JAMES Brayshaw is leaving Channel Nine and The Footy Show.

He'll be replaced as co-host of the 23-year-old AFL panel show by Craig Hutchison, who'll join Rebecca Maddern in 2017.

The network dropped the media bombshell in a statement late on Sunday afternoon. 

Brayshaw's tenure as North Melbourne chairman is also up.

There had been speculation linking him to calling games at Fox Footy.

"We thank James Brayshaw for his contribution for the past 11 years to The Footy Show and the network. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours," Nine Melbourne managing director Ian Paterson said. 

"We are delighted to welcome Craig to the co-hosting chair on The Footy Show.

"He is a first-class media performer and businessman with a proven track record in breaking some of the biggest AFL stories in history.

"He will be a terrific addition to the program alongside Rebecca." 

Hutchison, 41, has wound back from day-to-day football journalism in recent years to focus on his media interests.

His company, Crocmedia, recently secured a critical role in the latest round of AFL radio broadcast rights. 

Hutchison has won the Australian Football Media Association award for best electronic reporter 11 times. 

The Footy Show has had a turbulent year, after the shock departure of Garry Lyon, while Maddern wasn't appointed until the season was well underway. 

The program's ratings have suffered from shifting timeslots because of Thursday night games.

A show, often marred in controversy, debuted with Eddie McGuire in the host seat alongside Sam Newman in 1994.