‘Pulling power’ of Lisa Wilkinson frustrates TV executives as she scores big interviews

SUNDAY Project may not be bringing in big audience numbers but the pulling power of Lisa Wilkinson for Channel 10 has frustrated the TV industry. It comes after she scored a number of big-name exclusive interviews.

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THE pulling power of Lisa Wilkinson for Channel 10 is frustrating her former bosses at Nine.

Confidential understands that Wilkinson’s recent string of big-name interviews on The Sunday Project has irritated the opposition on rival shows 60 Minutes and Sunday Night.

The producers at Nine and Seven have been talking around town about Channel 10 securing exclusive interviews despite their substantially lower audience numbers.

Despite low rating, Channel 10 have scored a number of big interviews due to Lisa Wilkinson’s “pulling power.” Picture: Instagram/@lisa_wilkinson

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“It is laughable that managers and brands are going with The Sunday Project when their ratings are so low,” one TV executive said.

“It seems like a waste of time. They are obviously going with that show ­because of the Lisa factor, and she has been going very soft on the talent — but what is the point when no one it watching.”

Losing scoops ­including Serena Williams’ first chat post her US Open tantrum and this week’s David Beckham one-on-one, has reportedly caused dramas for the rival shows.

Wilkinson scored the first exclusive interview with Serena Williams days after her "meltdown" at the US Open final.

She also scored a chat with soccer star David Beckham.

“These are interviews that should be going to the big news and current affairs shows — 60 Minutes and Sunday Night,” the insider said.

“It is weird that the aim isn’t to reach as many eyeballs as possible.”

The Project bosses have clearly given Wilkinson top billing on the panel, with reign over all the big ­interviews.

Despite paying big bucks to pull the media veteran to Ten from her long-serving gig on Channel 9’s Today, the ratings of the show have been consistently low.

Even though Channel 10 scored Lisa Wilkinson, the ratings for Sunday Project remain quite low compared to other shows. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Channel 10 faced another embarrassing Monday morning this week after its exclusive with British soccer star and ­Invictus Games ambassador David Beckham failed to boost audience numbers. The show started with just 277,000 viewers and boosted to a slightly better 370,000 for its second half-hour.

Meanwhile 60 Minutes comparatively had an audience of 882,000, and Sunday Night recorded 456,000 viewers.