Nine to decide on Inside Story future

The future of Inside Story is unclear with Nine unable to confirm if it will return in its current form, or at all.

The series, hosted by Leila McKinnon, finished its third season episodes last month in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth (some episodes are yet to air in Sydney and Brisbane due to NRL commitments).

A Nine spokesperson confirmed some staff positions had not been re-contracted but that a final decision was yet to be made.

Inside Story began in 2014 with True Crime-style reports “Fatal Females,” “Teen Killers,” “Twisted Minds,” “Lethal Lovers” from Nine reporters Alicia Loxley, Tom Steinfort, Peter Stefanovic, Deborah Knight, Jayne Azzopardi and Brett McLeod.

By 2015 it moved to single stories with a tonal shift and arguably vying to become Nine’s answer to Australian Story. It returned in February with more mostly-feelgood stories, including profiles of transgender teens and brilliant orthopedic surgeons.

But ratings on Thursday nights have not set the network on fire, as Nine’s primetime year struggles.

Insiders suggest the News division has opted not to return the show. Host Leila McKinnon, married to former CEO David Gyngell, is understood to be safe from any changes. She also hosts A Current Affair for Nine in the absence of Tracy Grimshaw.

A Nine spokesperson said Inside Story may yet evolve and decision on its 2017 slate was still some months away.