The arrival of a former ABC television presenter at Channel Seven’s Melbourne offices has baffled many, including respected news and sports presenter Rebecca Maddern.
Seven sources told Daily Mail Australia that the veteran presenter, 47, is nervous about her role at the network following the recent hiring of Carvalho, 43, and the network’s axing of dozens of staff across the country.
This weekend, Cavalho filled in for Maddern’s usual role as evening news anchor alongside Mike Amor after she traveled overseas to attend a family wedding. Maddern is expected to be off the air until September.
Meanwhile, before her departure, sources close to the show said Maddern was furious upon arriving at the broadcaster’s Docklands studios only to discover Cavalho had already made pre-recordings which she had hoped to complete.
“Some staff members believe Karina was brought in to replace Bec,” a source told Daily Mail Australia, noting that Maddern had been “very vocal” in defending her place in the newsroom lately.
But Seven bosses hit back, arguing that Maddern was too valuable for the network’s news and sports divisions, and that the station needed more senior local presenters.
Maddern has a long-term contract and is highly valued by the station, the sources insisted.
Behind the scenes, Maddern is understood to be supported by her loyal colleagues, who have been helping her navigate this complicated new dynamic.
Rebecca Maddern is reportedly nervous about being replaced by Karina Cavalho, who will cover for her while she is on annual leave.
Last month it was announced that seasoned journalist Karina Carvalho will be joining 7NEWS Melbourne in a dynamic new role presenting and reporting from the field.
“Bec came to work to do the pre-recordings, but they told her that Karina had already done it,” they said.
“But Bec insisted on continuing with the shoot, and the producers did it because they supported her. There was real tension there.”
It is not the first time Maddern has been the subject of intrigue in the Melbourne newsroom.
Two years ago, local media personality Jacqui Felgate was said to be “not at all impressed” when Maddern was “parachuted” into the news anchor job, after she defected from Nine. Felgate quit seven months later.
Last month it was announced that the “energetic” and “passionate” Calvalho would join the network and cover for Maddern while she was on “planned leave.”
“I am delighted to be joining the world-class team at 7NEWS in Melbourne and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the network’s continued success,” Carvalho said at the time.
‘Melbourne is and always has been the most engaged news and sport audience in the country, so being part of the Seven newsroom here is an honour.’
Karina Cavalho co-anchors the weekend news update at 6:00 p.m. with Mike Amor on the weekend, replacing Maddern.
Rebecca and her husband, videographer Trent Miller, are currently in London.
New News and Current Affairs Director Chris Salter is testing Karina Cavalho while she is on ‘planned leave’
It was reported at the time that Jacquie Felgate was “unimpressed” when Maddern was “parachuted” into the main news anchor role following her defection from Nine.
A source close to the broadcaster said the appointment of new news director Chris Salter (with whom he is believed to have little ties) had Maddern worried.
The broadcaster has embarked on a wave of staff cuts, eliminating approximately 150 employees.
This comes just weeks after Channel Seven announced restructuring across its businesses.
Seven sacked veteran Brisbane TV presenter Sharyn Ghidella and Gold Coast weatherman Paul Burt earlier this month.
Other big names to be ruled out include crime reporters Rob Ovadia in Sydney and Cameron Baud in Melbourne.
The spotlight on the network will only intensify when ABC’s Four Corners program airs a documentary about the culture on Seven on Monday night.
Last week, a promo featured former Seven staffers Olivia Babb and Amber Harrison speaking during the show.
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