Matty Johns rejects new late-night spot on Channel 7

MATTY Johns will likely be earning more than $500,000 to do nothing in 2011 after refusing a new timeslot on Channel 7.

By Phil Rothfield

2 min read

February 8, 2011 - 2:20AM

DailyTelegraph

Matty Johns

CHANNEL 7 has ditched Matty Johns from his prime time television slot, leaving the future of his rugby league/variety show in grave doubt.

The Daily Telegraph understands Johns, his business partner John Singleton and manager Glenn Wheatley recently rejected an offer of a new 10.30pm timeslot on Thursday nights which would place the show in a head-on ratings clash with Channel 9's The Footy Show.

Johns appears certain to sit out 2011 on his full salary because his two-year contract with the network has a clause that stipulates his show goes to air between 7pm and 10pm.

He will be earning more than $500,000 to sit on his backside and do nothing.

The former Knights, Origin and Kangaroos star has ruled out a switch to a rival network.

"Put it this way, SBS haven't phoned yet," Johns said. "Seriously, I've left it all with Singo and Glenn to look after for me.

"They're talking to Seven at the moment. Singo said to me to stay out of it.

"Whatever happens, I'll be guided by Singo's advice."

Singleton is overseas but The Daily Telegraph understands he has advised Johns to take 12 months off rather than do a late-night show. "They feel its too hard to get guests on at 10.30," a source said. "Plus Shane Webcke won't do it at that time of night."

The show was always aimed for a younger audience earlier in the evening.

Johns is a victim of Channel 7's failure to produce a successful AFL show out of Melbourne and other AFL states in the same timeslot as his show in Sydney and Brisbane.

Johns' show rated well in Sydney and Brisbane but needed the failed AFL show The Bounce to work in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to give Seven with a strong national audience in prime time.

Sources said it was highly unlikely the former Channel 9 star would be invited back to that network.

Nine boss David Gyngell said last year: "Matty's made his decision, good luck to him, and we've all moved on."

Nine will launch another season of The Footy Show in March.

The show will have a new set but will retain the same panel, although Tigers superstar Benji Marshall will feature more often. However Phil Gould will switch to Mad Monday during the Origin series and the finals.

One HD will launch a Monday night show hosted by Adam Hawse and featuring Blues coach Ricky Stuart.

And yesterday, ESPN confirmed the launch of its second channels in Australia, in standard and high definition.

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SEVEN

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NINE

HIT: Underbelly: Razor

RISK: Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth

TEN

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