In a significant shift within Australia's media landscape, veteran presenter Eddie McGuire has been removed from Channel Nine's 'Footy Classified' after six seasons. The network confirmed the cancellation of the show's Tuesday night broadcast, an action taken amidst a broader restructuring of its 2027 programming schedule. This decision leaves McGuire, a prominent figure in Australian television and sports commentary, without a consistent weekly presenting role, marking a notable change in his long-standing career trajectory.
The network's spokesperson clarified that while the Tuesday edition of 'Footy Classified' will not continue, Channel Nine remains committed to extensive Australian Rules Football coverage. This includes the return of 'The Sunday Footy Show,' the 21st season of the Monday 'Footy Classified,' 'Footy Furnace,' 'Players,' and continued support for the 'My Room Telethon.' While McGuire will no longer be a regular fixture on the panel, he is expected to maintain his association with Channel Nine, with confirmed roles in hosting the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival and various other special football-related events. His media company, JAM TV, will also continue its production involvement with the Monday edition of 'Footy Classified' and is slated to expand 'Footy Furnace' to help fill the void created by the Tuesday show's absence.
'Footy Classified' first premiered in 2007, originally featuring media personality Craig Hutchison and journalist Caroline Wilson. McGuire joined the program in 2020, initially hosting the Wednesday night slot, which was later moved to Tuesdays. This recent development follows another significant professional change for McGuire: the cancellation of his ARN flagship radio program, 'The Long Weekend.' That show, which he co-hosted with Karl Stefanovic, concluded after just six episodes due to controversy surrounding Stefanovic's interview with a far-right activist, leading to Stefanovic's departure from both Nine and ARN. McGuire subsequently confirmed his solo continuation on ARN, currently co-hosting 'Gold Sport' with Abbey Gelmi on Friday and Monday evenings.
This period represents a considerable transition for Eddie McGuire, as he adapts to new roles and a revised media presence. Despite the discontinuation of his regular spots on 'Footy Classified' and 'The Long Weekend,' his enduring influence and extensive experience within Australian media are likely to see him continue to contribute to the industry in various capacities.
