Nine kicks Emma Freedman to the curb: Colleagues shocked over axing

EMMA Freedman’s shock sacking from Channel 9 has left her fans and colleagues reeling, declaring the move as “a stupid decision”.

IT might be a case of you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone for Channel 9, with Emma Freedman’s colleagues and Today viewers left reeling over her shock sacking.

Nine yesterday confirmed the 25-year-old would be made redundant from her position on Weekend Today, sparking a huge wave of support for the young presenter and calls for Nine to reinstate her.

Freedman’s father Lee was the first to lash out at the network, before retweeting dozens of tweets from her fans and shocked viewers.

Congratulations to CH 9 for firing Emma Freedman in a cost cutting measure. Wonder what they'll do to the ones with no talent ?#shot

— Lee Freedman (@freedman_lee) December 12, 2014

Please retweet my last tweet if you've been an Em fan.

— Lee Freedman (@freedman_lee) December 12, 2014

I'm really shocked that Nine has cut @emma_freedman She's an impressive talent and a joy to watch. Crazy decision.

— Dee Dee Dunleavy (@DeeDeeDunleavy) December 14, 2014

@emma_freedman you light up the screen, they are silly to let you go! Show them what a stupid mistake they have made

— Jenna Harding (@jennamaree87) December 14, 2014

@SydConfidential @Channel9 @emma_freedman I can not believe channel nine would do this to Emma a beautiful girl full of personality Wrong

— Mary Nati (@marynati57) December 14, 2014

Just read where @freedman_lee carved up Nine for letting @emma_freedman go. Forget that he's her dad. He's saying what everyone is thinking.

— Ben Walker (@walkerb83) December 14, 2014

The sacking of Emma Freedman is the worst thing to ever happen in the history of the world.

— Mark Rhoden (@cotchinsoda) December 12, 2014

@emma_freedman such a shame, you're a breath of fresh air. One of the other channels will no doubt think you're kind of a big deal.

— Tahnia Creedon (@tahn_creeds) December 14, 2014

Big mistake. Emma is fab TV talent. http://t.co/XNcEw9z6SC

— Debbie Schipp (@debbieschipp) December 14, 2014

Something's not right when Channel 9 can't find the money to keep @emma_freedman, but can find the money for another season of Big Brother.

— Ben Shute (@Ben_Shute) December 14, 2014

But it wasn’t just viewers that were upset over the move, with at least one Nine insider declaring it “a stupid decision”.

“She’s really well-liked and was a talent here,” the well-placed television insider said, after Freedman confirmed on Twitter she was departing the network.

Another colleague said many of the staff at Nine were incredulous that Freedman had been kicked to the television curb.

Jessica Gomes and Emma Freedman

Emma Freedman.

A separate, senior Nine source confirmed Freedman’s axing had nothing to do with performance, but plenty to do with money. “It was all about budget,” the source said.

A Nine spokeswoman told Sydney Confidential yesterday: “Emma’s contract is up at the end of the month and we are not renewing it”.

The insider went on further to say the network would not be searching for an outsider to replace Freedman for the 2015 television season.

Emma Freedman. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“We’re not going out to find a new Emma,” the source said, adding that there were several experienced weather presenters and reporters working at Nine who would be considered for the job next year.

“But at this point there isn’t a name,” the source added.

Freedman, 25, had become a household name because of her appearances on Nine.

The bubbly presenter, who worked on Weekend Today as the weather presenter and occasionally filled in for Steve Jacobs during the week, had also become widely known as a face of racing coverage.

Emma Freedman. Picture: Tony Gough

Emma Freedman. Picture; Tony Gough

While Freedman opted not to comment further when contacted by The Daily Telegraph yesterday, she tweeted that she was “staying classy” amid the controversy.

It's been a blast, but raring to go and looking forward to the next chapter #2015 #stayclassysandiego

— Emma Freedman (@emma_freedman) December 13, 2014

Originally published as Nine kicks Emma Freedman to the curb: Colleagues shocked over axing