Channel 10 has officially unveiled a new “premium” news show that will replace The Project within weeks after wooing two high profile Channel 7 stars to jump ship.

Channel 10 has finally announced the new “premium” news show that will replace The Project within weeks after hiring ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

A Ten spokesperson confirmed to SkyNews.com.au on Monday that The Project will end its run after “almost 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes” on June 27.

The long-running panel series was beset by sliding ratings and a rotating line up of anchors for years before it was officially axed.

Now, Channel 10 has unveiled The Project’s successor, a “premium, in-depth news, current affairs and insights program” called 10 NEWS+.

10 News+ will be helmed by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. Picture: Supplied.
“10 NEWS+ will follow Network 10’s 5pm local news bulletins across the country, offering viewers extended context and deeper reporting on the day’s biggest stories,” the network said in a statement.

“The 5pm bulletin remains a cornerstone of the network’s trusted news offering, delivering the latest breaking news and updates.

“10 NEWS+ aims to redefine evening news by providing comprehensive analysis, trusted reporting, and long-form investigative journalism.

“The program will offer a fresh perspective on critical local and global stories, tailored for an engaged audience seeking in-depth news coverage.”

The Project will end its run on June 27. Picture: Ten.
The network officially confirmed that ex-Seven talent Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace will anchor the series Sunday through Thursday, while Ursula Heger and Hugh Riminton will take the reins on Fridays.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our network news team. We’re going to do what we do best — put the truth first, our audience first, and tell important stories well. We’ve assembled a fantastic team, led by Denham and Amelia, and I can’t wait for audiences to see their hard work,” Martin White, VP News, Paramount Australia said in a statement.

“What we’re doing with 10 NEWS+ is completely different to anything else in the market.”

Mr White also pointed out that unlike the opinion-heavy Project, the new program will be “just the facts”.

“At the heart of everything we do is delivering news and current affairs that matter to you. No filler. No opinion. Just the facts,” he said.

It is understood that 10NEWS+ will inherit the first half of The Project’s 6:30pm – 7:30pm slot, with the second half hour now freed up for the channel’s primetime programming.

The anchor team will be supported by an existing pool of Ten reporters, including Political Editor Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank and Claudia Vrdoljak.

Additionally, longtime Entertainment Editor Angela Bishop will continue to contribute red carpet events and exclusive interviews for the new program.

The update comes after Project veteran Steve Price told ABC Radio Melbourne that up to 80 staff could be out of work when the series goes off the air later this month.

It is unclear how many impacted staff will leave Ten altogether or be redeployed into other roles or shows across the network.

Meanwhile, Network Ten’s president Beverley McGarvey lauded the Project for doing “great things for Australian culture” during a four minute speech to staff, as reported by news.com.au.

“‘It did great things for the media landscape, and more broadly, it did great things for Australian culture,” she told staffers on Monday.

“Younger demographics in particular, who really made the show thrive in the beginning, have just evolved.

“They’re watching different platforms and they’re watching different services.”

10NEWS+ will premiere on Monday, 30 June at 6pm on 10 and 10 Play.