Elle vs Packer: Missing the Gold medal moments

Channel 9 has made a key change to 60 Minutes so its Elle Macpherson exclusive can go head-to-head with Seven’s James Packer exclusive.

It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it – 45 Minutes.

Current affairs program 60 Minutes will air a shorter version on Sunday as the Nine Network appears to have rushed an episode to counter lacklustre ratings and to beat Seven, which broadcasted the most watched Paralympic Games in history in 2021.

With Seven landing a major exclusive of James Packer and Robbie Williams for Spotlight on Sunday, Nine has suddenly decided to bring forward Tracy Grimshaw’s interview with Elle Macpherson.

The supermodel however has already been doing the rounds of press, appearing on television and radio, as well as print magazines, through the week.

Robbie Williams and James Packer on the Channel 7 Spotlight show.

Macpherson is expected to discuss how she ignored the advice to have chemotherapy to treat breast cancer, instead taking a “holistic approach”, which has been slammed by medical experts as “dangerous and irresponsible”.

The interview will air over 45 minutes from 8.30pm while Spotlight will run for an hour at the same time.

On Seven, the notoriously private Packer is expected to open up about his ongoing mental health battle in the exclusive secured by Spotlight.

Reporter Liam Bartlett spent time with Packer and his superstar singer friend Williams, who has himself battled mental illness.

“Money is not a guarantee of happiness,” billionaire Packer will say in the Spotlight interview.

“I’m not here to play the victim … it’s a journey. You’re not interviewing someone who’s saying to you, ‘I’ve got it worked out and I’ve got all the answers’. I’m not that person. I’m here saying … I’m doing my best.”

Elle Macpherson on 60 minutes.

Williams said: “(It’s) the same sort of illness that we share. It’s a disease of isolation.”

The exclusive is part of a broader Spotlight special on mental health ahead of the release of former NSW Liberal leader John Brogden’s book, Profiles of Hope.

Packer is the son of the late Kerry Packer, who of course was the larger than life operator of Nine for many decades.

Nine’s Paralympics coverage on its main channel on Sunday night will be postponed until 9.15pm on a night where the tournament could deliver more gold medals to Australia in the Paracanoe competition.

Aussie stars Susan Seipel and Curtis McGrath are expected to appear in the finals of their respective events – McGrath would be competing at the same time as 60 Minutes begins on Nine – instead viewers would need to shift to 9GEM to watch live coverage of the finals.

Robbie Williams (right) and James Packer (left) with 7NEWS Spotlight’s Liam Bartlett in upcoming episode of Seven Spotlight. Picture: Supplied by 7NEWS Spotlight

Seven’s broadcast of the Paralympics in 2021 was held in the timezone friendly location of Tokyo and assisted the network in tripling the previous prime time Paralympics viewership record.

The Paralympic coverage on Nine rated in the top five TV shows last Sunday night, slightly ahead of Seven’s current affairs show, Spotlight.

Nine however rested 60 Minutes to account as it is official Olympics broadcaster. The Paralympics Closing Ceremony in Paris will begin at 4.30am on Monday.

Elle Macpherson on 60 minutes.