Amber Sherlock’s future at Channel Nine has been thrown into question, as she was mysteriously absent from Monday evening’s broadcast amid the network’s latest redundancy bloodbath.
The long-time 9News anchor and weathergirl was replaced in her usual slot by reporter Sophie Walsh, 40, with no explanation given for Sherlock’s no-show.
Now insiders are speculating that she is ‘gone’ from the newsroom.
Sherlock, 49, who has been with Nine since 2007, is feared to have been one of dozens of staffers axed as network enacts its latest, brutal round of redundancies.
A network insider told Daily Mail on Monday that Sherlock’s hefty pay packet could factor into a decision to dump the journalist from her plum role at Nine.
‘She’s paid loads of dough so it makes sense,’ the source explained.
‘She was meant to do the afternoon weather but then Soph (Sophie Walsh) suddenly filled in.’
Nine did not deny Sherlock was out of a job when approached by Daily Mail on Monday, but said that the network will not discuss the employment status of any individuals at this stage.
Amber Sherlock’s future at Channel Nine has been thrown into question as her conspicuous absence raises concerns amid the network’s latest bloodbath. Sherlock is pictured
A spokesperson did however confirm a restructure was underway in order to drive ‘commercial growth’.
‘We have today commenced consultation with some team members, whose roles within Nine’s Streaming and Broadcast division are impacted by our new operating model,’ the Nine spokesperson said.
‘The new operating model formally brings together teams across Stan, Channel 9 and 9Now. It is designed to reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for Nine, while working to offset the challenging external advertising market.’
The spokesperson added that Nine is in the process of consulting with employees and discussing redeployment opportunities where possible.
‘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,’ the spokesperson said.
Nine Entertainment this week announced ‘structural changes across News, Sport, Stan, Marketing and Creative functions’ with up to 50 roles to be slashed, TV Blackbox reported on Monday.
Amanda Laing, Managing Director of the Streaming and Broadcast division, told the publication that changes are needed to, ‘reduce duplication, drive greater collaboration and deliver commercial growth for the Nine Group’.
The job losses were expected to impact the newsroom – but Today show staff are understood to be safe.
The long-time 9News anchor and weathergirl was missing from the evening broadcast on Monday night, replaced by reporter Sophie Walsh, 40
Although up to 50 roles are being made redundant, the total number of staffers departing the network is expected to be lower, as new roles are being created, while some staff will be redeployed to other positions.
There are additionally vacant positions which won’t be filled and contracts that aren’t being renewed.
A Nine spokesperson explained that the Streaming and Broadcast division is a fresh initiative that was created in January, with a new leadership team appointed in June.
The latest restructure is designed to ‘bring the division together’ and Nine insists it is ‘not a cost-cutting exercise’ but rather is an effort to compete in the advertising market.
Nine has been slashing staff numbers since last year as part of an earlier $30 million cost-cutting plan for the business.
That initiative saw 200 job cuts announced in June 2024.
The sackings included 38 positions in the high-profile news and current affairs broadcast team, which encompasses 9News and 60 Minutes.
Additionally, 90 jobs were eliminated from Nine’s publishing division, affecting roles at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review.
Sherlock, 49, who has been with Nine since 2007, is feared to have been one of dozens of staffers axed as Nine enacts its latest, brutal round of redundancies
Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby last year explained that the job cuts are vital to the network’s progress amid a larger restructure that will see increased opportunities to expand in the streaming space.
‘In order for us to be able to keep investing in digital growth opportunities across Nine, we must continue to responsibly manage costs through the cycle,’ Sneesby said in a statement.
Sherlock made headlines across the globe in 2017 thanks to her infamous ‘jacketgate’ row with fellow reporter Julie Snook.
The leaked footage showed her demanding Julie put on a jacket so the two women were not both wearing white on screen.
Speaking to her producer, Amber said: ‘I need Julie to put a jacket on because we’re all in white. I asked her before we came on… Julie you need to put a jacket on.’
Snook defended herself, insisting she had not had time to change out of her outfit.
But Sherlock refused to back down, replying: ‘Come on I told you two hours ago.’
Her fellow 9 News reporter apologised and said she had been ‘flat out’ and had not had time to switch into a different colour.
Sherlock made headlines across the globe in 2017 thanks to her infamous ‘jacketgate’ row with fellow reporter Julie Snook (left)
A furious Sherlock had no time for her apology and continued to demand she get changed before going live.
Sherlock later revealed exactly what led her to demand her co-host had to ‘go and grab a jacket,’ during the leaked off-air incident.
In a tell-all interview with The Daily Telegraph, the seasoned reporter admitted she ‘possibly overreacted,’ after getting upset at Julie for wearing the same colour outfit, before citing stress, tiredness and the hot weather in defence of her actions.
It wasn’t until the nation shared their opinions on talk-back radio, and even Oscars and late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel weighed in, that she began to realise the seriousness of the situation.
‘I am the first to put up my hand and say that for whatever reason – I was stressed, I was tired, I possibly overreacted, there are better ways to deal with it,’ she admitted.
The journalist also claimed the high-pressure news environment meant the presenters didn’t get a chance to talk anything through.
‘Julie was fine with it, I was fine with it. Everyone has their opinions, but if you look at the tape, I feel everyone massively overreacted,’ she explained.
Amber stopped short of apologising directly to Julie for the incident in the interview, but offered a large amount of heartfelt examples to explain her mindset.
The leaked footage showed her demanding Julie put on a jacket so the two women were not both wearing white on screen
‘I think I’m a kind, generous person. I am a mum, I have a family. And I was devastated.
‘I am only human at the end of the day, and I think people forget that,’ she added.
Even media offered strongly-worded criticisms of the veteran reporter, with news.com.au writing ‘Amber Sherlock has become an international laughing stock,’ in the event’s aftermath.
Despite calls from the public to have Amber fired, Channel Nine stood behind the embattled presenter, who continued on with the network.
Sherlock began her career at the Seven Network in Sydney, with her early years spent in finance journalism with roles at Seven, Channel Ten and Sky News.
She joined Nine in 2007, presenting business segments for the Today show, where, by 2009, she became the breakfast show’s weekend news presenter.
Since 2011, Sherlock has worked as both a news anchor and weather presenter at Nine.
