There has always been a bit of a hit and miss with the appeal coverage, but this year was the worst. It’s clear a cost cutting measure was put in place. It will be interesting to see what they provide for the Telethon this year.
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Let’s be honest, the likelihood of the Good Friday Appeal moving away from Seven is about as likely as Candles by Candlelight moving away from Nine (ie; slim to no chance due to tradition)
Anything is possible.
Cricket/Tennis…?
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This was before most of us were born (TVAU & NewsWeary might have some vague memories of these telecasts though), but it’s to my understanding that Carols by Candlelight was shown on the then 0/10 Network for a bit during the '70s before moving to Nine for the last 40 or so Christmas Eves.
I agree that it seems unlikely that the Good Friday Appeal would ever move away from Seven right now, although I’m sure similar things were said about the cricket/tennis in 2017 and even the Disney/Warner Bros output deals (both of which were long associated with Seven & Nine respectively) a few years before that…and we all know what happened there. Even decades long traditions don’t really mean much to the networks in this day and age, unfortunately.
I thought Joel Creasey was quite good. Would be interested to hear the whole story of why Meghan Markle didn’t like him!
Both occurred as a result of a rights auction whereby such an outcome is a possibility
I grew up watching the Appeal and was also a patient at the hospital when I was really young. Most years growing up, watching the GFA was how I spent my Good Friday (as sad as that might be lol). In the early years I thought it was exciting, seeing the Ch 7 roster of “stars” donate their time for a worthy cause.
Of course I’d seen it morph into a different entity, growing up I remember the Friday night gala performances they would put on. Then I also recall them downsizing it and just doing in house studio performances.
Then over the last 10 or so years when they tinkered with the format a bit (not having a huge celebrity contingent until late afternoon or through the evening).
I figured something was going on when I looked at the tv guide for Friday last week and seeing that the Appeal wasn’t going to be on tv all day (they’ve had the occasional late morning start in the past… but I don’t recall it ever finishing BEFORE midnight).
Dare I say it but I think ch 7 put little thought and care into the broadcast, like they are either going through the motions or something
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Probably no reason GFA couldn’t put its TV rights out to tender. I’m just not sure how much level of interest there would be given that there’s not a lot of ratings or revenue in it, and very little public interest outside of Victoria.
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I’m sure GTV9 would bite if the offer was on the table.
Well somebody’s got to air it
A lot of conjecture about Seven’s future involvement, yet the appeal yesterday was a success if success is based on raising more money than last year.
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Not necessarily. Seven seemingly does it as a being a good corporate citizen but essentially there would be no obligation for them to do so or for another channel to pick it up.
This is true. And there have been dud telecasts before. This year being a bit like that is nothing particularly new.
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Do you remember the other years you were particularly disappointed with? Out of interest.
Not really. Same would’ve been said about the Yooralla Telethon (GTV) and many other television traditions (especially those for charity) over the years.
No I don’t keep a running tally of every telethon I’ve seen from the past 40 years. Some are good. Some are less so. Some are boring as bats poop.
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During the 1990s the gala was held at the Melbourne Convention Centre, seemed to take a dive the last few years there and when they moved to the Victory Room at Docklands Stadium to a tiny audience and much smaller set in the corner if the room.
Also, when the handed microphones to Home and Away starlets and expected them to belt out a tune.
Forgive me, I just thought by this comment one or two might’ve come to mind.
Nine gaining full ownership of 3AW doesn’t prevent the station from sponsoring this year’s Appeal. In fact Neil Mitchell launched his third annual Escape from the Wheel fundraising campaign yesterday. The event will be held at Melbourne Star observation wheel tomorrow morning (March 6).
https://www.3aw.com.au/neils-wheel-how-you-can-help-raise-money-to-help-sick-children/
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Even Ten News reported on the launch of the Appeal the other day. It is one of those causes that tends to ignore traditional network rivalries. It’s never been unusual for Nine and Ten to give the appeal a plug on Good Friday