TEN Network is considering a shakeup of its evening news line-up, which could see the return of Sports Tonight to its main channel and long-running soap Neighbours relegated to an earlier timeslot.
The Australian understands that the network is considering a range of options including changes that would see Sports Tonight run from 6.30-7pm, a slot now occupied by Neighbours. It is believed that no formal decision has been made.
Neighbours celebrated 25-years on air earlier this year and will broadcast its 6000th episode next month. However, the drama has struggled in the ratings with just over 600,000 capital city viewers tuning in each day. This is a far cry from the 1 million-plus viewers that watched the show during its heyday in the late 1980s.
It is understood that former Nine and Sky News executive Tony Ritchie has moved to Ten to assist news director Jim Carroll.
There is no shortage of news on offer for viewers with ABC preparing to launch a 24-hour news channel.
Industry sources said one of the options Ten was looking at was a 90-minute block of news and current affairs programs that would run from 5-6.30pm. The network now shows an hour-long news bulletin from 5pm, which is followed by The Simpsons.
There is also speculation that Ten may consider additional news bulletins on its third digital channel when it launches next year.
Ten has the nation’s best-performing show in Masterchef Australia, which attracted more than 2 million capital-city viewers last night. However, chief executive Grant Blackley must attempt to maintain ratings momentum once that program's 'live' final is broadcast later this month.
Ten has the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October, but potential changes to the crucial evening line-up could make a significant difference to Ten’s overall ratings performance for 2010.
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