Channel Ten defends The Project replacement show 10 News+ after viewers dramatically decline in 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 SkyNews.com.au 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!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Seven launches My Reno Rules with two lucky Aussies set to win the keys to multimillion-dollar homes
My Reno Rules is here! Seven will launch a new home renovation show fronted by Dr Chris Brown, with two multimillion-dollar homes up for grabs. Four hardworking teams of Aussie battlers will go head-to-head to breathe new life into two neighbouring rundown houses in a picturesque Melbourne suburb. The twist is two lucky Aussies will receive a call to say they've won one of the spectacularly renovated multimillion-dollar homes. The homes will be fully furnished, landscaped and feature state-of-the-art technology. 'It may be the biggest giveaway ever on Australian TV,' Brown told Sunrise on Thursday. 'If you're not especially gifted on a circular saw or picking a colour palette, it's quite appealing to know at the end of this series, live, you could win the homes you have just seen created during the show. 'It is remarkable. It is an enormous, life-changing prize. These are two Australians who are going to get a brand-new designer home.' The renovation teams will be vying for a cash prize. Rewards program LMCT+ founder Adrian Portelli donated the houses. 'On previous reno shows, they might do auctions and, unfortunately, only 1 per cent of the viewing audience have the capacity to buy those homes,' Portelli said. 'So, it's an awesome feeling to be able to take the viewers on an emotional journey, watch the houses get renovated and transformed into a dream luxury home, then potentially win it. 'It's fantastic. It's phenomenal.' Portelli said the renovations on the homes would have a wow factor. Seven Group managing director of television Angus Ross said: 'My Kitchen Rules is one of Australia's most successful original formats and a powerhouse brand for Seven. 'My Reno Rules takes all the heart and heat of MKR and applies it to renovation. 'With showstopping house transformations, a life-changing cash prize for our winning team of renovators, and two multimillion-dollar dream homes up for grabs in an electrifying live grand final, we couldn't be more excited for the premiere of My Reno Rules. 'It's going to be next level.'
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
My Reno Rules: Seven announces MASSIVE new reality series and huge prize
Like the sound of winning a brand new multi-million dollar luxury home? Channel Seven are giving two lucky Aussies the chance to walk away with the keys to a spectacularly-renovated home in a picturesque Melbourne suburb. The best bit? They can watch their new home being transformed via a new reality TV program, set to premiere on the Seven Network next year. Seven announced this morning that casting is now underway for My Reno Rules. The new reality series, hosted by Dr Chris Brown, will see four teams going head-to-head to transform two neighbouring properties in a Melbourne suburb — these homes will then become prizes in a once-in-a-lifetime giveaway. 'My Reno Rules sees four hardworking teams of Aussie battlers going head-to-head, breathing new life into two neighbouring rundown houses in a picturesque Melbourne suburb,' an official release reads. 'Their mission? To transform these properties into breathtaking homes for the chance to win life-changing prize money to secure their own futures.' The show's live grand final will see two lucky Australians receive a call, telling them they've both won a spectacularly renovated, multi-million-dollar home — 'fully furnished, landscaped and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.' The prize draw will be managed by the show's principle program sponsor, Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli, the Aussie billionaire owner of LMCT+. Name sound familiar? He's the man who has bid on properties renovated by The Block over the past few years — he famously declared last year that 2024 would mark his final association with the Nine series. 'LMCT+ has always been about changing the lives of everyday Australians, so when this opportunity came up with Seven, it just felt right,' he said in a statement. 'For me, it's about giving back — and doing it in a way that's big, bold and exciting.' Dr Chris Brown has described Seven's new reality series as 'life-changing'. 'Imagine winning a brand-new home — that's going to be the reality for two lucky Aussies,' he said. 'And if you're a passionate renovator, you could also win a massive cash prize. 'With the dream of owning your own home still top of the list for most Aussies, I can't wait to have a front row seat to that becoming a reality. 'It's going to be a heartwarming ride!' Casting is now underway for teams of renovators with an eye for design to join My Reno Rules — would-be renovators can apply by clicking here.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
How YOU can win a new luxury home by watching new Seven show
Like the sound of winning a brand new multi-million dollar luxury home? Channel Seven are giving two lucky Aussies the chance to walk away with the keys to a spectacularly-renovated home in a picturesque Melbourne suburb. The best bit? They can watch their new home being transformed via a new reality TV program, set to premiere on the Seven Network next year. Seven announced this morning that casting is now underway for My Reno Rules. The new reality series, hosted by Dr Chris Brown, will see four teams going head-to-head to transform two neighbouring properties in a Melbourne suburb — these homes will then become prizes in a once-in-a-lifetime giveaway. 'My Reno Rules sees four hardworking teams of Aussie battlers going head-to-head, breathing new life into two neighbouring rundown houses in a picturesque Melbourne suburb,' an official release reads. 'Their mission? To transform these properties into breathtaking homes for the chance to win life-changing prize money to secure their own futures.' The show's live grand final will see two lucky Australians receive a call, telling them they've both won a spectacularly renovated, multi-million-dollar home — 'fully furnished, landscaped and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.' The prize draw will be managed by the show's principle program sponsor, Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli, the Aussie billionaire owner of LMCT+. Adrian Portelli will be involved with the show. Credit: NewsWire/ David Crosling / News Corp Australia Name sound familiar? He's the man who has bid on properties renovated by The Block over the past few years — he famously declared last year that 2024 would mark his final association with the Nine series. 'LMCT+ has always been about changing the lives of everyday Australians, so when this opportunity came up with Seven, it just felt right,' he said in a statement. 'For me, it's about giving back — and doing it in a way that's big, bold and exciting.' Dr Chris Brown has described Seven's new reality series as 'life-changing'. 'Imagine winning a brand-new home — that's going to be the reality for two lucky Aussies,' he said. 'And if you're a passionate renovator, you could also win a massive cash prize. 'With the dream of owning your own home still top of the list for most Aussies, I can't wait to have a front row seat to that becoming a reality. 'It's going to be a heartwarming ride!' Casting is now underway for teams of renovators with an eye for design to join My Reno Rules — would-be renovators can apply by clicking here.
