Lisa Wilkinson’s huge Channel 10 payday
LISA Wilkinson is now set to become the highest paid woman on Australian television after walking away from failed contract negotiations with Channel 9’s Today show to sign with Network Ten.
Confidential
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LISA Wilkinson is now set to become the highest paid woman on Australian television after walking away from failed contract negotiations with Channel 9’s Today show to sign with Network Ten.
Within an hour of Nine releasing a statement confirming Wilkinson’s shock departure from the breakfast show, Ten announced it had successfully signed the news personality to a senior hosting and editorial role, effective January 2018.
She will join The Project in a hosting role and also The Sunday Project and is expected to join The Project’s existing hosts Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar.
“I’m sad to say that today was my last day on the Today show,” she posted to Twitter.
“I want to thank Channel Nine for the privilege of co-hosting the Today Show for the last ten years. I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleagues Karl, Sylvia, Georgie, Tim, Richard, Stevie and Natalia, as well as all the hard working producers and the entire team behind the cameras — every one of them has contributed to the incredible success of the show.
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“Most particularly though I want to thank the Today Show audience who have been so supportive and incredibly loyal to me over the last decade. I can never thank you enough and I look forward to seeing you soon,” she said via statement.
Social media exploded in reaction to Wilkinson’s news, with many referencing the sleep in she’ll be having on Tuesday.
“You’re a class act, @Lisa_Wilkinson. You’ll succeed in whatever comes next. Meanwhile, enjoy cancelling the 3am alarm!”, tweeted her former competition, ABC breakfast’s Michael Rowland.
“Oh no! What is 9 thinking?,” tweeted the ABC’s Juanita Phillips in response to Wilkinson’s shock announcement.
You’re a class act, @Lisa_Wilkinson. You’ll succeed in whatever comes next. Meanwhile, enjoy cancelling the 3am alarm!
— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) October 16, 2017
Wilkinson’s new Ten colleague Amanda Keller also paid tribute to Wilkinson.
“Bloody hell!! We didn’t see that coming!!
“You are a hero of mine. Wherever you go it will be amazing!!!” she wrote.
7.30 host Leigh Sales also praised Wilkinson.
. @Lisa_Wilkinson has been a steady, consistent, highly competent, warm and delightful presence on @TheTodayShow - huge loss for them.
— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) October 16, 2017
“@Lisa_Wilkinson has been a steady, consistent, highly competent, warm and delightful presence on @TheTodayShow — huge loss for them,” she tweeted.
Wilkinson’s former Today colleague Ben Fordham wished her success online.
Congratulations @Lisa_Wilkinson for a decade of success at Channel 9. I've loved working alongside you. Good luck with the next chapter.
— BenFordham (@BenFordham) October 16, 2017
“Congratulations @Lisa_Wilkinson for a decade of success at Channel 9. I’ve loved working alongside you. Good luck with the next chapter,” he wrote.