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| Hamish Macdonald’s exit takes gloss off Ten’s news revamp | Hamish Macdonald’s exit takes gloss off Ten’s news revamp |
| (1 day later) | |
| The revamp of Ten’s news brand as Eyewitness News, beginning on Monday night, has been overshadowed by the shock resignation of the broadcaster’s high-profile journalist, Hamish Macdonald. | The revamp of Ten’s news brand as Eyewitness News, beginning on Monday night, has been overshadowed by the shock resignation of the broadcaster’s high-profile journalist, Hamish Macdonald. |
| Macdonald has chosen to abandon the Ten ship ahead of the end of his three-year contract in February 2014 despite declaring on Twitter he has no immediate plans for another job. | Macdonald has chosen to abandon the Ten ship ahead of the end of his three-year contract in February 2014 despite declaring on Twitter he has no immediate plans for another job. |
| This year he hosted his own documentary series The Truth Is, re-launched Ten Late News and was going to be the face of Ten’s Olympic Winter Games coverage in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. | This year he hosted his own documentary series The Truth Is, re-launched Ten Late News and was going to be the face of Ten’s Olympic Winter Games coverage in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. |
| The Logie and Walkley award winning journalist announced the news on Twitter: “After three wonderful years at Ten, I have decided to move on. Thursday 26 September will be my last day on-air... after eight years of almost non-stop travel, I am hoping to take a little down-time now to consider which option to pursue next.” | The Logie and Walkley award winning journalist announced the news on Twitter: “After three wonderful years at Ten, I have decided to move on. Thursday 26 September will be my last day on-air... after eight years of almost non-stop travel, I am hoping to take a little down-time now to consider which option to pursue next.” |
| Ten management has been silent, however, relying on re-tweeting Macdonald’s own Twitter account to confirm the news. | Ten management has been silent, however, relying on re-tweeting Macdonald’s own Twitter account to confirm the news. |
| A former colleague told Guardian Australia that Macdonald wasn't happy at Ten as the style of programming and journalism didn't suit his strengths. | A former colleague told Guardian Australia that Macdonald wasn't happy at Ten as the style of programming and journalism didn't suit his strengths. |
| The departure of Macdonald is more bad news for the struggling commercial network, which last week saw its primary share drop to just 10.6% and its flagship reality show The Bachelor Australia flop in the ratings. | The departure of Macdonald is more bad news for the struggling commercial network, which last week saw its primary share drop to just 10.6% and its flagship reality show The Bachelor Australia flop in the ratings. |
| Ten was beaten by ABC1 every night last week except Tuesday and on Saturday it was even overtaken by a digital channel. By comparison, Seven had a 22.9% share, Nine secured 20.5% of the audience and ABC1’s share was 14%. | Ten was beaten by ABC1 every night last week except Tuesday and on Saturday it was even overtaken by a digital channel. By comparison, Seven had a 22.9% share, Nine secured 20.5% of the audience and ABC1’s share was 14%. |
| Despite appointing a new CEO in Hamish McLennan in February, Ten has continued to stumble, with key shows Reef Doctors, Can of Worms and Macdonald’s The Truth Is all failing to find a good audience. | Despite appointing a new CEO in Hamish McLennan in February, Ten has continued to stumble, with key shows Reef Doctors, Can of Worms and Macdonald’s The Truth Is all failing to find a good audience. |
| At 5pm on Monday, Ten is relaunching its news brand as Eyewitness News - about two years after the failure of 2011’s relaunch of a two and a half hour news block, which featured 6pm With George Negus as its centrepiece. | At 5pm on Monday, Ten is relaunching its news brand as Eyewitness News - about two years after the failure of 2011’s relaunch of a two and a half hour news block, which featured 6pm With George Negus as its centrepiece. |
| The Ten Network news and current affairs chief, Anthony Flannery, told News Corp that Eyewitness News first appeared on Ten in 1973 and disappeared in 1994. "It's an iconic name that harks back to the glory days of Ten and it's one of the most powerful news brands in the business," he said. | The Ten Network news and current affairs chief, Anthony Flannery, told News Corp that Eyewitness News first appeared on Ten in 1973 and disappeared in 1994. "It's an iconic name that harks back to the glory days of Ten and it's one of the most powerful news brands in the business," he said. |
| As the host of Ten Late News, Macdonald will be part of the rebrand as he is on air until the end of next week. Although he has no immediate plans, network sources insist the split was amicable. One source said he was likely to move to a job abroad. | As the host of Ten Late News, Macdonald will be part of the rebrand as he is on air until the end of next week. Although he has no immediate plans, network sources insist the split was amicable. One source said he was likely to move to a job abroad. |
| The Australian journalist joined Ten as a reporter for 6pm with George Negus after working for Al Jazeera and the UK's Channel 4 News. | The Australian journalist joined Ten as a reporter for 6pm with George Negus after working for Al Jazeera and the UK's Channel 4 News. |
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