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Questions raised over Hamish Macdonald’s exit

Hamish Macdonald's departure raises questions over whether he was unhappy with TEN or 'difficult' to work with.

hamishWhen Hamish Macdonald announced his TEN departure, there was much comment about not just why he was leaving, but the manner in which it was handled.

Macdonald made the announcement via Twitter, on the same day the network was rebranding its TEN Eyewitness News. It stole a little of their thunder.

Curiously, the network issued no formal press release, which usually accompanies a high-profile departure.

The Guardian speculated that  Macdonald wasn’t happy at TEN, suggesting the style of programming and journalism didn’t suit his strengths.

The Age suggested he would be a better fit at ABC or SBS: “With his background as a foreign correspondent, it’s hard to imagine he got much satisfaction reading the late bulletin every night.”

Today the Daily Telegraph says Macdonald even came to blows with TEN over their treatment of his `passion project’ The Truth Is, a six-part series which aired over three episodes in June to low ratings.

It claims programming bosses were “underwhelmed” by the product delivered by Macdonald who had a reputation as being `difficult’ to deal with.

Nevertheless, there is still much support for his on screen journalism, including a Walkley Award in tow.

The Truth Is was filmed in late 2012 as six half hour episodes and sat on the shelves at TEN for several months. Eventually it was played as 3 x 2 episodes in June against The Voice‘s last 3 shows.

Anyone would think the show was just being used as filler until The Voice was over.

Nah, they’d never do that to one of their own would they?

14 Responses

  1. Here is the real reason Hamish has left Channel 10: he is replacing Adam Spencer as the Breakfast show host on ABC radio in Sydney, from early 2014.
    McDonald has previously filled in on ABC702 for Richard Glover(when Glover was on holidays).
    I always thought he was a more natural fit for the ABC or SBS, instead of Channel 10.

  2. he is definitely allowed to be upset at the way ten treated ‘The Truth Is’ it wasn’t a bad show and it was programmed as if ten were doing everything possible for it to not work. but announcing your departure via twitter the same day as a relaunch is poor form.

  3. Really like Hamish on air, wish him all the best and hope he’s back on screen very soon!
    Can we get a comparison on what other show’s rated for Ten in the same slot as “Truth Is” in the lead up that year? I have a feeling that in comparison to what they had on earlier in the year in the same slot, it stood up reasonably well, even in the heavy traffic… And how was its consolidated figures? I reckon it would have appealed to the PVR brigade.

  4. Maybe he left because Ch 10 news and current affairs is an absolute joke! (and other commercial tv for that matter). He is more suited to ABC or SBS where they take it seriously, not hosting that stupid panel news show ch 10 had. That was an embarrassment.

  5. The Truth Is was unlikely to rate. It would either get smashed by The Block, The Voice, MKR etc. early in the evening or end up on late when hardly anyone is watching TV. SBS tried counter programming with The Observer Effect on Sunday nights and that was a disaster too.

    The Truth Is was probably thought of at the tail end of Ten’s serious news and current affairs period and made to keep McDonald happy. So programmers sat on it and then burnt it off in the problem Monday night slot when The Voice was on.

    Now Ten are trying tabloid and McDonald doesn’t see a future there.

  6. Of course The Truth is far less interesting than so many conspiracy theories. How about that he just did make the decision, and is taking some time out, before deciding on his next move.

  7. That says a lot about the management at Ten and somewhat explains why we keep seeing them schedule shows with potential in the most bizarre timeslots. Their political games and spite see them continue to commit programming suicide and have dragged the network down to fourth place. They are their own worst enemy.

  8. This guy is full of himself just like that his series.
    I for one am not surprised at his departure. I suspect given ‘insiders’ are already leaking that he is ‘difficult’ makes me think he doesn’t have too many friends inside Ten. Is it a coincidence that he leaks his departure the same day Ten launch their new look? All about him! Good riddance.

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