EXCLUSIVE | The bizarre way TV shows are beating COVID-19

With a constant threat of production being shut down, reality TV show producers are taking extraordinary steps during filming.

TV Blackbox can reveal reality TV shows are being shot out of order to ensure producers can still air a final outcome if production is shut down due to Covid-19.

The Grand Finale episodes for some shows are being shot ahead of time with each contestant reacting to ‘winning’ the series. Production then resumes as normal as the rest of the series is shot.

Sources tell TV Blackbox this is to ensure a series can be aired even if it is forced to shut down mid production. The thinking is producers can name a winner based on scores up to that point. The editor then has all the reactions they need to finish off the series, even if the number of episodes is greatly reduced.

While it might seem a strange idea to shoot the final episode before the rest of the series, the threat of shutdown is lingering over every production. Taking a production break for an unknown length of time will cost money and trying to re-crew once the pandemic is over will be problematic.

TV networks are also running out of new content. The longer we are asked to isolate ourselves means fewer shows are being made.

LISTEN TO MORE ABOUT THIS STORY IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF TV BLACKBOX HERE

Seven is trying to save episodes of Home & Away by airing nightly news specials focusing on the Coronavirus. Michael Usher and Mel Doyle are fronting The Latest which is drawing reasonable numbers due to interest in this ongoing saga.

Home & Away is just one of many dramas that have stopped filming. Outside of news, there are not many shows still in production as restriction get tighter while the Government tries to flatten the curve. A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw has even taken to hosting the program from her house.

The Bachelor will make their production shutdown part of the story. Bachelor in Lockdown will show contestants dating via video apps as they continue to build connections.

Shooting multiple endings of a reality show is nothing new. Each year MasterChef shoots two endings with each contestant named the winner. On the day of transmission producers will advise the two finalists of the outcome and the correct version will air that night.

In that circumstance it’s all about keeping the final outcome a secret, but in this new world producers are more concerned with just being able to deliver a TV show before they are shut down.