Former Project host Peter Helliar opens about the shock of the Channel 10 series getting cancelled after 16 years on air.

Peter Helliar has reflected on the last 16 years of The Project, saying its cancellation was

Peter Helliar has reflected on the last 16 years of The Project, saying its cancellation was “a hard day” for the industry. Photo: Ten

Channel Ten confirmed on Monday after weeks (perhaps even years) of speculation that The Project has been axed, and will air its final show on Friday, June 27, after 16 years on TV. The network also announced that it will be introducing a “revised early evening program schedule” once The Project has wrapped up.

The show has enjoyed huge success over the years, winning 11 Logie awards, including two Gold Logies for Waleed Aly and former host Carrie Bickmore. But unfortunately, in recent years, ratings have dropped severely, causing the network to take action.

After leaving the show in 2022, former host of the show, Peter Helliar, has shared his thoughts on the cancellation as someone who knows the show closely, describing it as “sad news”, but not just for the hosts.

The Project

There have been rumours for some time that The Project would be cancelled and the news was confirmed on Monday. Photo: Ten
Appearing on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren on Tuesday morning, Peter shared a tribute for the show, saying it leaves “an incredible 16-year legacy”.

“Sad news about The Project,” host Lauren Phillips said, with Peter responding, “Yeah, really sad, really sad. What an amazing legacy that show has, I think, 16 years. As you guys know, very few shows get to the second season of the show.

“This was like, I think, the little engine that could, you know, that show was in its first year, it was going to get sacked every second week, you know. And 16 years later, to see that the people have become household names who have gone through that show, and fresh new faces and legends who have gone through that show.”

Jase Hawkins added, “It was sort of the last like, you know, when an international act would come to town, or a guest, you know, we used to have Rove back in the day, and then now it was The Project.”

The 7PM Project

The Project first premiered in 2009 as The 7PM Project. Photo: Channel 10
“I don’t think audiences…realise what they’ll miss out on now. And you know, obviously, thank God for shows like yours on radio in the morning,” Peter said.

“But like at night, if you’ve got the TV on, the amount of comedians and musicians and filmmakers who have said to me over the years, The Project was the reason we sold tickets. And that’s missing now. But, you know, 16 years and incredible, and that was a really hard day, because a lot of people lost their jobs yesterday.”

Lauren agreed, saying, “Well, that’s exactly right, and that is what’s really sad about it. Have you spoken to the guys?”

“I’ve spoken to, more over messaging… they just said it was a really, really hard day yesterday,” he explained.

The Age has reported that The Project’s hosts Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Waleed Aly, who has been with the show since 2015, will all leave Channel 10 following the final episode.

Meanwhile, comedian Sam Taunton is expected to continue making guest appearances across the network’s entertainment shows, and Georgie Tunny will appear on The Amazing Race with her partner Rob Mills later this year.

Fans of the show shared their heartbreak, with one person writing on Instagram, “Sad news!!! My husband & I have been loyal viewers for 15 years!! Love this show… the news with a twist of humour… GREAT people, GREAT stories, and GREAT work! Will miss you all.”

“Sad moment for Australian TV – I still remember the pilot episode and I’ve still been watching since living in Qatar in the Middle East,” another said. “That’s saying something. Well done guys on making mainstream media enjoyable to watch. You’ll be missed.”

“I’m really saddened by this news,” a third said. “I watch The Project every night as the news is too heavy for me these days (I was a broadcast journalist for 21 years) and I love the more upbeat vibe. Not sure what I’ll be watching moving forward.”

“This is a big mistake by Channel 10 in my opinion, such a good show,” someone else added.

“I’m very sad to hear this news,” another agreed. “I’ve watched The Project since day dot & love the way news is delivered differently. It’s delivered in a softer way that suits me better than regular news. I’ll be lost without it and will miss seeing you all. I wish you all the best for happy new adventures!”

Channel 10 announced on Monday that they will be introducing a “revised early evening program schedule” later this month, centred around a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week.

This will follow 10’s one-hour 5pm local news bulletins, while Deal or No Deal will move to the new time of 7pm.

“This reflects the successful growth in audiences to Network 10 local news bulletins and coverage. Our focus continues to be on serving our free-to-air audiences with more of the content they are increasingly watching,” they said.

It’s been reported that former Channel 7 journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace will front the new show. Channel 10 is expected to officially announce the program, as well as its name and launch date, later this month.