swiftly to streamline businesses at Channel 7.

Six weeks into the top job running the network, Warburton has realigned 17 business units into just eight.

“Content is at the heart of our business and we are focused on creating the world’s best, while also progressing our digital growth and improving our operating structure,” said Warburton, who recently replaced Tim Worner as managing director and chief executive officer of Seven West Media.

New Seven CEO James Warburton pictured in Sydney on Friday, 16th August 2019. picture Nikki Short

“This strategy involves making tough staffing and programming decisions.

“We need to right-size the business to ensure we maintain Seven’s position as the country’s top rating broadcaster and leading media company.”

Those eight divisions cover content, revenue, marketing, digital, commercial, financial, people and culture and a SWM WA chief executive position.

The behind-the-scenes changes come after news broke on Wednesday that Seven had axed its current affairs program, Sunday Night. The program had been on air for eight years and will continue on air until the end of the year.

Melissa Doyle will stay on contract but her show, Sunday Night, has been axed. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Host Melissa Doyle remains on contract with the network for another couple of years, with her services to be deployed elsewhere in the schedule.

There will be some job losses, although many positions will be absorbed into the business.

A national Today Tonight is not on the cards, despite some media reporting it would make a comeback after Sunday Night being cancelled.

“Today Tonight is not on the deck in any form,” an executive told Confidential.

Job losses were this week felt in Seven’s publicity department with the operations and public relations offices being centralised in Sydney, while the Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane offices were closed.

Warburton’s content strategy will come to light when the broadcaster hosts its 2020 programming event later this month, at which time it is expected to announce the return of reality show Big Brother.

Originally published as Swift changes at Channel 7 as the network axes Melissa Doyle’s Sunday Night program