Source: Mediaspy
Helen Kapalos will not continue as the Ten Network‘s Melbourne newsreader, after a shock decision aimed at cutting costs at the troubled network.
According to an article by Cameron Houston in The Age, Kapalos was told of her redundancy shortly after wrapping up Friday’s evening news, a day before she was to leave on holiday.
Kapalos’ contract will not be renewed after it expires next March, although it is not clear whether Mal Walden will continue as a single presenter, or be joined by a new co-host.
Her axing has been met with disapproval from several commentators, some of whom felt the dismissal was not handled professionally.
Houston’s piece also suggested that Ms Kapalos’ security pass had been deactivated on Friday night, leading to a tense spat between the newsreader and network management.
Ten’s management is said to have relented, allowing Kapalos to use an office computer before she left for her pre-planned holiday.
So far, Ms Kapalos’ only public statement on her axing has been on her Twitter account, where she wrote “Fall down seven times.
Get up eight. Big love to my supporters.” She ended her tweet by asking her followers to read her new blog, helenkapalos.com.au, which is to be launched today.
Helen Kapalos has been co-anchor of Melbourne’s Ten News at Five since 2006.
Prior to that, she reported for National Nine News and presented the now-defunct late news programme Nightline.
Ten faces tough times ahead, as it struggles to manage a $210 million debt pile due to mature by March next year.
The embattled network posted a near $13 million loss in late October after a year of disappointing programs and managerial turmoil.
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