Gyngell gave Ray Martin an ultimatum

Ray Martin was reportedly given an ultimatum by Nine CEO David Gyngell: host Sunday at 7:30am or don’t work at Nine.

The Australian reports that Gygnell called Martin in for a discussion about his future following on-going public discontent about his role at Nine.

Martin is said to have been “gobsmacked” by the ultimatum from Gyngell, but leaves the network on good terms. The newspaper reports Martin went to 2GB to discuss the news on air before Nine had managed to put out a Press Release (this site didn’t get one until 7:34pm, well after posting a story at 6:46pm).

Last November TV Tonight drew attention to the tiresome complaints of Ray Martin, expressed habitually to journalists.

Those headlines are re-published here:

Ray lays down the law.
Ray of hope for Martin.
Ray Martin confirms leaving Nine.
Nine veteran Ray Martin vows to stay.
Ray left fuming after Nine’s worm silenced.
Ray Martin to interview Irwins.
Ray Martin walks away from Nine.
Ray Martin lands new hosting role.

Things went from bad to worse when Sunday moved timeslots to 7:30am. Sneering at the early rises, Martin is on record as saying, “I did that as a cadet and I don’t need to do it now.”

The Australian adds: Ray loved being a star. In a recent interview, he likened himself to the Hollywood’s Robert Redford: “Like me, Bert (Newton) has been around forever. Like me, love him or hate him, that’s worth something in show business, just as Robert Redford is worth something.” Privately, he saw himself as the Walter Cronkite of Australian television, and was always slightly miffed he wasn’t treated with more respect. But in reality Martin’s heyday was past. He was king in the 1980s and early 90s but not in 2008. Ray was well liked by his colleagues at Nine, but he’s always had a healthy ego and his antics never ceased to amaze.

Martin remains a skilled journalist and interviewer, but the continual dirty laundry in the press -in front of a new CEO- reeked of arrogance.

If the version as reported by The Australian is true, Gyngell again shows he is focussed on unity and control at a time when Nine needs to re-assert its strength.

Source: The Australian