And isn’t their 5pm News at times their highest rating program for the day?
1 Like
There is no legal requirement for news. However, the news is one of 10’s highest rated programs and has been seeing improved rating this year. It also contributes considerably to the mandatory requirement for Australian programming. It any news bulletin is removed it basically must be replaced by Australian content.
8 Likes
And replace it with what local content? News rates consistently (as bad as it is) and anything else in that slot will be worse ratings-wise.
1 Like
I reckon Cheap Seats/HYBPA style local programming would work better for Ten and is more on brand.
1 Like
Of course but you can’t fill every timeslot with the same style show.
8 Likes
I think if 10 did extend 10 News to 6:30, it would need to be presented as 2 bulletins - a state bulletin and a separate national bulletin to give it s point of difference and not just a regurgtation.
They could do it as the state bulletin at 5 then national news at 6 or national news at 5 and state bulletin at 5:30.
I prefer keeping state bulletin at 5, because despite the fact you might lose news obsessed viewers to 9 or 7 at 6pm, you have an equal chance of losing viewers at 5:30pm to other offering if you present a shorter bulletin first.
Personally aside from news, a straight current affairs half hour could give something different. I would suggest another game show to create a game show bloc but given 10 has 2 hours of imports plus Deal Or No Deal, if you had one or 2 more game shows into the mix, it could create game show fatigue.
I dont think there is a straightforward solution, but i think news is suggested most often because its a safe bet. However, what is 10 News+? News? Currently Affairs? Fluff? Even a half hour music show could give numbers, but then you need to get your audience right. 10 needs something to appeal to the whole family, which i guess is why many suggest The Simpsons.
At this point, its watch this space.
1 Like
Most of these ideas have been for a temporary solution until 10 can launch something new. Honestly, gameshows seem to be a suitable alternative to Seven and Nine in the time slot. I think that’s where they need to be at the moment.
3 Likes
Good point.
Otherwise I feel that the + experiment has shown that a heavy all news format isn’t the right options. “Light entertainment” is need as an alternative to news on the competition. It could be a semi variety show with performers, interviews etc or as suggested a game show; that seems to be what the viewers want.
2 Likes
I would be looking at this as an option. If the 7.00pm bulletin falls short then launch something else. But I think the key between 6-7 is light entertainment and gameshow formats.
5.00 Ten News Melbourne @5.00
6.00 Millionaire
6.30 Deal or no Deal
7.00 Ten News Melbourne @7.00
2 Likes
Ten should look at a format like Come Dine With Me for 6:30, its low-committal and easy for viewers to get behind, and would be a stronger lead-in for other reality formats.
2 Likes
Rather than having the pretty ugly set they installed for 10 News+, they would have been better off leaving how it was before with the couch and just replaced the TV wall behind it with one big screen and used it like the CrowdStrike bulletin.
2 Likes
Yeah idk why they ditch the couch
I think it’s worth remembering that in other countries it not uncommon to have multiple news services against each other, even from those networks that are considered entertainment focused, like Fox or City in North America, no reason 10 could not give it a proper crack with local at 6 if the product was right. In terms of quality of stories they generally surpass Seven and not far behind Nine, with the ABC obviously in front.
I think the market here is just too small.
2 Likes
I still think the long term play is to play in a space similar to The Project, or BBC’s One Show (panel style news format, generally lighter vibe) for 6pm (whether Project reboot, a revised format under the 10N+ name with new hosts, or a complete new format ).
Then a game show at 7 (something with a returning champion game elements - like Jeopardy or Sale of Century).
And the News+ team (likely still on contract) leading a (rebranded) 60 Minute style show, complete with their “truth comes first” attitude on Tuesday or Wednesday 8:30.
6 Likes
In the short term, I’d get rid of the Sunday edition. And focus on weeknights. Sometimes - less is more.
And Friday’s edition can be part-newsy, and part “weekend focused” on what’s ahead. It does have different hosts after all.
4 Likes
But that’s pretty much exactly what they did with George Negus - and it flopped. Big time.
I’m amazed this project (
) has lasted as long as it has with the ratings being so poor. I’m sure 10 have their reasons for keeping it on, but as an outsider it just seems to make little sense.
As others have already said, extending the news then double DOND seems such an obvious solution, so I’m baffled as to why they’ve stuck with this News+ when it’s doing so badly. Again, I’m sure they have their reasons but it just doesn’t make sense from an outside point of view.
I also think the hour at 6 was dead on arrival. Why fight a battle that they’ll never win against 7 and 9? The Project worked because it was an alternative. Though really i think they were stupid to have ever dropped the Simpsons/Neighbours slot 
2 Likes
The point of difference this time is that there is NO 30 minute news bulletin in the 6-7pm slot anymore. That creates an opportunity. 7 News, 9 News and SBS World News is 1 hour, so is ABC News at 6 on ABC News channel.
We also need to consider the so-called news revolution was 14 years ago AND if we dismiss an idea because of previous attempts, then 7 would not have the afternoon news now
But it’s such a crowded market between 6 and 7. No one would watch, as has been proven with this 10 News+ debacle. I take your point - a half hour bulletin could be good - but not between 6 and 7.
If I were in charge I’d make 5pm a national, hour-long bulletin then have 30 minute local news at 7 and 9.30. Later local news could be a real point of difference to the other networks.
Yes - would complement Masterchef well.
If half hour formats is the way they go they should commission a few things to air in the 6-7pm slot in 2026 rather than put their eggs all in one basket and hope by the end of the year they’ve got formats that can then fill the year.
3 Likes