It’s been more than six months since Seven launched its bold afternoon play, blending quiz shows, rolling headlines and cash giveaways into one new line up.
Touted as a fresh way to rebuild daytime momentum and feed viewers into the network’s news and early evening staples, Winning Arvo arrived with big ambition, new and returning quiz shows to our screens, and a few raised eyebrows, including from yours truly.
When Winning Arvo launched, Seven pitched it as an evolution of afternoon TV, pairing imported quiz formats with regular check ins from Alex Cullen, who had not long parted ways with Nine, and a viewer competition designed to keep audiences engaged across the day.
Six months on, there are signs of improvement. The broader block has helped steady the lead in to local 4pm news, with The Chase Australia at 5pm also seeing some uplift, contributing to a more consistent flow into primetime, though Nine still holds the upper hand.
Along the way, elements of the format have shifted. Some programs have rotated out as episodes ran dry, while the viewer competition has appeared less frequently than initially spruiked, and many questioned the need for another news hit so soon after the hour long midday bulletin.
More recently, the regular 7NEWS updates delivered by Cullen, which had punctuated the top of each hour during Winning Arvo, appeared to be absent from listings from next week, prompting questions about a potential shift in how the afternoon programming block is presented.
Since initial publication of this story, Seven has responded to TV Blackbox’s enquiries, and have confirmed that the 7NEWS updates will remain part of Winning Arvo, albeit with slight adjustments to their duration and how they are represented in program guides.
The changes coincide with the introduction of new game show Time Is Money to the line up from next week, with TV Blackbox understanding the revised structure reflects the varying episode lengths across the afternoon slate, requiring updates to bulletin timing, alongside feedback that the guides had become cluttered.
When joining the network, Cullen’s return was positioned as the first of several projects drawing on his versatility, though those broader plans are yet to materialise, for now at least.
This article has been updated.
Alex deserves better than this rubbish
But always have issues. It always freezes on 7plus every now and then every day. And always have pixelated on normal tv. Not just mine have issues with it. Everyone else has same issues.
Seven would do better if it ran current episodes of The Chase. Lots of people like it but would appreciate current episodes. A couple of weeks ago they showed a pre 2021 episode. Keep it fresh guys.
I enjoy it but the only issue I have is that it’s always people from the eastern states that are picked to win money. For a network based in Perth (?) it’s hardly a national competition
Anthony Koomen Plus it’s always women
Anthony Koomen you do realise they are UK shows right?!!
I meant the actual winning arvo giveaway
Anthony Koomen it’s like the AFL a national comp that is ment for the Vic’s
Can’t imagine why anyone would watch any of this garbage.
Bob Brewer my thoughts exactly!!
No coz it’s boring AF & total rubbish!!!
As someone who is at home all the time due to mental illness I look for shows that are going to make me feel better & those don’t..instead I watch ch 9 (pointless & tipping point)..
I say bring back CATCH PHRASE & ditch the UK version of blankety blanks coz it’s just stupid.. I was pissed off when they took off CATCH PHRASE!!!
Di Æ Burrowes I love watching The Chase Australia best out of all of them.
Nikki Marie Mann yeah the chase Australia is good I like it too, but I’m just talking about the UK shows between 1pm & 4pm..
Di Æ Burrowes Yes sorry i just realised what you said about UK shows, i understand they are boring, i like the fun games, one show i miss is Wheel of fortune, need to bring that show back.
Nikki Marie Mann I like the game shows on ch 9 at the same time but the ones ch 7 are an absolute snorefest lol 😆
They had US wheel of fortune on ch 10 last year but took it off, that was my 2pm jam love it.. sooo pissed at ch 10 for taking it off, at least it’s on Arena (foxtel) so I still get to watch it..
Di Æ Burrowes catch phrase is on Thursday
Heather Bradley yes I know but once a week isn’t enough
Di Æ Burrowes yeah agree, I like it, but our dog doesn’t have ha Doesn’t like all the noises
Bring back Cheez TV usually i would agree but the UK version is crap!!! It’s cringe tbh
That’s because between 12-4 there ain’t the viewers watching cause their either working or watching other content
The news is on from 12-1, then at 1 – more news! It’s too much
The chase needs to go. Both versions been on to long. Getting boring. Never win big amounts. And a lot are repeats
What happened to Blankety Blank.? That was my favourite show. The game show, Time is Money, is absolutely STUPID The Friday movie, we can do without. Put Catch Phrase on the Friday.