In the wake of the 'Eleven' announcement, Ten have revealed their new 6pm-7pm news strategy.

Ten’s New Weekday Line-up
5.00pm ‘News at Five’
6.00pm National news bulletin
6.30pm Local news bulletin
7.00pm ‘The 7PM Project’

Ten’s New Weekend Line-up
5.00pm ‘News at Five’
5.30pm ‘Sports Tonight’
6.00pm Local news bulletin

‘The Simpsons’ and Neighbours’ will move to Network Ten’s new channel Eleven, launching in 2011.

It’s going to be news a 5pm, news at 6pm and news a 7pm on Channel Ten.

With the announcement of Ten’s third digital channel and the shifting of ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Neighbours’ to Eleven, the network have now revealed their plans for the long speculated 6pm-7pm hour on Ten.

Following Ten’s ‘News at Five’ each weeknight, the network will soon broadcast a new half-hour national news bulletin from 6pm “targeting viewers seeking a smarter, more informed, considered and insightful approach to the stories, issues, events and news-makers of the day”.

At 6.30pm, Ten will shift to a local news service, which will be presented and produced in all markets “focussing on the key issues in each State, whilst continuing to break news and further develop the leading national and international news stories of the day”.

The two new bulletins will be followed by ‘The 7PM Project’.

“We see the provision of more quality local, national and international news-based content as the ideal bridge between our top-rating local News at Five bulletins and the increasingly popular The 7PM Project,” said Network Ten’s CEO Grant Blackley in a statement.

Ten’s weekend evening line-ups will also kick off with a new local bulletins running from 6pm-6.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays, following ‘News at Five’ and ‘Sports Tonight’.

The presenting and reporting teams for each of the new Ten News bulletins will be announced in coming weeks.

“This is a big commitment to news involving the employment of 100 additional staff, from leading reporters to expert camera crews, operators for new and efficient digital transfer technology, and an increased international presence bringing news from the key territories around the globe – notably Europe, the United States and Asia. This will ensure TEN has the people and technical resources to bring breaking and major news events to all Australians as they happen,” said Blackley.

“These two new formats will complement TEN’s timeslot-winning News at Five and provide valuable further news resources for The 7PM Project, as well as for TEN’s Early News at 6am, Morning News at 9am and the long-standing Late News With Sports Tonight,” he said.

“The new early evening strategy on TEN will provide a highly appealing, fresh alternative to viewers in these timeslots. It delivers a seamless and comprehensive package of quality news and public affairs, unparalleled on Australian free-to-air commercial television and catering to all segments of the market – from breaking news of national significance, to highly localised news, sport and weather, to intelligent and insightful discussion of the issues affecting Australians each day.”

“Our multi-channel and News initiatives are not only an effective use of our broadcast spectrum and an efficient deployment of Network Ten’s established infrastructure, team and resources, but a sound investment in building further long term, sustainable growth for our business,” said Blackley.

“Network Ten has enjoyed a successful year with expanding, quality content on TEN and ONE and across all our digital media assets. In October, we will broadcast the biggest event of the year for Australian audiences in the Commonwealth Games, on TEN and ONE, followed early in 2011 with the launch of ELEVEN and our greatly enhanced commitment to news and public affairs on TEN,” he said.

“These measures represent a significant reinvestment in the business in the year ahead based on sound underlying investment principles. They include the commitment of an additional 100 employees and associated infrastructure to strengthen our News credentials and services through an investment in the order of $20 million per annum, as well as our budgeted investment of $25 million in the 2010 Commonwealth Games being broadcast in October,” he said.

“These initiatives clearly demonstrate our belief in and commitment to Free TV and the Digital Switchover transition of all Australians, and will ensure continued high levels of quality Australian content with greater diversity and choice for Australian consumers,” said Blackley.

Source: Network Ten