Massive Job Cuts at Southern Cross and Seven Network

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is cutting up to 300 jobs, including high-profile television talent, according to reports on June 11, 2026. The layoffs follow a decline in TV earnings and a credit rating downgrade, as the company seeks to reduce costs and stabilize its financial position.

The Australian Financial Review reports that the company is axing up to 300 positions. This workforce reduction coincides with a credit downgrade that has pressured the network’s financial outlook.

The Daily Telegraph and News.com.au report that the cuts target “top TV stars,” signaling a shift in how the network manages its on-air talent. The Sydney Morning Herald attributes the decision to a drop in television earnings.

The company’s financial strategy appears to be shifting away from high-cost talent as traditional broadcast revenue softens.

How many employees are affected by the cuts?

The Australian Financial Review confirms the scale of the layoffs is up to 300 jobs. While the total number includes corporate and operational roles, the Daily Telegraph reports that high-profile television personalities are among those losing their positions.

News.com.au describes the cuts as “brutal,” noting that the network is removing established stars from its lineup to stem financial losses.

Why is Southern Cross reducing its workforce?

Falling revenue from television advertising is the primary driver. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the network’s owner announced the job cuts specifically because TV earnings have dropped.

The Australian Financial Review provides further financial context, linking the mass layoffs to a credit downgrade. This downgrade typically increases borrowing costs for a company and forces stricter cost-management measures to satisfy creditors.

The network is facing a broader industry trend where advertisers are moving budgets from linear television to digital platforms, eroding the traditional earnings model for regional broadcasters.

How do these cuts impact radio and regional brands?

The financial instability extends beyond the television division. InDaily South Australia reports that KIIS radio is experiencing a “slow burn” in South Australian ratings.

This decline in radio performance suggests that the company’s struggles are not limited to TV earnings but are affecting multiple media assets. The combination of falling TV revenue and stagnant or declining radio ratings has created a compounded financial strain on the parent company.

How does the reporting differ across outlets?

Different news organizations are framing the crisis through different lenses. The Australian Financial Review focuses on the structural financial health of the company, specifically highlighting the credit downgrade as the catalyst for the 300 job cuts.

In contrast, the Daily Telegraph and News.com.au emphasize the loss of celebrity talent, focusing on the “stars” being axed rather than the underlying credit metrics. The Sydney Morning Herald bridges these two views by linking the owner’s decision directly to the drop in TV earnings.

While the television cuts are the most visible, InDaily South Australia provides the only specific mention of radio ratings, indicating that the “knife” is out across the company’s wider portfolio.

The network has not provided a specific timeline for when all 300 positions will be eliminated, but the reports on June 11, 2026, indicate the process has already begun.