Channel Seven Faces Leadership Changes Amid Ratings Drop
Some of Channel Seven’s top stars have arrived at the Mount Coot-tha headquarters following Michael Coombes’ departure as Queensland news director.
Michael Coombes Resigns Amid Falling Ratings
Coombes announced he would not be renewing his contract, which ends on October 31, amid declining ratings for the network.
Shift in Leadership After Veteran Departures
His exit is part of a larger trend of senior journalists leaving the company, influenced by the industry’s dwindling advertising revenue and reduced TV viewership.
New Leadership Transferred to Boost Ratings
Ray Kuka, known as “Mr Fix-It,” and Gemma Acton were transferred to Brisbane to address ratings issues, reportedly resulting in some improvements.
Coombes’ Exit Linked to Toxic Work Environment
Coombes’ departure followed complaints about harassment and bullying within the network, although it’s unclear if these issues directly influenced his decision.
Some of the top stars of Channel Seven have reportedly arrived at the company’s Mount Coot-tha headquarters in Brisbane following the sudden exit of Michael Coombes, the network’s Queensland news director.
According to sources, the move was prompted by the network’s falling ratings. In an email to staff, he informed them that he would not be renewing his contract, which ends on October 31.
He is the latest in a series of veteran journalists to leave the company as it deals with the effects of the industry’s declining advertising revenue and the increasing number of people watching fewer TV programs.
According to a report by The Australian Media Diary, Michael Usher and Sarah Greenhalgh, who are currently working in the Mount Coot-tha newsroom, were transferred there recently.
Ray Kuka, the Perth news director who is known as Mr Fix-It, and Gemma Acton, the network’s news operations director, were reportedly transferred to the Sunshine State office.
An insider claimed that the ratings had started to improve after Kuka arrived in Brisbane. In his email to staff, Coombes also confirmed that he would not be renewing his contract.
Despite the speculation, he noted that his decision to not renew his contract was not influenced by negative inferences.
He also took to Instagram to address the rumors surrounding his departure. He posted a picture of himself on Friday while he was on holiday in the Whitsundays.
His post came after he informed his staff members about his leave.
His sudden exit, which occurred just five weeks before the state election, was triggered by the backlash he received after he fired Sharyn Ghidella, a veteran presenter.
In July, she posted a lengthy message on her Facebook page to reveal that she was “shown the door” after she was dismissed.
According to the Daily Mail, Kerry Stokes, the owner of Seven, was offended by how the company handled the departure of Ghidella, who had been with the network for 17 years.
His exit followed the revelation of an allegedly toxic work environment in an episode of Four Corners, which aired last month.
Several staff members lodged complaints about harassment and bullying. One female journalist said she had to resort to self-harm after she was allegedly verbally abused outside the network’s Brisbane office.
It’s not clear if these issues were related to the departure of Coombes.