The Project has been officially axed after 16 years and will air its final episode on June 27.

Network 10 announced the news on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support before announcing the show’s replacement.

Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows.

The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Carrie Bickmore left her seat as host at the end of 2022, has aired ‘nearly 4,500 episodes’ to date and will wrap up in three weeks.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed The Project was under review and set to be axed on March 16.

The Project has been officially axed after 16 years and will air its final episode on June 27. Pictured L to R: Sam Taunton, Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, and Georgie Tunny

A picture was shared online of Aly, Harris, Taunton and Georgie Tunny smiling as they sat together behind the news desk.

‘After nearly 4,500 episodes The Project will finish up on June 27. More details from 6.30pm on 10,’ the caption said.

‘For nearly 16 years, The Project has been Australia’s destination for the news when you want a little bit of a giggle.

‘Well, we have loved every second but all good things come to an end and so are we on June 27.

‘To everyone who has watched, supported, donated money to help families across Australia, worked on the show or just liked a social post. Thank you.

‘This show is not possible without all of you. See you tonight (and the next 3 weeks) for The Project.’

Network 10 announced the news on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support, and announced the show’s replacement in a statement

Hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris will reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on various other Ten shows

Harris spoke about the cancellation and her subsequent exit from the network.

‘There aren’t many jobs where you get to tell very human stories, and interview politicians and celebrities all while having a laugh – or ugly crying – in front of a live studio audience every night,’ Harris told The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I’ve had a blast, [but] it’s time for me to take a breath and spend some time with my boys. Keep an eye out for my OnlyFans page!’ she then joked.

Aly also released a statement, saying: ‘The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done.

‘In some ways it looks more conventional now than it used to because it led the way.

‘It showed you could bring dry stories to life for an audience that might otherwise have ignored them.’

Viewers flocked to the comments to share their dismay.

‘Thanks for all your support and honest opinions on topics!’ one person wrote.

‘Sad to see you guys going!’ another said, as someone else commented: ‘That’s so sad, I always watched it!’

‘Where will I watch my news now!? Only place that delivers news with humanity and care. Will miss you guys!! I wish you all the best for the future,’ added a fourth.

Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly depart Ten

The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Carrie Bickmore left her seat as host, has aired ‘nearly 4,500 episodes’ to date and will wrap in three weeks following speculation it will be replaced with a current affairs program

After announcing The Project was ending, Ten then released another statement announcing a news program will be replacing the axed show.

‘Network 10 will be introducing a revised early evening program schedule later this month,’ a spokesperson said.

‘At the core of the changes will be an expansion of Network 10’s successful news coverage, with the launch of a new national one-hour 6pm news, current affairs and insights program six days a week to complement 10’s one-hour 5pm local news bulletins.

‘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.

‘Deal or No Deal will move to the new time of 7pm.’

Recently poached Seven journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace are expected to host the new evening program.

The new show will be overseen by broadcast news vice president Martin White, with the title and official launch date expected to be announced within the next week.

Network president Beverley McGarvey informed staff of the decision to axe The Project in a meeting at Melbourne headquarters on Monday.

Host Harris also spoke about the cancellation and her subsequent exit from the network

Aly also released a statement, sayign: ‘The Project kicked down the door of how news could be done’

The Project first aired in July 2009, then known as The 7PM Project, and exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success.

It first began as a half-hour program but soon transitioned into one-hour episodes as its popularity increased.

It boasted a rotating panel with stars like Aly, Harris, Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, Taunton and Susie Youssef.

Shot mostly at Network Ten’s studios in The Como Centre in South Yarra, Melbourne, The Project was known for reporting on current affairs with a comedic spin.

It has one several accolades including 11 Logie Awards – two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Aly and Bickmore.

However, audiences began to dwindle in recent years.

Just last week, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.

This is in stark contrast to The Project’s competitors – Seven and Nine News – which routinely attracted more than 2 million viewers to their 6pm bulletins.

The Project has also undergone an audience decline ever since changing up its format.

The ratings woes coincided with growing criticism of the panel show’s left-wing bias and departures of several high-profile hosts, including Bickmore, Peter Helliar and Lisa Wilkinson.

The show relaunched in 2023 with a new panel comprising Harris, Taunton, Michael Hing and Aly.

However, in January, Ten confirmed comedian Michael Hing would no longer be part of the show after he joined the series in 2023 as a co-panellist.

Viewers flocked to the comments to share their dismay

The Project first aired in July 2009, then known as The 7PM Project. Pictured (L to R) The 7pm Project panel Ruby Rose, Dave Hughes, James Mathieson, Charlie Pickering and Carrie Bickmore

‘The Project has delivered enormous value to Ten over the years,’ one senior industry figure told The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It was very ‘on brand’ for the network, it punched above its weight with younger demographics, and it was a terrific vehicle for cross-promoting Ten’s other shows.

‘But one of the most important jobs of early evening programming is to deliver decent lead-in audiences to the next show.’

The source went on to say ‘if there aren’t enough viewers in the early evening, it makes it that much harder for those 7.30pm programs to succeed’.