Liam Bartlett reportedly defecting to Channel 7 after leaving 60 Minutes

Former 60 Minutes presenter Liam Bartlett is said to be jumping ship to Channel 7, joining his former program’s biggest competitor.

The ongoing TV industry shake-up of 2022 continues this week with reports former 60 Minutes presenter Liam Bartlett is jumping ship to Seven.

Whispers of Bartlett’s rival-network move, first reported by industry website TV Tonight, come after several moves in the current affairs hosting sphere, with three resignations from The Project over at Ten, and at Nine, Sarah Abo’s appointment as co-host of Today, and Ally Langdon’s new role as host of A Current Affair.

Until now, Channel 7 has stayed largely out of the shuffle.

Liam Bartlett is the latest TV presenter to be embroiled in the industry shake-up.

Veteran journalist Bartlett, who announced he was leaving his role on 60 Minutes, as well as his hosting gig on Nine-owned Perth radio station 6PR, in October, is “all but certain” to join Channel 7 in 2023, according to sources of The Australian.

In addition to moving to a rival network, Bartlett is believed to be joining his former show’s biggest competitor, 7News Spotlight, joining executive producer Mark Llewellyn, who was also formerly employed at Nine overseeing 60 Minutes as head of news and current affairs.

Denham Hitchcock is currently senior report for the investigative news program.

In October, Bartlett confirmed his decision to exit Nine in a statement which read: “It’s been a real privilege and an honour to be allowed to present the Morning program in my home state and be part of the wonderful 6PR team.

Bartlett first joined the 60 Minutes team in 2006.

“And my time at 60 Minutes has afforded me so many memorable moments in the footsteps of some of the best in the business.

“I’m extremely appreciative of all the opportunities.”

Bartlett first joined 60 Minutes in July 2006 – following the death of stalwart Richard Carlton. He went on to cover war zones in Israel, Beirut, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Ossetia and Syria.

Ally Langdon was named new A Current Affair host last Sunday. Picture: Supplied.

Kirsty Thomson, 60 Minutes Executive Producer, said of his departure: “Liam has been an exceptional 60 Minutes correspondent. His reports from the world’s most far-flung places and his award-winning investigations into animal cruelty, government rorts and global scams will always be among the program’s most memorable.

“Liam is a brilliant journalist and a razor-sharp interviewer who cares deeply about the stories he tells. We will miss him and wish him every success in the future.”

With Sarah Abo and Liam Bartlett off the 60 Minutes team, it is not yet known with will step up to replace them and join Tara Brown, Liz Hayes and Tom Steinfort.