After audaciously moving from Channel Nine to Network 10, The Project’s Lisa Wilkinson is reportedly asking for an eyewatering $2 million to re-sign with the network.
“Before Lisa went on holidays to Italy, she gave them an ultimatum about The Project and her network contract,” industry insider Rob McKnight, who runs website TV Blackbox, told New Idea. “She wants $2million to sign on again for two more years.”
Having taken on big interviews such as her sit down with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, Rob says it’s not an unfair request considering the 59-year-old has found great success since starring alongside her fellow panellists Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar
WATCH: Tommy Little’s shocking live-on-air comment leaves Lisa Wilkinson stunned
“Lisa is now one of the biggest stars on that network and there’s no doubt Lisa is happier with her new life over at 10. She might not have the ratings, but she has the respect and she is getting some big-name interviews,” he said. “Ten have to be careful or they will lose both leading ladies.”
With co-host Carrie openly discussing the struggles she’s faced with juggling motherhood and work, the network is rumoured to be relying on Lisa to keep the show afloat.
And although Rob says she hasn’t delivered blockbuster ratings, Lisa is “respected” by industry giants and has a knack for landing “big name interviews”, meaning the Network could give her what she’s after.
Last month, word travelled that Lisa was “set to leave The Project”— a claim being promoted by Sportsbet. The agency announced it believed Lisa was “odds on to leave amid rumours of a feud with other cast members”. The bookmaker had priced Lisa as $1.85 to leave the show this year, while Waleed Aly was $3.00 to depart, and Carrie and Peter were at $4.00 to leave.
“We find it hard to believe anyone could be feuding with Waleed or Carrie, but rumours gather momentum. Apparently all is not well with Lisa and her co-hosts and we’re tipping she’ll go sooner rather than later,” said Sportsbet’s Rich Hummerston.
After the shocking claims made headlines, and rumours swirled that Lisa was at war with her Ten co-hosts, she set the record straight on Instagram, revealing there’s no issues.
“Well the holiday is now officially over…it seems in more ways than one,” Lisa – who recently travelled through Italy with her husband, Peter Fitzsimons, began. “So there I was, standing in the queue at the supermarket this morning, right next to the magazine rack, when I saw it: ‘Furious Lisa Flees Channel 10’ right there on the cover of one of the weekly ‘women’s’ mags. (And let’s ignore for a moment the fact that the pic accompanying this headline was of a particularly tender moment from my 10th anniversary at the Today Show at Channel Nine),” the 59-year-old continued.
Lisa then went on to dispell rumours that she was at odds with her cohosts.
“But honestly, does ANYONE believe this stuff??? The pic above is one Pete took of me on holidays just a week ago. Do I look like someone “fleeing” anything? Do I look furious? Honestly, the number of absolute lies in this story takes my breath away…So please, don’t believe any of it.”
The veteran journalist was responding to claims she reportedly left the 10th anniversary of The Project early a throwaway comment made by co-host Peter Helliar left her reeling.
The Australian reported that the comedian “unwittingly” singled out Lisa as an “outsider” amongst his fellow co-hosts when he said, “We love having you on our show.”
The publication said the former Today show host “shuffled offset” just half an hour into the 90-minute broadcast.
“Diary hears she was not sighted again, either during the 90-minute-plus extravaganza or the after-party,” said the report.
On the other hand, Peter, Carrie and Waleed— who have been working alongside each other on The Project since 2015— reportedly stayed for the after-party and gave heart-felt toasts to each other.
“You are the show!” Peter gushed about Carrie, who has been a panellist on The Project since it’s inception in 2009.
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