Channel Ten announced its morning program Studio 10 was officially axed on Tuesday after more than a decade on Australian screens.
But the first criticisms of the show emerged in 2018 when panelists Ita Buttrose and Jessica Rowe both left the program.
At the time, a TV insider told Woman’s Day magazine that the show was “starting to look a lot like rats abandoning a sinking ship.”
Ita left after rumored tensions arose on set with her co-host Denise Drysdale, which eventually culminated in the now infamous “Brussels sprouts incident.”
Tensions arose in November 2017 when Denise “hurled” a Brussels sprout at Ita while filming a Christmas segment.
The telltale signs that Studio 10 was in trouble – as Network 10 axed its breakfast show after a decade on Australian television
Denise apologized for the incident, telling the Herald Sun: “I called Ita at Christmas; We talk, we all understand each other. “I did the wrong thing, it was completely my fault, I’m sorry it happened.”
However, in a statement to Chron Australia, Network Ten strongly denied claims that there was tension between Ita and Denise, describing the allegations as “offensive”.
Jessica, meanwhile, announced her departure from Studio 10 in March 2018, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Woman’s Day magazine then claimed that Jessica allegedly left the show because she realized the show was “in decline.”
Cracks first appeared in 2018 when panellists Ita Buttrose (left) and Jessica Rowe (right) both left the show
Former Studio 10 panelists Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Natarsha Belling and Joe Hildebrand were also eliminated from the show in 2020 due to Channel 10’s mass layoffs.
Kennerley was a vocal critic of Studio 10 following her departure, saying it was “sad” to see Studio 10 become an unbearable wokefest after her firing.
Her departure from the show coincided with the increasing political progressiveness of Studio 10’s content and a sharp decline in ratings.
The show has become one of the lowest-rated daytime programs in the history of Australian television, lagging far behind rival programs from Seven, Nine and ABC.
The embattled show has lost tens of thousands of viewers over the past year, leading to industry spies repeatedly questioning how long it would stay on air.
Ita left after rumored tensions arose on set with her co-host Denise Drysdale, which eventually culminated in the now infamous “Brussels sprouts incident.” (Pictured left: Studio 10 panelists Denise Drysdale and Jessica Rowe)
In April, the show’s ratings fell to the lowest level in its decade-long history, reaching a shocking average of just 10,000 viewers in the five-city metropolis.
However, a Network 10 spokesperson recently told Chron Australia that Studio 10 isn’t going anywhere.
“Studio 10 is an integral part of our daytime programming, providing fun, entertaining and engaging content led by a fantastic panel,” the spokesperson said.
But in December 2022, it was announced that Studio 10 would be shortened from three and a half hours to two hours and the start time would be moved to 10 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m.
According to The Australian, ratings were so low that “few media professionals were unduly surprised” when Studio 10’s run was shortened.
A spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the final episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens. (LR: Studio 10 panelists Sarah Harris, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Joe Hildebrand, Angela Bishop)
A spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the final episode of Studio 10 will air on Friday, December 22, after more than a decade on Australian screens.
The presenters Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus as well as special reporter Daniel Doody will remain with the station and will be deployed in various roles.
Bishop and McManus admitted it had been a “tough day” in an emotional Instagram video after they were informed of the news at midday on Tuesday.
“It’s a tough day for the entire Studio 10 family because we’ve loved bringing you the show for the last 10 years,” Bishop said.
“We are all very proud to be a part of it.” Finally, I will quote a quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Sitting next to Bishop, MacManus put on a brave face and added: “We absolutely love it.” We’ve enjoyed spending every single morning with you.
“It was really great.” Sometimes hard, but always rewarding. And we always smiled. “We always enjoyed spending our mornings with you.”
Bishop and McManus admitted it had been a “tough day” in an emotional Instagram video after they were informed of the news at midday on Tuesday