Networks clamouring to sign SBS stalwart Lee Lin Chin
LOVEABLE TV host Lee Lin Chin has become the hottest commodity in Australian media after announcing her resignation from SBS with the Gold Logie nominee fielding a host of offers from other networks.
Confidential
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LOVEABLE TV host Lee Lin Chin has become the hottest commodity in Australian media after announcing her resignation from SBS.
The Gold Logie nominee last week made the decision to step down as newsreader at SBS.
Confidential can reveal she is already fielding offers from other TV networks.
An insider at Channel 7 yesterday said they would be very keen to have Chin join the stable. “We have reached out to her through her management and have told her we would be open to discussions about a role,” the insider said.
“She would be a great addition to any network. Lee Lin is so well liked and can cross so many different fields.
“Wherever she ends up she will be a huge asset.”
Channel 10, which has recently been taken over by US production company CBS, would be an obvious keen player to acquire Chin’s talent.
Industry insiders have suggested youth-focused current affairs program The Project would be a natural fit for Chin. “Her popularity with the younger demographic would be something Ten would be keen to capitalise on,” an insider said.
It was also Ten Daily that first broke the news of her departure from SBS.
Taking to Instagram after the announcement, Chin made it clear she was not retiring from journalism.
“I have not announced my retirement. I simply am not reading the news on @SBS any more. I’m open to returning to SBS or appearing on any other network. Trust me, I’m not done yet,” she wrote to her 227,000 followers.
A source said while there is no bad blood between the media veteran and the media outlet, it was very much her decision.
“She wanted to do things outside of the SBS and they were not that keen,” the source said.
The recent departure of SBS boss Michael Ebeid may have played a role in her decision. Ebeid will leave his role as managing director of the public broadcaster in October after 7½ years. Ebeid and Chin are very close.