Nine Network: Regional news bulletins slashed, jobs to go

The restructure will see the one-hour regional broadcast cut to 30 minutes from August 10.

Nine have confirmed to Australian Community Media (ACM) that the Dubbo bureau in NSW's Central West will close, with the area to be serviced by crews from Orange.

ACM also understands the Shepparton bureau in northern Victoria will close.

In an email to staff on Wednesday, Nine Network's managing director for Queensland and northern NSW, Kylie Blucher, said jobs will be cut.

"We expect a little over a dozen roles to be impacted," she said.

However, with job cut consultations still underway Nine were unable to confirm which jobs which go and from where.

"We are in the process of pursuing alternate opportunities across the business, where possible, for those individuals impacted," Ms Blucher said.

"We will endeavour to speak to everyone affected within the next 24 hours."

Each 5.30pm bulletin will retain its local presenter.

Nine confirmed that all bureaus in NSW and Queensland will be moved to a two-reporter, two-camera operator set up to cover local breaking news in these markets:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nine's one-hour regional bulletin was replaced with a statewide bulletin

Ms Blucher said the change had no "detrimental shift" on viewer numbers.

"With that as a foundation, we have come to the decision to restructure our bulletins permanently for our regional audiences," she said.

Ms Blucher said unprecedented advertising and economic downturn had prompted a review of the functional effectiveness while ensuring bulletins remained commercially sustainable.