Network 10 axes The Project after 16 years, announces new national news program

Network 10 has announced the cancellation of The Project, ending its 16-year run as part of a major shake-up. Read the list of the show’s biggest and controversial moments.

After much speculation Network 10 has axed The Project, ending its 16-year run in a major shake-up to launch a new one-hour national news, current affairs and insights program.

Hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris will leave the network as part of sweeping changes to its nightime line-up.

The Project was due to mark 16 years on air on July 20.

“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 4500 episodes,” a statement from Network 10 read.

The current The Project presenters on Network 10. Susie Youssef, Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald, Georgie Tunny, Sam Taunton and Rove McManus.

“The show has successfully balanced humour and heart with poignant discussions about current affairs and celebrity interviews that had the whole country, and sometimes the world, talking.

“The impact that The Project has had on the media and entertainment industry, countless

careers, as well as on Australian society and culture, cannot be overstated.”

Alongside Aly and Harris as current hosts are Georgie Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Sam Taunton, Susie Youssef and Rove McManus, who is behind Roving Enterprises.

Other hosts to have sat on the panel over the years include Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson, Tommy Little, Dave Hughes, and Charlie Pickering.

The first episode aired on July 20, 2009, and featured MasterChef Australia’s Julie Goodwin as a guest, as well as interviews with actor Sienna Miller and model Rachel Nichols.

News of the shows axing comes amid ongoing ratings pressure for The Project. A recent Confidential story noted that despite The Project’s high profile panel and guests, the 6.30pm program had been beaten in the Friday night ratings by repeats of the UK version of game show The Tipping Point and ABCs Hard Quiz.

A 2014 image of The Project panel., Charlie Pickering, Carrie Bickmore and Todd Sampson.

The Project creator and creative director Craig Campbell said: “We have an extraordinary team making this show every day and I know this news will hit them hard. It’s been a privilege to work with them and the hundreds of others that joined us along the way.”

The Project has won 11 Logie Awards over the years.

“16 years ago I could not have dreamed that our entertainment company’s take on the day

would become part of a grown-up news cycle,” Campbell said.

“We have launched campaigns, raised lifesaving cash for those that needed it, shone a light on

people who deserved to be seen and hopefully made people smile and believe in the importance of a positive message.”

Lisa Wilkinson as she made her first TV appearance on The Project.

Last month, Confidential broke news the network had established an investigative unit within its news division.

Details on the new 6pm national six days a week news, current affairs and insights program are yet to be announced.

The new show will follow 10s local 5pm news bulletins.

“This reflects the successful growth in audiences to Network 10 local news bulletins and

coverage,” the network said.

“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.”