Channel 10 job cuts: Why left-leaning The Project is untouchable

Channel 10 made a point of emphasising last week that The Project was safe from job cuts as the network ‘restructures’ its news division in response to the COVID-19 recession.

And there’s a reason why the left-leaning current affairs show, hosted by Waleed Aly and Carrie Bickmore, hasn’t been affected by the mass sackings.

The Project is not actually produced by Channel 10, which means it isn’t part of the network’s financially struggling news and operations department. 

The nightly program is produced by an external company, Roving Enterprises, which is owned by TV personality Rove McManus and his business partner Craig Campbell. 

Channel 10 is believed to have a contract with Roving Enterprises that cannot be altered until it’s time to renegotiate the deal.

The broadcaster is therefore obligated to continue paying Roving Enterprises the agreed-upon fee to air The Project, despite the financial downturn.

It’s unclear when Channel 10’s deal with the production company expires, or if the network intends to renegotiate the terms.

If 10 and Roving Enterprises do agree to change the financial terms of the deal, then there may be job cuts at The Project.

But this depends entirely on whether Roving Enterprises agrees to accept a lower rate.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment.