Network Ten takes legal action against ex-Project host Peter van Onselen
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News of legal action against popular Network Ten personality Peter van Onselen sent shockwaves through the media industry this week after the ex-Project host made some less-than-kind remarks about his former employer.
But what lay behind the frosty move? What had provoked Channel 10 to take out an injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against its former political editor?
It all began when Mr van Onselen wrote a scathing article for The Australian on May 29th, criticising Channel 10’s parent company, Paramount, for its falling share price and under-performing streaming service.
Mr van Onselen, who resigned from his role as Canberra-based political editor in March, branded his former employer as ‘the minnow of Australian commercial television’ and called the situation a ‘disaster’.
In response, Channel 10 has launched legal action against van Onselen for an alleged breach of contract. The network is seeking an injunction from the NSW Supreme Court. It is also understood that Channel 10 will allege that Mr van Onselen's comments contravened a non-disparagement clause in his exit deal.
The case between the network and Mr van Onselen will be heard by Justice David Hammerschlag.
In the controversial article, Mr van Onselen primarily took aim at Paramount's falling share price, which plummeted from over $97 two years ago to less than $15 today.
He also criticised the company's diminishing market share in Australia, noting that its flagship 5 5 pm news program attracted a measly 6 per cent of the national TV audience this month.
One rival TV executive reportedly told van Onselen that it was the worst result he had seen in his ‘30 years in the business’.
Mr van Onselen, who was the former host of the show Sunday Project in 2020, stated: ‘When CBS (now Paramount) took the little Aussie battler, I assumed its future was bright. But the latest news coming out of the US is reason to doubt its long-term viability.’
Mr van Onselen went on to say his ex-employer had been ‘outgunned and outrated by channels 7 and 9 and had ‘squandered’ its chance to be a major network.
‘Supported by a massive US media player – now rebranded Paramount – was a distinct advantage the other Aussie networks don't have. It was one of the reasons I accepted the job as 10's Political Editor,’ he said.
To add insult to injury, several high-profile TV veterans have allegedly turned down offers to replace the outspoken ex-Project host.
It has been rumoured that Channel 10 is currently in talks with a newspaper reporter to take the job, but if those negotiations fall through, an internal appointment may be made instead.
Mr van Onselen also said the slump had ‘set in’ and deepened despite having Sandra ‘Australia’s number one female news anchor’ Sully, at the wheel.
‘The network's ratings have slowly ebbed lower and lower, elongating the divide between it and its more successful commercial rivals in Australia,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, Channel 10 has defended itself against Mr van Onselen's allegations, noting that it recorded a $324 million profit in the 2021 financial year.
A spokesperson also stated that the network had seen strong year-on-year growth across key demographics, ratings, and commercial share, demonstrating an ‘excellent’ trajectory toward the first half of 2023.
‘Our share is up 0.6 points in total people this year and 1.5 points in 25-54s.10 Play is also having its biggest year ever, with minutes viewed up 23 per cent year-on-year, and Paramount+ is Australia's fastest-growing streaming service,’ they claimed.
‘Network 10 is dominating the key advertising demographics this year with six of the top 10 programs in 25s to 54s and under 50s, and seven of the top 10 programs in 16 to 39s with our tentpole entertainment shows,’ they continued.
What are your thoughts on this story, members? Do you agree with Mr van Onselen? Share your opinions in the comments!
But what lay behind the frosty move? What had provoked Channel 10 to take out an injunction in the NSW Supreme Court against its former political editor?
It all began when Mr van Onselen wrote a scathing article for The Australian on May 29th, criticising Channel 10’s parent company, Paramount, for its falling share price and under-performing streaming service.
Mr van Onselen, who resigned from his role as Canberra-based political editor in March, branded his former employer as ‘the minnow of Australian commercial television’ and called the situation a ‘disaster’.
In response, Channel 10 has launched legal action against van Onselen for an alleged breach of contract. The network is seeking an injunction from the NSW Supreme Court. It is also understood that Channel 10 will allege that Mr van Onselen's comments contravened a non-disparagement clause in his exit deal.
The case between the network and Mr van Onselen will be heard by Justice David Hammerschlag.
In the controversial article, Mr van Onselen primarily took aim at Paramount's falling share price, which plummeted from over $97 two years ago to less than $15 today.
He also criticised the company's diminishing market share in Australia, noting that its flagship 5 5 pm news program attracted a measly 6 per cent of the national TV audience this month.
One rival TV executive reportedly told van Onselen that it was the worst result he had seen in his ‘30 years in the business’.
Mr van Onselen, who was the former host of the show Sunday Project in 2020, stated: ‘When CBS (now Paramount) took the little Aussie battler, I assumed its future was bright. But the latest news coming out of the US is reason to doubt its long-term viability.’
Mr van Onselen went on to say his ex-employer had been ‘outgunned and outrated by channels 7 and 9 and had ‘squandered’ its chance to be a major network.
‘Supported by a massive US media player – now rebranded Paramount – was a distinct advantage the other Aussie networks don't have. It was one of the reasons I accepted the job as 10's Political Editor,’ he said.
To add insult to injury, several high-profile TV veterans have allegedly turned down offers to replace the outspoken ex-Project host.
It has been rumoured that Channel 10 is currently in talks with a newspaper reporter to take the job, but if those negotiations fall through, an internal appointment may be made instead.
Mr van Onselen also said the slump had ‘set in’ and deepened despite having Sandra ‘Australia’s number one female news anchor’ Sully, at the wheel.
‘The network's ratings have slowly ebbed lower and lower, elongating the divide between it and its more successful commercial rivals in Australia,’ he stated.
Meanwhile, Channel 10 has defended itself against Mr van Onselen's allegations, noting that it recorded a $324 million profit in the 2021 financial year.
A spokesperson also stated that the network had seen strong year-on-year growth across key demographics, ratings, and commercial share, demonstrating an ‘excellent’ trajectory toward the first half of 2023.
‘Our share is up 0.6 points in total people this year and 1.5 points in 25-54s.10 Play is also having its biggest year ever, with minutes viewed up 23 per cent year-on-year, and Paramount+ is Australia's fastest-growing streaming service,’ they claimed.
‘Network 10 is dominating the key advertising demographics this year with six of the top 10 programs in 25s to 54s and under 50s, and seven of the top 10 programs in 16 to 39s with our tentpole entertainment shows,’ they continued.
Key Takeaways
- Network Ten is suing former political editor Peter van Onselen for an alleged breach of contract and for making disparaging comments about the company in a column.
- Mr van Onselen criticised his former employer for its poor performance, including low ratings and share price woes.
- Network Ten's parent company, Paramount, is facing falling share prices and financial struggles, with its flagship news show earning only 6 per cent of the TV audience this month.
- Mr van Onselen's departure from 10 has left an empty political editor spot, with the network approaching several potential candidates with no success as yet.