Channel Ten is reportedly considering axing several of its long-standing presenters and replacing them with cheaper alternatives, amid claims the network is struggling.
Some of the presenters said to be in the firing line include The Bachelor host Osher Günsberg, Love Island Australia’s Sophie Monk and I’m A Celebrity’s Julia Morris.
‘The amount Sophie, Julia and Osher get paid is huge. They’ve been around since the golden era of TV, where stars were paid six-figures to host big shows,’ an insider told Yahoo.
‘That kind of money is not sustainable, even though they are extraordinary at their jobs.’
The insider added the final three contestants from this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia – Skye Wheatley, Callum Hole and Tristan MacManus – are now being considered as cost-effective presenters.
Channel Ten is reportedly considering axing several of its long-standing presenters and replacing them with cheaper alternatives. Some of the presenters said to be in the firing line include Bachelor host Osher Günsberg (left) and Love Island Australia’s Sophie Monk (right)
‘The final three certainly won over fans on the latest series, and network executives are apparently quite excited about these cheaper options.’
In 2023, it was reported Sophie Monk earned $800,000 a year at Channel Ten, while the IAC contestants made up to $300,000 to appear on the show, making them more attractive to the network.
It follows reports that Network Ten is in ‘serious turmoil’ with industry experts claiming it can’t last as one of Australia’s three big commercial broadcasters.
An insider said the final three contestants from this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia – Skye Wheatley, Callum Hole and Tristan MacManus – are now being considered as cost-effective presenters. All pictured
The future of the embattled network owned by Paramount Global is uncertain as it continues to bleed television shows, amid sliding ratings and an ad revenue crisis, reports news.com.au.
On Tuesday, on-air talent Dave Hughes and Osher Günsberg publicly confirmed two of Ten’s biggest reality TV shows, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, have been axed from the network, who is in possible merger talks.
Media analyst and Pearman director of strategy and research Steve Allen said: ‘A new owner of Paramount Global is unlikely to see Ten as an asset worth retaining because the business is in serious turmoil.’
They added that I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here co-host Julia Morris (right) was also in the firing line, as the rejigged series with Robert Irwin (left) failed to rate as well as hoped
Talent from Ten have also appeared to go rogue with Osher Günsberg, 50, and Dave Hughes, 53, recently appearing on radio to confirm The Masked Singer and The Bachelor have been axed, despite the network not confirming the news.
Günsberg confirmed on 2DAY FM’s Hughesy, Ed & Erin on Tuesday morning that his two programs have no plans to return to screens anytime soon.
‘It’s a really fun show but it’s like anything, things come and go. The show’s not coming back because I did a bad job, I can tell you that,’ he said of The Masked Singer.
Hughes, who sits on the judging panel for the show, added: ‘It’s resting. As far as I know, The Masked Singer won’t be filmed this year for Channel 10.’
On Tuesday, on-air talent Dave Hughes (pictured) and Osher Günsberg publicly confirmed two of Ten’s biggest reality TV shows, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, have been axed from the network, who is in possible merger talks