A Resurgence of 'New Faces': The Project's Unexpected Comeback
In a bold move, The Project has risen from the ashes, announcing a fresh lineup of talent through Instagram reels, a mere few months after its abrupt cancellation earlier this year. This flagship current affairs program, previously replaced by 10 News+, has taken to social media to tease its highly anticipated return.
"It's been a while, but I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere," the post declared. "With your support, I've gathered a team to navigate the chaos that is the news landscape. And starting tonight, we're bringing in some new talent to tackle life's biggest questions!"
The post went on to reveal that Melbourne-based comedian Louis Hanson would be the first new face, tackling a festive conundrum that has divided households for years.
The comments section erupted with excitement and relief, with fans expressing their joy at The Project's revival. "This account means more to us than you know. We're so glad it's still here," one comment read. Another fan added, "I've missed The Project so much. It was my daily dose of news and connection to the world."
Hours later, Hanson made his debut with a lighthearted reel, attempting to answer the age-old question: "When is the right time to put up your Christmas tree?" Standing in Melbourne's CBD, Louis pondered, "How early is too early?" before delving into the debate.
He highlighted how some Aussies are challenging the traditional December 1st setup, with some dusting off their decorations as early as October. The Project even dubbed Hanson the 'Christmas expert', a title he proudly added to his LinkedIn profile.
"Catch me each week on The Project, investigating a new topic," Louis wrote. This shift to short-form content comes after the show's 16-year run, with over 4,500 episodes, came to an end on June 27th.
The long-running panel series had faced challenges, including faltering ratings, allegations of left-wing bias, and a rotating cast of anchors, before its official cancellation. Former panellists Carrie Bickmore and Peter Helliar departed in 2022 amidst budget cuts, criticism of bias, and declining viewership at Network Ten.
The show's most iconic lineup arguably featured Bickmore, Helliar, Waleed Aly, and Hamish McDonald. The regular presenters at the time of cancellation were Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, and Georgie Tunny, from Sunday through Friday.
Network Ten, which launched 10 News+ just four months ago, will now trim down its evening current affairs program to a mere 30 minutes, as part of the media company's 2026 lineup. The show's initial launch in June saw lacklustre viewership compared to its competitors on Channel Nine and Channel Seven.
10 News+ has averaged around 130,000 viewers in October, down from its initial launch average of over 160,000, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Meanwhile, evening news programs on Nine and Seven each attract over one million viewers nightly.
But here's where it gets interesting: Will The Project's new format and fresh faces be enough to win back viewers and revive its former glory? And will the show address the allegations of bias that plagued its previous incarnation? These are questions that only time will answer. What are your thoughts on The Project's comeback? Do you think it can regain its former popularity, or is it too little, too late?
