FOX reality shutdown leaves Lyle looking.

Australian expat, David Lyle, is in discussions with News Corporation following the media giant’s decision to shut down the FOX Reality Channel.

Lyle is a former television executive at Nine and was previously presenter of the nostalgic series The Golden Years of Television for both Nine and TEN.

According to the Wrap website, which first wrote about the shutdown, a complete rebranding of the channel is in the works, and may include a new partner outside the Fox Cable Networks group.

FOX Cable Networks released a brief statement on the shutdown: “With the changing cable landscape we’ve made a strategic decision to shift some resources and refocus on emerging channels. However, FOX Reality Channel will remain on our lineup for at least the next several months.”

By the end of March it will be no more.

Lyle said, “If something worthwhile is about, I’d love to stay here. I love the culture. But one needs to look around.

“When you open the door to change, you can never be sure what will come through it,” he said, adding that as “a general entertainment brand in 50 million homes,” FRC was “vulnerable.”

In July there was speculation Lyle could head up FremantleMedia Australia, but later denied.

Original programming on the channel has included Paradise Hotel, The Search for the Next Elvira, Camp Reality and Long Way Down.

Source: Variety, The Wrap