New Ten boss James Warburton has reset the network's news programming, axing its 90-minute bulletin and shifting The Project to an earlier 6pm timeslot, only months after the last reshuffle.
The comedic news and current affairs program The Project will also expand to six days a week, with the network adding a half hour Sunday show. The move follows the extension of The Project (formerly The 7pm Project) from a 30-minutes show to a one-hour show late last year, after the axing of 6:30 with George Negus.
Ten has been running a 90-minute news bulletin during the week from 5pm, which will now return to a one-hour format. Taking The Project's place at 7pm from 23 January will be new episodes of reality show The Biggest Loser.
Warburton said: "This announcement continues our focus to set the agenda in 2012. We're back where we should be, an hour of news at 5pm and shifting The Project to 6pm - 7pm is the perfect contemporary news offering against traditional competition.
"Early evening stripped entertainment programming at 7pm was a space Ten introduced to the TV landscape and previously dominated. We see this move as an opportunity to reclaim that space and we have shows to do it."
Ten chief programming officer, David Mott, said: "Being true to our brand, I couldn't think of a better way to start prime time than with The Project. Their innovative style in presenting the news of the day, broader stories and fierce and funny debate has been a refreshing alternative to the competition's traditional news and current affairs hour and in keeping with the irreverence Ten is known for."
Ten will start its 2012 programming early, before the start of the official ratings season, on 22 January with the revamped Young Talent Time and critically-acclaimed US shows Modern Family, New Girl and Homeland.
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