Latest news with #Network10
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
TV journalist Denham Hitchcock on new show 10 NEWS+ which is replacing The Project
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Television journalist Denham Hitchcock believes the daily news and deeper investigations of prime-time news show10 NEWS+ will cut through and reach wider audiences than other programs, like the recently-cancelled The Project. The Project aired its last episode on Friday and will be replaced by 10 NEWS+ from Monday, which will be the first commercial free-to air news program to also be available as a video podcast via global streaming service Spotify. 'That's the great unknown,' Hitchcock told Stellar in a new interview. 'The journos, the network [are] fully behind it. No-one is half-hearted about this show. And the platforms it will be on is also revolutionary in a way.' The 48-year-old will co-anchor the show with his former Seven Network colleague Amelia Brace. Both Hitchcock and Brace were poached from Seven by Network 10. The father of two is looking forward to being 'let out of the gate' on stories and revealed he had one up his sleeve for months. 'It's an absolute blockbuster,' he teased. 'It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for.' While he is excited to get started, his dad Kevin, a former Network 10 news anchor himself, is possibly more excited. '[Though] God forbid I get any of my grammar wrong,' Hitchcock said. ''Cause he's the first one on the phone.' Growing up watching his father work on news investigations like the Lindy Chamberlain trial, Hitchcock was destined to follow in his footsteps. 'Dad would sometimes get me to write news stories and he would sub them at the dinner table for fun,' he told Stellar. 'One day he got extremely upset because I finished a story with 'time will tell'. He hates the cliché. I always knew I wanted to be a journalist, even at a very young age.' Starting off his career straight out of high school in 1995, Hitchcock answered phones and filled the biscuit barrel for Today Tonight on Seven. His work as a reporter took him all over the world, and he went on to work as a foreign correspondent at the Nine Network before returning to Seven to launch current affairs program Spotlight. 'To truly try and make a difference and enrich the lives of the people you come across is what I'm most proud of,' Hitchcock said of his 30 years on the road. 'I've managed to do that in a lot of cases, and that gives me the most amount of hope. There's still beauty amongst the rubble and devastation. You just have to look for it.' Originally published as Inside the 'revolutionary' show replacing The Project
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Inside the ‘revolutionary' show replacing The Project
Television journalist Denham Hitchcock believes the daily news and deeper investigations of prime-time news show10 NEWS+ will cut through and reach wider audiences than other programs, like the recently-cancelled The Project. The Project aired its last episode on Friday and will be replaced by 10 NEWS+ from Monday, which will be the first commercial free-to air news program to also be available as a video podcast via global streaming service Spotify. 'That's the great unknown,' Hitchcock told Stellar in a new interview. 'The journos, the network [are] fully behind it. No-one is half-hearted about this show. And the platforms it will be on is also revolutionary in a way.' The 48-year-old will co-anchor the show with his former Seven Network colleague Amelia Brace. Both Hitchcock and Brace were poached from Seven by Network 10. The father of two is looking forward to being 'let out of the gate' on stories and revealed he had one up his sleeve for months. 'It's an absolute blockbuster,' he teased. 'It's a story 60 Minutes, Four Corners and Spotlight would kill for.' While he is excited to get started, his dad Kevin, a former Network 10 news anchor himself, is possibly more excited. '[Though] God forbid I get any of my grammar wrong,' Hitchcock said. ''Cause he's the first one on the phone.' Growing up watching his father work on news investigations like the Lindy Chamberlain trial, Hitchcock was destined to follow in his footsteps. 'Dad would sometimes get me to write news stories and he would sub them at the dinner table for fun,' he told Stellar. 'One day he got extremely upset because I finished a story with 'time will tell'. He hates the cliché. I always knew I wanted to be a journalist, even at a very young age.' Starting off his career straight out of high school in 1995, Hitchcock answered phones and filled the biscuit barrel for Today Tonight on Seven. His work as a reporter took him all over the world, and he went on to work as a foreign correspondent at the Nine Network before returning to Seven to launch current affairs program Spotlight. 'To truly try and make a difference and enrich the lives of the people you come across is what I'm most proud of,' Hitchcock said of his 30 years on the road. 'I've managed to do that in a lot of cases, and that gives me the most amount of hope. There's still beauty amongst the rubble and devastation. You just have to look for it.'
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Waleed Aly reveals pressure as Muslim host of The Project
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Project host Waleed Aly has spoken publicly for the first time about the intense pressures and challenges he encountered as the first Muslim man to front a major Australian television program. Speaking to a roundtable of former co-hosts on Hit Network's Carrie and Tommy, Aly opened up about the backlash he received as the first Muslim man to hold a prime-time hosting role in commercial TV — revealing he received death threats and required 24-hour security while hosting the show. 'I've never spoken about this publicly but (it was tough) having to deal with death threats and security out the front of my house – sometimes for 24 hours – having to explain to the kids why suddenly there's this guy driving us around as we go the zoo and not telling them why,' he said. Former co-hosts Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Waleed Aly, Pete Helliar and Dave Hughes reflected on their time on the show. Picture: Supplied 'That was very real. That was heavy stuff. So, I never thought about it that way (being the first Muslim on The Project) but I was forced to think about it … it was forced upon me.' The 16-year-old show came to an end after a period of declining ratings and to make room for a new current affairs and insight program 10 News+. Aly has been a co-host since the first episode aired and paid tribute to the 'audacious TV experiment' started by some 'outstandingly creative people'. 'I had been on the show every week (filing in, prior to being cast as a regular). I hadn't thought about it, it was just an extension of what I was doing. You go into commercial TV, and you realise everything becomes about personalities. 'I remember the moment when I was nominated for the Gold Logie, and it was me and Lee Lin Chin and there was a front-page story absolutely going (at) us, and only us … like, 'Why are these guys nominated?' 'I remember moments like that where I was like, 'Whoa, okay, this is a real thing. This is becoming real and it's all foisted upon you.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY The Project launched in 2009, and Friday's finale was the 4504th episode. It was first confirmed last week that the current affairs and entertainment panel program was wrapping up at the end of June, with stars including Harris and Aly leaving not only their roles on the show but also with Network 10. According to insiders as many as 100 jobs overall will be impacted by Ten's decision to drop the show, which was broadcast six nights a week and has production offices in both Melbourne and Sydney. Alongside Aly, Bickmore co-hosted from 2009 until 2022 yet confessed she 'never felt enough' on the show. 'You talked about feeling like an impostor before. I never have felt enough; I never felt enough on that show,' she said. 'It's a strange thing to say when it was a huge part of my life, and I loved it! I loved it. I don't know if it was me, my own insecurities, or people's projections. The final episode of The Project aired on Friday. Picture: Supplied. 'I'll never forget the moment the words were said to me 'why can't you be more like Waleed?' 'I knew what they meant. You were extraordinary (Waleed) and you arrived on the show and changed the game for commentary everywhere. You were extraordinary. But that wasn't my strength, nor should it have been, nor did I want that, nor did the show need that. 'But the problem was that when something good happens, it's hard to not want everybody to do that good thing, so we can get more of that goodness, and make it even better because we've struck gold! It was like … 'No, Waleed is Waleed!' I should never have been you, we needed to be ourselves, and so often I felt like I needed to be someone else. Something clicked in my head and I realised, I just need to be me.' Originally published as 'Death threats, 24 hour security': Waleed Aly reveals dark Project toll as first Muslim TV host
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
‘Goodbye': Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris bid farewell as The Project airs its final episode
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. It was an emotional final episode of The Project on Channel 10 after over 16 years on-screen with surprise appearances from Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson. Regular hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny have bid farewell to viewers during an emotional final episode. It was first confirmed last week that current affairs and entertainment panel program was wrapping up at the end of June, with stars including Harris and Aly leaving not only their roles on the show but also with Network 10. According to insiders as many as 100 jobs overall will be impacted by Ten's decision to drop the show, which is broadcast six nights a week and has production offices in both Melbourne and Sydney. Georgie Tunny broke down in tears as she said her goodbyes. Picture: Channel 10 Sarah Harris relived her viral interview with Austin Butler. Picture: Channel 10 'Who's first to cry?' said Waleed as the foursome opened the show. 'I've come prepared for crying,' replied Taunton. 'I love in this job that you get to meet some pretty fun people, fun celebrities too,' said Harris, before clips of her viral interview with Austin Butler aired that saw the pair sharing some serious flirting energy as The Project star talked of his 'piercing gaze'. 'He wouldn't know what to do with me' teased Harris after the clip came to an end, eliciting laughter from the rest of her co-hosts. As the gang celebrated the final hour of the show, former host Lisa Wilkinson made a surprise appearance to share her own feelings about its demise. Wilkinson quit The Project in November 2022, but remained with Network 10 for another two years despite never returning to air. 'I'm so sorry I can't be with you tonight but I wanted to pop in and say what an absolute privilege it is to be part of The Project family for the five years I was lucky enough to work with you all,' said the star. Lisa Wilkinson returned to the show one final time, and revealed that Hamish MacDonald once accidentally "broke her rib". Picture: Channel 10 'I remember being in awe every single time there was a big international news story and Hamish was there for us, including one very hairy trip reporting on the deadly riots in Hong Kong in 2019. I also remember Hamish MacDonald breaking one of my ribs one night just after we came off air with a huge hug - but he can probably better tell that story.' Aly went on to share that Wilkinson was the one of the 'nicest' people he's ever worked with. 'She is the nicest colleague that you will ever have, no matter what industry you work in. And that's a huge thing to say for someone that comes with her eminence,' he told viewers. Comedian Susie Youssef teared up as she sat on the panel with Tommy Little to share her favourite memories of the Network 10 series. Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes returned one final time to say goodbye. Picture: Channel 10. Fighting back her emotions, she said: 'In my first year on the show, which was many moons ago - I was sent to Uluru when the walk was being closed. I remember saying - I don't think that I'm well enough to do this, and also, I'm not a journalist and they said, you're on the right show, do it. I will never forget it as long as I live. I feel like I'm going to cry.' But it was original hosts Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes that were the final guests to be invited onto the panel just one last time. 'We came off the back of Masterchef when we first aired, which was the first explosion of Masterchef where it rated through the roof so we had to take that spot. But our first episode rated really well, like 1.3 million viewers' Taunton then interjected, teasing: 'I heard rumours about those kinds of numbers! Where is the water, I need to cool myself down again!' In the end it was Waleed that had the final word. Picture: Channel 10 Bickmore alluded to having her appearance poked fun at by viewers during her time on the show, saying: 'I appreciate all of the feedback I've received over the years from you guys about my looks. You're always so lovely about what you think about what I look like. I do remember there was a period of time where teasing was big.' 'That was controversial, wasn't it?' replied Waleed as they showed a picture of Bickmore when she went brunette. 'I'm too grey to ever have that colour again. But yeah, it was... It was fun being brunette, being someone different for a day. There's been lots of styles. It's been a long time. It's been 16 years. Like, I could probably wear the outfit that I wore first night back again and it would be back in fashion.' The former host went on to thank the show for helping her raise awareness for brain cancer research over the years, which she revealed has now resulted in 'clinical trials' that could result in thousands of lives being saved. 'This entire show, to your support over the years, to everyone behind the scenes, I just want to say a big thank you.' The once popular show had been on the air for over 16 years. Picture: Channel 10 In the end, it all came down to heartbreaking final speeches from Georgie Tunny and Waleed Aly, both of whom fought back tears but in the end relented to their emotions as they clocked out of the studio one final time. 'I can't actually look at you all, I'm so sorry, because you've just been an absolute dream to work with,' said Tunny as she broke down. 'There can be a lot said about the media industry and it's cat fights and all of this, but this has been a family from the beginning and I know that you'll still in my life.' 'Thanks to the people who built this from nothing,' began Aly. 'The people who made this show 4,504 times, on camera and off. People long gone and here today. Every one of you is indispensable. Thank you to our guests over the years. To those who came to play, or persuade. To those who came on to be challenged, to meet us in the great public square of our lives, who disagreed with us in good faith over the years: thank you so much. You made us better. And thank you to you at home. Thanks for letting us into your hearts. Cliche thing to say is to let us in your living rooms but that is inadequate. Instead, thank you for letting us into your hearts.' Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald this week, Harris revealed that while it wasn't the first time one of her show's been axed, it had at least been one of the more pleasant experiences. 'I had my first axing when I was 19,' Harris shared. 'It was a show called Local Edition – unkindly called Limited Edition by some – which lasted three months on Channel Seven. We came into work one morning and they said, 'We're axing the show. It's terrible. Now pack up your desk and leave.' So being able to say a proper goodbye on The Project has been really nice.' Harris' co-host, Aly, said that it was firmly believed when the show first started that it probably wouldn't last 'more than six months'. 'The conventional wisdom was that the show wouldn't last six months because on paper, it's bonkers,' he confessed. 'But what it had was a spirit and an irreverent attitude that felt of this country and of this place. It chimes with the Australian character in so many ways.' Originally published as Carrie Bickmore returns to The Project as she joins an emotional Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris to bid farewell
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
‘Goodbye': Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris bid farewell as The Project airs its final episode
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. It was an emotional final episode of The Project on Channel 10 after over 16 years on-screen with surprise appearances from Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson. Regular hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny have bid farewell to viewers during an emotional final episode. It was first confirmed last week that current affairs and entertainment panel program was wrapping up at the end of June, with stars including Harris and Aly leaving not only their roles on the show but also with Network 10. According to insiders as many as 100 jobs overall will be impacted by Ten's decision to drop the show, which is broadcast six nights a week and has production offices in both Melbourne and Sydney. Georgie Tunny broke down in tears as she said her goodbyes. Picture: Channel 10 Sarah Harris relived her viral interview with Austin Butler. Picture: Channel 10 'Who's first to cry?' said Waleed as the foursome opened the show. 'I've come prepared for crying,' replied Taunton. 'I love in this job that you get to meet some pretty fun people, fun celebrities too,' said Harris, before clips of her viral interview with Austin Butler aired that saw the pair sharing some serious flirting energy as The Project star talked of his 'piercing gaze'. 'He wouldn't know what to do with me' teased Harris after the clip came to an end, eliciting laughter from the rest of her co-hosts. As the gang celebrated the final hour of the show, former host Lisa Wilkinson made a surprise appearance to share her own feelings about its demise. Wilkinson quit The Project in November 2022, but remained with Network 10 for another two years despite never returning to air. 'I'm so sorry I can't be with you tonight but I wanted to pop in and say what an absolute privilege it is to be part of The Project family for the five years I was lucky enough to work with you all,' said the star. Lisa Wilkinson returned to the show one final time, and revealed that Hamish MacDonald once accidentally "broke her rib". Picture: Channel 10 'I remember being in awe every single time there was a big international news story and Hamish was there for us, including one very hairy trip reporting on the deadly riots in Hong Kong in 2019. I also remember Hamish MacDonald breaking one of my ribs one night just after we came off air with a huge hug - but he can probably better tell that story.' Aly went on to share that Wilkinson was the one of the 'nicest' people he's ever worked with. 'She is the nicest colleague that you will ever have, no matter what industry you work in. And that's a huge thing to say for someone that comes with her eminence,' he told viewers. Comedian Susie Youssef teared up as she sat on the panel with Tommy Little to share her favourite memories of the Network 10 series. Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes returned one final time to say goodbye. Picture: Channel 10. Fighting back her emotions, she said: 'In my first year on the show, which was many moons ago - I was sent to Uluru when the walk was being closed. I remember saying - I don't think that I'm well enough to do this, and also, I'm not a journalist and they said, you're on the right show, do it. I will never forget it as long as I live. I feel like I'm going to cry.' But it was original hosts Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes that were the final guests to be invited onto the panel just one last time. 'We came off the back of Masterchef when we first aired, which was the first explosion of Masterchef where it rated through the roof so we had to take that spot. But our first episode rated really well, like 1.3 million viewers' Taunton then interjected, teasing: 'I heard rumours about those kinds of numbers! Where is the water, I need to cool myself down again!' In the end it was Waleed that had the final word. Picture: Channel 10 Bickmore alluded to having her appearance poked fun at by viewers during her time on the show, saying: 'I appreciate all of the feedback I've received over the years from you guys about my looks. You're always so lovely about what you think about what I look like. I do remember there was a period of time where teasing was big.' 'That was controversial, wasn't it?' replied Waleed as they showed a picture of Bickmore when she went brunette. 'I'm too grey to ever have that colour again. But yeah, it was... It was fun being brunette, being someone different for a day. There's been lots of styles. It's been a long time. It's been 16 years. Like, I could probably wear the outfit that I wore first night back again and it would be back in fashion.' The former host went on to thank the show for helping her raise awareness for brain cancer research over the years, which she revealed has now resulted in 'clinical trials' that could result in thousands of lives being saved. 'This entire show, to your support over the years, to everyone behind the scenes, I just want to say a big thank you.' The once popular show had been on the air for over 16 years. Picture: Channel 10 In the end, it all came down to heartbreaking final speeches from Georgie Tunny and Waleed Aly, both of whom fought back tears but in the end relented to their emotions as they clocked out of the studio one final time. 'I can't actually look at you all, I'm so sorry, because you've just been an absolute dream to work with,' said Tunny as she broke down. 'There can be a lot said about the media industry and it's cat fights and all of this, but this has been a family from the beginning and I know that you'll still in my life.' 'Thanks to the people who built this from nothing,' began Aly. 'The people who made this show 4,504 times, on camera and off. People long gone and here today. Every one of you is indispensable. Thank you to our guests over the years. To those who came to play, or persuade. To those who came on to be challenged, to meet us in the great public square of our lives, who disagreed with us in good faith over the years: thank you so much. You made us better. And thank you to you at home. Thanks for letting us into your hearts. Cliche thing to say is to let us in your living rooms but that is inadequate. Instead, thank you for letting us into your hearts.' Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald this week, Harris revealed that while it wasn't the first time one of her show's been axed, it had at least been one of the more pleasant experiences. 'I had my first axing when I was 19,' Harris shared. 'It was a show called Local Edition – unkindly called Limited Edition by some – which lasted three months on Channel Seven. We came into work one morning and they said, 'We're axing the show. It's terrible. Now pack up your desk and leave.' So being able to say a proper goodbye on The Project has been really nice.' Harris' co-host, Aly, said that it was firmly believed when the show first started that it probably wouldn't last 'more than six months'. 'The conventional wisdom was that the show wouldn't last six months because on paper, it's bonkers,' he confessed. 'But what it had was a spirit and an irreverent attitude that felt of this country and of this place. It chimes with the Australian character in so many ways.' Originally published as Carrie Bickmore returns to The Project as she joins an emotional Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris to bid farewell
