to a report by The Courier-Mail<\/a>, the first casualties of the Brisbane restructure include long-serving Nine News Queensland sports reporter Jonathan Uptin, whose contract has not been renewed. Supervising Producer of Presentation and Promotion Leon Cull and Operations Co-ordinator Jessica Llewelyn have also been informed that their positions are being made redundant.<\/p>\nOne newsroom insider told the paper that morale was \u201cflat and uncertain\u201d, with more forced redundancies expected over the coming weeks if voluntary departures do not meet targets.<\/p>\n
It is understood Bronte Gildea, who has been presenting sport on recent bulletins, is expected to replace Uptin on the sports desk. Gildea is also the partner of Brisbane Broncos player Patrick Carrigan.<\/p>\n
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Sydney newsroom hardest hit<\/p>\n
While Brisbane has experienced a handful of high-profile departures, Nine\u2019s Sydney newsroom is understood to have been the hardest hit by the restructuring process.<\/p>\n
The network\u2019s Wide World of Sports division has also experienced job losses. The cuts come at a sensitive time for Nine, which is both the Olympic Network and is currently competing hard to renew its NRL broadcast rights deal.<\/p>\n
In a message sent to Sydney newsroom staff on Monday morning, News Director Michael Best said he was holding consultation meetings with impacted team members and aimed to<\/p>\n
\u201ccomplete these meetings as soon as possible, ideally by the end of today where feasible, to provide clarity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand this is a time of uncertainty and I want to assure you that my priority is to support everyone through this process.\u201d<\/p>\n
In contrast, Nine\u2019s Melbourne newsroom has so far been largely untouched by the cuts, while teams working on The Today Show have also avoided major structural change.<\/p>\n
The broadcaster has told TV Blackbox that consultation remains ongoing across its Streaming and Broadcast division, which brings together teams from Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new operating model formally brings together teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now,\u201d a Nine spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is designed to reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for Nine, while working to offset the challenging external advertising market.<\/p>\n
Our primary focus during the consultation is supporting these team members through access to our employee wellbeing provider, as well as exploring redeployment opportunities within the broader Nine Group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Industry pressures continue to bite<\/p>\n
Nine currently employs around 2,900 people across its broadcast and streaming operations. The company\u2019s latest restructure follows a broader realignment earlier this year that merged its free-to-air, digital and streaming divisions under a single executive structure \u2014 effectively ending Stan\u2019s role as a standalone business.<\/p>\n
The latest measures form part of a cost-saving program designed to offset weakening advertising revenue. In its most recent trading update, Nine reported that Total TV revenue for September and October was \u201cdown mid to high single digits\u201d year-on-year.<\/p>\n
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Despite the challenges, the network remains committed to expanding its digital and streaming footprint, with executives emphasising that the changes are designed to make the business \u201cfit for the future\u201d.<\/p>\n
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![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_30-7-2024_172119_www.instagram.com_-e1722324489412-640x408.webp.webp\")
Kate Collins a familiar face to Adelaide viewers and co-anchor of Nine News for more than a decade, has become the latest casualty of the network\u2019s restructure after being told her contract will not be renewed. (image \u2013 Channel 9)<\/p>\n