Speculation is mounting that Channel 10 is ready to ditch The Project for a new current affairs show hosted by prominent journalist Denholm Hitchcock.

Industry sources revealed to TV Blackbox on Saturday that the new show will be a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on major ‘issues’.

Called Behind the Lines – A 10 News First Investigation, the program will air fresh episodes Monday to Thursday from 6.30 pm, with a ‘best of’ show set for Fridays.

The publication reported that it is has ‘sighted’ the Behind The Lines logo.

It’s also been claimed that online ‘materials’ about the shows format which have been shared at Channel 10 ‘internally’.

Speculation is mounting that Channel 10 is ready to ditch The Project for a new current affairs show hosted by prominent journalist Denholm Hitchcock. Pictured: The Project’s Waleed Aly

Industry sources revealed to TV Blackbox on Saturday that the new show will be a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on major ‘issues’. Called Behind the Lines – A 10 News First Investigation, the program will air fresh episodes Monday to Thursday from 6.30 pm, with a ‘best of’ show set for Fridays. Pictured: Denholm Hitchcock

‘Go behind the headlines with 10 News First as our reporters dig deep to uncover the facts, follow every lead, and expose stories that others try to keep hidden,’ the synopsis said.

It continued, ‘Hosted by Denham Hitchcock, this investigation series shines a light on issues that matter to Australians – holding the powerful to account with fearless journalism.

‘Real stories. Real impact. The truth, told straight.’

Sources have revealed that the replacement program is being quietly prepared for a launch as early as July or August.

The publication added that the cast and crew of the Project were ‘briefed’ last week about their future.

A Ten spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia, that they are moving forward withe a fresh news program.

‘Following the continued growth and success of our news brand, 10 News, we are investing in an investigative unit that will work on long-form stories,’ they said.

The name of the show and format details and synopsis have yet been to be officially announced by the network.

. It comes after rumours emerged last week that The Project is to be axed after running on Channel 10 since 2017

It comes after rumours emerged last month that The Project is to be axed after running on Channel 10 since 2017.

As previously reported by Daily Mail Australia, Ten has poached several high-profile journalists from Channel Seven – including veteran reporter Denham Hitchcock, 7News Sydney’s Bill Hogan, and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace – to front its soon-to-be-launched investigative unit.

Hitchcock confirmed the news on Instagram.

The move came just days after The Australian reported that Hitchcock, along with 7News Sydney’s Bill Hogan and award-winning former foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, had all resigned from Seven to join Ten.

The trio are believed to have signed on to front the new current affairs program backed by Ten’s head of news, Martin White.

For Hitchcock, the move comes just three months after returning to Seven following a break from TV journalism to live on a catamaran with his wife Mari and their young children.

He had originally helped launch Spotlight in 2019 and led the network’s coverage of major crime and current affairs stories, including last year’s Who Killed Marea? documentary on Sky News.

Despite his short return to Seven, Hitchcock appears ready to dive back into serious reporting at Ten – and has called on viewers to help feed him stories.

‘To everyone who keeps sending me stories to look into – keep them coming. I read every message,’ he wrote.

Ten’s new current affairs program is expected to launch later this year.

Hitchcock departs only three months after having returned to Seven after a couple of years off living on a catamaran with his young family.

‘I’m back. It’s time to wash some of the salt out – and get back to what I do best,’ he wrote on social media.

Network 10 has been approached for comment.