I don’t really look at social media either. Bit over the constant ads on it.
You are right it probably won’t ever happen but I don’t believe that is because there isn’t a need for it, I just believe that programmers haven’t got the bulls to try it. It works successfully in the UK as there is a need for it at that time. Lots of people in the UK don’t finish work until later at night. The same trend is happening now here in Australia. There are even office jobs with working hours of 3-9.
Interestingly I don’t know that the UK is the best example to prove either point given the highly regulated nature of the industry in the UK.
A 10pm news certainly seems popular with the public but it’s not that popular with programmers who’ve tried on several occasions, with some success, to have News at 10 on ITV moved only to be ordered to bring it back by the ITC and Ofcom. Imagine ACMA ordering a news bulletin to be broadcast at a specific time in Australia? Maybe they should try.
Even the BBC couldn’t wait to push back the 9 o’clock news. Within minutes of ITV axing News af Ten for the first time in 1999 the BBC jumped in and moved “the nine” to 10pm.
Maybe a thorough wide ranging public opinion survey should be conducted to find out exactly what the Australian public want… I guess the problem would be opinions will change if there’s something hot on another channel.
I totally understand where you are coming from but couldn’t a network provide all three popular genres across that timeslot with their multi channels anyway? One could provide News, the other drama and another comedy/light entertainment. It is obvious that US shows aren’t doing well anyway post 9:30 worth trying something else and providing content you can’t necessarily stream or catch up on - sort of appointment viewing. Last week we saw some of the worst ratings from a free to air network at 9:30. There is obviously an overhaul needed in that slot. I don’t know if news is it but, and I personally wouldn’t do the schedule JB suggested above. I would much rather hard hitting shows at 9:30 - such as Australia’s Most Wanted, 48 Hours, a political show, perhaps running Gogglebox box 9:00-10:00 and HYBPA 9:00-10:00. And then launching News/Sports Tonight from 10:00-11:00. But I do believe something needs to be done between 9:30-11:00 to bring some viewers back.
My mind immediately says Lisa Wilkinson… I know that’s a bit obvious but she has the cred, the skills and the intelligence to deliver the versatility that would be needed.
Seven needs a major overhaul. Their schedule is tanking pretty much all year and they need a new approach to the 2nd half of the year. My suggestion: A variety/comedy show (such as Dirty Laundry Live or even the original Spicks and Specks, get the original team to produce it rather than Seven doing it in house), three or four dramas, a few smaller realities and that’s about it.
Proposal:
August-September
Sunday: LBS, Monday: Zumbo, Tuesday-Wednesday: Two new dramas (800 word/Seachange type), Thursday: Factuals such as Border.
October-December
Sunday: All Together Now, Monday: Instant Hotel, Tuesday-Wednesday: Another drama (Wanted/Million Dollar Cold Case/Local Good Doctor/Australian Gangster style show), Thursday: Dirty Laundry Live/sitcom/variety
Also under this new proposal, Home and Away moves to 7TWO, The Chase moves to 7pm, and the new Spicks and Specks goes to 5pm.
Was just about to say the same thing. But I don’t agree they need an overhaul of some kind. The Winter Olympics and Comm Games saved them from disaster this year, I believe.
Problem is those events happen every four years. If they didn’t have it then they would fall into a heap. That’s why I thought they need an overhaul. Happy to be corrected though.
I personally think Seven also benefits (at least to some extent) by the fact that The Voice has been fairly weak for Nine during Q2 of recent years, while House Rules and indeed MasterChef on Ten are stronger performers around the April-July timeframe.
One or two hit programs from Nine in the right places and we very well could have a new #1 network at some point in the future…but to be fair, I don’t think 2019 will be the year that happens!
If I was to tinker with the 5pm to 7:30pm schedule on Seven, this is what I would do:
I would consider a condensed version of The Chase, News format would remain the same, I would screen Home and Away at 7pm Monday to Thursday during the AFL preliminary season and during the off seasons screen it Monday to Friday. The only exceptions would be the Perth Test in the cricket and if there is a day/night test.
I would not even consider double episodes UNLESS it is to catch up on an episode eg IF there is a major event such as the Olympics.