Georgie Gardner to Depart Nine Network After Nearly 25 Years
Georgie Gardner, a prominent newsreader and former host for the Nine Network, is set to depart the company after a career spanning nearly 25 years. Her final bulletin, the 9News Sydney 6pm weekend news, is scheduled for Friday, April 17. Gardner's departure comes as Nine Network reports a decrease in TV division revenue and amid a broader trend of on-air talent turnover within the television industry.
Her last broadcast will be the 9News Sydney 6pm weekend bulletin on April 17.
A Distinguished Career at Nine and Beyond
Gardner's media career began in 1992 with a radio cadetship at Radio 2NX in Newcastle. She later read news at 2Day FM in Sydney in 1994 and worked as a television news reporter before joining the Nine Network in July 2002.
During her tenure at Nine, Gardner held various prominent roles. She began by presenting the 6pm weekday weather and also presented the Morning news. From 2007 to 2014, she served as the newsreader and fill-in host for the Today Show. Gardner returned to co-host the Today Show for two years in 2018, initially alongside Karl Stefanovic and subsequently with Deborah Knight. Following this, she returned to the Sydney news desk, where she anchored the 9News Sydney 6pm weekend bulletin for 17 years.
Gardner's Reflections and Future Outlook
Gardner expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities provided by Nine. She stated it had been "incredibly satisfying and an enormous privilege" to anchor news bulletins, report, and host various programs. She acknowledged her colleagues and the viewers who followed her career throughout her journey.
Gardner conveyed that it was time for "fresh beginnings" and later shared on social media that she is "open to new opportunities" and "excited" to embark on a new chapter, reflecting on her broadcasting journey.
Nine Commends Gardner's Contribution
Fiona Dear, Nine's Executive Director of News and Current Affairs, commended Gardner's versatility. Dear noted that Gardner had held almost every on-air news role at Nine, highlighting her extensive expertise.
Dear stated that Gardner has been "loved and respected by audiences across Australia" and highlighted her professionalism and composure during breaking news events.
The network stated its support for Gardner's decision to leave television news and wished her well. Nine plans to conduct an internal process to appoint her replacement.
Broader Industry Trends and Turnover
Gardner's resignation occurs amidst a reported trend of increasing turnover among on-air talent in television networks. The industry is facing a weakened advertising market, with Nine's TV division reporting a 14 percent decrease in revenue in its recent half-yearly results.
Other recent departures from Nine include Livinia Nixon, Amber Sherlock, Kate Collins, and Jonathan Uptin. In November, Amanda Laing, Nine's TV and streaming boss, stated that the company was reviewing remuneration across all areas of its business, including on-air staff.