The Australian public have called for Channel 10’s current affairs program The Project to be axed.
On Tuesday, The Project and its hosts appeared to dodge the network’s brutal ‘restructuring’ budget cuts amid the coronavirus recession.
Angry TV viewers were furious the likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Natarsha Belling and weatherman Tim Bailey were sacked, while The Project remained seemingly unaffected by the mass layoffs.
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Australia turns on The Project: Fans call for show to be AXED after Channel 10 sacks Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Natarsha Belling, Tim Bailey and 17 other stars in brutal budget cuts. Pictured: Project hosts Peter Helliar, Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little
The Project has been on the air since 2009 and is currently hosted weeknight by Waleed Aly, Carrie Bickmore, Peter Helliar, and on Sunday by Lisa Wilkinson.
It also features regular guest hosts – Tommy Little, Gorgi Coghlan, and Rachel Corbett.
‘Should have sacked the muppets on The Project instead’, ‘axe the Project, it’s s**t’, and ‘sack The Project’ were just some public comments made after the sackings were reported.
‘Now they need to cancel The Project and sack Waleed Aly and they might start getting more viewers,’ one user said, with many other comments also expressing a dislike towards TV host Waleed.
‘Sack The Project!’ On Tuesday, fans seemed displeased that The Project and its hosts appeared to dodge the network’s brutal ‘restructuring’ budget cuts
‘Should have sacked the muppets on The Project instead’: Angry TV viewers were furious the likes of Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Natarsha Belling and weatherman Tim Bailey were sacked, while The Project remained seemingly unaffected by the mass layoffs
Despite fan uproar: The Project has won numerous public-voted Logie Awards over the years for ‘most popular panel’ and ‘most popular presenter’. Pictured: Waleed with coveted Gold Logie for Best Personality on Australian Television in 2016
Despite fan uproar, The Project has won numerous public-voted Logie Awards over the years for ‘most popular panel’ and ‘most popular presenter’.
In fact, Waleed was awarded the coveted Gold Logie for Best Personality on Australian Television in 2016.
The Project co-hosts Waleed and Carrie are believed to earn the same annual salary of $500,000.
The Queensland Times reported in 2015 that they had ‘matching deals’ with Channel 10, but this situation may have changed since.
When Lisa Wilkinson joined Channel 10 and The Project in 2018, her deal with the network was rumoured by The Daily Telegraph to be close to $2.3 million.
TV personality: The Project’s long-standing hosts Waleed and Carrie (pictured) are believed to earn the same annual salary of $500,000
Going strong: When Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) joined Channel 10 and The Project in 2018, her deal with the network was rumoured by The Daily Telegraph to be close to $2.3 million
Despite the news and operations department being ‘restructured’ in response to the sharp decline in advertising revenue, The Project haven’t announced any major changes.
At least 20 jobs have been cut, with the changes expected to be effective from Monday, September 14.
According to Mumbrella, Studio 10 panellist Joe Hildebrand hasn’t lost his job yet but is understood to be ‘in talks’ with the network about his future.
Despite losing Kennerley and Belling, morning show Studio 10 will continue to air weekdays from 8am to midday for the time being.
Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop are staying, and Denise Drysdale and Denise Scott will continue as contributors.
Job cuts: Channel 10 has sacked several major stars, including Kerri-Anne Kennerley (pictured), Natarsha Belling and weatherman Tim Bailey, as the coronavirus recession continues to devastate the TV industry
Axed: Tim Bailey, who has worked at Channel 10 for three decades, will depart the company
Narelda Jacobs will remain as newsreader and Jono Coleman will present the advertorial segments as normal.
However, the network has advised that more changes will be announced regarding Studio 10 in the coming weeks.
Kennerley’s manager told Daily Mail Australia in a statement: ‘Kerri-Anne’s role on Studio 10 was only part-time two or three days a week. Nevertheless she is disappointed to be finishing up in September but understands the financial pressures on the network. She wishes everyone at Network 10 the best.’
Changes: Despite losing Kennerley and Natarsha Belling (pictured), morning show Studio 10 will continue to air weekdays from 8am to midday
Channel 10’s network director of news content, Ross Dagan, said in a statement about the job cuts: ‘The decision to make these changes was a very difficult one and I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our friends and colleagues who will leave the network.
‘It is in no way a reflection of their talent, contribution or passion. They are exceptionally gifted people. We are incredibly proud of them and their work. There is no doubt they will be missed.
‘These painful changes reflect the state of the media industry in recent years and the need for all media companies to achieve new efficiencies.
‘While our viewers in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will see some on-air changes, we will continue to produce local news and employ local reporters, camera operators and production staff in those cities.’
Beverley McGarvey, Channel 10’s chief content officer, added: ‘These decisions are not being made lightly, however, they are essential to future-proofing our business.’
The decision to axe 20 staff members comes three months after the broadcaster announced the closure of its news website 10 Daily.
Will he stay? According to Mumbrella, Studio 10 panellist Joe Hildebrand hasn’t lost his job yet but is understood to be ‘in talks’ with the network about his future
Some of the job cuts will come as a surprise to viewers.
Weather presenter Tim Bailey, for example, is considered a legend at the network, and has been a familiar face for more than 30 years.
He is being replaced by another meteorologist.
Kerri-Anne Kennerley is a more recent hire, having only joined the Studio 10 panel in September 2018.
Stay tuned: The network has advised that more changes will be announced regarding Studio 10 in the coming weeks