Huge blow for Channel 10 as 10 News+ attracts less viewers than The Project

The replacement had been labelled a massive gamble for the network, and so far, the chips are down.

Network 10 received yet another disappointing blow after it’s replacement for The Project scored less viewers in its timeslot than the axed show regularly attracted.

10 News+ had received an intense marketing blitz over the last two weeks as the network made its bid to win over new viewers with their promise of putting “the truth first”.

Sadly for Network 10, that promise wasn’t enough to win over viewers, with a mere 291,000 tuning in on Monday evening.

To put those numbers into perspective, 7News attracted 1.5 million viewers, with 9News close behind with 1.45 million.

10 News+ failed to attract many viewers on Monday night. Picture: 10

What really rubs salt in the wound is that the final episode of The Project scored almost 500,000 viewers on Friday evening.

After shedding almost half its audience, it remains to be seen whether the network’s gamble of cancelling The Project was the right decision.

Viewers delivered their verdict on social media on Monday evening, with many labelling 10 News+ a “Temu ACA”.

“You replaced the project with a Temu ACA not seeing @theprojecttv is incredibly depressing. 10news+ sucks!” remarked one viewer.

The show attracted less viewers than The Project. Picture: 10.

Another complained about the format of the new show, tweeting: “Please no more long investigation reports it’s 6pm! Much too heavy, much too serious, American looking set and awkward presentation.”

“This is proper @Channel7 style commercial JUNK. It’s like watching a cross between Fox News and Anchorman. Why the silly news voices!? questioned another disgruntled viewer.

One however, praised the show’s lead story on convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris, who gave an exclusive interview from a Taiwan prison.

“Loving 10 news +, strong launch story. Is this the new Schapelle Corby story we all need to know about. 10 news should be very proud,” they wrote.

Another added: “That was a decent first show”.

The news show’s interview with the Prime Minister also sparked some viewer backlash, with journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace being called out for their interviewing techniques, which saw the PM interrupted multiple times.

“Some ridiculous questions and hectoring tone from both hosts in this very disappointing interview with the PM,” ranted one.

“You replaced #theprojecttv for this tabloid junk? I’m turning this off!” complained another.

“This is trash, so dry and bland. Time for the project 2.0 and a game show in a prime time slot up against Home and Away. Good luck!” tweeted a third unimpressed viewer.

While a fourth added: “Oh dear. I thought I would give 10 News Plus a go. I feel like we have regressed 20 years!”

Originally published as Huge blow for Channel 10 as 10 News+ attracts less viewers than The Project