Latest news with #ex-Seven
Sky News AU
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Channel Ten defends The Project replacement show 10 News+ after viewers dramatically decline in first week on air
Channel Ten has defended its bold new current affairs programme after the show failed to gain viewers throughout its first week on air. 10 News+ officially replaced The Project last Monday evening, launching with an average national broadcast audience of 291,000 viewers. In June, Ten first unveiled the axed news programme's successor as a 'premium, in-depth news, current affairs and insights program'. Promising "extended context and deeper reporting on the day's biggest stories", the show is anchored by ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace from Sunday to Thursday, with Ursula Heger and Hugh Riminton hosting on Friday. The network previously said it was keen to see the team's work delivered to audiences across the country, but audiences have so far failed to engage. 10 News+ almost halved its TV viewership by the week's end after intrigue piqued viewers' attention on the first evening. The show lost 47,000 viewers on Tuesday evening, bringing its national average to 244,000 viewers. That figure dipped to 205,000 on Wednesday and continued to decline, with a further drop to 159,000 recorded on Thursday. Ten's hopes for a comeback on Friday were dashed when a mere 152,000 people tuned in, or a decrease of 139,000 viewers compared to Monday. The fall in viewership is especially stark when compared to The Project's final episode on June 27, which saw 478,000 people tune in to bid the struggling programme farewell. However 10 News+ inherited the first half of The Project's 6:30pm–7:30pm slot, with the second half hour now freed up for the channel's primetime programming, meaning the two shows cannot be directly compared. Meanwhile, 10 News+ immediately follows Ten's 5pm bulletin, which enjoyed significantly higher ratings all week – as people actively chose to change channels rather than watch two hours of news on Ten. A spokesperson for Ten on Monday told the network was 'taking a long-term, multi-platform view of audience development.' 'Building a loyal news audience takes time, and we are prepared for gradual growth as audiences discover and connect with our unique approach to news delivery across many platforms,' the spokesperson said. '10 is fully committed to 10 News+. This is a marathon, not a sprint. "We are investing in building a sustainable, quality multi-platform news service that will grow and evolve with our audience's needs over time.' The 10 News+ anchor team will be supported by an existing pool of Ten reporters, including Political Editor Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank and Claudia Vrdoljak. Former Project co-host Georgie Tunny also revealed she's staying with Network 10 as part of the new current affairs show. The 34-year-old presenter, who appeared on The Project for three years, joins the team just days after the long-running news program aired its final episode. "I've always been a fan of news delivered differently and am excited to be staying with the 10 family," Tunny said this month. "Can't wait to see where this new chapter leads!"
Sky News AU
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Everyone knows you've lost your job': The Project star Sam Taunton returns to stand-up comedy after brutal axing
Axed Project Star Sam Taunton has broken his silence following the shock cancellation of Channel 10's The Project in a new stand up set. Taunton, a well-known stand-up comedian, joined the long-running panel show in 2023 as a full time weeknight panelist alongside fellow newbie Sarah Harris and veteran Waleed Aly. The 33-year-old funny man took to the stage in Sydney this week to try out some new stand up material after news of the show's cancellation reached media outlets. 'It's just like everyone f**king knows you've lost your job and it's crazy,' Sam told the audience, as reported by the Daily Mail Australia. 'My dad rang me and said: 'Look, if I'm honest, the show wasn't for me. I prefer real news''. Staunton then revealed that his co-host Waleed Aly tried to warn him about paparazzi due to the high level of media coverage about The Project's demise. 'Waleed – you might know that guy?' Taunton said. 'He texted me on Wednesday and said: 'I'm so sorry, Sam. Get prepared. I just got papped by the paparazzi outside Chemist Warehouse near the studio.' 'I ran as fast as I could to Chemist Warehouse. Not one f***er took a photo of me!' A Ten spokesperson confirmed to last week that The Project will end its run after 'almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes' on June 27. The long-running panel series was beset by sliding ratings and a rotating line up of anchors for years before it was officially axed. Channel 10 has subsequently unveiled The Project's successor, a 'premium, in-depth news, current affairs and insights program' called 10 NEWS+. The new 'premium' news show will be helmed by ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. It is understood that 10NEWS+ will inherit the first half of The Project's 6:30pm – 7:30pm slot, with the second half hour now freed up for the channel's primetime programming. The anchor team will be supported by an existing pool of Ten reporters, including Political Editor Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank and Claudia Vrdoljak.
Sky News AU
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
‘What we're doing is completely different to anything else in the market': Shock first look at The Project replacement 10 News+
Channel 10 has finally announced the new 'premium' news show that will replace The Project within weeks after hiring ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. A Ten spokesperson confirmed to on Monday that The Project will end its run after 'almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes' on June 27. The long-running panel series was beset by sliding ratings and a rotating line up of anchors for years before it was officially axed. Now, Channel 10 has unveiled The Project's successor, a 'premium, in-depth news, current affairs and insights program' called 10 NEWS+. '10 NEWS+ will follow Network 10's 5pm local news bulletins across the country, offering viewers extended context and deeper reporting on the day's biggest stories,' the network said in a statement. 'The 5pm bulletin remains a cornerstone of the network's trusted news offering, delivering the latest breaking news and updates. '10 NEWS+ aims to redefine evening news by providing comprehensive analysis, trusted reporting, and long-form investigative journalism. 'The program will offer a fresh perspective on critical local and global stories, tailored for an engaged audience seeking in-depth news coverage.' The network officially confirmed that ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace will anchor the series Sunday through Thursday, while Ursula Heger and Hugh Riminton will take the reins on Fridays. 'This is an exciting opportunity for our network news team. We're going to do what we do best — put the truth first, our audience first, and tell important stories well. We've assembled a fantastic team, led by Denham and Amelia, and I can't wait for audiences to see their hard work,' Martin White, VP News, Paramount Australia said in a statement. 'What we're doing with 10 NEWS+ is completely different to anything else in the market.' Mr White also pointed out that unlike the opinion-heavy Project, the new program will be 'just the facts'. 'At the heart of everything we do is delivering news and current affairs that matter to you. No filler. No opinion. Just the facts,' he said. It is understood that 10NEWS+ will inherit the first half of The Project's 6:30pm – 7:30pm slot, with the second half hour now freed up for the channel's primetime programming. The anchor team will be supported by an existing pool of Ten reporters, including Political Editor Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank and Claudia Vrdoljak. Additionally, longtime Entertainment Editor Angela Bishop will continue to contribute red carpet events and exclusive interviews for the new program. 10NEWS+ will premiere on Monday, 30 June at 6pm on 10 and 10 Play.
