Current affairs clash: 10 set to challenge 60 Minutes

Channel 10 is making a bold move in its news department, sparking rumours of a big change to the current affairs TV sector and a possible battle with 60 Minutes.

The classic lineup of 60 MInutes from the 1980s. Ray Martin (left), George Negus, Ian Leslie and Jana Wendt. Picture: Supplied

Channel 10 has sparked industry rumours it is starting a long-form current affairs program to rival 60 Minutes.

The establishment of an investigative unit within the broadcaster’s news division has prompted speculation 10 is working on plans for its own version of the long running Nine show and Seven’s Sunday night Spotlight.

Senior journalist Daniel Sutton is believed to be involved in setting up the unit.

“Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in a 10 News investigative unit that will work on long-form investigative stories as part of our news offering across all our platforms,” a Network 10 spokesperson told Confidential.

Ten has advertised numerous positions with producers understood to have signed nondisclosure agreements to keep the details secret.

Spotlight on Seven is relatively new, having launched on Seven in August 2020.

Before that, it had its current affairs program Sunday Night.

Weeknights, Seven had long-running current affairs show, Today Tonight run from 1995 until it was axed in 2019.

Seven’s Today Tonight program was axed in 2019. Picture: Supplied

At Nine, 60 Minutes is the Australian version of the American news magazine style show of the same name.

It first aired back in 1979 and was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame in 2018.

Some of the biggest names in TV journalism have worked there, among them Liz Hayes, Jana Wendt, Ray Martin, Mike Munro, Ian Leslie, Jennifer Byrne and the late George Negus and Peter Harvey.

Tara Brown, Amelia Adams, Adam Hegarty and Dimity Clancey are on the current lineup.

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