Channel Ten cancels The Circle

Popular Morning Talk Show Gets Axed

Channel Ten has taken the axe to its mid-morning talk-fest, The Circle, cancelling the show almost immediately. However, a growing groundswell of support is campaigning the network to reconsider it’s decision.

News leaked early Monday morning that the network had called an emergency meeting to discuss the continued downward spiral of its morning programs, Breakfast and The Circle.

It’s been no secret that both shows have struggled to find a decent audience against their rivals on the other networks, however, many expected the Paul Henry helmed Breakfast to be the one that went.

Then, news slipped out that the network had cancelled The Circle instead, with Ten chief executive James Warbuton saying in a statement, "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.”

Read: It costs a lot to produce and they’re not making the money due to low audience numbers.

The team behind the show released a statement on their Facebook page saying:

"You may have heard the news and sadly it’s true. This Friday will be The Circle’s last show. Making The Circle has been such a pleasure for us all.

We’ve loved being able to put together a show that can entertain, inspire and inform on a daily basis.

We’d like to thank everyone who’s ever joined us on the couch either as a co-host, a regular contributor or a guest.

Thank you to the people who’ve taken the trouble to join us in the studio audience and a HUGE thank you to everyone at home who have contributed through your emails and facebook messages.

We’re all going to miss you.

The Circle Team"

Yumi Stynes, host of the show since it debuted two years ago tweeted, "Hey thanks everyone for so much warmth and positivity! We believe in love and laughter!"

Former host Chrissie Swan, who quit the show last year and has since returned to breakfast radio, tweeted her condolences to the cast writing, “Such a sad, sad day. I've been thinking about what to even say... But in the end, I'm just sad. Really, really sad. Vale @thecircle_tenxx”

An online campaign has commenced on Facebook in an attempt to convince Channel Ten to persist with the program, however, with the show ending on Friday, the chances of saving it are slim.

We think Molks On TV summed it up best, posting on his site, “The Circle offered intelligent discussion, humour and entertaining segments and employed many people. That in itself is the saddest thing – that this uniquely Australian-voiced show is now no longer being made by Australians for an Australian market.”