Inside sources say Channel 7’s Sunday Night could be axed
The once highly-rated Channel 7 Sunday Night program could now face the axe with a number of reasons behind the move. And it could mean a surprise return for another show.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Boss leaves Seven after ‘a good f*ck’ comment claims
- Seven settles Sunday Night stoush with generous redundancy
A question mark hangs over Channel 7’s underperforming Sunday Night program, with sources claiming the flagship news and current affair show could soon be axed.
Average ratings, controversial sackings and high costs are said to be behind the expected move to cut the 10-year-old program.
It is believed Seven news bosses are also influenced by a desire to resurrect Today Tonight.
Insiders say Sunday Night host Melissa Doyle and valuable journalists, cameramen and producers will be found new jobs within the network.
MORE FROM BRIANA DOMJEN
Celebs ditch social media for their own apps
Thorpie confirms split with boyfriend after four years
Multi-millionaire in row with socialite over missing cash, furniture
“The executives are discussing the fate of Sunday Night right now, as it’s the end of the financial year,” one insider said.
“They haven’t made a call on it yet, but it’s not looking good. It’s expensive to run, they’ve had lacklustre ratings and a systemic unsettled culture in the newsroom.”
Despite declaring a win as “Australia’s No.1 public affairs program” in 2017, when it claimed
an average rating of 845,000 metro viewers, the show has since seen ratings go downhill.
Sunday Night last week lured just 422,000 five-city metro viewers.
By comparison, rival 60 Minutes had an audience of 669,000 the previous week (State of Origin replaced the program last weekend).
Founding executive producer Mark Llewellyn was placed on extended leave in 2014 after he was accused of physically attacking a work colleague.
And just this week Confidential revealed former executive producer Hamish Thomson had left the company after being accused of telling senior producer Lisa Ryan she was needed a “good f**k”, a claim he denies.
Ryan is understood to be planning a move to Brisbane in search of work.
Originally published as Inside sources say Channel 7’s Sunday Night could be axed
$14k a clip: NSW YouTube stars making more than you
YouTube stars in NSW are raking in thousands of dollars per video but it’s what they do in their clips that will drive traditional workers mad. Check out the rich list.
Glamming it up for a return to the racecourse
The first official racing carnival featuring the new $46.6m WINX stand at Randwick Racecourse is kicking off, with model and new mum Ksenija Lukich among those dressing up for the occasion.