After a chequered run over the last 10 years, the network has finally put the show to the sword and called time on the morning entertainment program.
TV Blackbox has learned today that Channel 10’s morning program Studio 10 has met the programmer’s axe, with news that the final show is set to go to air on Friday 22nd December.
The program, which has struggled through budgetary cuts and hosting changes that has seen its ratings figures plummet in recent years, recently celebrated it’s 10th birthday on-air with a nostalgic look back over the years.
Watch the announcement from Angela Bishop and Tristan MacManus:
The most recent iteration that launched this year at the new time of 10am was anchored by Narelda Jacobs, Tristan McManus and Angela Bishop, with special reports by Daniel Doody (who has also featured on 10’s The Real Love Boat), and a panel of fill-in co-hosts which recently consisted of Jess Eva, Barry Du Bois, Stevie Jacobs and more.
Original Executive Producer Rob McKnight (co-editor of this website) said:
“It’s a sad day for everyone who has been involved in the ‘little show that could.”
“Although it’s current version is not the show we once made, everyone who had anything to do with Studio 10 did it with passion and love.”
“Shows come and go but this one will always have a piece of my heart.”
Network 10 announced in mid-2013 plans to overhaul their mornings line-up with a new Breakfast program (later announced as Wake Up, axed after 6 months on air), as well as new mid-morning show Studio 10 which originally featured a round table panel consisting of host Sarah Harris with Jessica Rowe, Joe Hildebrand and Ita Buttrose.
Hosting changes over the years included the addition of Denise “Ding Dong” Drysdale to the show in 2015 in a job sharing arrangement with Ita Buttrose, as Ita stepped back her commitments with the program and later announced her exit in April 2018. A month earlier in March, original host Jessica Rowe also decided to leave the program after more than 4 years to spend more time with her young family.
In April 2018, current co-host and friend of the show Angela Bishop would join the program in a permanent capacity along with comedian Denise Scott. In September of that year, TV royalty Kerri-Anne Kennerley would also go on to join the show 2 days a week in another job sharing capacity, this time with Denise Scott and following Drysdale moving to appearing on an ad-hoc basis.
The changes continued when Network 10 axed a number of presenters from the network in August of 2020, during the covid-19 pandemic, with a number of the Studio 10 team including news presenter Natarsha Belling, KAK and later Joe Hildebrand in September 2020 leaving the show following a restructure of the news division and Studio 10 program.
Sarah Harris – one of the original panel of hosts and poached from the Nine Network to helm the show – found opportunity when promoted to co-host The Project after Carrie Bickmore stepped aside in October of 2022, both the last remaining original co-hosts of the each program respectively.
In addition the program has undergone a myriad of other changes in the last 10 years, with the show today being a shell of its former self. From the various timeslot changes, studio changes, and tweaks to the format, but none likely affected the show more than the exit of Executive Producer and co-creator of the program Rob McKnight (co-owner of this website) in late 2017.
In a statement received from Network 10 today, a spokesperson said:
“Network 10 today announced that the last episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22 after more than a decade on Australian screens.”
“Studio 10 has been a great contributor to Network 10’s daytime program lineup. We would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated in and supported the program over the past decade and to the millions of viewers who tuned in over that time.”
“It has been a show that has provided copious amounts of feelgood fun, joy, passion, heart, entertainment, and unforgettable moments all against the backdrop of live television.”
“Although we are sad to be farewelling the program, the decision to cease production of Studio 10 comes after a change in viewing habits in daytime television. In 2024 there will be a new morning lineup with an increased focus on news and current affairs later in the day.”
“The hosts of Studio 10 – Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus, with special roving reporter Daniel Doody – will remain with the network in different roles and many of the staff will be redeployed.”
Also announced today was news of a further national news bulletin launching next year; 10 News First: Afternoons hosted by Narelda Jacobs to air at 3:30pm as part of their afternoon line-up and leading into new Neighbours at 4:00pm. The new bulletin joins 10 News First: Midday which launched in January of this year, which is also hosted by Jacobs.
The news of further expansion of the news division follows confirmation from 10’s recent Upfronts of a TV Blackbox exclusive story that the network was set to bring back it’s infamous 10 Late News bulletin to target late night viewers in 2024, and a strategic shift and renewed focus on News & Current Affairs in the new year.
Additional reporting by Kyle Laidlaw.
*This story updates
Now put the other rubbish out of its misery “the Project “
About time!!!
Wow!
Never watched it
But they keep the project
It’s time for Morning Project lol
Lucas Heyken. That ‘project ‘ is even worse 🤔🤔
So the 10th was the farewell
The show was never the same after they canned Rob, stopped watching when they went down to 2 hosts. It was obvious that they were just trying to imitate 7 & 9 at that stage. I am impressed that it lasted as long as it did with all the changes.
Sad to see what happened to a show that I used to love.
Nothing like it once was….they stuffed it when the original panel discussion was ditched and became a dual host mess
About time
Ten should poach Carina Carvalho from ABC News. She could present the new mid-afternoon bulletin.
The end of an ever narrowing road. It was never the same after Paramount took over and destroyed the original presentation format. I hope Angela is given her own entertainment show – she deserves better.
I am not surprised to hear about the announcement of S10’s axing. Mornings on 10 went through a revolving door since 2005 with the axing of GMA. After GMA got the axe, things began to fall apart. Unfortunately, Ten never recovered during the mornings since early 2006 – That time we have 9am with David & Kim which lasted through to late 2009 (although they repeated the show until early 2010), then The Circle (early 2010-mid 2012). And Studio 10 came in late 2013. Unfortunately, the cost of producing morning talk programs (in another city) on Ten is too great.
The morning lineup will be different with repeats of shows.
The little show that could, ran out puff
Trish Parker
With Dr Phil and Judge Judy finished I guess the network was left with a very open programming schedule. I don’t know that more news is going to be the answer.
it’s a waste of a channel, got nothing worth watching
Probably not cost effective
Good now get rid of the Project and move Neighbours to 6.30pm on Ten.
Don’t Let The Door Hit You, On The Way Out!
No can they axe the project PLEASE
Next: The Project 🤪🙄
Haters gonna hate
Roy Mancktelow I don’t see whats so funny about that… it’s quite sad actually.
Roy Mancktelow I don’t see whats so funny about that… it’s quite sad actually.
Rochelle Kairl leftards! Need The Project cancelled now!
Rochelle Kairl leftards! Need The Project cancelled now!
Roy Mancktelow intelligent response, explains a lot. Thanks 😊
Roy Mancktelow intelligent response, explains a lot. Thanks 😊
Rochelle Kairl ok muppet!
Rochelle Kairl ok muppet!
Keep moving
Can’t believe people watch this rubbish & the same with morning breakfast shows with repeating themselves every 30 minutes & poor journalism
Leftards!