Veteran Presenter's Absence Sparks Speculation
The future of seasoned presenter Amber Sherlock at Channel Nine appears uncertain after her unexplained absence from Monday evening's broadcast coincided with the network's latest round of staff redundancies. The 49-year-old news anchor and weather presenter, who has been with Nine since 2007, was notably missing from her regular slot, replaced by reporter Sophie Walsh without any official explanation provided to viewers.
Industry insiders immediately began speculating that Sherlock might be among the dozens of staff members facing redundancy as part of Nine's ongoing restructuring programme. A network insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia that Sherlock's significant salary could have been a factor in any decision to remove her from her prominent position, stating simply: 'She's paid loads of dough so it makes sense.'
Network Confirms Major Restructure
When approached for comment, Nine declined to confirm Sherlock's employment status but did verify that a significant restructure is currently underway. A network spokesperson explained that consultation has commenced with team members whose roles within Nine's Streaming and Broadcast division are affected by what they term a 'new operating model.'
The restructuring aims to formally integrate teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now, with the stated objective of reducing duplication, improving collaboration and driving commercial growth. The spokesperson emphasised that the network is facing 'challenging external advertising market conditions' that necessitate these changes.
According to reports from TV Blackbox, up to 50 roles are expected to be eliminated across News, Sport, Stan, Marketing and Creative functions. However, the total number of staff departing might be lower as new positions are created and some employees are redeployed within the broader Nine Group.
Historical Context and Previous Controversy
This isn't the first time Amber Sherlock has found herself at the centre of media attention. In 2017, she became an international talking point following the 'jacketgate' incident, where leaked footage showed her insisting that colleague Julie Snook change her jacket because both women were wearing white on screen.
The incident drew commentary from global figures including US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, though Nine stood by Sherlock throughout the controversy. At the time, Sherlock admitted to The Daily Telegraph that she 'possibly overreacted,' citing stress and tiredness as contributing factors.
These latest cuts continue a trend of staff reductions at Nine, which began last year as part of a $30 million cost-cutting initiative. That earlier round saw 200 jobs cut in June 2024, including 38 positions from the high-profile news and current affairs team responsible for 9News and 60 Minutes.
Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby has previously defended such measures as essential for the network's progression, particularly as it seeks to expand its streaming capabilities. He stated that responsible cost management is necessary to continue investing in digital growth opportunities across the company.
The network maintains that the current restructure is 'not a cost-cutting exercise' but rather a strategic move to better position the division in a competitive market. However, for long-serving presenters like Amber Sherlock, the human cost of such corporate decisions remains all too real.
