Sunday Night suddenly axed by Seven

Seven’s rival current affairs show to 60 Minutes has been axed after a decade on the air, in what’s been called “a very tough decision.”

Seven’s flagship current affairs show Sunday Night has been axed.

In a statement provided to news.com.au, Seven’s Head of News and Current Affairs Craig McPherson confirmed that the program would not continue in 2020.

“After 11 years at the forefront of our Public Affairs offering it is with much sadness I announce the closing down of the day to day operations of Sunday Night: True Stories.

RELATED: Kid’s character Fireman Sam axed as a mascot for lacking inclusivity

RELATED: Rove says failed TV show won’t be the last time we see him on our screens

It has been a very tough decision in a very challenging TV landscape,” McPherson said.

“I want to thank the exceptional team of reporters; producers; camera operators; editors and many others who have helped produce more than 500 hours of quality public affairs programming over its lifetime.

The program itself will remain on-air until the end of the year. A small production team will stay on to produce existing product over this time.

I wish all those leaving us nothing but the best for the future.”

Sunday Night circa 2019, from left: Steve Pennells, Angela Cox, Alex Cullen, Melissa Doyle, Denham Hitchcock and Matt Doran. Picture: Seven.

The Daily Telegraph reports that McPherson told staff earlier today the program would no longer continue.

Over the years the program has faced fierce backlash for controversial interviews it has aired, which it reportedly paid up to millions of dollars for in some cases.

In 2014, Sunrise host David Koch was outspoken against his own network about the Sunday Night interview with Schapelle Corby in Bali on her first night of parole.

“Totally disagree with paying a convicted drug smuggler $2 million,” Koch said. His co-host, Samantha Armytage, responded: “Too late for that.”

Schapelle Corby was interviewed by the program at a Seminyak resort in 2014. Picture: Channel 7.

While the Seven Network remained tight-lipped on the amount Corby was paid for the interview, it is rumoured to have been between $1 million to $3 million.

The chat was filmed at a luxury resort in the Seminyak district in Bali, where a crew from Seven’s Sunday Night program was also staying.

Similarly criticised was the decision to pay $150,000 for an interview with Barnaby Joyce and his new partner Vikki Campion over the affair that destroyed his career and marriage.

For those who asked. #auspol https://t.co/RR4F8g2upK

— Alex Cullen (@alextcullen) June 4, 2018

“This is Ms Campion’s first interview since details of her relationship with Mr Joyce were made public,” the program tweeted to promote the segment last year.

Mr Joyce was forced to quit his leadership role when the scandal over his affair broke earlier this year. Ms Campion gave birth to their son Sebastian in April.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion's "tell all" interview went to air in June 2018. Picture: Channel 7.

Hosted by former Sunrise star Melissa Doyle since 2015, Sunday Night was in past years hosted by Mike Munro and Chris Bath. Past and present reporters for the show include Rahni Sadler, Alex Cullen, Mike Willesee, Molly Meldrum and Denham Hitchcock.

The show was created as Seven’s answer to Nine’s 60 Minutes, but in recent times has suffered in the ratings against that current affairs juggernaut.

The Telegraph reports that Seven is planning to resurrect Today Tonight, which was axed on the east coast of Australia in 2014.