Ten Network to axe jobs after posting $13m loss

TEN Network Holdings will axe about 100 jobs from its newsroom after poor television ratings led to a fullyear net loss of almost $13 million.

Staff at the television network were briefed on the redundancy program yesterday as Ten chief executive James Warburton detailed reasons behind the loss.

‘‘ One of those key communications is a change program that we are driving through our news and opera t i o n s d i v i s i o n , ’ ’ Mr Warburton said.

‘‘Discussions around the details of that plan, as I said, are starting today with our staff, but it will involve a voluntary redundancy program.’’

Ten’s newsrooms nationwide look set to bear the brunt of the staff cuts.

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance federal secretary Chris Warren said dis- cussions with Ten indicated the network was wanting to cut about 100 journalists, camera and producer positions, equating to about a third of its national newsroom.

While state bulletins with their own presenters would remain, Mr Warren said the changes would result in fewer local stories being produced, as well as the loss of local perspectives on big national stories.

‘‘We are very disappointed, both for the journalists who work there and the community at large,’’ Mr Warren said yesterday.

‘‘There will be a significant loss of local voices in Australia.’’

Mr Warren said Ten had asked for expressions of interest by the end of next week for those seeking voluntary redundancy.

Mr Warburton said a key part of the review, which commenced earlier this year and was ongoing, included looking at new ways to gather and present news through ‘‘rapidly changing technology in all parts of the news process’’.

Confirmation of a voluntary redundancy program came as Ten reported a $12.9 million net loss for the year to August 31, compared with net profit of $14.2 million in the previous corresponding period.

Ten’s television network, which generates the bulk of earnings, experienced a 14.5 per cent fall in revenue amid soft ratings.

Ten has struggled this year, with shows such as Everybody Dance Now — hosted by Ten director Lachlan Murdoch’s wife Sarah — The Shire and I Will Survive failing to fire.

The weak ratings have hit the network’s advertising revenue.