ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand has confirmed that Maria Michael, executive producer, entertainment, and Paul Leadon, head of comedy, are leaving the company.
The departures come in a week that other staff departures from the business include as many as 20 employees of 10 Daily which closes tomorrow, and head of sport Matt White.
In a statement, Network 10 said:
Maria has been a valuable and dedicated member of Network 10 for the past 34 years, leading the production of many key programs including Video Hits, Family Feud and Bondi Rescue, and winning four TV Week Logie Awards with The Living Room.
Paul has been an integral part of the Network 10 team for 16 years, developing, writing and producing a number of key programs, from Rove Live, Good News Week and The Project (which he helped launch in 2009), to Hughesy, We Have A Problem, Gogglebox and How To Stay Married. He was appointed head of comedy in 2013.
ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand chief content officer and executive vice president Beverley McGarvey said: “Maria and Paul have been wonderful colleagues and have made a great contribution to the success and culture of Network 10.
“They leave the network with my sincere thanks and all the very best wishes for the future.”
Regarding the departure of White earlier in the week, McGarvey said:
“Matt has been an important part of Network 10 over the years. Since he returned to the network in 2014, Matt has made a valuable contribution as both an on-air presenter and – for past two years – head of sport. He leaves with our sincere thanks and very best wishes for the future.”
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Top Photo: 10’s Paul Leadon (left) during the early days of The Project with talent manager and TV producer Kevin Whyte (centre) and former 10 chief programming officer David Mott (now with ITV Studios)