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Adam Boland suing Seven Network, may join TEN.

Former Sunrise producer Adam Boland is suing the Seven for refusing to release him from his contract, amid speculation he wants to work at TEN.

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Former Sunrise producer Adam Boland is suing the Seven Network for refusing to release him from his contract, amid speculation he wants to work at Network TEN.

Boland, 35, who is widely recognised for revolutionising Seven’s breakfast line-up, left his full-time role last November to pursue other interests. Industry commentators noted his resignation was a sign he was unlikely to succeed Peter Meakin as head of News and Current Affairs. But he was encouraged to remain as a consultant two days a week in a role that many saw as a tactic to prevent him joining a rival network.

The Australian reports that on Thursday Boland lodged a case with the Federal Magistrates Court, seeking an order under the Independent Contractors Act that his agreement be set aside, claiming his annual rate of $150,000 was underpaid.

It follows a case currently underway between Seven and former employee James Warburton over whether clauses in his contract prevent him working at TEN before October 2012.

The current courtcase has generated numerous media articles about the inside workings of the network under CEO David Leckie.

Warburton will become TEN’s new CEO once the court clarifies when he is free to assume the role, but Seven has been mindful that he could begin to cherry-pick some of Seven’s best executives.

The Australian speculates that when Boland’s attempts to be released from his contract failed, Seven was served with legal action.

He is believed to be due in London for coverage of the Royal Wedding.

16 Responses

  1. I can imagine that after years of winning, the egos over at Seven must be too big to work with anymore. Nine can’t do anything right due to the pure laziness of their programming.

    It’s no wonder TEN seems like an exciting new venture. Good luck to him

  2. @steven guy “Isn’t a contract a contract ?”

    Not if certain clauses in the contract are not enforceable.

    Some employers attempt to include clauses that prevent employees from working for another employer within xx months. But the wording of those clauses needs to be very specific and needs to conform to the law. If they are too vaguely worded or try to enforce anything that the court sees as unreasonable, they will be laughed out of court.

    In other words, these sorts of clauses are sometimes used simply to intimidate employees. The courts tend to be badly disposed towards employers who attempt to restrict an employee from pursuing employment in his/her chosen field.

  5. @ Cameron that would be funny Ten in 1st place, Nine 2nd, Seven 3rd etc. But I think it’s possible for any network to achieve 1st place with more scripted Australian content and more Australian dramas filling 7.30 and 8.30pm slots together with a couple of Australian sitcoms like in the past when Australian dramas and sitcoms littered prime time schedules. Would be better than all the reality rubbish we are inundated with these days.

  7. I reckon D is correct – 150,000 seems low considering the hours this guy has to oversee and therefore the probably 70 hour week. The figure must be his ‘consult’ price. Nevertheless, he is an obvious asset to 7 or anybody that gets him. I personally prefer Today although prefer Kylie.Larry to KAK.

  8. Seven are fast becoming the “old” Nine of 2002-2006, winning yet going under. Adam Borland suing the network after giving a lot of power in their news and current affairs department is a major blow which will see him leave to Ten most likely. They have already lost James Warburton and who knows who will be next (The AFL most likely).

    Imagine in 2016 it went: Ten wins, Nine second, Seven distant third, ABC close fourth, SBS fifth.

    With the new executives Ten could easily fix it’s news especially George Negus to the point of winning it’s timeslot and giving 7pm and 5pm News a big boost. Get more good shows, fast track them, put them in good timeslots and not move them. Plus with a revamped One and the continuing success of Eleven (would do better with 6pm Simpsons and more new stuff), Ten will be stronger then ever. Who knows how strong they will be when Masterchef starts.

  9. He is on the same plane as all the other Aussie journos going to London. imagine the pow wow on that plane! and seven paying for him to fly over there too?

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