Sonia Kruger’s future at Channel 7 up in the air

Sonia Kruger’s long-term future with Channel 7 is in question after her husband left the network, and Big Brother moved to Ten.

TV insiders are speculating about the long-term future of Sonia Kruger at Seven, following the departure of her husband from the network and the axing of Big Brother.

Kruger – whose mega-contract has been reported to be $1.3 million – was once one of Seven’s most in-demand stars, but industry sources are wondering if that has shifted amid changes at the network.

One of her key shows, Big Brother, will move to Network 10 in 2025.

Her husband, former head of news and current affairs Craig McPherson, left the network in April. The pair had been considered a power couple at Seven.

A Seven spokesperson shot down the rumours Kruger was no longer as “in favour” as she once was, saying: “You are making things up. This is total fiction and completely wrong. To publish this rumour would be deliberately misleading.”

Former Seven Network news boss Craig McPherson with Sonia Kruger.

However, well-placed sources maintain Kruger’s future with the network post-2025 is uncertain.

One highly placed source said Kruger was now vulnerable at the network, citing her large salary. “And now Big Brother has gone, she will likely be doing less,” the source said.

Kruger at this year’s Logie Awards. Picture: Getty Images

The salaries of many of the network’s stars, including Kruger, are under the microscope after the broadcaster suffered a large drop in advertising revenue, prompting mass redundancies.

“Six members of its leadership team have departed, including chief executive James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam and McPherson.

Household names such as Ada Nicodemou, James Stewart, Chris Brown and Mark Ferguson, whose contracts are believed to be worth millions combined, have reportedly had a pause put on their huge salaries.

Kruger’s agent, however, maintains the former Gold Logie winner’s salary is untouched.

“Sonia is under a long-term contract with Seven, has not received a pay cut, and is very happy at the network,” they said.

Seven will announce Kruger’s new gig for next year at the network upfronts in the coming months.

In 2004 Kruger was signed to Seven, before announcing she was leaving the network to sign with Nine.

In 2020, Kruger returned to Seven.

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Originally published as Sonia Kruger’s future at Channel 7 up in the air