Channel Ten announces plans to "lead" Australian TV industry

Channel Ten has announced plans to "lead" the Australian television industry in 2012.

New Ten chief executive James Warburton said that he wants to "connect" with his viewers after launching a revamped Sunday night schedule of prime-time music and comedy shows including the revived Young Talent Time.

Warburton told the Sunday Herald Sun: "[The new schedule will] reset a connection point with our viewers and set the agenda for Ten, day one, every week."

Former Seven Network executive Warburton was announced as the new CEO of Ten last week. He soon expressed concern that the network relied too much on reality shows like The Renovators and MasterChef.

After announcing the acquisition of Zooey Deschanel's comedy show New Girl and US drama Homeland, the station's chief programming officer David Mott added: "[This year's changes are] a reflection of Ten's determination to lead, not follow, in 2012. We've regained our focus and this shows our confidence in our slate, as well as its depth. It's the first of a few announcements we will be making."

Last year, Ten announced plans to launch a new breakfast show starring Paul Henry and Dr Andrew Rochford. A female co-host is yet to be announced.

Young Talent Time is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, January 22 at 6.30pm, followed by the new series of Modern Family.

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