Latest news with #TheProject
West Australian
11 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Channel 10's Perth to east coast move ‘tip of the iceberg' warns expert Rob McKnight
Plans to move some off-air roles at Channel 10's Perth newsroom to the east coast are 'the tip of the iceberg' and will ultimately mean less local coverage, leading TV commentator and experienced producer Rob McKnight has warned. Mr McKnight, co-creator of industry news website TV Blackbox, said although viewers may not immediately notice the difference, it would have an effect on local stories. He also suggested further consolidation by the network's foreign owner Paramount was likely, after plans to move editors in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane to Melbourne and Sydney were revealed this week. 'An editor in Sydney or Melbourne is just not going to give a local Perth story the kind of energy they give to a story in their own market,' he said. The West Australian understands that Perth's Channel 10 newsroom was told on Monday that as many as four editor roles would be moved to Sydney and Melbourne by the end of the month. Similar roles in Adelaide and Brisbane have also been affected. It is understood about 10 staff will be offered redeployment to the Eastern States. Channel 10 declined to comment or answer questions, including whether it could commit to having a locally-presented news bulletin. In an email from Paramount's vice president of news Martin White, staff were told of a change to editing workflow to ensure 'greater efficiency' at a challenging time for the media industry. 'No local news gathering, journalism or presentation is impacted by this move in any way,' he said. 'A small number of (operations) roles will be redeployed to Sydney and Melbourne, and those impacted have already been spoken to.' Mr McKnight, a former executive producer of Channel 10's now defunct breakfast panel show, Studio 10, said he thought the changes would be the 'tip of the iceberg' at Channel 10, which recently axed news program The Project. 'I think we are going to see centralisation of Channel 10 continue,' he said. 'You start with editors, then it's graphics, then 'oh we can have our producers in Sydney or Melbourne.' 'You will end up with people in Melbourne or Sydney having a very big say on a story from Perth.' He said there was a big difference in having a local story produced and edited locally. A lack of local knowledge could lead to 'silly mistakes.' It is not the first time Channel 10 has faced questions about its commitment to news in Perth. In 2000 it moved the studio production of the local bulletin to Sydney, before ultimately returning its weekday bulletin to Perth three years later. In September 2020, the Perth bulletin production was again transferred to Sydney, leading to redundancies among local staff. Narelda Jacobs, pictured, started in Perth and moved to Sydney in 2020 to co-host Studio 10 present News from the east coast. Jacobs now presents the national lunchtime and afternoon news bulletins.
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Bruce Lehrmann enters plea in car theft case
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to stealing a car. Mr Lehrmann, 30, and his high-profile Sydney criminal lawyer, Zali Burrows, appeared via phone in Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. The first attempt to get Mr Lehrmann on the phone was unsuccessful with his lawyer saying he likely didn't answer because it was an unknown number. Magistrate Reg Marron told Ms Burrows: 'We've got a room full of people here ready to go, when we ring back please make sure he's ready to go.' Mr Lehrmann answered on the second attempt. Once everyone was on the call Ms Burrows proceeded to take issue with the material Tasmanian Police had provided her to date. She said the name of the complainant – Gail Oates – had been blacked out of the documents she had been provided. 'The present concern is the police statement redacts the name of Ms Oates,' she said. Ms Burrows said earlier media reports had included Ms Oates saying Mr Lehrmann allegedly stole her car and that these were: 'Sub-judice' and 'contempt'. She said she would be filing an application for a stay of proceedings. A stay of prosecution occurs when the case against a person has been prejudiced to the extent that it can not fairly proceed. State prosecutor Bune Kokeo said any application for a stay would be strongly opposed. He then submitted that Magistate Marron should request a plea. 'The issue right now is that the police have redacted the statement,' Ms Burrows said. 'I don't understand why it's such a national secret.' In response the prosecution tendered a list outlining all documents that had been provided to the defence to date. Magistrate Marron then told Ms Burrows things were different in Tasmania. 'Down here prosecution do things differently,' he said. He went on to say that in Tasmania people who are charged with a criminal offence are initially provided with less evidence than in other Australian jurisdictions. And it is only after a plea of not guilty is entered that the full prosecution is disclosed. Magistrate Marron ended by saying he does not hold it against defendants if they request to see the full file by pleading not guilty. Ms Burrows then entered a not guilty plea on behalf of her client. In a final parting shot the prosecutor applied for Mr Lehrmann to be forced to attend in person when the matter came back before court. The reasons why Mr Lehrmann appeared by phone were unclear but Magistrate Marron denied the application saying he could not see a good reason why Mr Lehrmann: 'Should be put through that.' The matter will next appear on September 19. Meanwhile Mr Lehrmann's continues to pursue an appeal against a defamation judgment against him, in Sydney. In 2023, Mr Lehrmann sued Network Ten and television presenter Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over a story that aired on the recently-cancelled show The Project. Justice Michael Lee found that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. A criminal prosecution against Mr Lehrmann was abandoned in October 2022 over juror misconduct. After finding it was true that Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins, Justice Lee later ordered him to pay $2 million worth of legal costs to Network Ten. Mr Lehrmann had a procedural win in his appeal in October last year, when Justice Wendy Abrahams – who is hearing his appeal - ordered he would not have to pay $200,000 of that money before his appeal proceeded. And because Mr Lehrmann is on Centrelink benefits, Justice Abrahams found any attempt to retrieve the money he owed Network Ten would simply bankrupt him. Justice Abrahams also allowed the appeal to go ahead without forcing Mr Lehrmann to put up money to secure the costs of Wilkinson and Network Ten.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Emotional moment comedian Celeste Barber reveals why The Project axing is 'loss' to the arts - as hard hitting news show replacing it is revealed
Celeste Barber has shared an emotional moment with the outgoing cast of The Project after the show was axed. The comedian said she strong-armed her way onto the show after learning it was in its final days. The 43-year-old said she wanted to express how important the show was to comedians and people in the arts like herself. 'I actually nudged my way in to come onto the show tonight, everyone. I wasn't meant to be on, but when I heard that you guys aren't going to be around for much longer, I wanted to come on and say hi' she said. 'I know other people have said it, there is no other show that does what you guys do. There is no other show that supports the arts, supports touring comedians in this country, there just isn't. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I appreciate it and I hate interviews, I hate them. I never do them. I really don't like them, but I always love coming here and talking with you guys. 'It means the world that you have always got me on. All through the weird stuff that I do' Celeste added. Her comments drew 'awws' from the show's panel of hosts, who were clearly moved. The Project was officially axed after 16 years last week, and will air its final episode on June 27. Network 10 announced the news last Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support before announcing the show's replacement. Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows. The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Carrie Bickmore left her seat as host at the end of 2022, has aired 'nearly 4,500 episodes' to date and will wrap up in three weeks. Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16. After announcing The Project was ending, Ten then released another statement announcing a news program will be replacing the axed show. 'Network 10 will be introducing a revised early evening program schedule later this month,' a spokesperson said. 'At the core of the changes will be an expansion of Network 10's successful news coverage, with the launch of a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week to complement 10's one-hour 5pm local news bulletins. 'This reflects the successful growth in audiences to Network 10 local news bulletins and coverage. Our focus continues to be on serving our free-to-air audiences with more of the content they are increasingly watching.' The new show taking over the slot left behind by the axing of The Project has dropped its first trailer. Channel Ten has shared a glimpse of their upcoming 'classy' current affairs show called 10 News+ in a teaser trailer posted to social media on Tuesday night. In the clip, hosts Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace promise to deliver 'trust and truth' and put the 'truth first' in their reporting on the new show, which begins airing on Monday, June 30 at 6pm, after the five o'clock news bulletin. 'After 30 years as an on the road journalist, travelling to every corner of the globe, two things are constant - trust and the truth' Hitchcock said. 'Covering news can really throw you into the thick of it. You get to see an experience history unfolding' Brace added. 'Now together, we're bringing you 10 News+ at six from Monday, June 30' Hitchcock announced. A preview of what the show will have on offer was then related by Brace, including 'a political party torn apart, conflicts causing chaos, bills pushing families to the brink. 'If it affects your life, we will ask the tough questions' the pair promised.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Everyone knows you've lost your job': The Project star Sam Taunton returns to stand-up comedy after brutal axing
Axed Project Star Sam Taunton has broken his silence following the shock cancellation of Channel 10's The Project in a new stand up set. Taunton, a well-known stand-up comedian, joined the long-running panel show in 2023 as a full time weeknight panelist alongside fellow newbie Sarah Harris and veteran Waleed Aly. The 33-year-old funny man took to the stage in Sydney this week to try out some new stand up material after news of the show's cancellation reached media outlets. 'It's just like everyone f**king knows you've lost your job and it's crazy,' Sam told the audience, as reported by the Daily Mail Australia. 'My dad rang me and said: 'Look, if I'm honest, the show wasn't for me. I prefer real news''. Staunton then revealed that his co-host Waleed Aly tried to warn him about paparazzi due to the high level of media coverage about The Project's demise. 'Waleed – you might know that guy?' Taunton said. 'He texted me on Wednesday and said: 'I'm so sorry, Sam. Get prepared. I just got papped by the paparazzi outside Chemist Warehouse near the studio.' 'I ran as fast as I could to Chemist Warehouse. Not one f***er took a photo of me!' A Ten spokesperson confirmed to last week that The Project will end its run after 'almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes' on June 27. The long-running panel series was beset by sliding ratings and a rotating line up of anchors for years before it was officially axed. Channel 10 has subsequently unveiled The Project's successor, a 'premium, in-depth news, current affairs and insights program' called 10 NEWS+. The new 'premium' news show will be helmed by ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. It is understood that 10NEWS+ will inherit the first half of The Project's 6:30pm – 7:30pm slot, with the second half hour now freed up for the channel's primetime programming. The anchor team will be supported by an existing pool of Ten reporters, including Political Editor Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank and Claudia Vrdoljak.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Unemployed': The Project's Sam Taunton makes light of losing his TV job
The Project star Sam Taunton has poked fun at Channel 10 axing the long-running panel show, effectively making he and his co-stars unemployed. It was confirmed last week that the current affairs and entertainment panel program was wrapping up at the end of this month after 16 years on air, with hosts including Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald all leaving the network. Taunton, who regularly hosts comedy segments on the panel show, broke his silence over the show's axing during his latest stand-up routine, where he revealed his close family's reaction to the news that he was now unemployed. 'It's just like everyone f**king knows you've lost your job and it's crazy,' said the comedian. 'My dad rang me and said: 'Look, if I'm honest, the show wasn't for me. I prefer real news.'' He continued: 'My girlfriend just sent me a Google Docs spreadsheet that said 'Chores now that Sam's unemployed.'' Taunton also revealed during his set that co-star Waleed Aly had warned him about the attention they would be receiving after the news was announced to the world that the show was coming to an end. 'It's weird losing your job very publicly. Waleed, you might know that guy. He texted me on Wednesday and he goes, he goes, I'm so sorry, Sam. Get prepared. I just got papped by the paparazzi outside Chemist Warehouse near the studio.' Taunton then joked: 'I ran as fast as I could to the chemist's warehouse. Not one f**ker took a photo of me!' Ten recently revealed details of the program replacing The Project, which launches on June 30. 10 News+ will be hosted by journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace from Sunday to Thursday, and Hugh Riminton and Urusa Heger on Fridays. Also featured in the presenting line-up are political editor Ashleigh Raper, Billy Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank, Claudia Vrdoljak and entertainment editor Angela Bishop. Veteran producer Daniel Sutton will serve as EP. In a statement, Ten said that the new program 'will offer a fresh perspective on critical local and global stories, tailored for an engaged audience seeing an in-depth news coverage.'
