CHRIS Judd appears set to fill the chair vacated by Garry Lyon on Channel Nine's Footy Classified.

The popular and controversial Channel Nine program will have a fresh vibe next year following Lyon's exit and the departure of other key production staff.

The dual Brownlow medalist made some appearances on Channel Seven's Front Bar program this season and quickly became a central member of Triple M radio's Friday night call team.

Judd also serves as a Carlton director, and is a leading influencer at board level on football matters.

He previously filled in on Footy Classified during Lyon's year-long hiatus.

Lyon has joined Fox Footy's stable of stars as the footy media merry-go-round continues to spin.

The former Melbourne champion has followed recently retired St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt to the subscription channel.

AFL.com.au understands Judd is likely to join Craig Hutchison, Caroline Wilson and Matthew Lloyd on the panel when the long running Monday night show returns in 2018.

It's believed South Australian Kane Cornes, who's become an increasingly impactful commentator in recent times, is also set to contribute to Footy Classified as an alternate panelist when other hosts aren't available.

It comes as Hutchison's media empire expands, with negotiations underway for his company CrocMedia to merge with the parent company of Melbourne sports radio station SEN.

Hutchison has hired former Channel Nine programming boss Tim Cleary as CrocMedia's content boss, overseeing both television and radio products.