Channel Ten Axes Another Show: The Shocking Demise of 10 News+
- 10 News+ cancelled after just one year due to poor ratings and failure to build a loyal audience
- Network blames audience demand for more local news, despite 10 News seeing its biggest monthly national total audience since January
- Co-hosts Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace yet to comment on the news, which comes just weeks after Hitchcock celebrated Brace’s return from holiday
- 10 News+ to be replaced by an extended 90-minute 5pm news bulletin, with the show shifting to a weekly Sunday night slot
In a move that has left many in the television industry stunned, Channel Ten has announced the cancellation of its current affairs program 10 News+.
The show, which was launched just over a year ago with high hopes of taking over from the popular program The Project, failed to gain traction with audiences and was deemed a ratings flop.
The news was delivered to staff via a note from Ten’s vice president, Martin White, who cited audience demand for more local news as the reason for the change.
“While we are still finalising the format, we are making this change because our audience has told us they want more local news,” White said.
Despite this, the network’s own data shows that 10 News saw its biggest monthly national total audience since January, with a 45% increase in streaming audience compared to 2025.
So, what went wrong for 10 News+?
Launched with experienced news presenters Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace at the helm, the show initially started strong with 290,000 viewers in its opening weeks.
However, in recent times, the show’s ratings had dropped off significantly, with it failing to make the top 30 most viewed programs.
In an attempt to salvage the show, the network had cut the original airtime from an hour long to just 30 minutes, but it failed to make any difference.
The cancellation of 10 News+ is not the first time Channel Ten has axed a popular show. Earlier this year, the network cancelled I’m A Celebrity…
Get Me Out of Here! and The Amazing Race.
The move has raised questions about the network’s programming strategy and its ability to produce shows that resonate with audiences.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The cancellation of 10 News+ has significant implications for the Australian television industry.
With the rise of streaming services and online news platforms, traditional television networks are under increasing pressure to produce content that is relevant and engaging to audiences.
The failure of 10 News+ to gain traction with viewers is a warning sign for other networks to adapt and evolve their programming strategies.
Security analysts say that the cancellation of 10 News+ highlights the need for networks to focus on producing high-quality, locally relevant content that meets the changing needs of audiences.
“Australians are looking for content that is authentic and relevant to their lives,” said one analyst. “Networks need to focus on producing shows that meet this demand, rather than trying to replicate formats that may have worked in the past.”
Industry observers believe that the cancellation of 10 News+ will also have implications for the network’s ability to attract and retain talent.
“The cancellation of 10 News+ will likely have a ripple effect throughout the industry, with other networks and production companies taking note of the network’s programming strategy,” said one observer.
“Talent will be looking for networks that are committed to producing high-quality content and have a clear vision for the future.”
As for Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace, the co-hosts of 10 News+, their futures with the network remain uncertain.
While they have yet to comment on the cancellation of the show, it is likely that they will be looking for new opportunities in the coming months.
The cancellation of 10 News+ is a significant blow to Channel Ten, but it also presents an opportunity for the network to reassess its programming strategy and focus on producing content that resonates with audiences.
With the rise of streaming services and online news platforms, traditional television networks need to adapt and evolve to remain relevant. The question is, can Channel Ten do it?
