Jane Bunn: Weather presenter’s sacking exposes tensions between 7 and 9

Weather presenter Jane Bunn’s dismissal from 3AW has caused a ‘slinging match’ between her main employer, Channel Seven, and Nine’s newly-acquired radio assets.

The respected meteorologist, 41, was dismissed from her role last week after a commercial arrangement between Seven and 3AW – which is owned by Nine Entertainment Co. following the Nine-Fairfax merger in late 2018 – had ceased.

While it appeared to be a simple business decision at first, tensions now appear to be simmering between the rival media companies with Jane stuck in the middle. 

It’s war! Weather presenter Jane Bunn’s dismissal from 3AW has caused a ‘slinging match’ between her main employer, Channel Seven, and Nine’s newly-acquired radio assets 

The first shots were fired by 3AW’s station manager, Stephen Beers, who said rather bluntly: ‘Jane’s spot was a commercial agreement with Seven.

‘Seven have stopped paying, so the spot has ended. It was the same as a cross to the Seven newsroom we used to do in Drive. They stopped spending and the cross stopped. We didn’t sack Jane, Seven stopped spending.’

It didn’t take Seven Melbourne’s managing director, Lewis Martin, long to respond.

'No longer required': The respected meteorologist, 41, was dismissed from her role last week after a commercial arrangement between Seven and 3AW - which is owned by Nine Entertainment Co. following the Nine-Fairfax merger in late 2018 - had ceased

‘No longer required’: The respected meteorologist, 41, was dismissed from her role last week after a commercial arrangement between Seven and 3AW – which is owned by Nine Entertainment Co. following the Nine-Fairfax merger in late 2018 – had ceased

‘Seven has a longstanding, broad relationship with 3AW inclusive of commercial commitments we intended to deliver on as we always have,’ Martin said.

‘When Nine Radio [formerly Macquarie Media] told us yesterday they were happy to continue to take our advertising spend but that Jane’s services were no longer required – without notice or a call to Jane after five years on their network, I might add – we elected to review our position.’ 

When asked to comment on this, Beers told The Age he wouldn’t be ‘getting into a slinging match with Seven’, adding that there were no plans to replace Bunn with a Channel Nine talent.

Rival corporations: While it appeared to be a simple business decision at first, tensions now appear to be simmering between the rival media companies with Jane stuck in the middle

Rival corporations: While it appeared to be a simple business decision at first, tensions now appear to be simmering between the rival media companies with Jane stuck in the middle

Brands: Nine Radio, formerly known as Macquarie Media, owns 3AW, 2GB, 4BC and 6PR. These radio stations were previously owned by Fairfax Media, which merged with Nine in 2018

Brands: Nine Radio, formerly known as Macquarie Media, owns 3AW, 2GB, 4BC and 6PR. These radio stations were previously owned by Fairfax Media, which merged with Nine in 2018

It’s unclear exactly what the consequences of Seven ‘reviewing its position’ on advertising spend with Nine Radio will be in the wake of Jane’s abrupt dismissal. 

Martin’s statement leaves open the possibility of Seven pulling all advertising from the stations owned by Nine Entertainment Co., including 3AW, 2GB, 4BC and 6PR.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.

Jane revealed last Tuesday that she had been axed from 3AW after five years of loyal service, leaving her army of fans shattered. 

News just in: Jane revealed last Tuesday that she had been axed from 3AW after five years of service. She tweeted, 'I've just been told that after 5 years delivering Melbourne's weather on @RossAndJohn 3AW that as of now I'm no longer required...'

News just in: Jane revealed last Tuesday that she had been axed from 3AW after five years of service. She tweeted, ‘I’ve just been told that after 5 years delivering Melbourne’s weather on @RossAndJohn 3AW that as of now I’m no longer required…’

'It's their loss, Jane. You're a legend': Hundreds of listeners expressed their outrage on Twitter, with many accusing 3AW of dismissing its most valuable asset

‘It’s their loss, Jane. You’re a legend’: Hundreds of listeners expressed their outrage on Twitter, with many accusing 3AW of dismissing its most valuable asset

She tweeted: ‘I’ve just been told that after 5 years delivering Melbourne’s weather on @RossAndJohn 3AW that as of now I’m no longer required…’

But Jane reassured her followers they could still catch her weather reports at 4pm and 6pm on Seven News in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, hundreds of listeners expressed their outrage on Twitter, with many accusing the radio station of dismissing its most valuable asset.

‘Genuinely saddened, you will be missed,’ one person tweeted.

‘But but but… my whole morning is planned around listening to you! And I’m not the only one!’ another fan wrote.

In the public eye: Jane has become one of Australia's most popular TV stars on social media thanks to her cult following among middle-aged men

In the public eye: Jane has become one of Australia’s most popular TV stars on social media thanks to her cult following among middle-aged men

Jane is a talented meteorologist best known for presenting Melbourne’s daily weather report on Channel Seven. 

She has become one of Australia’s most popular TV stars on social media thanks to her cult following among middle-aged men.

In addition to being flooded with flattering Facebook comments, one dedicated viewer even had her face tattooed on his rib cage in 2018.

Obsessed! One dedicated viewer even had her face tattooed on his rib cage in 2018 (pictured)

Obsessed! One dedicated viewer even had her face tattooed on his rib cage in 2018 (pictured)

As reported by the Geelong Advertiser, the super-fan known only as ‘Scott’ asked for the tattoo to be as discreet as possible so as not to upset his partner. 

Jane told the newspaper she was ‘quite flattered [he] had gone to that much trouble’.

Before her big break at Seven, Jane was a fan favourite at WIN News Victoria between 2009 and 2014. 

Country girl: Before her big break at Channel Seven, Jane was a fan favourite at WIN News Victoria between 2009 and 2014

Country girl: Before her big break at Channel Seven, Jane was a fan favourite at WIN News Victoria between 2009 and 2014

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