After the Gala
Channel Nine’s Brisbane headquarters is reportedly shaken by the abrupt exit of staff member Kristy Nitz, following attendance by several network employees at the Lord Mayor’s gala on October 17.
Nitz, who previously served as the executive assistant to Brendan Hocking, the Queensland news director, was among those present at the charity event.
According to a source, the evening celebrations carried on to an unplanned after-party, after which Nitz opted for ‘leave’. Just a week later, she departed from her position.
While Nine has refrained from commenting publicly, they verified to Inside Mail that Nitz had resigned.
It should be noted that Inside Mail has not implied any allegations of misconduct against her.
Nitz was recognized for her assertive work ethic, with some colleagues criticizing her style, claiming she behaved more like a ‘deputy news director’ than an executive assistant.
Channel Nine’s Brisbane HQ is said to be reeling from the sudden departure of staffer Kristy Nitz after several network employees attended the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s gala on October 17
Her LinkedIn profile, which has not yet been updated to reflect her departure, emphasizes her commitment to operational support, efficiency enhancement, and meticulous management of executive schedules, budgets, and events.
Nitz was appointed by former news director Amanda Patterson, who was subsequently terminated after over three decades at the network. Patterson later resolved her dispute with Nine at the Fair Work Commission in February 2025.
Following her exit, Inside Mail attempted to reach Nitz through calls and texts, but received no response.
The Brisbane City Council has chosen not to provide comments ‘due to privacy reasons’.
Tensions at KIIS FM
A new breakfast show on KIIS FM, featuring Dr Chris Brown, Amy Gerard, and Jack Charles, is set to launch on Monday amid reports of tensions backstage, notably between the production team.
Sources indicate friction between newly appointed executive producer Annalise Ball and former executive producer Natalie Penfold, who was expected to lead the new program.
Insiders have noted, ‘It’s not a great start,’ amid reports of conflicts involving production staff.
Conflict is brewing between Annalise Ball (left) and newsreader Natalie Penfold on KIIS FM’s new breakfast show.
Ball transitioned from her role producing Will and Woody before its cancellation, relocating from Melbourne to Sydney for this position.
Penfold, who was overlooked for this role, now occupies the position of newsreader for the new team.
Legal Troubles for a Former Executive
In a notable legal case, former radio executive Robert McVicker is facing the aftermath of a failed defamation suit against the ABC following a tarnishing article about the collapse of Bestjet, an online travel firm.
The court has ruled that McVicker mismanaged the case; he now faces substantial legal costs as he continues to contest his loss.
The ABC had initially attempted to amend the article and issued an apology, but McVicker pressed on, resulting in unfavorable legal repercussions.
Editor’s Take
The departure of staff like Kristy Nitz and the tensions at KIIS FM signify shifts within major Australian media companies. Such changes may affect content delivery, team dynamics, and ultimately viewer engagement. Stakeholders, including audiences and advertisers, should keep an eye on how these evolving landscapes will reshape the industry.
Source: www.dailymail.com
