Channel 9’s shocking history of underpaying women

Channel Nine’s female broadcasters have a history of being paid less than their fellow male reporters.

One star was reportedly paid $700,000 less than that of one of her male co-hosts, while female sports reporters were also allegedly sent on economy class flights while men were allowed to travel business.

It comes as Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson revealed her shock departure from the network Monday, after reports she had been demanding equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic.

Erin Molan wasreportedly paid $700,000 less than that of one of her male co-hosts

Channel Nine’s female broadcasters (with Lisa Wilkninson left and Erin Molan right) have a history of being paid less than their fellow male reporters

It comes as Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson revealed her shock departure from the network Monday, after reports she had been demanding equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic

It comes as Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson revealed her shock departure from the network Monday, after reports she had been demanding equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic

An official statement said The Today Show was ‘unable to meet her expectations’ and that they were  ‘disappointed’ to find themselves in the position.

The respected journalist has since joined Network Ten in a senior hosting and editorial role on The Project.

But she is not the first woman at Channel Nine to be involved in an alleged pay dispute, with NRL Footy Show co-host Erin Molan caught up in a scandal last year.  

Molan was said to be on a wage of $100,000, while her fellow host Beau Ryan was earning $800,000, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Female sports presenters including Molan and Yvonne Sampson were also alleged to have to fly economy to cover games, while men such as Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer flew business class.

Women were also said to have made unpaid appearances on the network’s sporting programs, with their male colleagues paid for the same duties, Newscorp reported.

An official statement said The Today Show  was 'unable to meet her expectations' and that they were 'disappointed' to find themselves in the position (pictured L-R are hosts Slyvia Jeffreys, Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilknison)

An official statement said The Today Show was ‘unable to meet her expectations’ and that they were ‘disappointed’ to find themselves in the position (pictured L-R are hosts Slyvia Jeffreys, Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilknison)

NRL Footy Show co-host Erin Molan (second from right) was caught up in  pay dispute scandal last year however, after it was alleged she earnt $100,000 while Beau Ryan (second from left) earned $800,000

NRL Footy Show co-host Erin Molan (second from right) was caught up in pay dispute scandal last year however, after it was alleged she earnt $100,000 while Beau Ryan (second from left) earned $800,000

Female sports presenters including Molan (pictured) and Yvonne Sampson were also alleged to have to fly economy to cover games, according to The Daily Telegraph

Female sports presenters including Molan (pictured) and Yvonne Sampson were also alleged to have to fly economy to cover games, according to The Daily Telegraph

Wilkinson announced her departure from Channel Nine Monday, tweeting an official statement to her 232,000 followers.

‘I have some news. I’m sad to say that today was my last day on The Today Show,’ she said.

Darren Wick, Nine’s Director of News and Current Affairs, confirmed a breakdown in contract, saying the parties had reached an ‘impasse’.

‘After six months of negotiation both parties have made their positions clear,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.

Wilkinson later thanked her fans for their kind words before announcing that she had made the move to Channel Ten and that she was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be joining them.

Wilkinson (pictured) has since joined Network Ten in a senior hosting and editorial role on The Project

Wilkinson (pictured) has since joined Network Ten in a senior hosting and editorial role on The Project

Fans flocked to social media to support the presenter following her departure from Nine, with many thanking her for standing up for women's rights to equal pay

Fans flocked to social media to support the presenter following her departure from Nine, with many thanking her for standing up for women’s rights to equal pay

Fans flocked to social media to support Wilkinson following her statements, with many thanking her for standing up for women’s rights to equal pay.

‘Well done to Lisa Wilkinson. Somebody smart will snap her up and pay her what she is actually worth,’ one person wrote.

Another added: ‘Thanks for taking a stand on closing the #GenderPayGap Lisa. Your good humoured, intelligent insights will be missed. Onwards and upwards.’

While one person stated: ‘None of us know the disparity of pay between male and female hosts – but if that is the reason why Lisa Wilkinson has resigned – good on her!’. 

Channel Nine refused to comment on the matter when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.  

Many fans said the host deserved equal pay and that she would have no problem with someone to 'pay her what she is actually worth'

Many fans said the host deserved equal pay and that she would have no problem with someone to ‘pay her what she is actually worth’

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