As Network 10 looks towards it’s annual Upfronts event next week, one important programming move has largely been overlooked, with some big changes being made to its upcoming summer schedule.
10 bravely looked to change summer viewing up last year by moving January staple series I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! to early April and premiering the long teased The Bachelors in it’s place. However, given the show failed to find the same sort of audience as Celebrity in that same timeslot, it comes as no surprise that 10 are looking to shake things up once again.
In a move they’re promoting as “Supercharging Summer”, the network are bringing forward their second attempt at the refreshed The Bachelors format to air alongside new MasterChef spin-off series Dessert Masters, which will see both shows air this side of Christmas after it’s current 7:30 schedule of The Masked Singer, Shark Tank and The Amazing Race Australia wraps up.
In the hotly contented January schedule against popular live sport (which 10 have done a great job of programming alternative content in previous years), the network, as first confirmed back in early August by TV Blackbox will now boldly return past fan favourite format Gladiators to our screens with new hosts Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis.
Described as “One of the most exciting and iconic sports entertainment gameshows in the world”, Channel 10 hope to lean into nostalgic programming, recently telling Mediaweek:
“We are really capitalising on the 90s nostalgia, which is a TV trend at the minute”
“Really importantly, it’s a solid alternative to the summer of sport that’s on the other networks. Sport always does well, but we have a really solid competitor with this particular format”.
In a market update to advertisers, Paramount ANZ’s Chief Sales Officer Rod Prosser also recently wrote:
“We’re also looking ahead to 2024 with the exciting announcement of Gladiators that will offer appointment co-viewing for families as they watch this ultimate test of speed and strength with just a dash of comedy.”
“Gladiators is big, brash, bold and noisy, offering alternative summer entertainment for Australian families. And we cannot wait to reveal our reimagined version of this 90s cult classic.”
Traditionally 10 have run stripped multi-night formats in the January schedule, with Celebrity previously airing 5 nights a week from Sunday – Thursday, and more recently The Bachelors Sunday – Wednesday nights, so it remains to be seen whether this new re-booted Gladiators will also be stripped across multiple nights over summer.
The network is certainly making some big plays next year, with confirmation of another TV Blackbox exclusive that the network will be returning Late News to their schedule after nearly 10 years off our screens. In other news, we’ve also been able to confirm reality competition series Tough As Nails will be announced next week.
All I can say to channel 10 it want work no one wants reality shows any more that’s why the bachelor keeps failing, gladiators won’t work, and I know that people are turning off because they’re sick to death of crappy reality rubbish and I want to see Channel 10 succeed, but whoever is running Channel 10 isn’t doing a very good job
The only thing I look for each year is what they will do next with 9-12. I miss the madcap spontaneous days with Joe Jess Sarah Ita and Denise. The show has been reduced to a pale imitation of what it once was.
Fix the title. It’s not it’s
Where is the next season of survivor they’ve already filmed in all this?
I think reality tv has been flogged to death. The problem is finding cost efficient alternatives. Maybe look back to 1990s and early 2000s for inspiration. If Neighbours had stronger storylines it could have aired 2 nights a week, Wheel of Fortune 2 nights a week and maybe Have You Been Paying Attention or Talkin ‘Bout Your Generation on the other night (Sunday to Thursday).
In my view reality tv from 8:30pm for most franchises across no more than 2 nights a week would be enough. Try to make franchises like Masterchef event Television by being a select few that air more than twice a week, but even then it shouldn’t exceed 4 nights (assuming it’s on during football season).
I also think Ten should air a 30 minute morning news bulletin followed by a 1 hour state based morning/breakfast style show (remember Good Morning Sydney etc from the 1980s)
Actually another program opportunity would be a sketch comedy show such as The Comedy Company to showcase up and coming comedians and actors and a one night a week show such as Star Search or New Faces is another possibility