Carrie Bickmore speaks out on The Project axing - after she quit the Channel Ten show in 2022

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

has spoken out on Network Ten axing its flagship program The Project after 16 years on Monday.
The radio host, 44, who quit the show in 2022 after 12 years on the panel, took to Instagram shortly after news broke The Project will wrap up in three weeks.
After her shock exit from the show sparked a ratings downfall, Carrie, who won a Gold Logie while on the show, said it was 'sad news' to see the program be canned.
The media personality re-shared a quote from anchor Waleed Aly which read: 'The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done.'
Carrie responded to the statement on her Stories, writing: 'Absolutely it did. Such sad news today.'
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She continued: 'Regardless of how you felt about the show (everyone seemed to have very strong opinions about it both ways) it changed the way news was delivered and I am so proud of what the show and everyone involved in making it achieved.
'You've never met a more passionate, engaged bunch.'
Carrie announced her departure from The Project after 12 years on air in October 2022.
She had been absent for a three month 'sabbatical' with her family in London earlier that year, before returning to the panel in July, only to quit in October.
Three months after leaving the show, Carrie announced she'd split from her partner of 11 years Chris Walker.
'It's with immense sadness that Chris and I have decided to separate,' she wrote in a statement on Instagram.
'While this is a tough time, our focus is on parenting, loving and supporting our three children Ollie, Evie and Addie with everything that we've got.
'They are doing great. We won't be making any further comment.'
The radio host, who quit the show in 2022 after 12 years on the panel, took to Instagram shortly after news broke The Project will wrap up in three weeks. Pictured: host Waleed Aly
Carrie is now the host of the successful Carrie & Tommy radio show on the Hit Network alongside Tommy Little.
Carrie joined The Project when it first launched in July 2009, then known as The 7PM Project.
It exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success.
Shot mostly at Network Ten's studios in The Como Centre in South Yarra, Melbourne, The Project was known for reporting on current affairs with a comedic spin.
It has won several accolades of its nearly 16 years, including 11 Logie Awards - two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Waleed and Carrie.
However, viewership began to dwindle in recent years, with Daily Mail Australia reporting in March the show was under review and set to get the axe.
The prime-time current affairs show failed to crack the top ten of most-watched programs at the time, with its best night attracting 945,000 total viewers - which coincided with Carrie making a guest appearance to speak about her charity.
Meanwhile, just last week, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.
This is in stark contrast to The Project's competitors - Seven and Nine News - which routinely attracted more than 2 million viewers to their 6pm bulletins.
The Project has now been officially axed after 16 years on TV and will air its final episode on June 27.
Network 10 announced the news on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support, and announced the show's replacement in a statement.
Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on various other Ten shows.
The news show has aired 'nearly 4,500 episodes' to date and will wrap in three weeks following speculation it will be replaced with a current affairs program.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16.
A picture was shared online of hosts Waleed, Sarah, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny smiling as they sat together behind the news desk.
'After nearly 4,500 episodes The Project will finish up on June 27. More details from 6.30pm on 10,' the caption over the image read.
'For nearly 16 years, The Project has been Australia's destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle,' the caption continued.
'Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27.
'To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help families across Australia, worked on the show or just liked a social post. Thank you.
'This show is not possible without all of you. See you tonight (and the next 3 weeks) for The Project.'
Sarah also spoke about the cancellation and her subsequent exit from the network.
'There aren't many jobs where you get to tell very human stories, and interview politicians and celebrities all while having a laugh – or ugly crying – in front of a live studio audience every night,' Sarah told The Sydney Morning Herald.
'I've had a blast, [but] it's time for me to take a breath and spend some time with my boys. Keep an eye out for my OnlyFans page!' she then joked.
Waleed also released a statement, saying: 'The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done.
'In some ways it looks more conventional now than it used to because it led the way.
'It showed you could bring dry stories to life for an audience that might otherwise have ignored them.'
Just moments later Network Ten released a statement announcing another news program will be replacing The Project.
'Network 10 will be introducing a revised early evening program schedule later this month,' a spokesperson said.
'At the core of the changes will be an expansion of Network 10's successful news coverage, with the launch of a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week to complement 10's one-hour 5pm local news bulletins.
'This reflects the successful growth in audiences to Network 10 local news bulletins and coverage. Our focus continues to be on serving our free-to-air audiences with more of the content they are increasingly watching.
'Deal or No Deal will move to the new time of 7pm.
'As a result of the changes, The Project will air for the last time on Friday, June 27, ending an incredible run of almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes.'
Recently poached Seven journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace are expected to host the new evening program, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.