Ita Buttrose joins TEN mornings

Veteran media personality Ita Buttrose AO OBE is joining TEN’s upcoming new morning show, being developed by Adam Boland.

71 year old Buttrose, the 2013 Australian of the Year, is the first name announced for the upcoming morning show, to air later this year. Her appointment shows that TEN means business in the battle to win broader audiences.

The as-yet-unnamed panel-based show is the first of two shows in development under TEN’s Director of Morning Television.

TEN CEO Hamish McLennan, said: “Like all Australians, I have long admired Ita Buttrose’s remarkable contribution to our country, through her publishing and media career and her vast array of charitable activities.

“Everyone at TEN is extremely pleased – and flattered – that she has agreed to join our network and become an integral part of our new morning show.

“Not only is Ita a consummate media professional and a tireless contributor to myriad causes, she is the only Australian media person ever immortalised in song. Cold Chisel knew Ita was cool when they wrote a song about her, and her status has only grown since then,” he said.

Ms Buttrose said: “I am looking forward to working with Adam Boland and the TEN team to give Australian audiences a morning show with edge, energy and above all, enjoyment.”

Adam Boland added: “We are incredibly honoured that Ita has chosen to join our charge into mornings. Ita is one of the most influential voices of our time. She’s also absolute class. I consider this appointment to be a major coup.

Buttrose’s most recent TV roles have included occasional appearances on A Current Affair and as a channel ambassador for Ovation. She won a new lease on public life following her portrayal by Asher Keddie in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo.