Natasha Exelby announces she won’t be returning to Studio 10

After a year of dwindling ratings and a “mass exodus” from its prime time news program, yet another Channel 10 show looks to be in trouble.

Studio 10 is rounding out the year with two empty seats after Natasha Exelby’s shock announcement that she won’t be returning in 2023.

The newsreader revealed the move on social media on Friday, sharing that it was her final day on the show.

It was the same day Sarah Harris gave her emotional farewells as she prepares to make her move to The Project to replace Carrie Bickmore.

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Natasha Exelby will no longer read the news on Studio 10. Picture: Channel 10.

Quietly confirming her exit from the flagship morning program, Exelby wrote on Instagram: “I will miss you (Studio 10) but cheering on the 2023 squad big time.”

It comes amid a nightmare few months for the network, which suffered a “mass exodus” from The Project, losing Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar. Its newest reality show The Challenge suffered an embarrassing zero viewers in one state.

The Challenge Australia, Ten’s “all-star” show which debuted in November, was bumped to a later timeslot just one week after its lacklustre premiere, before it was ultimately moved to the network’s multichannel, 10 Shake, earlier this month.

news.com.au understands the show’s finale received just 10,000 viewers overall, with ‘zero’ viewers in Brisbane for the final two episodes.

It’s been a year of chopping and changing for Ten as ratings tumble, with Studio 10 pushed back to a 10am start time, and slashed from three-and-a half to just two hours a day.

Sarah Harris will host The Project with Waleed Aly. Source: Network 10

The Australian reported earlier this month that just 30,000 viewers have been tuning into the show.

Studio 10 experienced a “shake up” in 2020, losing Joe Hildebrand, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Natarsha Belling, and welcoming Tristan McManus to a co-hosting role with Harris.

McManus remains in the hosting seat, with former The Block contestant and radio personality Jess Eva filling in for Harris in a guest role.