New Ten chief says channel needs 'more depth'

Channel Ten's James Warburton has hinted at a programming overhaul as he starts his new role.

The channel's new chief executive started his new job on Sunday (January 1) and was photographed arriving at the company's offices in Sydney. He had been barred from taking up his position earlier by the Australian Supreme Court as a result of inside knowledge gleaned from his previous post at the rival Seven Network.

Warburton, who takes over from acting CEO Lachlan Murdoch at the head of Ten, told the Australian Daily Telegraph: "Ratings improvement on the main channel is an absolute priority. I want to steel some attitudes. Ten, in my eyes, has taken a bit of a back seat and let the agenda be run by others.

"I'd like much more of a fiercely competitive internal and external organisation."

Warburton also said the channel had "got to do more than" just offer its viewers reality programming, adding that he feels Ten must "have more of a connection with the viewer on multiple fronts throughout the course of a week".

"We need to have more depth for the viewer and we need to ensure as many viewers as possible have an appointment to view programmes consistently throughout the week," he explained.

Network insiders have hinted that The Renovators and Junior MasterChef - which was down on viewers in its most recent season - are both under review.

Ten has seen repeated schedule changes in recent months, with shows such as 6.30 With George Negus and the long-running Video Hits axed.

New formats - including a breakfast show and a revival of '80s variety show Young Talent Time - have also been commissioned.