EXCLUSIVE Sharyn Ghidella's axing by Channel Seven: Damning numbers TV network does not want you to see Seven News ratings plummeting since Sharyn Ghidella's shock sacking Brisbane newsreader's booting sees freefall in that city Drop of 30,000 viewers puts news closer to game show By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia Published: 12:58, 23 July 2024 | Updated: 12:58, 23 July 2024 e-mail 11 shares 1 View comments Secret internal ratings figures show Seven's TV news figures plummeting since the network made the shock decision to sack long-time newsreader Sharyn Ghidella. The tightly held numbers exclusively obtained by Daily Mail Australia reveal that in just two weeks, Seven News Brisbane has shed a significant 29,000 viewers. The plummeting ratings puts Seven some 88,000 viewers behind Nine's Brisbane news on Monday - whereas on Monday, July 8, prior to her axing, Seven was just 60,000 behind.
That means Seven News has edged dangerously down towards the figures of Nine's lead-in game show, Tipping Point, since axing the household name newsreader. An industry insider told Daily Mail Australia that was 'a perilous tipping point in itself in what is essentially a two market town, to be within less than 30,000 of the 5pm game show'. Ghidella, the face of Seven News in Queensland since 2007, learned she had suddenly been axed from the network ten days ago, after almost four decades in the industry.
Ghidella was at the salon getting her hair done for a network promotion at the time. Ratings on Seven News Brisbane have plummeted since popular veteran newsreader Sharyn Ghidella was sensationally axed from the bulletin, with the news bleeding a massive 30,000 viewers Sharyn Ghidella (right, with 7 star Nat Barr) said she 'was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up' SEVEN'S BRISBANE RATINGS PLUNGE Monday July 8 : Brisbane ratings 9News 242,000 7News 182,000 Tipping Point 137,000 Friday, July 12 : Seven sacks veteran Brisbane newsreader Sharyn Ghidella Monday July 22 : Brisbane ratings 9News 241,000 7News 153,000 Tipping Point 127,000 Seven's ratings in the Brisbane news hour have dropped since Ghidella's sacking Advertisement Figures obtained by the Mail show that during Ghidella's last Monday of reading the news, Seven's Brisbane ratings were 182,000, compared with Nine's of 242,000 and Tipping Point at 137,000. On Monday July 22, the figures showed Seven News at 153,000, Nine News at 241,000 and Tipping Point at 127,000.
Ghidella, 58, did not go quietly. She revealed her job had been cut in a fiery July 12 Facebook post. After anxious weeks of media job cuts and newsroom rumours in the corridors of Seven since the appointment of new boss Anthony De Ceglie, Ghidella took aim at the network.
She criticised it for prioritising gimmicks like its new astrology readings after the weather and a weekly comedy segment over veteran talent . 'When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren't expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder..
. After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,' Ghidella wrote online. 'It wasn't quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven.
'I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.' Ghidella then said her recent time at the network had been 'miserable' and she was glad to be heading out the door. 'While somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief.
'As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair.' The TV insider told the Mail that: 'Dropping Ghidella has been just dire for Seven, and they are now haemorrhaging viewers'. Sharynh Ghidella, who was with the 7 Network for 17 years, is pictured (third left, above) with Natalie Barr, Mike Amor, Michael Usher, Chris Reason and Mark Riley Seven News Brisbane's ratings were getting dangerously close to Nine's game show, The Tipping Point.
An industry insider told Daily Mail Australia that was 'a perilous tipping point in itself in what is essentially a two market town, to be within less than 30,000 of the 5pm game show' Seven has copped criticism after it debuted a new satirical segment hosted by comedian Mark Humphries at the end of its Friday night edition . Viewers were divided over the skit, with many sharing their thoughts on social media. 'You've sacked Sharyn Ghidella and now at the end of the news you have a very unfunny, stupid, moronic idiot on! 'I will never watch Seven News again' one woman wrote on X.
In response to questions about the 7News Brisbane ratings, a spokesperson for the TV network noted that Seven News had won in Brisbane last Sunday night. The spokesperson also claimed that Nine's Olympics coverage was already starting to bite Seven even before the opening ceremony. The development comes amid a time of change at the network across the country - with eyebrows raised about presenter Angela Cox fronting the Sydney 6pm bulletin solo.
Read More EXCLUSIVE Why Channel Seven newsreader's solo prime time appearance is sending shockwaves through the industry Channel Seven Share or comment on this article: Sharyn Ghidella's axing by Channel Seven: Damning numbers TV network does not want you to see e-mail 11 shares Add comment.
