The  Bounce / The Matty Johns Show

From Thursday 1st April, ‘The Bounce’ will move to Thursday nights at 7:30pm in southern markets. Due to variable programming across the country that night, the show will aired at 2:30am in Sydney and 12:15am in Brisbane. It is obviously the exact opposite with ‘The Matty Johns Show’ across the country.

From Thursday 8th April, things will be normal with ‘The Bounce’ on at 7:30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and then at midnight in Sydney and Brisbane. ‘The Matty Johns Show’ will air at 7:30pm in Sydney and Brisbane and at midnight for Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Ugly Betty

The season final will air on Tuesday April 6th at 7:30pm on 7Two. At this stage, it appears 7Two will move straight into the fourth and final season the following week. Stand by for confirmation.

7Two Wednesday Line-up

With ‘Heroes’ now completed and ‘Mercy’ under performing, 7Two will present a new Wednesday night line-up starting on April 7th:

7:30 Make Me a Supermodel

8:30  Lost

9:30 Stargate: Atlantis (ep 12 of Season 5)

10:30 Mercy (14 of Season 1)

11:20 Kings (ep 6 of Season 1)

Repeats of ‘What About Brian’ and ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ will continue after ‘Kings’

7Two Thursday Line-up

The night will start with ‘Barry Humphries Flashbacks’ at 7:30pm and will be followed by the very first episode of the superb British series ‘Prime Suspect’ with Helen Mirren.

Samantha Who?

Good news for fans of this show, ‘Samantha Who?’ takes the 7pm weeknight time slot on 7Two from Wednesday 7th April. They are starting from episode 7 of Season 1, since episode 6 was the last episode screened in the early times slot in January on the secondary channel. That means just the first two weeks will be repeats and then we can look forward to new episodes.

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation / Good News Week

Both shows will screen ‘Best of’ episodes on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th April, being the last week of the two week non ratings period. ‘The Good Wife’, ‘House’ and ‘NCIS: LA’ will have the week off. ‘NCIS’ and ‘SVU’ will be in repeat mode. The only new episodes will be from ‘The Biggest Loser’, ‘Bondi Rescue’, ‘Medium’, ‘Burn Notice’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

Numb3rs

The show is back with episode 10 of season 5 at 10pm on Friday 9th April on Ten.

Note: I have not added details for Channel 9 for the week commencing 4th April as the schedule is the same as usual. The Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday line-ups will continue with new episodes and most of the other shows on Monday and Wednesday are repeats.

Survivor

Channel 9 will serve viewers another double episode on Tuesday March 23rd from 8:40pm. If Nine decide to screen just one more double episode the following week, the series will be fully up to date with America with the turn around being just 4 days. At this time, March 30th sees a single episode scheduled but the 9:40 slot is currently TBA. UPDATED – That slot will now go to 20 to 1, so Channel 9 opted NOT to catch up.

Ghost Whisperer

With the AFL/NRL shows now in the schedule, something had to give..poor ‘Ghost Whisperer’. But fans can at least watch repeats of the show when it airs at 7:30pm Friday April 2nd on 7Two.

Photo (left to right:) Ria Vandervis, Tom O Sullivan, Martin Dingle Wall, Kate Ritchie, Kelly Paterniti and Graeme Squires.

Media Release

NINE ANNOUNCES CAST OF NEW AUSTRALIAN DRAMA SERIES – COPS: L.A.C.

COPS L.A.C., Channel Nine’s new Australian drama series about the fast-paced working life and complicated relationships of a diverse range of uniformed cops and plainclothes detectives, begins principal photography in May.

These police officers working in a busy Local Area Command are the new frontline of law and order. The territory of COPS L.A.C. covers the inner city, the harbourside and the eastern beaches of Sydney, from lowlifes to high society and everything in between. Their brief is to fight and control crime on their turf. From shoplifting to murder, small-time drug deals to major organised crime, these cops see it all every day.

COPS L.A.C. stars Gold Logie winner Kate Ritchie as Detective Senior Constable Samantha Cooper and Martin Dingle Wall as her partner, Detective Senior Constable Rhys Llewellyn. They are joined by Gary Sweet as Superintendent Jack Finch and Denise Roberts as Inspector Diane Pappas.

Tom O’Sullivan stars as Senior Constable Nathan Holt, with Ria Vandervis as Senior Constable Roxanne Perez, along with Kelly Paterniti as Probationary Constable Priscilla Smith and Graeme Squires as Probationary Constable Daniel Vandermark.

The cast also includes 2009 AFI Winners Roy Billing as Senior Sergeant Graeme Sinclair and Damian de Montemas as forensic expert Matt “Matilda” Hilton.

At the L.A.C. dedicated officers work and play side-by-side. They are passionate cops on the beat, the first ones at the crime scenes; savvy plainclothes detectives marked by their gut instinct and tenacity; naive recruits uncertain if they’ll make the grade; daring undercover officers flirting with danger; ambitious superintendents juggling politics with policing; and forensics experts with hi-tech toys.

It’s a competitive, pressure-cooker environment where the line between professional and personal relationships is easily blurred, and it takes plenty of grit, grunt and humour to get these cops through the day. Theirs is a tough and unpredictable job where some succeed beyond their wildest expectations while others fall by the wayside.

“We are really excited about COPS L.A.C. It has great scripts, a fantastic cast, and all the ingredients for another exciting Aussie drama series from Nine,” said Jo Horsburgh, Head of Nine Drama.

COPS L.A.C. is produced by the Nine Network and will screen later in 2010.

Source: Nine Network

The Bounce
The new AFl show with Peter Helliar begins on Wednesday March 24th at 7:30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The show will air at 12:30am into Sydney and Brisbane. It only an assumption that this show is starting on a Wednesday night due to AFL Thursday night games for the first and second rounds with the show then moving to Thursday nights.
Host Peter Helliar will present four quarters of footy-flavoured action offering news, comedy and personalities of the sport to fans around
Australia, while AFL experts Matthew Richardson and Leigh Matthews will analyse the game and tackle the issues facing the sport.
Produced by Rick McKenna Productions, THE BOUNCE will have football fans talking. THE BOUNCE premieres on Channel Seven at 7.30pm, Wednesday, March 24.

The Matty Johns Show
What an awful title. Anyway, the show is making its debut on Thursday 25th March at 7:30pm into Sydney and Brisbane. Other states will get the show at midnight.
Johns will tackle the new season’s big issues as well as entertaining audiences with a family-friendly mix of sporting stars, special guests, live performances, music and comedy. Johns says he’s thrilled with the opportunity to expand rugby league’s audience.
“I grew up watching league on Seven with Rex Mossop,” he says. “Thirty years later for it to be me on Seven with a rugby league show is great.”
With several fun new characters to debut – including gardening guru Don Kirk, explorer Alby Sandals and 10-year-old Steven the Big Kid – there’s plenty of opportunity for Johns to let loose with his cheeky humour and incredible wit. But when joined by former Australian and Bronco lock Shane Webcke for Controversy Corner, the show will take on a more serious tone as they debate the biggest issues facing the NRL.
Clubs and players have been very supportive of the show by taking part in regular segments such as My Home Town and Home When You’re Away, giving them the opportunity to showcase towns around the country and surprise some adoring fans. High-profile stars will also lend their time for player challenges and to be part of the studio panel each week. “I think were heading into a fantastic era for the game,” says Johns.

NOTE: Sydney and Brisbane viewers will get a new RSPCA Animal Rescue on the Wednesday night and other states will get the same episodes on the Thursday night. So episodes are not skipped, just on different nights.

My Kitchen Rules
The grand final episode will air Monday 22nd March at 7:30pm and run for 90 minutes. ‘Desperate Housewives’ will follow at 9pm and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ at 10pm.

Private Practice
This show is back starting with the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ crossover episode on Tuesday March 23rd March on Seven.

Easter
Sunday 28th March marks the first week of the non-ratings period BUT these shows will continue with new episodes;

Scrubs
Royal Pains
Desperate Housewives
Brothers and Sisters
Ocean Force
30 Rock
Better Homes and Gardens
The Biggest Loser: Couples
Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation
The Good Wife
Good News Week
Bondi Rescue
NCIS: Los Angeles
So You Think You Can Dance
Burn Notice
Medium
White Collar
Domestic Blitz
60 Minutes
Survivors
V
CSI: Miami
Survivor
Top Gear
RPA
Getaway
Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show
All of 7Two’s normal shows will continue with new episodes

If I have not mentioned a major prime time show here then it is most likely to be a repeat.

Lost
This series will have a double episode on March 30th on Seven’s main channel bringing them in line with 7Two.

Melbourne Special
The line-up for Friday 2nd April will be:

6:00 Sunrise
9:00 Larry the Lawnmower ®
9:30 SPECIAL 2010 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
12:00 Seven Morning News
12:30 SPECIAL 2010 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
6:00 Seven News
6:30 Today Tonight
7:00 Home and Away
7:30 SPECIAL 2010 Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

Supernatural
The show is back with new episodes on Monday 29th March at 9:30pm on Ten.

White Collar
The first season comes to a close on Friday 2nd April at 9:30pm on Ten.

Opportunity Wasted
Channel 10 could have run a new episode of ‘SVU’ on Thursday 1st April into Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth who missed the new episode the previous week due to AFL. Instead they will carry the same repeat as Sydney and Brisbane that same night.

RPA
Season finale already. The show will air Wednesday March 31st at 8:30pm.

Strikeforce
There are a few unaired episodes. The next episode will air 11:40pm on  Tuesday 30th on 7Two.

Heroes
The season (and possibly series) finale will air Thursday April 1st on 7two at 9:30pm. I have, from an excellent source, that all new Reaper will take this slot from the following week.

My Kitchen Rules

On Tuesday 16th March, ‘MKR’ will have a special 90 minute episode. That pushes ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to 9pm and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ to 10pm. On Monday 22nd March the slot between 7:30pm and 9pm is currently TBA, so I would assume another 90 minute episode will air there as well. Tuesday 23rd March between 7:30 and 8:30 is TBA and also between 8:30 and 10:30.

AFL Game Day

The show returns to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at 10am on Sunday 21st March at 10am. Sydney and Brisbane viewers will see a repeat of the first season of ‘True Beauty’ in that slot.

According to Jim

This show goes under the radar, but it is interesting to note that even though this sitcom was canceled and last screened in America in June 2009, it did notch up an impressive 181 episodes. I would have noted the final episode date in Australia if it was uniformed across Australia. Sydney and Melbourne have completed the series already. Perth has played the final episode but missed a couple episodes, with the final new episode screening 27th March. Brisbane will get the final episode of the show on 21st March. That leaves Adelaide who fell a bit behind; the second last episode screens on the 27th March with the final episode still to be scheduled.

TBA’s for Seven

Sometimes these TBA slots create more talk than actual scheduled shows. Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm to 8:30pm on 24th/25th March are currently TBA. One of the slots would assumed to be the NRL/AFL shows that Seven is developing, with the AFL season due to kick off on Thursday 25th March on Ten.

Crim inal Minds / Gangs of Oz

In an interesting move, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth viewers will get a new episode as normal of Gangs of Oz on Wednesday 24th March, however, Sydney and Brisbane viewers will get a repeat of Criminal Minds. I am waiting on a reply from Seven as to why this is happening. You may notice an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’ will be ’skipped’ by the network in the next couple of weeks if you take into account the episode order in America. This is not the fault of Seven. Once the episode is released by its distributors, it will go to air.

UPDATED – Due to legal reasons this episode of ‘Oz’ cannot be screened in Sydney and Brisbane at this time, which is the reason for the ‘Criminal Minds’ repeat in Sydney and Brisbane.

AFL

AFL action is back with Round 1 of the AFL season on Seven with ‘Friday Night Football’. Each week Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth viewers will see the action at 8:30 starting with a round 1 match between Geelong and Essendon on March 26th followed by repeat Scrubs. Sydney and Brisbane viewers will get a movie at 8:30pm followed by a Scrubs repeat and then AFL before midnight.

Band of Brothers

If you have been watching this again on 7Two then please take note of the final episode which screens on Tuesday 23rd March at 10:30pm.

Make Me  a Supermodel (US series)

It has been previously reported that the show will be having its FTA premiere this week with a special episode followed by the first episode on March 17th at 7:30pm on 7Two. On March 24th the second episode will air at 7:30pm. However, the third episode is a bit naughty for the early slot so that same evening at 10:30pm, the third episode will air there as a special adults only airing. ‘Kings’ (which is a great series) will be preempted for the night.

Stargate: Atlantis

Nothing special here but just letting you know that the series reaches the half way mark of the final season on March 25th at 8:30pm on 7Two. Last few months to watch this series before it bows out forever. For those keeping score, the show ended on the 9th January 2009 in America.

Last Comic Standing

One of my fave shows is back with the six season premiere at 10:45pm on Friday 26th March on 7Two. The show had been canceled but was recently picked up again and a seventh season will air on NBC in America this summer. This is actually the second resurrection for this show.

Melbourne International Comedy Gala

This will air at 8:30pm Monday 22nd March for a two hour slot, preempting ‘Good News Week’. Tvtonight did report that ‘Supernatural’ may be returning on the night, but this has not occurred. When I contacted Ten about ‘Supernatual’ they informed me that they had no idea where that rumour started and there was no plans to bring it back soon. However, there is a chance they keeping it under wraps and is why I have not mentioned ‘Supernatural’ on this site.

NCIS: Los Angeles

Is back with new episodes on Tuesday 23rd March at 9:30pm. I actually felt this was a bizarre move since the 2 week non-ratings period kicks off the following week, probably putting the orginal NCIS in repeat mood for two weeks. Would they not have been better off just starting of new eps of ‘NCIS’ with new eps of LA after Easter?

Thursday 25th March on Ten

Because of AFL, Ten will have a different schedule across the country:

Sydney and Brisbane
6:00 The Simpsons ®
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The 7pm Project
7:30 The Biggest Loser: Couples
8:00 So You Think You Can Dance Results 10 – 8
9:00 Law and Order: SVU (ep 7 of 22 in Season 11)
10:00 Medium (ep 8 of 18 in Season 6)
11:00 TEN Late News with Sports Tonight
11:30 AFL Round 1 Richmond v Carlton
2:00 The Late Show with David Letterman

Melbourne and Adelaide
6:00 Neighbours
6:30 So You Think You Can Dance Results 10 – 8
7:30 AFL Round 1 Richmond v Carlton
11:00 The 7pm Project
11:30 TEN Late News with Sports Tonight
12:00 The Late Show with David Letterman
1:00 Cops ®

Perth
6:00 The Simpsons ®
6:30 Neighbours
7:00 The 7pm Project
7:30 So You Think You Can Dance Results 10 – 8
8:30 AFL Round 1 Richmond v Carlton
12:00 The Late Show with David Letterman
1:00 Cops ®

That means ‘The Biggest Loser’ will not air that week in 3 markets. It also means that Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth viewers will miss a new episode of ‘SVU’ and ‘Medium’. The simple thing to do since it is the non-ratings season the following week is to play a repeat of both shows in northern states and those new episodes into southern states. This would be the sensible thing to do. However, last year Ten did NOT do this and ‘SVU’ was played months out of order in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and ‘Medium’ was skipped altogether and to this day has still not screened.

White Collar

The second last episode screens 9:30pm on Friday 26th March. This would not normally be of any issue except the fact that the following week is Easter Friday. I would have thought a double episode would have been better on the 26th, rather than screening the season final on Good Friday or preempting it a further week.

Wide World of Sports

Returns with a new season on Sunday 21st March at 10am on Nine.

CSI: Miami

Sydney and Brisbane viewers will finally get to see the season final of the seventh season of this show on Monday 22nd March. Other states are five episodes ahead and therefore in season eight.

Survivor: Heroes v Villians

Still screening on March 23rd as normal at 8:40pm with the 9:40 slot TBA. If Nine once again changes that TBA slot to a double episode then that will bring the show within around 12 days of America.

Wednesday 24th March on Nine

Because of Thursday AFL on Ten, the  AFL Footy Show will air on Nine on Wednesday 24th in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in prime time. Sydney and Brisbane will still get new RPA and new Cold Case. No idea when Nine will screen missing episodes into those markets.

Guides have been added for wc 21st March except, of course, for Nine.

'Prisoner'

The 52nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards are still two months away, but already voting has begun for both public and industry voted categories.

A list of nine contenders up for the Logies Hall of Fame were leaked this morning by The Australian, who had an unauthorised peek at this year’s ballot.

The Hall of Fame Gold Logie is awarded for “outstanding and sustained contribution” to television by an individual or televsion program.

This year, Network Ten’s cult favourite ‘Prisoner’, which ran from 1979 to 1986,  has been put forward as a contender for this year’s industry voted award. Should it win, it’d mark only the fourth television program to receive the honour.

ABC’s ‘Four Corners’, Ten’s ‘Neighbours’ and ABC’s ‘Play School’ were all previously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Other names in contention this year are: retired newsreaders Brian Henderson and Ian Ross, the late Brian Naylor, who was killed last year in the Black Saturday bushfires, SBS’s George Negus, sports presenters Ken Sutcliffe and Les Murray, Foxtel presenter Maggie Tabberer and ‘Home and Away’ actor Ray Meagher.

The 52nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards will be televised on May 2 on the Nine Network.

Source: The Australian

Better Homes and Gardens

A special 90 minute episode will air on Friday the 12th March at 7:30pm followed by the network premiere of the movie ‘Atonement’ in all states at 9pm on Seven.

TBA

Sometimes a TBA can be  just as interesting to write  about. On Tuesday March 16th, Seven has a TBA between 7:30 and 9pm and also between 9pm and 10pm. ‘Brothers and Sisters’ airs at 10pm that night and the final part of ‘Super Skinny Me’ airs at 11pm.

The Benny Hill Show / What a Carry On

‘Benny Hill’ comes to an end on Thursday 18th March at 7pm on 7Two. Taking its place will be ‘What a Carry On’ from the next night.

Bandit FM: Friday Night Jukebox

A late night music video show will air on 7Two on Friday nights at 12:10am (Saturday morning) beginning March 19th right after a new episode of ‘King of the Hill’.

The Bachelor

The new season was to begin next week, but now Go! is slotting in ANOTHER repeat of ‘Seinfeld’ on Tuesday nights from March 2nd at 8:30pm.

The Big Bang Theory (repeats) / ER / Top Gear (repeat)

How many times can you muck around with ‘ER’? From next Thursday 4th March, Go! will now continue to air ‘The Big Bang Theory’ in repeat mode at 7:30pm, “Top Gear’ encores at 8:30pm and now just a single episode of ‘ER’ at 9:40pm. There is now quite a number of repeats filling the Go! schedule which is becoming something of annoyance to viewers expecting new programming.

CSI: Miami

Just an update on the episodes screening around Australia on March 1st at 9:30pm on Nine:

Sydney/Brisbane: ep 23 of 25 in Season 7

Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth: ep 3 of Season 8

This means that southern states are 5 episodes ahead of their northern counterparts. From the following week a new episode will screen at 9:30pm with a repeat at 10:30. It is surprising that Nine don’t run a new episode at 10:30 in northern states for just 5 weeks to catch up. Actually this is Nine, so I am not that surprised.

TBA

There is a TBA for Tuesday 16th March at 9:30pm after ‘Top Gear’ and ‘Survivor’. I am hoping that Nine will run a double ‘Survivor’ as the network will be running about one month behind America.

The White Room

Just an update about this program. An insider at Seven says there is unaired pilot on the shelf but no other episodes were filmed. Other websites have 1 or 2 episodes being reported as filmed but that is the information I have at hand.

Seven and Nine in a bidding war over 'The X Factor'.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Seven and Nine are set begin a bidding war over a new local version of ‘The X Factor’.

The show’s creator Simon Cowell called a summit in London last week, which Nine’s Director of Production and Development Andrew Backwell, Seven’s Head of Programming Tim Worner and Sony Music CEO Dennis Handlin all attended.

Despite producing a failed attempt in 2005 by Network Ten, Cowell hopes to overtake the current global success of the ‘Idol’ format and make the show a worldwide phenomenon.

Cowell told the reps an Australian version would have to be made “my way or the highway”, said one source.

“He said that any other version would have to match his production values and his uncompromising vision, which would cost at least $20 million for 21 hours of television.”

Seven is believed to be making a very aggressive bid for the format, while Nine, who is equally interested, were also quite conscious of the costs involved in producing the format.

“One way or another, expect it to be on air around February next year,” added the source.

‘The X Factor’ has become a massive hit in the UK, turning out one of the biggest names in pop, Leona Lewis.

US network FOX announced plans to bring the format stateside after Cowell leaves ‘American Idol’ next season, joining the other 21 local versions across Europe and the Middle East.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Mentalist

Repeats of the show will air at 8:30pm Thursdays from next week (March 4th) on Nine.

Adults only ‘20 to 1′ will air at 9:30pm for next week only and then ‘The Footy Show’ moves into that slot.

Dharma and Greg / Everybody Loves Raymond

‘Dharma’ comes to an end with its final ever episode on Tuesday March 16th with ‘Raymond’ repeats taking the slot the next day.

V

The new series has found a home at 8:30pm on Sunday 7th March on Nine. The time slot from 9:30pm to 11:30pm is currently TBA.

Survivor: Heroes vs Villians

This makes its 20th season premiere on Tuesday 9th March at 8:40pm right after a new episode of Top Gear. The first episode is two hours in length.

Identity

This 12 part reality show hits Ten on the Friday 5th March at 2am (Sat morning). The series started in America in 2006 and my guess is that the rights are about to expire.

Join Penn Jillette of the legendary magician/comedian pair Penn & Teller as he hosts this exciting new competition. Contestants must match up the 12 correct identities to 12 total strangers, but they must be careful not to judge a book by its cover because looks can be deceiving!

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Vince Colosimo and Rebecca Gibney start in Nine's 'Wicked Love: The Maria Korp Story'.

The Nine Network have pumped out two award winning series of ‘Underbelly’ based on real events taking place between 1976 – 1987 and 1995–2004, with a third series bridging the two set to premiere in the coming months.

These true crime dramas have been hugely successful for Nine, there’s no denying it. Over 2.5 million viewers tuned in for the series premiere of ‘Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities’.

With these sort of figures, it’s easy to understand why they’re are keen to bring another true crime to the screen.

This Sunday, Nine will premiere ‘Wicked Love: The Maria Korp Story’ a tele-movie based on the attempted murder of Maria Korp, by her husband Joe Korp and his mistress Tania Herman.

Today, Gust Korp (Joe Korp’s brother) told Radio 3AW that he had urged the Nine Network to pull the tele-movie from Victorian schedules, stating that the couple’s 15-year-old son Damian Korp was still struggling with the death of his mother and subsequent suicide of his father, Joe, in 2005.

“My major concern is for Damian. He’s a 15-year-old boy who has been through a fair bit, he has had quite an extensive period of counselling,” Gust said.

Not unlike the first series of ‘Underbelly’, a time frame of less than 5-years have passed between the actual events and this new dramatisation.

‘Underbelly’ was even banned in the state of Victoria, due to on going legal proceedings concerning persons involved in the events depicted in Nine’s series.

So is 5-years long enough to be considered “enough time having passed” before these harrowing tales are used for entertainment purposes?

Should there be a moratorium in which television networks should respect the families of deceased persons before brining their stories to the screen?

Crash Investigation Unit

As mentioned in a previous post, ‘ICU’ has been removed from the Seven schedule effective after the next broadcast on February 24th. In its place will be ‘Crash Investigation Unit’ which premieres with season 2 on Wednesday 3rd March at 8pm.

Rosemary and Thyme

This series will get a repeat broadcast from episode 1 starting Monday 8th March at 8:30pm on 7Two, which replaces ‘Judge John Deed’ which has completed its run.

The Whistleblowers

This new 6 part series will air on 7Two at 9:30pm Mondays from 8th March on 7Two.

After witnessing an injustice abetted by government corruption, a couple abandon their previous legal careers to become advocates for those courageous individuals who are willing to expose the truth.

Make Me a Supermodel (US series)

This show makes its FTA debut on Wednesday 10th March at 7:30pm which replaces ‘I Survived a Japanese Game Show’ which would have concluded its first season the week prior. The show starts with a special casting episode to be followed by the official launch of the series the following week on 7Two.

NWA – On Fire

The wrestling show is back on 7Two from Thursday March 11th at 11:10pm.

King of the Hill

Fans of this show are always prepared for this show to fly around the schedule. There is an episode on Friday 12th March at 11:45pm; a new episode from Season 12.

Ross Noble’s Australian Trip

This 6 part series comes to a close on Monday 8th March at 10pm on Ten.

Burn Notice

The Americans had a 4 month break between episode 9 and 10 of ‘Burn Notice’ of this current season. Channel 10 viewers will wait just a week as they kick off the back end of season 3 at 10pm Wednesday 10th March with that episode 10.

NAB Cup Grand Final

This year the NAB Cup Grand Final will air on Ten at the following times around the country on Saturday March 13th:

Perth: 6:30pm

Adelaide: 7pm

Melbourne: 7:30om

Sydney/Brisbane: 10:45pm

The It Crowd

The current season comes to a close on ABC1 on Wednesday 17th March at 9pm.

Criminal Justice

The current season comes to a close on ABC1 on Friday 18th March at 8:30pm.

82nd Annual Academy Awards

Will air LIVE during the day on Nine on Monday 8th March and then repeated at 9:30pm.

The Footy Show NRL and AFL

These panel shows are back for 2010 on Nine from Thursday 11th March. Same as usual with Sydney and Brisbane getting the NRL version at 9:30pm and then the AFL version late night and Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth getting the shows in the reverse order. That means there will be two ‘dead’ weeks with the first AFL show only covering the NAB Cup Grand Final and the second week is a week off football as the official launch of the AFL season on March 25th. The NRL show is on track as the season starts the next night, March 12th.

TBA

The Sunday slot on March 7th from 8:30 and the Tuesday slot from 8:30pm on March 9th are still TBA. We are of course awaiting ‘Underbelly’ which is expected on Sunday March 7th.

Wicked Love: The Maria Korp Story

As predicted, Channel 9 will air the Australian premiere of this telemovie on Sunday 28th February at 8:30pm.

The true story of Maria Korp, a loving wife and mother left for dead in the boot of her car in 2005. As Maria lay dying, Australia was gripped by a bizarre tale of suburban secrets, a cheating husband and the ultimate price paid by all involved. Stars Rebecca Gibney, Vince Colosimo, Maya Elliott.

Top Gear

This show will air in the no brainer time slot of 7:30pm Tuesdays from March 2nd. The 8:30pm to 11:30pm slots are still TBA for Nine.

Jeremy, Richard and James attempt to save the planet by building their own electric car out of sport’s cars chassis and car batteries. The electric car is then driven through the streets of Oxford, before being put through the rigours of the new car testing process. Guest stars Michael Sheen.

Two and a Half Men (repeat) / Making of Michael Jackson, ‘This is It’

The US comedy plus the premiere special will air at 7:30pm and 8:00pm on Friday 5th March on Nine. These are fillers as the NRL will start later in the month. The premiere movie ‘Michael Clayton’ will air at 8:30pm.

ICU

This show will air next week as planned but will then be pulled by Channel 7. The ratings dipped about 100k from ‘RSPCA Animal Rescue’ last night. The slot is TBA for March 3rd.

Beat Squad

This new New Zealand series will air at 11pm Wednesdays on Seven replacing just repeats of ‘SCU: Serious Crash Unit’.

Follow some of New Zealand’s best police as they tackle the issues found on the beat.

Channel 9 will air ‘Kerri-Anne on Saturday’ as a 1 hour program from 9am, directly after Weekend Today from March 6th.

Information obtained from a source (Nine do not send me the guides) says the show will not be LIVE, but rather a ‘best’ of program from the previous week’s set of shows.

Headland

The show will come to its conclusion on Wednesday 24th February at 11am on 7TWO. All 58 episodes have aired bringing the show to a close.

Dateline NBC

Due to IOC Olympic rights, Channel Seven has been forced to pull NBC Today for the duration of the Winter Olympics but will resume straight after. Repeats of Dateline and Room for Improvement will fill the slot.

Come Dine with Me

The show WILL return with new episodes on Monday March 1st at 3pm. In the meantime, Channel Seven will air all 15 episodes they have of the New Zealand version of  ‘10 Years Younger in 10 Days’ including two unaired episodes which will conclude on February 26th. That brings that show to a close.

Cougar Town/The White Room

These two shows will encore on Sunday February 14th at 8:30 and 9pm respectively on 7TWO.

Brothers and Sisters

The show will run twice a week starting  the week commencing the 21st of February with episodes on Monday and Tuesday nights at 9:30pm. This will happen only for about a month. ‘Private Practice’ will take the Tuesday 9:30pm slot once ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ reaches its crossover episode.

Burn Notice

This show will come to its midseason conclusion on Thursday 4th March at 10pm with episode 9 of the current season. In America, the show took a four month break between episode 9 and episode 10.  There is no word whether Channel Ten will jump straight into the backhalf of the season the following week which only began in the US this past January.

Saving Grace

This show that has already aired on pay tv will make its debut on FTA television with Channel Ten premiering the series on Monday 1st March (Tuesday morning) at 12:30am. The show completed its 3rd season in August 2009 in the US.

Cold Case / Without a Trace

Even though the show was pulled from its slot at 8:30pm in favour of RPA, it will continue on Wednesday nights at 9:30pm on Channel Nine from Wednesday 3rd March. Despite pulling in very healthy late night numbers, Without a Trace is out with a Cold Case repeat filling the 10:30pm slot the same night.

Domestic Blitz / 60 Minutes

Both return with new seasons on Sunday February 28th at 6:30 and 7:30pm respectively on Nine.

CSI: Miami

The show will return with new episodes and join ‘The Mentalist’ on Monday nights, airing at 9:30pm from Monday 1st March on Nine. Be aware of spoilers as different markets are showing different episodes.

Kerri-anne

According to the guide released by Nine, the show is called simply, Kerri-anne’ in 2010 with the ‘Mornings with’ part dropped from the title. The show returns on Tuesday 2nd March at 9am.

Whizz Kids: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Not many would have picked this timeslot, but the promised kids version of WWTBAM will air at 7:30pm from Saturday 6th March on Nine.

Kitchen Nightmares

The show will continue with new episodes from Tuesday 2nd March at 10:30pm. The 7:30 to 10:30pm time slots for the same night are currently TBA.

CSI: New York

This show will return to Nine at 10:30pm Thursday 4th March with new episodes starting with episode 5 of Season 5. Repeats of ‘The Mentalist’ will air at 9:30pm, but you would expect that to be a filler until Nine figures out what they are doing with The Footy Show due back in March.

I Survived a Japanese Game Show

This rather bizarre (but funny) show ends its first season for 7TWO on Wednesday March 3rd at 7:30pm. No word yet as to when the second season of both this and the previously aired American Gladiators will air.

‘Cold Case’
Despite a strong performance up against ‘Criminal Minds’ last week, the plummeting ratings last night is the reason that the show will be pulled after next week’s episode.

Episode 7 of the current season will air as planned on Wednesday 17th February at 8:30pm but then the show is on hiatus with no return plans as yet.

‘RPA’
New episodes will begin at 8:30pm on Wednesday the 24th of February.

‘Lost’
An impressive 216 000 viewers watched ‘Lost’ last night but for those of you that missed it, the two episodes plus the special will air Sunday 14th February at 10pm and Tuesday February 16th from 11:45pm on 7TWO.

‘Weekend Sunrise’
As reported last week in the media, a Saturday edition of ‘Weekend Sunrise’ begins this weekend (Feb 13th) at 7am.

‘Saturday Disney’ will move to a new regular timeslot of 9am.

‘CSI: New York’
Channel Nine had scheduled a new episode at 9:30pm this week (Feb 11th) and a repeat at 10:30pm.

Instead they will air a repeat of ‘The Mentalist’ at 9:30pm with the new episode of ‘CSI: New York’ at 10:30pm. Only the repeat is out.

Don’t look at this as a trend as the Winter Olympics begin next week and ‘The Footy Show’ NRL and AFL editions should return in March.

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’
The first season aired on Channel Nine some time ago and then was repeated on GO! late last year.

The second and final season will make its FTA debut after ‘Fringe’ each week beginning on Wednesday 24th February at 9:30pm.

A full 22 episode season aired in America and was completed in April 2009.

Phil Keoghan

Reality fans are in for a shock…not. CBS have picked up both ‘Survivor’ and ‘The Amazing Race’ for the 2010-2011 television season.

‘Survivor’ has been renewed for two more editions with host Jeff Probst, making it the longest-running reality series on US television.

The Emmy-winning reality series ‘The Amazing Race’ will return for a seventeenth season, with host Phil Keoghan.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ premieres on Thursday, February 11 on CBS. The series will air later this year on Nine.

Season 16 of ‘The Amazing Race’ premieres on Sunday, February 14 on CBS. The series is expected to air later this year on Seven.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

In a major exclusive I can reveal through eBroadcast TVAUSCAST that regional Western Australia will finally get a third commercial television station. Prime Television CEO, Doug Edwards talked to me about multi channeling in Western Australia, why 7TWO was delayed in some parts of Australia and dishes the dirt on that ugly watermark that is appearing on screen.

NAME: Ten West

AVAILABILITY: This will be a DIGITAL only channel so viewers will need the set top box to access this channel.

PROGRAMMING: The channel will be a direct feed of Channel Ten in Perth.

AIRDATE: June 2010

NOTE: This is a rollout. So in June 2010 only some parts of the state will get the new service until it is eventually rolled out. I will be able to release a full roll out schedule for each region when it becomes available next month.

OWNER: This is a joint venture between GWN (Prime) and WIN Television

At this time, regional West Australian viewers have access to two commercial stations; GWN (owned by Prime) which carries Seven Network programming and WIN, which carries mostly Channel Nine programming with some Ten programming as well. All that is about to change with a third commercial station starting soon.

Freeview has been running campaigns for quite some time. Metropolitan viewers have been enjoying the benefits for some time now. Regional areas in most parts of Australia are catching up with 7TWO, One, GO!, ABC2, ABC3 and SBS TWO becoming available. However, regional viewers in Western Australia seem to miss the boat on almost everything with none of the extra channels being made available in the area.

Doug Edwards, CEO of Prime Television explains, “There is currently no legislative requirement for multi channels in regional Western Australia, however the broadcasters are now working with government to develop a time line for their inclusion prior to the scheduled switch off of analogue in that state in 2013.”

Under media law, Western Australia is actually considered a ‘remote’ area instead of a ‘regional’ area and therefore has not come under the same regional guidelines as other states. Doug adds, “the timeline should be finalised within 6 months” which is a real bonus to WA viewers. Whether it takes 12 months or 2 years, WA viewers will be appreciative of the fact that television in the state will grow enormously in such a short time.

At one stage, WA viewers had the choice of one commercial station which was GWN and the two public broadcasters. That increased to two commercial broadcasters only a decade ago when WIN was introduced. With a current total of just four channels, that is set to increase to the full metropolitan suite of channels including the multi-channels in the coming year or so after a timeline is worked out by the networks, in conjunction with the government.

Viewers bombarded the Prime switchboard after hearing that 7TWO would be delayed in most regional areas which meant that viewers would miss certain programs including the new season of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Ugly Betty’. Viewers poured their outrage onto media websites across Australia including eBroadcast itself. Doug Edwards says on this matter, “The delay between Metro and Regional was due to the need for a substantial
rebuild at our Broadcast Centre in Canberra to enable Prime to injest and
distribute this new program stream”.

In thinking that Prime must have known in advance that a new channel was in the works, I asked Doug why the network was not more prepared, “We had no guidance from the Seven Network as to a switch on date until very 
close to their launch date. This delay was similar to the delay in regional
 areas with One HD where Southern Cross television also had to develop their
 playout facility in Canberra.”

This interview would not be complete without asking Doug about that hideous watermark that appears on 7TWO in regional areas and he did respond with “Prime are currently installing further software that will enable the 7TWO watermark to be transparent in line with 7TWO watermark on the Seven Network feed. Most likely this will happen in February.”

To get the channel up and running, Prime are using a ‘dirty feed’ which basically means they are playing out the Seven Network feed of the show with Seven Network commercials and just slapping on the watermark. By February, the network will have its playout done through Prime in Canberra which enables them to change the logo, insert local commercials and so on. So when presented with the choice of starting before Christmas and having this ‘dirty feed’ until February or just not launching until February, Prime made the decision to appease viewers and get the channel up and running the moment they could.

In reference to whether Prime will run ‘catch-up’ episodes for shows like ‘Heroes’, Doug had this to say, “Most probably not, to play catch up programs requires the displacement of other programs, it is most likely that with very few sequential programs being missed we will now follow the network lineup and schedule”. Most of the major programs have not started so regional viewers will get ‘24′ and ‘Lost’ at the same time as metropolitan viewers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Prime CEO, Doug Edwards for talking with me about the new digital channel in Western Australia as well as answering those 7TWO questions that viewers have been asking me through our forums. After speaking with him via telephone you begin to see that the whole regional issue is not just about ‘flicking on a switch’ but rather a major process that involves the investment of millions of dollars in infrastructure and liaison between networks and the government on a regular basis.

A myriad of questions will now abound about how this will affect WIN’s schedule:

Will episodes of Channel Ten programs flow onto the new channel or will the new channel jump ahead?

Ten West will start transmission in June of this year and will be a direct feed of Channel Ten in Perth. This is a very complicated issue for WIN and after hearing detailed discussions of programming there is no way that the network can avoid viewers being disadvantaged. WIN cannot simply ‘catch up’ for a number of reasons. Firstly, there is not enough airtime to air the regular 2010 line-up as well as this. Secondly, viewers must appreciate that this is a roll out. So if WIN did catch up viewers before June, only one part of the state will approve that transition.

Viewers in another part of the state that have to wait a further six months would now need to be ‘caught up’ again. There is just no way of appeasing all viewers in the state. The only way to look at this is positively and that is that viewers in regional WA will soon have access to every free to air program that the metropolitan programs have, be up to date with episodes with the metropolitan states and have access to every multi channel the same as the rest of Australia within time. Almost everything is positive. The only one negative thing is that during that transition it is possible that viewers will see a ‘jump’ in episodes of their favourite shows. It is a one off disappointment with a long term positive effect.

The digital only channel will not program individually based on what WIN is up to. That means that whatever Channel Ten in Perth is airing in June will go to air as is on Ten West.

Will WIN become Channel Nine only from June?

No. From June WIN will begin to phase into a fully Channel Nine affiliate and you will see less Ten programs on WIN. However, WIN does understand that not all regions will have access to Ten West first up and not all viewers will have switched to digital. That means all major sporting events such as Ten games of AFL will screen on WIN until Ten West is FULLY rolled out. WIN will also continue to ‘cherry pick’ some major Ten programs so it is possible that WIN will continue to show programs such as ‘MasterChef’, ‘NCIS’ and others. That means some regions will see more up to date episodes of a show like ‘NCIS’, while older episodes screen on WIN.

As a media writer it is not my position to defend WIN. In fact, if I choose I can argue against their plans. However, I have been privy to a lot of information about how all this will happen, legislation, cost and so forth and the job for WIN is very difficult in terms of programming. If Ten West was appearing in all regions of WA in June the transition would be simpler. Everyone could get a set top box, Ten West would be Ten, WIN would be Nine and that is it. But since this is a roll out over time, it will be an almost impossible job for the WIN WA programming manager to appease all viewers. The strategy they are taking by keeping sporting events on WIN so all viewers can access and still cherry picking certain shows over a period of time seems the most logical.

The agreement though runs out in June 2012. WIN will no longer be able to cherry pick and the network will run a full Nine schedule with local WIN programming as they wish.

So technically WIN can run their cherry picks until then but because the roll out of digital in WA with the multi channels will be the fastest of any part of the world, it is more likely you will see separate channels in full much earlier. When I see the roll out schedule it will become more apparent.

What programs can I see on Ten West?

You will be able to see the full range of Ten programming. Some will make the transition from WIN to Ten West such as ‘NCIS’, ‘Law and Order: SVU’, ‘House’, ‘Supernatural’, ‘Medium’, ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Rules of Engagement’, ‘Rush’, ‘Burn Notice’ and the return of the ‘Ten News’ service which will air at 5pm. All of the major franchises such as ‘MasterChef Australia’ will air in prime time and ‘Oprah’, ‘Dr. Phil’ and ‘Judge Judy’ will all come to daytime.

I would like to add that WIN, in particular Shirley Brown who took a lot of time out to speak with me about digital television. As mentioned above the rollout of digital in WA will be the fastest of anywhere in the world. Pre 2000, regional WA had access to GWN and the ABC with only some parts receiving SBS. The rollout of digital and HD services in metro areas has been a slow gradual process but regional WA will go from a small handful of channels including only two commercial channels to the full range of channels include all the multi channels and the new ones set to launch this year in a matter of around 18 months. It is a massive task costing tens of millions of dollars which requires close consultation with the government.

Author’s Note: I started this story whilst under contract with eBroadcast, hence the inclusion of the site in this article. However, I am now out of contract with eBroadcast and they have decided not to pick up this story and hence how it ended up on TVAUSCAST.

Welcome Home to Nine

More on Nine’s 2010 programming line up – here

Today in Melbourne, David Gyngell presented the Nine GO! Network’s 2010 line up at the final of three “Welcome Home to Nine” Christmas lunch presentations for the industry that have taken place this week.

At the end of what has been a challenging but successful year, Nine has maintained its winning share of the 25-54 audience demographic, and launched the Number 1 multi channel in Australia – GO!.

Mr Gyngell said, “GO! has given us a unique opportunity to strategically extend audiences and attract an all new younger audience to build our demographic profile. It’s a strategy that provides certainty to advertisers with more targeted choice that will continue to provide audience growth in 2010. We aim to become even more competitive, and combine Nine’s experience with youthful vigour and take the network to Number 1.”

“I believe we are going into 2010 with the best line up in years. Nine’s Summer of Cricket, followed immediately by the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games is the ideal way to kick off what’s going to be a big year for the network with a powerful mix of exciting new programs both local and overseas, together with returning favourites. Our focus is on variety and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy, with shows like Hey Hey, The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show and Top Gear to name just a few.”

Nine’s Line Up For 2010

Underbelly – The Golden Mile

The real story of how Australia’s most infamous playground turned into a deadly battlefield.

Top Gear UK & Top Gear Australia

The show that holds the crown of the world’s most popular television program comes to Channel Nine in 2010. Seen in more than 100 countries with over 350 million viewers, Top Gear is the network’s number 1 acquisition and rightly so. Work is also underway on an exciting series of Australian made specials.

The Real Hustle

There are a thousand ways you can be hustled. Using hidden cameras and a team of Aussie con artists, we expose Hustlers’ clever scams and tricks so you can beat them at their own game. Presented by Gyton Grantley.

Hey Hey It’s Saturday

The Aussie television institution is reborn after the two reunion specials rewrote the history books in 2009. Now with over 300,000 members on Facebook, the entertainment juggernaut hasrecaptured the hearts and minds of viewers all around Australia. Bouncing into the new millennium with a series of exciting new shows, this year’s number one live entertainment show will return in 2010.

V

The visitors are coming to every major city on earth, including ours. The new drama that attracted 14 million U.S. viewers.

AFP (Australian Federal Police)

For the first time ever, the AFP reveals it’s most heavily guarded secrets and investigations in a compelling new series. Across 30 countries and forty series, on guard against crime in Australia and across the world, see the work of our national police force unfold before your eyes. .

Wicked Love – The Maria Korp Story – starring Rebecca Gibney & Vince Colosimo

For the first time, the gripping suburban thriller comes to television starring two of Australia’s leading actors. Behind the shocking headlines, the true story of how an explosive love triangle got out of control and became one of our most notorious criminal cases.

The Middle – Hit US Sitcom starring Patricia Heaton

Average rules! Everybody Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton brings her outrageously hilarious new family to television in a wickedly different observational series about modern life.

Human Target – thrilling new US series

A mysterious security agent for hire assumes different identities, at times literally becoming a human target on behalf of his clients. Using the popular DC Comics title as a springboard for riveting and intelligent action and adventure, this is a thrill ride with no clear boundaries.

Past Life – new US drama

A groundbreaking new drama that takes us into the lives of people flooded with memories of the past, memories that can’t be explained and are not their own.

The Forgotten – new US drama starring Christian Slater

Every year, there are countless unidentified victims of murder. When the authorities have all but given up, a team of ordinary citizens take up the cause to find the truth. Follow their fascinating journey in a new series where unsolved murders will not be laid to rest.

Who Do You Think You Are Hollywood’s

A list delve into their family history and discover the fascinating lives of their forebears. Who Do You Think You Are will feature Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon and Lisa Kudrow with more big names still to come.

The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show

Bringing up kids has never seemed more difficult with all the rules, regulations and judgments modern society places on parenting. Now, clinical psychologist Nigel Latter brings his unique brand of humour to Australia, to lead us through the maze of tactics to keep the little tackers atbay. Presented with tongue firmly in cheek, this is a series that will debunk the myths and have Mums and Dads rediscover that tried and true methods are often the best.

Survivor – Heroes Vs Villains

The original reality juggernaut is gathering the most memorable Survivors from past series for a special event series.

Who Wants to Be A Millionaire

One of our most successful gameshows returns with a new multigenerational twist. Kids, can they rise to the top and claim a win for their school? Big cash is on offer as their family watches on. All the lifelines are back as we send kids into the hot seat in the first of a series of Millionaire Special Events.

Send in the Dogs

A new factual series that follows trained canines at the forefront of crime.

Community – US comedy starring Chevy Chase

A failed college graduate returns to school and joins a study group of misfits with very different priorities. From the producers of Scrubs and Arrested Development comes a new comedy that challenges the traditional sitcom values with a unique take on lighthearted humour.

Romantically Challenged

New series about dating in the modern age, starring Alyssa Milano and Australia’s Josh Lawson.

You’re Nicked

The most incredible real crimes ever caught on camera. From police chases to CCTV and security dramas, You’re Nicked gathers sensational footage showcasing the most compelling situations that unfold in daily life.

Gordon’s Great Escapes

Experience the lighter side of the world’s most famous chef as he travels abroad to experience the culinary delights of different cultures. A worldwide tour of gastronomic discovery, this is Gordon unplugged and reborn.

Extraordinary Stories

You won’t believe how bizarre people can be. We discover the craziest and most unbelievable stories on earth.

Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand

Aussies caught with no help in a foreign land. Follow their journeys as it happens as they try to escape from a world they can’t understand.

Big

Share intimate stories as clinically obese and overweight people seek to reinvent themselves and regain their former selves. With help from doctors, dieticians and fitness experts, this is not a reality competition, but a journey over months to take charge and slim down.

Arranged Marriage

Where loved ones help lonely people find the perfect match for the partnership of a lifetime.

Returning Shows

• Sea Patrol 4
• Rescue Special Ops 2
• Farmer Wants a Wife 5
• The Big Bang Theory
• CSI
• RPA
• CUSTOMS
• Random Acts of Kindness
• Amazing Medical Stories
• CSI Miami
• Whose Line is it Anyway
• CSI NY
• Money for Jam
• What’s Good for You
• Flashpoint
• Kitchen Nightmares
• Test Australia – The National IQ Test

Special Events

• Twenty20
• Winter Olympic Games Vancouver 2010
• Oscars
• 2010 TV Week Logie Awards
• NRL State of Origin
• Wimbledon
• Rugby League Four Nations
• EJ Whitten Legends Game
• Australian Masters Golf
• AFI Awards
• 2011 Rugby Union World Cup
• NRL Finals Series
• 2010 Ashes Series
• Summer of Cricket
• 2012 London Olympics

Returning Favourites

• Today
• 60 Minutes
• A Current Affair
• Nine News
• Hot Seat
• 20 to One
• Getaway
• Domestic Blitz
• This is Your Life
• Australia’s Funniest Home Videos
• Mornings with Kerri-Anne
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show
• The View
• The AFL Footy Show
• The NRL Footy Show
• NRL
• Wide World of Sports

Source: Nine Network

Channel Nine the Home of 25-54s + 18-49s

“It’s been a strong year for Nine where we’ve put more bricks in the wall . We’ve now got the structure from which we’ll grow in 2010 with the best slate we’ve enjoyed for years,” said Nine Network CEO David Gyngell.

The Nine GO! television network delivers in 2009

#1 network for 25-54s + 18-49s

Wins were consolidated across each of the PBL-owned East Coast Markets with wins in 25-54s, 18-49s and GB+CH.

Day time in 2009 was bigger than ever with Nine delivering the biggest YOY audience increases than any other network.

#1 Programs

#1 U.S. Comedy – Two and a Half Men

The #1 US Comedy for 2009, Two and a Half Men dominated its Monday night timeslot based on Total People and 25-54s.

Nine dominated the Comedy Genre, also delivering the fastest growing comedy with The Big Bang Theory.

#1 Drama – Underbelly

Timeslot winner against 25-54s, 18-49s, 16-39s, GB+CH and Total People with impressive YOY Growth:

25-54s (+19.9%)
18-49s (+15.6%)
16-39s (+11.2%)
GB+CH (+8.1%)
Total people (+22.2%)

# 1 Live Event – Hey Hey It’s Saturday

Reaching over 7.6million viewers across the two event specials, Hey Hey its Saturday delivered impressive wins across the 5 City Metro against all key demographics: 25-54s, 18-49s, 16-39s, GB+CH and Total People.

#1 Awards Ceremony – Logie Awards

Watched by over 1.7 million people across the 5 City Metro, television’s night of night’s dominated it timeslot against 25-54s, 18-49s, 16-39s, GB+CH and Total people, whilst delivering impressive YOY Growth.

Highest Rating – State of Origin Series

State of Origin recorded its largest audience ever and dominated the Sydney and Brisbane rankings and was the #1 program for 2009 in Brisbane among Total People.

Today Show – YOY Growth

More people woke up with Today in 2009, enjoying the largest YOY increases against 25-54s and Total People than any other network. Not only is the breakfast offering number one in Melbourne, but has displayed significant growth in Sydney.

Hot Seat – Timeslot Growth

A clear demographic performer, delivering YOY increases across the 5 City Metro:

GB+CH (+6.7%)
18-49 (+5.5%)
16-39 (+2.6%)
25-54 (+1.3%)

2009’s Top Rating Programs – 25-54s

1. TEN – MASTERCHEF – 25-54s: 2,019,911
2. TEN – MASTERCHEF – 25-54s: 1,735,309
3. NINE – UNDERBELLY – 25-54s: 1,383,443
4. TEN – THE BIGGEST LOSER – 25-54s: 1,302,196
5. TEN – AFL GRAND FINAL – 25-54s: 1,261,428
6. NINE - NRL GRAND FINAL – 25-54s: 1,216,366
7. NINE – UNDERBELLY – 25-54s: 1,184,707
8. NINE – STATE OF ORIGIN –  25-54s: 1,139,751
9. NINE – HEY HEY ITS SATURDAY REUNION – 25-54s: 1,135,373
10. NINE – HEY HEY ITS SATURDAY REUNION – 25-54s: 1,104,616

The Nine GO! Television Network won more 1/2 hour timeslots in 2009 than any other network for 25-54s.

The Olympics move to Nine in 2010, after several consecutive games on rival Seven.

The Nine Network have announce their official 2010 programming line up, here’s what you can expect to see next year on the Nine Network.

New Local Drama

• Cops L.A.C
• Wicked Love – The Maria Korp Story (Telemovie)

New Local Series

• AFP (Australian Federal Police)
• Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand
• First and Last
• The Real Hustle: Australia

New International Series

• Community
• The Forgotten
• Gordon’s Great Escapes
• Human Target
• The Middle
• Past Life
• The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show
• Romantically Challenged
• Untitled Jo Frost Project (Supernanny)
• Send in the Dogs
• You’re Nicked
• V
• Who Do You Think You Are?

Special Events

• 2010 Ashes Series
• 2010 TV Week Logie Awards
• 2011 Rugby Union World Cup
• AFI Awards
• Australian Masters Golf
• EJ Whitten Legends Game
• NRL Grand Final
• NRL State of Origin
• Oscars
• Rugby League Four Nations
• Summer of Cricket
• Twenty20
• Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• Wimbledon

Returning Local Series

• 20 to 1
• 60 Minutes
• A Current Affair
• Australia’s Funniest Home Videos
• The Apprentice: Australia
• CUSTOMS
• Domestic Blitz
• Farmer Wants a Wife
• Getaway
• Hey Hey It’s Saturday (Specials)
• Money for Jam
• Random Acts of Kindness
• Rescue: Special Ops
• RPA
• Sea Patrol
• Test Australia – The National IQ Test
• Today
• Top Gear Australia
• Underbelly: The Golden Mile
• Wide World of Sports
• What’s Good For Yuu
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Returning International Series

• The Big Bang Theory
• Cold Case
• CSI
• CSI: Miami
• CSI: NY
• Ladette to Lady
• The Mentalist
• Survivor
• Top Gear
• Two and a Half Men

*Incomplete/subject to change

Seven is Number 1 in 2009

Seven is number 1 for total viewers, 18-49s and 25-54s in primetime.

Seven is number 1 for total viewers, 18-49s and 25-54s across the 6:00am-midnight broadcast day.

Seven dominates primetime for the third consecutive year.

Seven is number 1 on primary channels for total viewers, 18-49s and 25-54s across 6:00-10:30pm primetime in 2009.

With only two weeks remaining in the current television year, Seven leads Ten in its core demographic – 18-49s – and leads Nine in the primary demographic for advertisers: 25-54s.

Seven is number 1 for total viewers, 18-49s and 25-54s across 6:00pm-midnight primetime in 2009.
With only two weeks remaining in the current television year, Seven leads Ten in its core demographic – 18-49s – and leads Nine in the primary demographic for advertisers: 25-54s.

Seven dominates the most-watched regular programmes in 2009. Seven scores 6 of the top 10, 13 of the top 20 and 25 of the top 40 programmes on television. Importantly, 22 of Seven’s 25 programmes in the top 40 are Australian-produced.

Seven dominates overall across the 6:00am-midnight broadcast day for the fourth consecutive year.

Seven is number 1 for total viewers, 18-49s and 25-54s across 6:00am-midnight in 2009.

With only two weeks remaining in the current television year, Seven leads Ten in its core demographic – 18-49s – and leads Nine in the primary demographic for advertisers: 25-54s.

Seven’s Year on Year Results

Seven is number 1 in primetime 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 in news 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 in nightly public affairs2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 in breakfast television 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 overall 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 in weekly primetime wins 2007, 2008, 2009.

Seven is number 1 in nightly primetime wins 2007, 2008, 2009.

Top 40 Most-Watched Regular Programmes in 2009

1. Underbelly Nine 2.127
2. Packed to the Rafters Seven 1.868
3. Masterchef – Challenge Ten 1.735
4. Seven News – Sunday Seven 1.613
5. Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation Ten 1.602
6. Masterchef Ten 1.529
7. Thank God You’re Here Seven 1.516
8. World’s Strictest Parents Seven 1.510
9. Seven News – Monday-Friday Seven 1.504
10. Border Security – Sunday Seven 1.500
11. Find My Family Seven 1.479
12. The Zoo Seven 1.475
13. NCIS Ten 1.454
14. Nine News – Sunday Nine 1.442
15. RSPCA Animal Rescue Seven 1.441
16. Dancing with the Stars Seven 1.437
17. Midsomer Murders – Sunday ABC 1.421
18. Surf Patrol Seven 1.415
19. Last Chance Surgery Seven 1.398
20. Triple Zero Heroes Seven 1.389
21. Today Tonight Seven 1.385
22. Customs Nine 1.381
23. Australia’s Got Talent Seven 1.377
24. Highway Patrol Seven 1.376
25. Air Ways Seven 1.369
26. Merlin Ten 1.364
27. World’s Strictest Parents – UK Seven 1.357
28. Border Security – Wednesday Seven 1.342
29. Flash Forward Seven 1.342
30. Seven News – Saturday Seven 1.340
31. Better Homes and Gardens Seven 1.336
32. Sea Patrol Nine 1.332
33. The Force Seven 1.321
34. City Homicide – Monday Seven 1.312
35. So You Think You Can Dance Ten 1.279
36. Two and a Half Men – Monday Nine 1.276
37. Bondi Rescue Ten 1.273
38. Criminal Minds Seven 1.268
39. Midsomer Murders – Friday ABC 1.256
40. Two and a Half Men Nine 1.254

Programme averages: weeks 7-46, 2009

The podcast returns for ‘Episode 26: The Digital TV Episode’.

It’s all about what’s happening on Freeview and how the government isn’t educating Australians.

We also talk about the ‘Good Game’ debacle, ‘Rove’ being delayed until April/May for ‘The 7PM Project’ and ‘Top Gear’ making the move to Nine.

Our show discussions include: ’Celebrity MasterChef’, ’Beauty and the Geek’, ’Packed to the Rafters’, ’All Saints’, ’Hey Hey It’s Saturday’, ’Australian Idol’, ’Outrageous Fortune’, ’Go Girls’, ’Glee’, ’Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ’How It Met Your Mother’, ’The Big Bang Theory’, ’Cougar Town’, ’Community’, ’Ugly Betty’, ’Greek’, ’10 Things I Hate About You’, ’The Vampire Diaries’, ’FlashForward’, ’Eastwick’ and ’Melrose Place’.

Download the podcast now.

AUSTRLIAN THRILLER COMING TO NINE IN 2010

THE MARIA KORP STORY

'The Maria Korp Case'

Rebecca Gibney and Vince Colosimo are teaming up for a gripping suburban thriller being produced for the Nine Network by Playmaker Media.The 90 minute telemovie, which began production on Monday, October 26, is based on the book by journalist Carly Crawford The Maria Korp Case: The Woman In the Boot Story and tells the tragic tale of a bizarre love triangle which ended in attempted murder in the outer suburbs of Melbourne in 2005.

“This story has everything a true crime drama audience could possibly want: a front page news story of passion and betrayal, delivered by a stellar Australian cast. It will be a highlight for us on air in 2010,” said Jo Horsburgh Nine Network Head of Drama.

“The Maria Korp story is a compelling writer-driven drama with a twist and we are delighted to be producing it for the Nine Network” said David Taylor – principal of Playmaker with partner David Maher.

The screenplay has been written by Ellie Beaumont and it will be directed by Ian Watson with Rebecca Gibney starring as Maria Korp, Vince Colosimo as Joe Korp and Maya Elliot as Tania Herman.

Playmaker Media is a production partnership between David Maher and David Taylor whose drama producing credits include telemovie Make or Break, anthology series Love Bytes and two series of the comedy Supernova. Based at Fox Studios, Playmaker Media is a new player in the production sector, creating and producing original programming for both local and international broadcasters.

Source: Nine Network

Daryl Somers and Livinia Nixon

The Nine Network are bringing back ‘Hey Hey’ next year, our inside source confirms.

Following the success of the show’s two reunion specials, it comes as little surprise that Nine are keen to get it back on the air.

We’ve been told the entire ‘Hey Hey’ cast will be returning for the revived variety show — except for one person. Any guesses who?

Molly Meldrum.

Despite eventually being allowed to appear on Nine’s reunion specials. The music guru won’t be joining the cast, when the show returns next year. Seven are said to be playing hard ball, banning Meldrum from reappearing on the variety show.

Curiously, the same can’t be said for Red Simmons, who serves as a judge on Seven’s ‘Australia’s Got Talent’.

Whether Seven intends to keep Simmons on the popular talent show, remains to be seen. Though, we can’t imagine Seven are keen to share Simmons with Nine — and vice versa.

As for the format of ‘Hey Hey’s’ return, it’s unclear whether it will be in the form of multiple specials or a more permanent fixture, however we’ve been lead to believe it’s the later.

We’ll keep you updated as more news comes to hand.

Where we are in 2009

Thanks to the launch of multi-channelling in Australia, the options for free-to-air television watchers has increased dramatically. There’s never been more news, entertainment and sports to quench audiences appetites.

So with 16 channels (from December), there’s something for everyone, right? That’s what the networks and Freeview consortium want us to think. But is it really true?

While 16 channels sounds like a lot, when you really think about it, it’s actually only 11 unique channels and 5 simulcasts. And when you factor in the amount of time-shifted and repeated content, it’s probably more like 9.

That’s not to say Australian television hasn’t made huge strides as of late. Shows that previously disappeared into the television void following cancellation, now have a new home in primetime on these secondary channels. Great news for those watching smaller, cult status programs that just don’t rate.

Australia’s digital television history

2001

01 January – Australia’s free-to-air television goes digital
01 August – ABC Kids Channel launches
21 August – Nine Guide launches
01 November – Fly TV launches

ABC2 - Australia's first permanent multi-channel launched on March 7, 2005.

2002

12 June – SBS World News Channel launches
06 September – Seven Guide launches
14 October – SBS Essential launches

2003

30 June – ABC Kids Channel closes / Fly TV closes

2004

01 July – Ten Guide launches
04 July – Seven Guide closes

2005

07 March - ABC2 launches
25 January – SBS Essential closes

2007

15 October – Free-to-air television goes high definition / Seven HD launches
20 November – Ten Guide closes
15 December – Ten HD launches

2008

02 February – ABC rebranded ABC1
17 March – Nine HD launches
13 November – Nine Guide closes

2009

The first Freeview roadblock advertisement aired on April 26, 2009 across all free-to-air channels.

25 March – Ten HD closes
26 March – One Digital and One HD launch
26 April – Freeview’s first advertising roadblock
01 June – SBS World News Channel closes / SBS TWO launches
09 August – GO! launches
01 November – 7TWO scheduled to launch
04 December – ABC3 scheduled to launch

2013

31 December – Deadline for analogue transmission switch off

Where we can improve

For starters, Network Ten “seriously” need to scrap either One or One HD. 1 channel is more than enough for sports fanatics to get their fix. Together, they’re taking up valuable airtime for the remainder of Ten’s much larger content library and it’s generally just a waste of broadcasting bandwidth.

In order for Ten to compete in the ratings arena, they need to admit to defeat and realise that sport is just too much of a niche category to pull in consistent ratings. Particularly when GO! has proved itself to become such a formidable ratings force — edging Nine’s overall figures into the number 1 position, on more than one occasion.

Ten have an equally large back catalogue of programs like Nine, which would be nice to see on the air once again — including ‘Smallville’, ‘Friday Night Lights’, ‘90210′, ‘Psych’, ‘Monk’ and ‘Battlestar Galactica’.

While it’s too early to tell, Seven will really need to make huge strides to establish 7TWO as a completely unique channel. Having branded themselves as Seven “TWO”, viewers will still associate the channel with Seven and therefore have preconceived notions as to what’s on offer. This is likely part of the reason why GO! has become so successful. It was branded and marketed as an independent channel from launch.

The same goes for the public broadcasters, ABC2 and SBS TWO. It’s still pretty unclear, at least from a branding and marketing perspective, as to what each channel is about; what they offer; and why they are unique.

A quick look at the Freeview offerings in the UK, you will see that quite a few of the more successful channels have branded themselves independently from their original channel, including Channel 4’s “Film4” and “E4” and UKTV’s “Dave”. Even their names give you an insight into their content.

Film4 – obviously focuses on feature films and genre programs. E4 (short for Entertainment 4) – focuses on younger viewers in the 15 – 35 age group, with shows like ‘Skins’, ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Scrubs’. Dave – targeting a male audience, with shows like ‘Top Gear, ‘Red Dwarf’ and ‘Little Britain’.

On top of our Australian networks developing more unique and clear distinctions between each channel, I think the biggest improvement that could be made (for Australian television as a whole) would be the shift online.

All channels have made some effort to embrace the web — some taking greater steps than others. But the lack of one unified place online makes things incredibly complicated for audiences.

Unlike a television, it’s not quite as simple as flipping to another channel. Instead, you’re forced to scour through all the networks various websites and online portals to find their respective catch-up television services.

A place like the iTunes should be a one stop shop for audiences to purchase television content. But no, only a few of the networks have embraced the online store as an distributor. Why haven’t Seven and SBS signed on yet? Why is Nine so incompetent when it comes to keeping episodes up to date?

The Australian Government's digital TV switchover initiative "Get Ready For Digital TV".

As great as all these new free-to-air digital channels are, there really needs to be more of a focus online and to the future of broadcasting. Conventional methods of viewing content won’t be around forever. Online and on-demand is the future and it’s about time we started to become more familiar with it.

Where we should be in 2010

As we move forward into 2010, we should hope to see even more movement in the Australian television arena. By the end of next year, there should be even more channels from the ABC, SBS and the commercial broadcasters; a single online catch-up portal from Freeview; and a range of internet connected devices, for enjoying online content from the comfort of our couch. Bring on 2010.

The 16 Australian free-to-air digital channels (from December 2009)

Your opinion

So, do you think Australian television networks are doing enough to keep up the changing landscape of television?

Where else do you think we can improve?

What other new channels would you like to see on free-to-air television?

Should we just skip digital TV all together and focus solely on the web?

After almost half a decade on SBS, 'Top Gear' jumps ship to the Nine Network.

According to TV Tonight, the Nine Network has won the broadcast rights to ‘Top Gear’, after inking a new deal with BBC Worldwide Australia.

Nine now have exclusive broadcast rights to both the original UK series and ‘Top Gear Australia’.

PBL Media currently publish the official magazine through ACP Magazines, in addition to a local version of the ‘Top Gear’ website (topgear.com/au).

“We are thrilled to create a unified home for the Top Gear brand in Australia” said BBC Worldwide Australia’s Sales Director, Julie Dowding. “This country is Top Gear’s biggest territory outside the UK. We greatly look forward to developing its potential with a long-standing partner like Nine.”

Chief Executive of Nine, David Gyngell said “we are absolutely delighted to be working together with one of the world’s great broadcasting powerhouses on a program of this quality and wide appeal.”

“Top Gear is quite simply an outstanding television product, and linking the experience and expertise of BBC Worldwide with the proven capacity of the Nine Network is a great outcome.”

“We are genuinely excited to have Top Gear under the Nine banner and look forward to bringing it to an even wider audience,” he added.

The shift to Nine is disappointing news for SBS to say the least. The small public broadcaster lamented their loss, after spending years building the show a solid fan base in Australia.

“SBS was the only Australian network brave enough to take on the irreverent series in 2005 and we have built it into successful event television with a dedicated audience. We are proud of what we have achieved with Top Gear,” said SBS Managing Director, Shaun Brown.

“SBS, with its limited resources, lives with the knowledge that while it can discover and develop great programs and events, it cannot always defend them from the aggressive bids of well-heeled competitors.”

It’s believed the Seven Network were also very keen to pick up the rights to the successful car series, for their recently announced 7TWO.

Source: TV Tonight

Nine axes 'Drop Dead Diva' from Monday Nights.

The Nine Network has axed the new drama series ‘Drop Dead Diva’ from its Monday night schedule.

With only one episode played in Sydney and Brisbane, none yet in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, Nine have decided to axe the show after losing by more than six percent to channel Seven in the ratings on Monday night.

The Monday 9:30 time slot is now replaced with repeats of ‘The Mentalist’ staring Australian actor Simon Baker from August 10th on Nine.

 Update: Nine decide now not to axe ‘Drop Dead Diva’, leaving in Monday 9:30pm after ‘The Farmer Wants a Wife’.

Break-away programming ceases on Nine HD with the launch of GO!

With Freeview, we were supposed to be getting 15 digital free-to-air channels. What they forgot to mention was that five of these channels would be simply simulcasting content from one of the other channels.

It happened when Network Ten launched One.

Ten HD had great break-away programming like ‘Smallvile’, ‘Battlestar Galactica’, ‘Friday Night Lights’, ‘Psych’ and ‘Veronica Mars’. But when One launched, Ten HD vanished along with all of those shows. Instead of two separate channels, we got One and One HD. With the former being a standard definition simulcast of the latter.

Now the the same thing is set to happen with Nine HD and the launch of GO!, except Nine’s regular channel will be getting the high def lovin’.

Not that Nine HD ever really had great break-away programming, but it’d be nice to have the option.

Recently Nine HD had been broadcasting an extensive line up of daytime programming with ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Just Shoot Me’, ‘Bewitched’ and ‘I Dream of Jennie’. While these shows are set to make the transition to GO!, it begs the question, is GO! really a new channel or is it just what Nine HD should have been all along?

Simulcast television seems like such a waste in this day and age. Sure it’s great to watch something in high definition, but what benefit does it really have when the program is only standard definition or is something as unstimulating as the news. Hence why break-away television was introduced in the first place.

Why not continue broadcasting break-away programs on Nine HD? It’s not like there’s a lack of content available. Nine have been squatting on Warner Bros. output deal for over a decade, with a majority of content never even seeing the light of day. Surely there’s enough content to go around on all three channels?

I think people would much rather take choice over a constant high definition simulcast, especially considering how flakey our television schedules are these days. If a show doesn’t work on Nine, fine…bump it to Nine HD or GO!, so that the people who invested their time in the show can continue watching it uninterrupted.

People want choice. Its the reason why piracy has become so rampant. They don’t want to be dictated to as to what they have to watch and when to watch it. Give us options and commitment and bizarrely we’ll return the favour by tuning in.

End rant.

'MasterChef' judge Matt Preston.

According to B&T, the Seven Network are set to launch a cooking program aimed as a direct competitor to Network Ten’s ‘MasterChef’.

Details of the new series are being kept tightly under wraps, however a Seven executive confirmed that the network would launch something very competitive to challenge Ten’s smash hit by the end of the year.

The Nine Network are also believe to be looking into a ‘MasterChef’ competitor, though Nine’s sales director, Peter Wiltshire, wouldn’t confirm whether the program would be food related. He stated that cooking shows were “nothing new” and that the success seen in the ‘MasterChef’ format was due to the program’s drama, not the cooking.

But despite all the rumblings of potential competitors, Ten’s chief programming officer, David Mott, remains unfazed.

“It’s not a fear for Ten but I would say that it’s a desperate fear for them”, he said.

“It would be a very brave network to take on another food franchise and to spend that money. The risk is that people smell a me-too format, they smell a rat.”

Network Ten will launch a celebrity version of ‘MasterChef’ later this year in a reduce format and are also considering their options for a possible kids’ version or a professionals spin-off.

Source: B&T

Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured) hosts the new season of 'The Farmer Wants a Wife'

‘The Farmer Wants a Wife’ returns 8:30pm Monday, August 3rd on the Nine Network.

Now in its fourth season, the hit series hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured) features several farmers looking for love.

Following the premiere, Nine will air the new drama series ‘Drop Dead Diva’ at 9:30pm.

This new series stars Brooke Elliot and Deb Dobson. The series recently premiered in the US on the Lifetime channel.

Coming August 9th.

MEDIA RELEASE

New free-to-air channel announced

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Nine Network CEO, Mr David Gyngell, today announced a brand new multi-channel in Australia, to be called GO!

Coming in August to free-to-air television via channel 99, GO! will be bringing the young, and young at heart, more choice and entertainment than ever before.

The new free to air channel will bring the offering through Freeview TV to a total of 13 channels*.

Mr Gyngell said the GO! channel will offer a range of programs with a focus on the 14 -39-year-old audience demographic.

“Typical programs on GO! will be favourites such as Gossip Girl, The Hills, FRINGE, Terminator – Sarah Connor Chronicles, Weeds, The Wire, Survivor, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, CSI and hit comedy series Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

“And later this year GO! will broadcast the most anticipated new show of the US television season, The Vampire Diaries, which is about a high school girl torn between two rival vampire brothers.

“This multi-channel is a natural evolution for Nine and for free-to-air television,” Mr Gyngell said.

“And that’s the key word – FREE. It means that within weeks our viewers will have access free of charge to a second channel offering quality and a great deal of first-run content through its schedule.

“It’s a win for our audience because it offers more diversity and substantially wider viewing choices than ever before, at no cost.”

Mr Gyngell said Nine was delighted with the quality, consistency and variety of content available long-term for the GO! channel, guaranteed by the network’s recent renewal of its long-term Warner Bros contract.

“Warners produce the best international programming across-the-board, no question. And Nine viewers will see the best of it both on our existing primary channel and the new GO! multi-channel,” he said.

CEO of PBL Media, Mr Ian Law said: “the launch of GO! is an important step in the evolution of free television in Australia. It means a significant increase in the choice available to viewers and advertisers on free to air television. We think the proposed schedule for GO! is exciting and as a Network we are focussing very much on having two channels with distinctly different content.

“We are already in the market talking with advertisers about our offering of NINE and GO! and it is a very exciting time for Australian television and the PBL Media Group.”

For further information: Nine Network Publicity 02 9965 2727

* The 13 Freeview Channels are 9, 7, TEN, SBS, ABC; 9HD, 7HD, ONE HD, ABC HD, SBS HD, ABC 2, SBS 2 and GO!

Source: NineMSN

GO! launching August 9th.

The Nine Network today officially announced their new Freeview channel GO! on ‘A Current Affair’.

The new entertainment channel will launch August 9th with a number of shows, including:

• ‘Gossip Girl’
• ‘Moonlight’
• ‘The Big Bang Theory’
• ‘The Hills’
• ‘CSI: NY’
• ‘Bad Lads Army’
• ‘Neighbours at War’
• ‘The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman’
• ‘Dog The Bounty Hunter’
• ‘The Wire’
• ‘Entertainment Tonight’
• ‘CSI’
• ‘Survivor’
• ‘Weeds’
• ‘Just Shoot Me’
• ‘Little Britain’
• ‘Aliens in America’
• ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
• ‘CSI: Miami’
• ‘Eleventh Hour’
• ‘Privileged’
• ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’
• ‘Wipeout Australia’
• ‘Fringe’

Newcomer ‘The Vampire Diaries’ will also make its Australian debut on GO! later this year.

Themed nights will air weekly, with reality TV on Tuesday, scfi-fi on Wednesday and Thursday will target the girls with shows like ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘The Hills’.

The channel will be predominately aimed at audiences 14-39 and will also attempt to lure some pay TV viewers away from subscriptions.

GO! will be available on all digitally enabled televisions and set top boxes via channel 99. It will also be available to WIN and NBN regional viewers on channel 80 88.

Watch the clip from ‘A Current Affair’ below.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte and James Mathison present an award at the 2008 ARIA Awards.

The Nine Network have secured a deal with the Australian Recording Industry Association to broadcast the music industry night on nights.

The awards have been broadcast by Network Ten for 15 of the past 16 ceremonies. But with only 1.4 million viewers on average, the network couldn’t continue to justify the reported $2-3 million production costs, especially in these tough economic times.

Nine, who recently announced plans for a second youth oriented channel, believe securing the ARIA Awards will only help enforce their commitment to targeting the younger advertiser-friendly demographics.

“Music will form an important ingredient for our new under 40s multichannel, launching later this year,” said Peter Wiltshire, Nine’s director of sales and marketing.

ARIA chairman Ed St John said ”We are thrilled to be able to make this significant announcement in such a challenging economic climate, and to welcome our new free-to-air broadcast partner, the Nine Network.”

The annual award show will be held on November 26 at the Acer Arena in Sydney.

It’s unclear at this stage whether Rove McManus’ Roving Enterprises, who’ve produced the awards since 2002, will continue backing the event for the Nine Network.

Nine’s deal also includes a new weekly ARIA singles chart countdown, which is set to begin later this year and the ARIA Hall of Fame, which will be televised for the first time on August 27 from Melbourne’s Forum Theatre.

Source: The Daily Telegraph and Yahoo!7 News via TV Tonight

The Nine Network try to be cool by airing a bumper featuring “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, pity it has Nine’s logo in it. Fail.

We’re finally back after a few months and a couple of false starts due to technical difficulties.

We kick off with a half year ratings recap, discussions on MasterChef, Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation, Merlin, Mad Men, Ten Years Younger in 10 Days, Ponderland, Castle and Packed to the Rafters.

We delve into the Ramsay vs Grimshaw debacle, updates on Freeview, ABC3, SBS TWO and are astonished by the half a billion dollar Nine and Warner Bros. deal.

We also bring back Mystery Voice and a couple of other games to top things off.

The Nine Network and Warner Bros. have inked the largest television deal in Australian history.

Despite earlier reports that the Seven Network were hoping the nab the Nine Network’s output deal with Warner Bros. for an estimated $52 million a year, Nine have come through with a offer the U.S.-based studio just couldn’t refuse.

The offer in question comes to a grand total of $500 million (or $100 million per year), almost double the offer from Seven.

Under the new pact, Warner Bros. will continue supplying content to Nine through 2015 from major producers such as Jerry Bruckheimer, John Wells, J.J. Abrams, Josh Schwartz, Kevin Williamson and Chuck Lorre, plus the studio’s entire feature slate, including the remainder of the “Harry Potter” series, the sequel to the Aussie animated comedy “Happy Feet” and upcoming blockbusters “Green Lantern” and “Where the Wild Things Are”, just to name a few.

Warner Bros. International TV president Jeffrey Schlesinger, who flew to Sydney last week to finalise the deal, said ”It was a very competitive situation in what is a very series-driven market”.

Nine’s CEO David Gyngell expressed relief over having closed the deal.

“We’ll have new digital channels in the coming years, and we need the best product available to attract viewers. The new deal grants us exclusivities and revenue-sharing in new-media windows. Plus, as was clear at the LA Screenings last month, Warners has the best slate.”

Nine plan to launch their third digital channel soon, and it’s believed that Warner Bros. strong youth oriented programmes are expected to form the backbone of the new channel.

New shows, like ‘The Vampire Diaries’ from ‘Dawson’s Creek’ creator Kevin Williams, and current popular series including ‘Entourage’, ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Gossip Girl’ all received the nod from the network.

The younger target demographic for the new channel has also allowed Nine to secure big advertisers including Pizza Hit and Coca Cola, who previously reserved airtime for other younger skewed channels.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Seven Network, who’ve yet to announce details for their third digital channel, said yesterday, “We’ve determined our approach. Next decision will be timing on launch.”

Amidst the buzz from the media, the $500 million price tag for the Warner Bros. deal is raising a few eyebrows amongst the industry an shareholders alike, with Nine and parent company CVC Asia Pacific already under heavy financial turmoil. Sources believe questions will be raised as to the affordability of the deal.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, The Australian

Australian network executives are returning from the States after picking up a number of series at the annual Los Angeles screenings.

David Mott, Network Ten’s head of programming, described the slate as “the best season I’ve seen in about seven years”.

Network Ten’s pick ups include:

• ‘The Good Wife’
• ‘Modern Family’
• ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’

The Nine Network will try to reinvigorate their schedule with:

• ‘V’
• ‘Eastwick’
• ‘Past Life’
• ‘The Forgotten’
• ‘Miami Trauma’
• ‘Hank’
• ‘The Middle’

Joining the Seven Network’s already strong line-up are:

• ‘FlashForward’
• ‘Cougar Town’
• ‘Day One’

Other potential pick ups have yet to be announced.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

'The Mentalist' and 'Gossip Girl' are two of Warner Bros. hottest television properties.

According to several sources, the Seven Network have been in negotiations with Warner Bros. in order to secure a future broadcast slate from the studio.

It’s reported that Seven have offered $AU52 million a year.

The Nine Network’s existing long term deal with the Warner Bros. costs approximately $AU40 million a year, however it is due to expire in December 2010.

Since losing their 20th Century Fox deal to Network Ten and Foxtel in 2006, the Seven Network have reaffirmed exclusive deals with ABC Studios and Universal Media Studios. Adding Waner Bros. to their list of suppliers would be a major upset for their competitors, by holding three of the big five US content producers.

It’s unclear whether Seven hope to secure an exclusive contract or just hope to break Nine’s exclusivity with the studio. Either way, Nine are expected to fight fire with fire to keep their contract in tact. Without Warner, the network will only have access to content from small time television players Sony, Lionsgate and Alliance Atlantis.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, TCM News, Business Spectator

Seven could always fight back and do something like this...but they have enough self-respect to know better.

Seven are leading the ratings race with 11 consecutive weeks in the top spot, and the Nine Network just don’t seem to be able to take defeat well.

The latest tactic from the sore loser is to go against the sole ethical advisory rule in the advertising world and to not talk trash about your competition.

Sure its not like its written in stone or anything, but any company with any sense of morality knows this kind of advertising does more damage than good.

If anything, after seeing this, I’d rather just watch the ABC news. Anyone with me?