Brayshaw dumped as Nine gives Footy Show job to Craig Hutchison

Channel Nine has confirmed the departure of AFL Footy Show host James Brayshaw after the network failed to negotiate a new contract with the popular host and commentator.

Brayshaw has been in negotiations with the network for the past 3 months, but Nine is believed to have been unwilling to match his high salary demands.

Earlier this year Brayshaw quit Nine’s cricket commentary team, a move designed to allow him more family time, After seperating from his wife, Brayshaw now lives in Melbourne with his 4 children.

Brayshaw has also recently completed a 10 year period as President of the North Melbourne Football club and is now looking to increase his football commentary profile.

DeciderTV understands Brayshaw will now sign a lucrative deal with Fox Footy to call football. The pay-tv channel will be broadcasting more exclusive games than ever before in 2017 under the new broadcast arrangement. Brayshaw will also lead a new cricket commentary team on Triple M this summer.

The move means Footy Classified host Craig Hutchison will now join Rebecca Maddern as co-host of The AFL Footy Show.

Not regarded as a ‘natural’ TV host, Hutchison began his Nine Network career in 2007 as a co-host of Footy Classified and a newsbreaker on The Footy Show. In 2013, he was appointed host of The Sunday Footy Show.

Hutchison, 41, started out with the Herald Sun newspaper in 1994, he then transitioned into television in 1997, reporting for Channel 10, then Channel 7.

During his career he has won numerous awards, including journalism’s highest honour, the prestigious Walkley Award, as well as a Quill Award. He has taken home the Australian Football Media Association Award for Best Electronic Reporter a record 11 times.

Hutchison then founded media company Crocmedia, the company now has controlling stake in the AFL Radio broadcast rights and produces TV and Radio content for stations across the country.

Combined with his business interests, the new role on The Footy Show will make him one of the most powerful voices in the AFL media industry.

Channel Nine Melbourne Managing Director, Ian Paterson, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Craig to the co-hosting chair on The Footy Show. He is a first-class media performer and businessman with a proven track record in breaking some of the biggest AFL stories in history. He will be a terrific addition to the program alongside Rebecca.

“We thank James Brayshaw for his contribution for the past 11 years to The AFL Footy Show and the network. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”