SYDNEY — Channel 9 will eliminate up to 20 positions in its television news and current affairs division in the first wave of redundancies, with staff warned that further job losses are likely as the network undergoes a significant operational overhaul.

The cuts, confirmed internally on Thursday, primarily target roles in Sydney and Canberra newsrooms and will affect every position in the division as part of a broader restructure. Management has described the changes as a move to streamline operations and adapt to evolving media consumption patterns rather than pure cost-cutting, though unions and staff have expressed deep concern about the impact on journalistic quality and workloads.

The announcement comes just months after Nine Entertainment implemented earlier redundancies, including around 50 roles in late 2025 as part of a $100 million efficiency drive across broadcast and streaming divisions. Thursday's move signals that the transformation of Australia's largest commercial television network is far from over.

Insiders told news.com.au that all roles in news and current affairs are under review, with consultations already underway. Affected staff have been invited to apply for newly created or restructured positions, but the process has left many feeling anxious about job security in an industry already battered by declining linear television audiences and rising digital competition.

Nine's leadership maintains the changes will create a more agile and sustainable news operation capable of delivering high-quality content across multiple platforms, including 9Now, Stan and its digital outlets. However, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has criticised the timing and scale of the cuts, warning they could undermine the network's ability to cover major stories and hold power to account.

The redundancies hit at a challenging time for Australian........

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