The Project hosts awkwardly fail to address ‘cancellation’

Friday’s episode of The Project had been widely expected to address reports that the show is being axed.

It was one of the biggest entertainment stories in Australia on Thursday - The Project is reportedly being axed.

While no official word has been given from Channel 10, viewers expected the hosts of Friday’s episode to make a formal announcement following widespread reports the show would be ending after years on the air.

Despite reported news of the cancellation spreading, when the show aired on Friday evening there was zero mention of it.

“That is it for tonight,” said host Georgie Tunny at the end of the show. “Please thank Max Rushden, Susie, and we will see you Sunday.”

The hosts of Friday's episode of The Project refused to address reports the show is ending. Picture: Channel 10.

“I heard the project is dead?” remarked on viewer on the show’s official Twitter page.

“Wait … is it still on?!” questioned another.

The confusion comes as viewers delivered their damning verdict on The Project reportedly being replaced by a new show.

Social media was littered with thousands of comments from Aussie viewers who appeared glad to see the back of the once well-received panel show.

“That is the best news I have heard in a while” remarked one viewer, with another commenting: “Thanks God. No one on there was even remotely funny.”

“I wasn’t going to have a beer tonight but after hearing this I will have a few,” joked another.

Despite the wave of support for its reported axing, some fans of the show did share their upset at it disappearing from screens.

Everything seemed to be business as usual on Friday's show. Picture: Channel 10

“I’ll be sorry to see it go,” wrote one on Facebook, with another agreeing, adding: “It’s become an institution, what a shame!”

Reports first emerged on Thursday that a yet-to-be-revealed new show will usher in a new format that will transform The Project’s current timeslot.

The insider claimed that development of the show has been underway for quite some time and that it could be launched as soon as next month.

It will mark a huge shift for the timeslot, with the new show thought to be set to run four times a week for thirty minutes, a big change from The Project’s six hour-long shows a week.

It’s currently unclear what Channel 10 will air during the other half an hour.

News.com.au has reached out to Channel 10 for comment.

Once an iconic mainstay of current affairs television Down Under, the show has struggled in recent years to keep hold of its audience as viewing habits have shifted from live free-to-air TV to streaming.

Ratings for the beloved panel show, which made its debut in 2009, have halved in recent years and sparked numerous rumours about its demise which Channel 10 have previously denied.

Ten’s new recuits

The rumours around The Project’s impending demise came just days after it was reported that three Channel 7 reports have jumped ship to 10.

Veteran investigative reporter and Spotlight producer Denham Hitchcock started at the Paramount-owned network on Monday telling his social media following, “Well here we go. I’ve switched channels.”

Former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace and Senior 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan, are also on their way over to Channel 10, according to The Australian.

Brace was reportedly offered a $50,000 pay rise to move over from the troubled Channel 7 and is said to be working on a new, long-form investigative offering established by 10’s head of broadcast news Martin White.
Her two former Seven colleaugues, Hitchcock and Hogan, are also believed to have been recuited for the same show which is set to rival Nine’s 60 Minutes and the ABC’s Four Corners.

Originally published as The Project hosts awkwardly fail to address ‘cancellation’