Channel Seven star Mark Ferguson is said to be stepping away from the news desk during the Paris Olympics, following job cuts at the network.
The longtime Sydney Seven New anchor, 58, has reportedly been forced to take a holiday during the period due to his excess leave, reported Confidential on Thursday.
He will be off air from late July, during which time new Director of News and Current Affairs, Anthony De Ceglie, will test out new talent.
In addition to young up-and-comers, Seven is also said to be filling Mark’s seat with a rota of TV veterans, including Michael Usher, Angela Cox, Angie Asimus and Edwina Bartholomew.
The report comes after television insiders at Seven opened up about their ‘cold’ and ‘brutal’ axings following a week of mass staff cuts and redundancies.
The revolving door continues to turn at Seven News’ Brisbane studios, just days after 150 staff across Seven West Media were also given the chop.
In a letter to staff, veteran operations manager Craig Dyer has since announced his immediate resignation after more than 20 years at the network.
The news comes as Nine Entertainment also announced 200 jobs would be cut across Australia.
Channel Seven star Mark Ferguson is said to be stepping away from the news desk during the Paris Olympics , following job cuts at the network. Pictured
Mr Dyer’s sudden departure was in the wake of forced redundancies at Seven’s Mount Coot-Tha’s studios in Brisbane, including staff under Mr Dyer’s supervision, reported The Courier Mail.
Among those shown the door were two cameramen, a long serving technical employee, a news producer as well as other behind-the-scenes staff.
One of the cameramen was told of his redundancy while out on assignment.
In the middle of the shoot, the cameraman was ordered to head back to the station, where he was informed he was being let go.
Staff whose jobs were safe were informed of the cuts in a meeting on Wednesday.
The longtime Sydney Seven New anchor, 58, has reportedly been forced to take a holiday during the period due to his excess leave, reported Confidential on Thursday
An insider described the Brisbane redundancies as ‘brutal’ and ‘cold’, leaving a sombre mood at the Mount Coot-Tha studios.
The insider also said that staff only heard about the axing of popular weatherman Paul Burt in the media, which was not mentioned in internal communications.
Nine Entertainment also announced last week that 200 jobs would be cut across Australia, where concerned staff are still waiting to hear if their jobs are safe.
It is expected only 38 jobs across television news and current affairs crews nationally are set to be cut and that ‘Brisbane favourites’ at the network will likely avoid the latest wave of redundancies.
The remainder of the job losses are anticipated to impact digital and head office roles.
In addition to young up-and-comers, Seven is also said to be filling Mark’s seat with a rota of TV veterans, including Michael Usher, Angela Cox, Angie Asimus (left) and Edwina Bartholomew
High-profile Nine talent are also in the firing line – but not from network bosses.
The announcement of the job cuts resulted in social media-led calls for Nine’s biggest earners to take take a pay cut or face the axe so other jobs across the Network can be saved.
Top earners include Today host Karl Stefanovic, who reportedly earns $1.5m annually.
Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk has also been scrutinised over her high earnings, which is around $800,000 per year.
