EDDIE McGuire is set to slash jobs at Channel 9 Perth as he begins plotting the road to recovery for the network's weakest link.
Industry sources told The Sunday Times substantial bloodletting was likely, with duplicated roles going east, after this week's announcement of the proposed sale of Channel 9 to Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd, the operator of the national Nine Network.
Channels Seven and Ten in Perth already operate as part of national networks and have much smaller local staffs than Nine.
Changes are certain in the Nine newsroom - with its main news bulletin generally being thrashed in the ratings.
One local TV executive believed the shake-up for Nine in Perth would start at a senior management level, with positions filled by PBL's eastern states employees.
Other positions could also be covered from the east, if duties were being doubled-up.
Another executive this week speculated that Nine Network personalities could be brought in from Sydney or Melbourne.
Others have suggested the axe is likely to fall on Nine's local productions, including Just Add Water and Postcards, which probably cost up to $35,000 for each episode.
McGuire, Nine's chief executive, said this week the aim would be to strengthen the content and revenue base of Nine in Perth.
He was also keen to focus on WA issues and local talent.
Nine's operators in Perth, Sunraysia, have accepted a $136.4 million offer for the station, subject to ratification by its board.
Sunraysia suffered significant losses in the six months to December 31, in addition to a $5 million loss in the previous six months.
Sunraysia's directors, led by its chairman, managing director and 49 per cent owner Eva Presser, have agreed to PBL buying a 100 per cent stake in Swan Television and Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd (Channel 9 Perth).
Forty-three per cent of Sunraysia is owned by regional television network WIN and its approval, along with other shareholders, is needed for the sale to go through.
Channel 9 Perth's disastrous ratings, compared with other PBL-owned stations, have long been a thorn in the network's side.
PBL hopes that with the Perth station under its control it will remain the No.1 network nationally, a mantle increasingly under threat from Seven.
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