Ten axes The Circle due to ‘tight fiscal control’
Ten has pulled the plug on The Circle and cut Breakfast by half an hour. The gap left by The Circle will be mainly filled with US content.
The Circle will end on Friday. Ten boss James Warburton said the decision was for financial reasons.
Breakfast launched in February but has struggled to find an audience against the much longer established Sunrise on Seven and Nine’s Today. It will now run from 6am to 8.30am rather than to 9am. Children’s show Wurrawhy will then air at 8.30am.
The Circle launched in February 2010. Original co-host Chrissie Swan departed late last year and the show was weakened after host Yumi Stynes faced a backlash in response to comments she made about war hero Ben Roberts-Smith. The Cricle runs behind Seven’s The Morning Show and Nine’s Mornings.
A spokesman for Ten said there would be redundancies but said a number was “yet to be determined”.
Ratings:
The announcement:
Network Ten today announced changes to the morning program line-up on TEN.
From Monday, August 6, TEN will add four new programs:
- The Talk: A weekday talk show that offers a female perspective on the day’s headlines. Created and hosted by Sara Gilbert, The Talk has become one of the fastest-growing talk shows on daytime television in the United States since its launch in 2010.
- TEN Morning News: Hosted by Ron Wilson, TEN Morning News will cover the latest breaking news and the emerging news stories/issues of the day, adding to TEN’s comprehensive news service from breakfast to bedtime.
- Entertainment Tonight: An institution in the world of entertainment television, Entertainment Tonight has for the past 41 years offered viewers the latest news events, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes first looks and Hollywood’s hottest stories.
- The Insider: Spun out of Entertainment Tonight eight years ago, The Insider takes viewers inside Hollywood, with exclusive interviews and all the news on the hot trends and events in entertainment.
As a result of the introduction of TEN’s new morning line-up, production of The Circle will cease on Friday, August 3. From August 6, Breakfast will run from 6am to 8.30am, presented by Paul Henry, Kathryn Robinson and Magdalena Roze.
Network Ten would like to thank Pam Barnes, the Executive Producer of The Circle since it launched in February 2010, for her valued contribution to the program and to TEN.
Network Ten would also like to thank all the staff on The Circle, including Hosts Gorgi Coghlan and Yumi Stynes, for their hard work and dedication.
Network Ten CEO James Warburton said: “The decision to cease production of The Circle is unfortunate and was not taken lightly. But tight fiscal control and cost discipline are a core part of our strategy.”
The new lineup:
- 6am to 8.30am: Breakfast.
- 8.30am to 9am: Wurrawhy.
- 9am to 10am: The Talk.
- 10am to 11am: TEN Morning News.
- 11am to 11.30am: Entertainment Tonight.
- 11.30am to 12: The Insider.
The show was a dud root. Bye bye Yumi.
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They’ve cut the wrong show. No amount of timeslot tinkering will make Paul Henry attractive to an audience.
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Ten – what is your game.
Breakfast is a ratings disaster and an expensive one at that. Good management – axe The Circle which makes you money and keep Breakfast that kills your bottom line. What a waste.
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They all should have been axed following the Ben Roberts-Smith comments. What a disgrace!
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Channel 10 couldn’t make a good broadcasting decision if Game of Thrones was handed to them for free.
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The only thing I remember about The Circle is the sexist and offensive comments made about Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC and the reserved half apology that followed.
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Couldn’t have said it better myself Ricki
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I’m sorry what? As a soon to be stay at home mother for the second time, The Circle was the only decent morning show in that time slot when I had my first child in May of 2010. Why cut the show that has a better audience? I am truly disappointed!
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I agree that it was the wrong choice, but I’m not surprised. I’m a new mother, and morning TV has weirdly become part of my routine, something I’ve never experienced before. The Circle has been the only program I can stand, and seems to be the only one where they don’t patronise their largely female audience, and offer an interesting choice of guests. Every other morning program is just horrifying to this educated mid-20s mum.
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they cut the wrong show!
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This makes me sad.
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Not happy Jan. What will I do without Yummy Yumi in the mornings?
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The broom has swept through the wrong show? Maybe get it back out of the closet and have another crack. The programming decisions at Ten are mind boggling, it’s nonsensical. Breakfast needed go, The Circle needed a little love and reworking. Why give the blue needle to the cash cow? I hope Pam and her team move on to better things.
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I honestly can’t believe this either! As a current stay at home mum, The Circle is the only intelligent morning show there is – interesting and topical (apart from the advertorials!) with some great female presenters. Why replace it with crappy American shows and news repeated from the night before? Crazy.
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I haven’t watched the circle for months . So it won’t be missed by me , once upon a time this would news would have been very upsetting to me . Sorry to any viewers who still liked this show .
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And I have never watched the Breakfast show
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meh – never watched either show.
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The Circle was the best morning show. I never understood why it rated their lowest – A real shame
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i was wondering what happenned to ET and now I know. It has moved to Ten and Nine has bought that awful “EXTRA, EXTRA!!”. I like Breakfast, it needs legs.it is a refreshing change from the carbon copies Today and Sunrise. Today trying so hard but not succeeding.Ah – the glory days of GMA!!!
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Not entirely sure that I agree with Ten’s decision here. IMO the cirlce just needed to lose Yumi, rather than be axed. A bit fo freshening up was needed.
And I actually like their Breakfast show format. I just can’t stand Paul Henry. Surely there is someone better out there???
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When The Circle started, I was on a career break and enjoying daytime telly. At first, I found The Circle fresh and engaging, but it soon dulled. It will be interesting to see how the new line-up goes. Good on Channel 10 for doing something different to the others. There’s nothing worse than finding the only options available are different variations of the same boring formula.
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So very sad, one of my favourite shows on telly is being axed. I actually enjoy Breakfast and The Circle, and have been watching both regularly. The only adverse comment I would make about The Circle was there were too many repetitious advertorials. I loved the hosts, their guests and lively banter. I will not be watching a children’s programme, nor a US model talk show. I feel sorry for those who are still lamenting Yumi’s comments about Ben Roberts-Smith, surely it is time to move on.
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What do you expect? Breakfast was a vanity-project by an amateur CEO who hired a Kiwi on the strength of a reputation THERE, a very different viewing village than here – added the Project’s weakest presenter, a wooden female unable to think fast or ad lib, and a production team with little real experience. So it failed. Viewers are not stupid.
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Maybe they will just get a webcam – point it at some nice scenery and let boof and airheads talk about nothing at all for an hour – oh hang on they already do that in the evening time slot.
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The show was terrible, but I’m sad to see that Australian content has been cut for more American shite. The last thing we need on our screen is more of that.
Is this really the best we can do?
I’m trying really hard to support Australian Made entertainment, but come on guys, give me something to work with!
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Crap programming, crap shows, crap network
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Dud decision 10. You axed the far better of the two.
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What? Channel 10 spends good money on rubbish like Lara Bingle and the Shire, and to those who blame Yumi Stynes for the demise of the show because of her comments about Ben Roberts-Smith, Paul Henry makes offensive comments about people every day and has not once been hauled over the coals! Wrong decision, Channel 10! We want good Australian content, not American shows that have no relevance to us.
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Best show to start your day. Informative and lots of laughs, will miss you all so much.
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Anyone who watches morning television needs to get a life – unless it’s the Olympics, of course, but not on Channel Nine where there’s more mindless station promotion of show’s you’re never going to watch than athlete endeavour.
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When Chrissy Swan left they lost the only person their target demographic could identify with. . .I doubt many slim, asian, hotties are at home during the day watching TV !
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The show never recovered from Yumi’s AFL sized brain-fade. I doubt it did much to make sponsors want to stick with the show, and thats what it all comes down to.
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They couldn’t shelve The Game Plan while they’re at it?
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People are still bringing up Yumi Stynes’ comment….. yet not a peep out of anyone against another Ten regular (on The Project) Steve Price who called a woman a slut on his radio show.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com......6315235510
Australia not sexist?
Give me a break.
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This makes no sense to me. I’m no fan of daytime TV, but as it goes this was one of the best shows within a morning talk show format – including imports!
The show rated behind the other channels, because Ten rates behind the other networks.
I’m also not sure why Yumi gets so much stick? She may not be to everyones liking, and yes, OK she screwed up a little a few months ago (But christ, the backlash was ridiculously over the top). Her comments were far less offensive than the kinds of thing soldiers say to each other, all the time! She is one of the most naturally comfortable and competent live broadcasters on Aussie TV (Chrissie Swan being another). I’d much rather watch her, or Swan over most of the other plastic bimbos on 7 and 9.
On the whole, there is very little decent female talent on Aussie TV (outside of journalism). The Circle used some of the best and most personable female presenters here. Other than news content, this now makes Ten incredibly week. Cost cutting is the wrong approach for them right now. Now is when they need to invest in unique content to drive up viewing figures. Be intelligent, be edgy, be funny… Be anything but the same as 7 & 9 and they will slowly grow a new audience, and if planned correctly, one that comes with a higher demographic value of ad revenue.
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Given the numbers, perhaps Ten should have axed Breakfast and moved The Circle to the early shift, offering a real alternative to Sunrise and Today. Apart from putting Paul Henry in the box seat, Breakfast’s biggest mistake was being too much like the other shows, with fewer resources and (as we now see, beginning with Andrew Roachford’s axing) less commitment. I still think they’d do better bringing back the kids’ programming (which is maybe the Plan C hinted at by putting Wurrawhy in at 8.30am).
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I stopped watching The Circle after the disgusting Ben Roberts-Smith comments. The show should have been axed earlier. Good riddance!
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Whilst I wasn’t a regular viewer of The Circle – I thought it was actually refreshing. But if u want to do something to boost ratings – get rid of those horrid infomercial segments! That’s what puts me off those morning tv shows. And come up with some ORIGINAL content for the 6-8.30 am timeslot not just the cringeworthy version of the channel 7 and 9 shows. Maybe conduct some market research, listen to what your viewers are suggesting and u might just get a ratings boost…
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I am devestated the circle is finishing, I can’t believe ch 10 has shows like the shire and being Lara but they have to axe a brilliant show like the circle, I have enjoyed every moment of the circle, thank you
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What a bad, bad decision ! Has anyone seen Warrywhy ?! That’s the joke ! I’m not convinced that your ratings are a true reflection of what people watch. Just see how they drop now ! Please girls, go to another network, I’m sure they would love to have you all 🙂 Ten in the mornings, not for me !
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They had to cut it…how else could they make room for ‘Everybody Dance Now’ with none other than Sarah Murdoch?
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I always laughed at people who went on and on about those Defence Force comments. It’s a sure sign of a small minded person that you can’t rationally engage with. In fact, I think this should be an interview question, it would help decide who’s a shelf stacker and who’s a thinker.
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SHAME SHAME SHAME!!! Why do th team @ The Circle pay the ultimate price over the egotistical windbag on Breakfast???
The Circle hosts connecte with their viewers on a level more intimate & personal than any other morning show.
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I only just heard of the closing today, Im so depressed as I watched your show as it was part of my life, Having a new baby brought a routine into the day and brought sunshine, They cut the wrong show,,,
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This show reached a new low when Yumi and George felt the need to mock a war hero for nothing more than a laugh, then followed it up with a ‘forced’ apology.
Not only sponsors jumped ship, so did viewers. Good riddance I say.
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You re joking channel ten! where is your spine? the circle is the only show i allow into my living room of a morning. The regular cast are warm intelligent and funny as are the guest hosts. Myself and friends have many times been reduced to tears through laughter and always appreciate the perspective of the hosts on the variety of topics discussed. Hugely disappointed! Thanks for limiting our options for morning viewing as the other two morning shows are excruciating. Also kudos in bringing us more american content. I for one will go back to listening to the radio in the mornings. Good one channel ten! PS this can not possibly be about a comment made by Yumi 5 months ago. If so, again channel ten, Where is your spine?
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What a stupid decision! Only daytime tv I could stand to watch! I am certainly not going to bother watching the replacements. Yes the show suffered when Chrissy left but I loved seeing the variety of guest hosts. It made me laugh, helped me buy presents for family (thank you book club and James for CD ideas) and kept me company all those long feeding times with the bub. I don’t want US news discussion and gossip. I want something relevant to me and this show was. Get ready to watch the ratings dive channel ten!!!
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The Circle show used to be good but has gone off. We like breakfast now that the doc has gone….on ya Paul…a very intelligent interviewer……and says what most of us think.
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The Circle show used to be good but has gone off. But replacing it with more American dribble is a no no. We like breakfast now that the doc has gone….on ya Paul…a very intelligent interviewer……and says what most of us think.
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Paul Henry is like that other right wing loon Andrew Bolt.
Both Gina’s appointment’s, they won’t be going anywhere.
I agree Ten axed the wrong show. Would have been nice to see the Kiwi offed and the circle brought forward
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Why would you keep Breakfast and axe The Circle?
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I watch many “informative” programs prefering the ABC however I did like the circle. Sometimes you just need a break from reality. I will really miss this show. The women were warm and spontaneous. The tv will be off in the mornings for me.
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You are kidding with yet another American talk show that is irrelevant to Australia, and how many people are now looking for work due to your poor decision in cancelling the Circle. American talk shows, being Lara Bingle and The Shire. Wake up Channel 10, what a load of rubbish!
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Are you serious? The Circle was the best morning show on TV. i am absolutely gob smacked that Channel 10 would axe it, but keep the absolutely moronic show, The Shire!!!!! Yes I know, different time slots, but come on, if your leaking money, you don’t get rid of the popular shows, you dump the crap, and you sure as hell don’t replace it with get another bunch of equally boring American crap. Axe the crap, including So You Think You Can Dance and Sara Bloody Murdoch and the bloody Shire, and bring back some intelligence. How un-Australian Channel 10. Not that you care, but you’ve definitely lost yet another viewer!!!!!!!!!!!
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Waste of good airtime that show – well done for the axing
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I am sorry that the circle was axed, I think the people who made bad comments should have been dismissed but the show is good for young mums and older ones too. I hope you bring it back even under another name, and get rid of americian rubbish, there is too much of it already.
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Aren’t all the FTO networks broke and about to vanish? How do they survive? Who watches free to air television? The web is free in places too and it comes with watchable content anytime! I think they must be cookin the books.
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Good
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