Australia’s Seven & Ten in Spat Over Programming Exec

March 18, 2014 World Screen Top Stories

SYDNEY: The Australian broadcasters Network Ten and Seven Network are headed to court over a dispute regarding the programming executive John Stephens.

Stephens previously announced he was leaving Seven Network, and signed a contract with Ten to join as its director of scheduling and acquisitions. He then decided that he wanted to stay with Seven, where he has worked since 2003. As a result, Ten has started legal action, accusing Seven of inducing him to breach his new contract.

Seven released the following statement: "Key programming executive John Stephens has decided to remain at the Seven Network, despite Network Ten’s public announcement on March that he would be joining Ten and was critically important to Ten’s turnaround strategy.

"Yesterday in the Supreme Court, Justice Brereton not only refused Ten’s application for interlocutory relief against Seven and Mr Stephens but also ordered Ten to pay Seven and Mr Stephens’ legal costs."

Ten released a separate statement: "Mr John Stephens remains under a contract with Network Ten, which is continuing and has not been terminated. Under that contract, he commences with Network Ten on June 9, 2014.

"In proceedings commenced by Network Ten against Seven Network, Network Ten claims that Seven Network has induced breach of, and interfered with, that contract. Those proceedings remain before the Supreme Court of NSW."