Massive Channel Seven layoff affects 150 personnel, including one TV staple

Channel Seven has been one of the biggest television networks in Australia since time immemorial.

It brought us our daily news and sources of entertainment through their shows.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the channel cut off a significant number in their workforce—including a popular weather presenter—which left many viewers and employees reeling.


Channel Seven Queensland's weather presenter Paul Burt was part of the layoffs, which also included 150 staff members.

This move was a significant blow to the on-air talent and behind-the-scenes teams, signalling a period of intense change and uncertainty within Australian media.

Paul Burt, known for his lively and engaging weather reports, has been a staple on Channel Seven for many years.

His passion for the outdoors extended beyond the weather segment.


compressed-paul burt.jpeg
Channel Seven's massive layoffs affected staff and one of its presenters, Paul Burt. Image Credits: Facebook/Channel Seven, YouTube, Step Outside with Paul Burt


He also had his show, Step Outside with Paul Burt, which aired on 7Mate every Sunday.

Burt's dedication to his craft and audience was evident when he interrupted a live TV cross to dash into the surf to rescue a 10-year-old boy at Surfers Paradise.

His generous nature and willingness to go the extra mile for a story endeared him to viewers and colleagues alike.

However, despite his popularity and commitment, Burt was absent from the weather bulletin Tuesday night.

Brisbane reporter Tony Auden stepped in to fill his role.


The decision to part ways with Burt and other staff members came as Seven West Media (SWM), Channel Seven's parent company, faced financial pressures and a need for cost-cutting.

In an email sent to staff, Chief Executive Jeff Howard cited Meta's non-renewal towards a deal to pay Australian news pages as a contributing factor for the cost reduction.

'A number of roles across the company will change, and unfortunately, some people will be leaving us,' Mr Howard wrote.

'We will work hard to reduce the impact on people as much as we can, and we will make sure that our people are fully supported.'

Several executives also parted ways with SWM, including Chief Revenue Officer Kurt Burnette, Chief Marketing and Audience Officer Melissa Hopkins, and Seven's Head of Sport, Lewis Martin, who was also the Managing Director for Melbourne.

Together, the three executives dedicated a combined 65 years to SWM, and their departures mark the end of an era for the company.


SWM is looking to streamline its operations to save about $100 million.

Howard acknowledged that their cost base of $1.2 billion per year is currently unsustainable and should be reduced further.

'As we look into FY25, we are faced with continuing upward pressure on this cost base,' Mr Howard said.

The company, which also owns The West Australian newspaper, plans to restructure into three divisions: digital, TV, and Western Australia, hoping to create a more viable and competitive business model moving forward.

As we bid farewell to Burt and the staff members who contributed to Channel Seven's broadcasting history, we are reminded of the importance of adaptability and resilience in an industry constantly in flux.

We extend our best wishes to those affected by these layoffs.
Key Takeaways

  • Channel Seven Queensland weather presenter Paul Burt was laid off as the network made significant job cuts.
  • Among the 150 staff let go, three senior executives also departed from Seven West Media.
  • The cutbacks were part of the network's attempts to save $100 million, with overall costs deemed unsustainable.
  • Seven West Media will focus on three main divisions: digital, TV, and Western Australia, as they hope to create a more sustainable business model.
What were your favourite moments from Paul Burt's tenure at Seven? How do you feel about this significant shift in Australian media? Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below.
 
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Absolutely crazy decision. A much loved reporter. Cannot fathom 7's decision when you have a complete idiot doing the weather for Sunrise from Sydney whom most viewers cannot watch him yet they boot a ratings winner in Paul Burt. Poor decision.
 
I can't believe this! What an idiotic thing to do Channel 7! You WERE my favourite channel, but no more, unless you keep Burty on...he is such a breath of fresh air! Wow, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face - all to save a few lousy $$$. Be real! Grrrrrrrrrrr...
 
Absolutely crazy decision. A much loved reporter. Cannot fathom 7's decision when you have a complete idiot doing the weather for Sunrise from Sydney whom most viewers cannot watch him yet they boot a ratings winner in Paul Burt. Poor decision.
could not agree more. I record sunrise and move it on when the weather comes on.
 
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If any free to air channel wants to seriously cut costs get rid of most of the people on air that present the morning "news". Channel seven (NSW Regional) has at least five people to give viewers the news, which last about five minutes out of 30 minutes. The rest of the half hour is taken up with social media drivel, the presenters trying to be humorous and numerous ads. Why is it that almost every presenter on TV has to attempt to be a comedian when they pathetic at it. It is bad enough having to listen to the drivel the male weather presenters go on with!

A couple of decades ago we actually got a fair amount of news from presenters like Brian Naylor. He didn't need four or five "extras" to provide comic relief.
 
Unfortunately like all media channels when they need to downsize it is always a well liked and watched presenter who goes, they seem to keep the unbearable, crass, over the top presenters who make viewers change channels every time they appear. I also agree they have too many people on the morning news shows now, why? are the presenters so precious they can only read one story then need a break? Also some presenters are abrupt and rude when interviewing “guests” talking over them and cutting them off abruptly when time is up. Why do interviews if you can’t allocate the time to do them properly? I also agree there is very little news and too much media crap broadcast on morning shows.
 
I can't believe this! What an idiotic thing to do Channel 7! You WERE my favourite channel, but no more, unless you keep Burty on...he is such a breath of fresh air! Wow, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face - all to save a few lousy $$$. Be real! Grrrrrrrrrrr...
Channel 7 went south quickly when that flop called David Koch infected the nation's screens. When he shot through, they employed Natalie Barr as the anchor. Her sense of self importance rose exponentially and so Sunrise's credibility decreased in the same way. If it wasn't for the occasional dose of Border Patrol, Channel 7 does not grace our TV screen.
 
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And yet they keep Sam Mac.:confused:
Go figure - why oh why do they get rid of the good ones. You can keep the Larry and Kylie show as this is nothing but advertorials and self aggrandisement of Larry and Kylie - doesn't matter what they are supposed to be reporting/interviewing, unless they insinuate themselves front and centre to everything they are not happy - what a farce - there are 2 salaries that could have been saved instead of Burtie's.
 
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Go figure - why oh why do they get rid of the good ones. You can keep the Larry and Kylie show as this is nothing but advertorials and self aggrandisement of Larry and Kylie - doesn't matter what they are supposed to be reporting/interviewing, unless they insinuate themselves front and centre to everything they are not happy - what a farce - there are 2 salaries that could have been saved instead of Burtie's.
And a Gold Logie nominee, can't imagine what for. :confused: And know they are making an absolute fool of Dr Chris Brown; the man needs a reality check.:rolleyes:
 
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Yes it is just crazy what is going on. Pretty much all reality tv now and most of it is junk. We do watch the regional news which is okay but also can be an ad fest. Shows like Creek to Coast are also just an ad fest. What is needed is more drama series like it used to be. All they make now id dark and dingy rubbish. Someone said recently it's like we are living in the matrix. Well most would say that is stupid but with all the reality tv and sport it does look like it sometime.s 3 versions of 7, 9 and 2 and all the same crap on them. They really do need to rethink commercial television and some streaming crap while they are at it
 
Unfortunately like all media channels when they need to downsize it is always a well liked and watched presenter who goes, they seem to keep the unbearable, crass, over the top presenters who make viewers change channels every time they appear. I also agree they have too many people on the morning news shows now, why? are the presenters so precious they can only read one story then need a break? Also some presenters are abrupt and rude when interviewing “guests” talking over them and cutting them off abruptly when time is up. Why do interviews if you can’t allocate the time to do them properly? I also agree there is very little news and too much media crap broadcast on morning shows.
Yeah agree. We have regional TV for our news. God forbid they get rid of the news reader and the weather man. The whole lot would sink.
 
They give updates on the news about Channel 9 woes but have not mentioned their own financial struggles. Impartial? Never thought so
 
Yes it is just crazy what is going on. Pretty much all reality tv now and most of it is junk. We do watch the regional news which is okay but also can be an ad fest. Shows like Creek to Coast are also just an ad fest. What is needed is more drama series like it used to be. All they make now id dark and dingy rubbish. Someone said recently it's like we are living in the matrix. Well most would say that is stupid but with all the reality tv and sport it does look like it sometime.s 3 versions of 7, 9 and 2 and all the same crap on them. They really do need to rethink commercial television and some streaming crap while they are at it
Like you I’m sick of all the reality tv shows & the opposing channels air them at the same time, prime time & move the popular shows to later in the evening, so anyone that dislikes the reality shows is left with nothing to watch 😡
 

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