The Nine Network has confirmed an airdate for its new weekly talk show, The Verdict. Hosted by Karl Stefanovic, the new series will premiere Thursday, October 8, at 8.30pm on Channel Nine.

Nine is promising that The Verdict will be full of “lively and entertaining discussions” of current events as well as questions from the live studio audience and an in-depth interview with a newsmaker or celebrity.

 

The program had been rumoured for a 9:30pm Sunday timeslot after 60 Minutes, but Nine has opted for the earlier Thursday timeslot believing it will find a bigger audience. It will be interesting to see if Footy Show fans have any interest politics.

Panellists for the premiere episode will be announced shortly.  During rehearsals Nine has been experimenting with names such as Mark Latham, Sandy Rea, Amanda Vanstone, Justine Rogers, Campbell Brown, Seb Robertson, Pallavi Sharda and Tammy May.

The hour-long program, which will go to air over five weeks, will also allow the audience at home to vote on weekly topics via the Your Verdict voting site at 9Jumpin.com.au.

 

Karl Stefanovic said today: “I’m really looking forward to getting beyond the headlines with The Verdict. Each week on the panel we will canvass a range of opinions to reflect our society. I know our top-shelf production team will be carefully choosing topics and panellists to represent the broadest range of opinions on matters confronting us all – and I’m never lacking one, so I can’t wait to get amongst it.

“Hold onto your hats, folks. It might get bumpy.”

Phil Goyen, Executive Producer of The Verdict, said: “I’m really excited about this program and can’t wait for the debates, discussions and fun to begin. My hope is that each week the panellists and topics will spark conversations in living rooms around Australia.

“With social media driving so many issues, and with today’s ever-shorter news cycle, The Verdict will be the place for panellists and viewers to really explore big news stories and important issues beyond 140 characters.”