Amber Sherlock Alleges Age Discrimination in Channel Nine Departure
Former Channel Nine presenter Amber Sherlock has made a startling accusation, claiming she was forced out of the network because of her age. The veteran 9News anchor and weather presenter, who was dismissed in November shortly before her 50th birthday, expressed her views on the Stellar podcast Something To Talk About, suggesting she was deliberately aged out of her role.
Sherlock's Prophetic Joke Turns Sour
In a candid interview, Sherlock remarked, 'I always joked that Channel Nine wouldn't have a 50-year-old weather presenter. Who knew I was being prophetic?' She voiced her disappointment, emphasising that women in their 50s have significant contributions to make, yet are underrepresented in full-time, camera-facing positions on Australian television.
Sherlock dismissed financial motives for her departure, noting she was not on the high salaries of some network stars. She pointed out that her successors are typically 10 to 15 years younger, reinforcing her belief that age played a pivotal role in the decision.
Channel Nine's Firm Rebuttal
In response, a Nine spokesperson strongly refuted Sherlock's allegations, stating the dismissal was unrelated to age. The spokesperson explained, 'Nine does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of age or any other factor. We strongly reject any suggestion that this influences any decision to remove a role that is no longer required in our business.'
The network clarified that the dedicated role of the 6pm weather presenter for 9News Sydney was made redundant in November 2025 due to operational restructuring. Since then, various reporters and presenters have assumed weather duties alongside other network roles.
Channel Nine highlighted its employment of several high-profile women over 50, including Catriona Rowntree (54), Livinia Nixon (51), and Deborah Knight (53), to counter claims of age bias.
Sherlock's Public Response and Career Reflection
In November, Sherlock broke her silence following her unexpected exit, which was confirmed in an off-script moment by newsreader Georgie Gardner. Taking to Instagram, Sherlock shared a lengthy message reflecting on her nearly 20-year tenure at Channel Nine.
'Nearly 20 years anywhere is a milestone, but to be in your lounge rooms every evening has been a privilege,' she wrote. Sherlock recounted her diverse roles, from finance journalist to inaugural newsreader for Weekend Today, and her recent position on the 6pm Sydney news team with Peter Overton and James Bracey.
She included a photo with Overton and Bracey, noting their 15-year ratings success as a testament to the team's dedication. Sherlock emphasised her 30-year career built on hard work and resilience, stating, 'While I was offered the possibility of a few other roles, it makes sense to step away now and look at something fresh.'
This incident raises broader questions about ageism in the media industry, particularly for women, as Sherlock's claims challenge network narratives and spark debate on workplace equality.
