Channel 9’s MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT is the latest TV production to be affected by COVID-19 lockdowns
Production of Channel 9’s number 1 reality show Married At First Sight has been delayed until November.
TV Blackbox can reveal the decision was made to delay filming due to Sydney’s ongoing lockdown. Usually, each person taking part in the ‘experiment’ would film their backstories in September with the weddings taking place in October.
The delay in filming is not expected to impact the airing of the 2022 season, which traditionally launches Nine’s year after the Australian Open tennis.
COVID-19 is providing many challenges for TV productions all around the country. In June, Channel 7 cancelled plans to film a new series of Australia’s Got Talent and postponed Australian Idol due to the fact they could not include a studio audience.
Insiders at Nine say if lockdowns continue then producers will work out ways to continue filming the series. MAFS is one of Nine’s biggest brands and dominates the first quarter of the ratings year.
A delay in filming will impact the post-production of the show, but Nine believes it can still deliver the show on time despite the delay.
