Staff at Channel 10 have been left shocked today with news of lay-offs within the organisation.
*This post will update throughout the afternoon.
Those immediately affected will be those working on 10’s news website 10DAILY. The site was launched two years ago and has been a major part of 10’s digital strategy.
This is the statement from 10 regarding the closure of 10 Daily;
“Network 10’s digital media strategy is evolving to capitalise on our momentum and match the new ViacomCBS global operating model. That means an increased emphasis on streaming services and social media.
“Over the past two years, 10 Daily has established a strong presence and a loyal following, thanks to a passionate and hardworking team producing great content. We are grateful for their efforts to drive that success. As a result of the strategic change, however, 10 Daily will cease to exist as a standalone website.
“Some of the 10 Daily roles will remain. Some of the 10 Daily content will also transfer to 10 Play and our social media brands.”
Staff are being addressed this afternoon to explain the impacts of the cutbacks. Below is another statement from 10 regarding the ongoing changes;
“Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand has announced a number of transformative measures across its business.
“Following the introduction in March this year of the new executive structure for Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, these changes are the next step in the integration of the two businesses and the establishment of a combined company that reflects the new global ViacomCBS operating model.
“The integration of Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand that started on 1 May, when the Sales teams were combined, will now extend across all aspects of the combined organisation.
“As part of the measures being undertaken, some staff will leave Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand over the next few months.
“Network 10 and ViacomCBS express their sincere thanks to those staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism.”
ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand chief content officer and executive vice president, Beverley McGarvey, said: “The union of Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand creates a business with unparalleled access to global and local content, networks and commercial partnerships.
“The way people are consuming media has changed and will continue to change. Linear TV viewing is a critical part of our business, however, we need to place greater emphasis on the platform-agnostic use of our amazing local and global content – across all platforms.
“These changes are designed to ensure Network 10 and ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand are structured to compete and win in the current and future media environment.
“The recent impact of COVID-19 on the media industry has reinforced the need to continue to align our business with our evolving customer needs and global business model, but I want to stress that the changes are part of our broader strategy, not a reaction to recent events.”
