Seven axes The Daily Edition, hosts let go in COVID cuts

Channel Seven has axed afternoon entertainment program The Daily Edition in a sudden move that will reportedly see the program cut by next weekend.

The shocking news was shared on Friday, with the economic fallout of coronavirus blamed for the unforseen move.

Co-host Sally Obermeder took to social media to share the news, confirming the global pandemic was to blame for the cut.

“The end of an era,” she captioned a photo of her on the show’s infamous blue set.

“Like so many other businesses, COVID has impacted our show and as such our last day for The Daily Edition will be next Friday.”

“I’ve spent my television career, the last sixteen years, as part of the Channel 7 family and in doing so, you’ve become a part of mine.”

She went on the says she would take time off to be with family and focus on her personal wellness and fashion brand.

The Daily edition cut after 7 years on air

The program debuted in 2013 and was on the air for seven years, Sally at the show’s helm from it’s very first episode while Ryan Phelan joined the team in 2016.

Seven’s Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson earlier broke the news in a statement shared with media that confirmed the decision was in part down to the economic fallout of the coronavirus lockdown, clarifying the show had performed ‘exceptionally well’ in its time on Aussie screens.

“The Daily Edition found its way onto the TV landscape seven years ago and has performed exceptionally over that time,” he said.

“'Sadly though, the economics of today and associated cost pressures across the entire industry has led to this decision.”

“I want to thank co-hosts Sally Obermeder and Ryan Phelan and the talented production team for all their efforts.”

The Daily Telegraph reports the pair will join the hundreds of thousands of Aussies out of a job, with both reportedly finishing up at the same time as the show.

The news comes after a turbulent few weeks for Australian media, with hundreds of rural newspapers pulled from print by News Corp in a move experts warn could be devastating for local communities and the elderly in particular.

Following the news, the ABC received a cut of $84 million and publications including 10 Daily, Buzzfeed Australia and Vice Australia shut down completely.

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