Network Ten announces the imminent end of The Project

Ten today released a statement confirming The Project has been axed - and the show’s former co-host Carrie Bickmore has now spoken out.

Network Ten has today confirmed the news that The Project will soon be axed, revealing the show’s last day on air will be Friday June 27.

The network also revealed its reshuffled evening line-up, with game show Deal or No Deal moving to 7pm and “the launch of a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week to complement 10’s one-hour 5pm local news bulletins.”

“As a result of the changes, The Project will air for the last time on Friday, June 27, ending an incredible run of almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes,” Ten said in the statement.

The network’s detailed statement also praised the long-running current affairs show for its Logie wins and campaigning on various social issues.

“The impact that The Project has had on the media and entertainment industry, countless careers, as well as on Australian society and culture, cannot be overstated,” it read.

The Project’s creator Craig Campbell, Creative Director at Roving Enterprises, acknowledged that the end of the program would be a difficult time for those working on the show.

“We have an extraordinary team making this show every day and I know this news will hit them hard. It’s been a privilege to work with them and the hundreds of others that joined us along the way,” he said.

The show’s former co-host Carrie Bickmore has since released a statement following the news.

Carrie Bickmore hosted The Project for 13 years before she left in 2022. Picture: Channel 10

Replying to a quote from current co-host Waleed Aly, which read: “The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done”, Bickmore wrote: “Absolutely it did. Such sad news today.”

“Regardless of how you felt about the show (everyone seems to have very strong opinions about it both ways) it changed the way news was delivered,” continued Bickmore who left the show in 2022.

“I am so proud of what the show and everyone involved in making it achieved. You’ve never met a more passionate and engaged bunch.”

Sarah Harris on The Project.

The show’s current co-host Sarah Harris was the first of the on-air team to speak publicly following the announcement, issuing a brief, lighthearted statement via the show’s social channels.

“I’ve had a blast, [but] it’s time for me to take a breath and spend some time with my boys... keep an eye out for my OnlyFans page!” the mum-of-two joked.

The Project’s rumoured replacement revealed

Ahead of Ten’s confirmation that they would axe The Project, more details surfaced about the network’s replacement primetime news and current affairs offering.

According to TV Blackbox, the network plans to launch a new, harder-hitting current affairs program titled Behind the Lines – A 10 News First Investigation.

The outlet reports that the brand-new show is currently in development at the network’s Sydney newsroom, with former 7 News Spotlight reporter Denham Hitchcock tipped to come on board as host.

The Project is set to be replaced by a new current affairs program titled Behind the Lines. Picture: Channel 10

It is understood that staff at the long-running program had been briefed of the pending cancellation this week after months of speculation that the show would get the boot.

Denham Hitchcock is tipped to come on-board as host of the new program, Behind the Lines.

Development of Behind the Lines has reportedly been underway for quite some time and it could be launched as soon as next month with TV Blackbox tipping July or August as the official launch.

Once an iconic mainstay of current affairs television in Australia since it debuted in 2009, The Project has struggled in recent years to keep hold of its audience as viewing habits have shifted from live free-to-air TV to streaming.

The Project’s line-up (from clockwise) includes Sam Taunton, Michael Hing, Hamish Macdonald, Georgie Tunny, Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris. Picture: Supplied/Ten

Ratings for the beloved panel show have halved in recent years and sparked numerous rumours about its demise which Ten have previously denied.

Last week, entertainment expert Peter Ford told 3AW Breakfast that he believed the show would be gone “sooner rather than later”, and will be replaced by a show based in Sydney.

“I don’t think The Project will see the year out,” Ford said on-air.

Broadcast television has struggled across the board in recent years with the shift to streaming hitting networks hard.

Last year alone, Channel 10 rested The Masked Singer, The Bachelor and Gladiators from its schedule.

Originally published as Network Ten announces the imminent end of The Project