Channel 10 staff slam management over Studio 10 axing announcement

Staff at Network 10 have hit back at management over the cancellation of Studio 10 labelling the announcement “cold and emotionless”.

Channel 10 staff have criticised the announcement from management about the axing of morning show Studio 10 labelling it “emotionless and cold”.

On Monday, the network – owned by US giant Paramount – said that after more than a decade on air the program would come to an end on December 22.

Announcing the news in an Instagram video, current hosts Tristan MacManus and Angela Bishop said it had been a “tough day” learning of the show’s fate.

“It’s a tough day for the whole Studio 10 family, because we have loved bringing you the show for the last 10 years,” said Bishop in the video.

“We’re all really proud to be part of it.

“I’m going to pinch a quote: Don’t cry ‘cos it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Studio 10 hosts Tristan MacManus and Angela Bishop announce the axe on Instagram.

‘Emotionless’

But a number of staff weren’t smiling after Channel 10’s network news director Martin White sent an email to employees informing them of the end of the show.

The email said Studio 10’s axing was “sad news” and had come about due to “a change in viewing habits in daytime television”.

It added that Bishop – Channel 10’s long-time entertainment reporter – and MacManus, as well as co-host Narelda Jacobs and reporter Daniel Doody, would remain with the network.

Talking to The Daily Telegraph, a senior Channel 10 staff member said the email was “emotionless and cold”.

Studio 10s original hosts of Ita Buttrose, Jessica Rowe, Joe Hildebrand and Sarah Harris.

“Just two weeks ago Studio 10 was celebrating its 10th anniversary on air – now the team isn’t even being thanked for its hard work or successes,” added a staff member.

“For management to blame it on a ‘change in viewing habits’ rather than poor decision making at the top is unfair.”

The email also touted a new morning line up and an extra 3.30pm news bulletin.

Some staff questioned who would watch a news bulletin in midafternoon.

Ten already has two and a half hours of news between midday and early evening.

Studio 10 roving reporter Daniel Doody.

Co-host Narelda Jacobs. Picture: Yasmin Mund

In a statement to news.com.au, Network 10 praised the Studio 10 team.

“We would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated in and supported the program over the past decade and to the millions of viewers who tuned in over that time,” the statement said.

“It has been a show that has provided copious amounts of feel-good fun, joy, passion, heart, entertainment, and unforgettable moments all against the backdrop of live television.”

“We would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated in and supported the program over the past decade and to the millions of viewers who tuned in over that time.

“It has been a show that has provided copious amounts of feel-good fun, joy, passion, heart, entertainment, and unforgettable moments all against the backdrop of live television.”

The midmorning schedule is a notoriously difficult timeslot to engage audiences.

Even with Harris at the helm, Studio 10 averaged just 31,000 viewers in 2022.