Broadcaster Alan Jones — here Today, but gone tomorrow
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Matthew Ricketson June 6, 2007 Alan Jones: influence waning.
Alan Jones: influence waning. Photo: Ben Rushton AdvertisementAdvertisement
THE first swing of the axe by the Nine television network's new private-equity owners has fallen on Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones, a long-time Packer family ally, saving up to $100,000 a year.
Jones' 60 to 90-second editorial spot on Nine's morning news and chat show Today, which has been running for the past two decades, will end on June 15.
Jones has been a long-time confidant of Nine's former owner, the Packer family. He was master of ceremonies at Kerry Packer's funeral service and is expected to attend James Packer's wedding to Erica Baxter in the south of France this month.
Jones' Today spot was his primary national outlet — his morning program on 2GB broadcasts only in Sydney. Its axing signals a potential diminishing of his influence.
The announcement came yesterday amid speculation that as CVC Asia Pacific took control of Nine from James Packer's PBL Media, a new round of cost cutting — possibly axing programs and renegotiating network stars' contracts — will begin.
Ownership of PBL Media was split 50-50 between Packer's parent company, Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd, and CVC Asia Pacific until last week when Packer said he would sell half his stake to CVC for $515 million.
Nine's director of news and current affairs, Garry Linnell, said Jones' departure reflected a new direction for Today.
"We thank Alan for his contribution to the program. He is a voice of authority and an integral player in the setting of Australian's news agenda," he said.
Linnell said Nine looked forward to maintaining a close relationship with Jones.
Nine presenter Ray Martin warned of the long-term damage to the network if CVC Asia Pacific began cost cutting.
Speaking from London, Martin said: "For years the golden goose for Nine has been news, current affairs and sport.
"There aren't any programs on Nine in the top-10-rating programs other than news, current affairs and sport."
In last week's ratings, Nine had three programs in the top 10: the rugby league state of origin, the rugby league pre-match entertainment and 60 Minutes.
Martin said the network's news and current affairs division was running lean and mean after extensive cuts last year.
Media speculation has focused on the current affairs program Sunday, Today and lifestyle program Getaway.
A spokeswoman for Nine denied the speculation, saying CVC Asia Pacific had already been actively investing in media properties.
"Like any business we always look at the product we are producing and rigorously assess its performance. However, recent speculative media reports are purely that. No decisions to axe any major programs have been made at all," she said.
