Lisa Wilkinson could become the highest paid woman on Australian television when she moves to Channel Ten in January.
Her new deal, which will see her front The Project, is reportedly worth in excess of $2 million.
Lisa departed Nine’s Today show on Monday amidst reports that contract negotiations had broken down. The 57-year-old was alleged to have demanded equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic as she was being paid close to half of his salary.
Lisa Wilkinson to become the highest paid woman in TV as she moves to Channel Ten in a deal rumoured to be worth OVER $2 million… after Nine refused to pay her as much as Karl Stefanovic
Lisa’s contract with Nine was said to have been worth $1.1 million a year before her shock departure.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Nine increased its offer to $1.8 million annual package but it was not enough to convince Lisa to stay.
Karl is reported to earn at least $2 million a year with a potential bonus that could take his salary to nearly $3 million if he hits ratings targets.
Pay parity: It is reported that Lisa rejected Ten’s offer of a $700,000 pay rise following six months of negotiations and would not settle for less than being paid equal to Karl
According to a 2016 report from The Australian Karl reportedly earns more than Nine chief executive Hugh Marks, after he signed a new $9 million contract early last year.
Stefanovic’s role as a contributor to 60 Minutes boosts his salary to above a seven-figure mark.
Lisa rejected Ten’s offer of a $700,000 pay rise following six months of negotiations.
On more than the CEO: Karl is reported to earn at least $2 million a year with a potential bonus that could take his salary to nearly $3 million if he hits ratings targets
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Monday Darren Wick, Nine’s director of news and current affairs, said: ‘We have been trying to negotiate this contract for near on six months and haven’t been able to come to terms.
‘Nine will take the Today Show in a different direction, although we are not sure what that direction will be.’
Nine’s official statement regarding Lisa’s departure from the network said it had been ‘unable to meet the expectations of Lisa Wilkinson and her manager on a contract renewal…We are disappointed we find ourselves in this position.’
Lisa was a host of the Today show for ten years.
‘We have been trying to negotiate this contract for near on six months and haven’t been able to come to terms’ Lisa was a host of the Today show for ten years