Liz Hayes ‘set for massive pay cut’, claims TV insider

A TV insider has alleged that Channel 9 presenter Liz Hayes is facing having have her investigative show axed by the network.

Liz Hayes will reportedly take a massive pay cut as part of Channel 9’s long-term strategy to cut costs.

Hayes is one of Australia’s most beloved presenters, and was recently up for a Silver Logie for her tireless work in the media industry.

However, with some of Australia’s networks currently “in turmoil”, execs are in the midst of cost cutting measures, including looking closely at how much is being spent on big-name stars.

Beloved presenter Liz Hayes could be set to take a pay cut, according to reports. Picture: Christian Gilles.

According to Mail Online, Hayes’ eponymous true crime series, Under Investigation with Liz Hayes, has become a victim of Nine’s “budgetary bloodletting”.

However, as of now its future still remains up in the air as Nine has yet to confirm whether the show will return.

The insider then went on to claim that if the show were to be cancelled, it could be set to spell a huge pay cut for Hayes.

“Liz is on $500,000 with 60 Minutes … but she was given a $250,000 top-up for her work on Under Investigation, putting her on a $750,000 deal overall,” continued the insider.

“There’s no way 60’s budget can absorb a salary that big, so she’s already looking at copping a massive pay cut to say the very least – and $250,000 equals a lot of producers.”

Nine declined to comment when approached by news.com.au.

It’s been claimed by an insider that Hayes’ show could be on the chopping block. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, the latest reports concerning Nine come as rival Network 10 recently announced the decision to axe some of its most recognisable shows.

In May, Channel 10 confirmed The Masked Singer and The Bachelor will not be returning this year.

“Network 10 will be packing away the masks and roses this year, confirming that The Masked Singer and The Bachelor franchises won’t appear in its program schedule,” a Channel 10 spokesman told news.com.au in a statement.

“Both franchises have been hosted by television presenter extraordinaire Osher Günsberg from their inception.

“The resting of The Masked Singer Australia and The Bachelor franchise will give Osher a moment to rest his voice which has worked overtime screaming ‘Take It Off’ and simultaneously dropping to a whisper to deliver the iconic line of ‘I’m sorry, but you did not receive a rose’.

“Osher will narrate Season 18 of Bondi Rescue, which will return later in 2024 and remains a much-loved presenter and friend of Network 10.”

The 11th season of The Bachelor last year premiered to the franchise’s lowest ratings in its decade-long history. It lured just 224,000 five-city metro viewers, with a total audience of 319,000.