Eddie McGuire has quit as CEO of Channel 9.
According to a statement from the network, McGuire will step down from the role on June 30 to spend more time on air, after taking a mid-year break for the first time in his career.
McGuire says the decision to quit was his and he wasn’t forced to resign.
Talking to Neil Mitchell on 3AW, when asked about his decision, he said: “Because I think it can add a lot more — because I can, to be perfectly honest.
“The opportunities that have been presented in front of me lead me to do some things I’ve always wanted to do and really get the balance right in my life.
“I’m really delighted that all things in my career have come to this point today.
“I am very much up on my toes and excited about my future.”
He said he took on the CEO’s role as a “circuit breaker”.
“I was sick of being on camera. I took the job because I’d had enough of what I was doing.
“In hindsight I should have had a bit of a holiday before taking on the CEO’s job.”
Asked whether he had any plans to return to the Footy Show, he replied: “Not at all”.
Ian Law, the CEO of Nine’s parent company, PBL, said the ratings at the network had taken a hit from McGuire’s on-air absence.
“It has become clear over the past 12 months that Mr McGuire’s absence from on air as a key host has impacted on the ratings of the network,” he said in the statement.
“The performance of 1 v 100 in addition to his executive duties shows how significant Eddie’s contribution can be to our on air line up.”
Eddie will continue as a member of the executive team of Nine, working closely with the director of programming on concepts and ideas for new shows. For the moment, he’ll remain based in Sydney.
Details sourced from The Age, Daily Telegraph, SBS, Bloomberg, NineMSN
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