News

Carole Sklan, who commissioned the award-winning East West 101, The Circuit, and Wilfred for SBS, has re-joined ABC TV as a Commissioning Editor for Drama. She takes up her role in Melbourne on Monday August 3.

Carole worked at SBS for four years and has an extensive and diverse portfolio. She also commissioned the telemovie Saved, the animated feature Mary and Max, the five minute comedy interstitial series Marx and Venus, and the indigenous short series, Bit of Black Business.

From 1996-2001, Carole was Deputy Commissioner and Executive Producer for ABC TV’s Drama. She contributed to the development and executive produced some of the ABC’s best loved dramas including Something in the Air, SeaChange, Changi, Simone de Beauvoir’s Babies and The Farm.

Carole spent five years as Director of the Film Development Branch of the Australian Film Commission from 2001. While there she initiated the SPARK script workshop, the IndiVision low budget feature program, and funding for low budget short television series.

Amanda Higgs, Acting Head of ABC TV Drama said “I am delighted to have someone of Carole’s calibre and track record stepping into the Commissioning Editor role in Melbourne. Carole has commissioned some of SBS’s most successful and award-winning dramas, and her vision and experience will be an invaluable asset to ABC drama.”

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Nine Network announced today it would not proceed with the news and current affairs program THIS afternoon.

Nine Network Director of News, Mark Calvert said: “While this is regrettable, our attitude is that it is better to have given it a shot. In the short time it was on air the team worked hard, but it was clear the program was struggling to attract a sizeable audience. It is vital that we recognise this and act swiftly.”

From today, Nine will broadcast a half-hour news bulletin at 4.30pm, followed by Antiques Roadshow at 5.00pm. Millionaire Hot Seat continues its successful run at 5.30pm.

Nine will be talking to the THIS afternoon team in the comings days about redeployment across the network’s extensive news and current affairs programming.

Calvert said: “Our absolute focus remains on placing news and current affairs at the very heart of the network and its resurgence.

“Nine News is a great brand, much loved and trusted by Australian viewers. As they’ve seen recently with our coverage of big news events, such as the death of Michael Jackson and the Victorian bush fires, the experience and authority of our journalists and news-gathering teams is second to none.

“We’re more determined than ever to demonstrate to viewers – and our rivals – that when news happens, they’ll see it first on Nine.”

Masterchef last night again scored over 2 million viewers in its 7pm timeslot. The kind of figures not seen at that time for years, if at all.

This is the final week of Masterchef, a week that started with 6 contestants, two of which were “fast tracked” to the finals week by way of winning the celebrity chef challenges that were on Tuesday nights.

The remaining six contestants were: Chris, Justine, Poh, Julie, Julia and Lucas. Julia and Lucas were the two that had won celebrity chef challenges during the series and landed in the final week after many weeks out in the field, working in restaurants hopefully honing their skills.

On Monday night, it was Lucas who was eliminated. Then on Tuesday night, Julia. The two fast tracked contestants went first. Perhaps (or most likely) due to their lack of experience in the Masterchef kitchen under pressure test conditions as well as not being privy to the Friday night Master Class sessions the others had been.

So there now remains Chris, Poh, Julie and Justine. Out ot those 4, Justine and Poh were returned to the competition last week, after having been eliminated in previous weeks.

Tonight, the 4 of them will battle each other in another pressure test. As the winner for last night, Poh has the advantage of knowing what the test and dish will be. Judging by the ads, though, it looks like that knowledge may not help her.

Tonight’s episode (Wednesday night) is a 60 minute session. Tonight, another one will go.

Tomorrow night, Thursday night, is huge a 90 minute show. Yet another contestant will be eliminated, leaving just two to battle it out in the finale on Sunday night.

On Friday night, the final two will attend the final Master class, the usual one hour cooking session on the night.

The final on Sunday will be a two hour extravaganza. The competition – or should I say cook off – will run for around 90 minutes, with the announcemnt of the winner to occur some time between 9 and 9.30. The winner being announced is listed as a separate show for the night and is expected to be the highest rating show of 2009 so far with an estimated audience of between 2.5 and 3 million expected to tune in.

The winner walks away with $100,000, the chance to work in some of the Australia’s top kitchens as well as a deal to write a cook book.

Breaking News.

Channel 9 has axed THIS Afternoon, effective immediately (Wed July 14).

The one hour news and current affairs show has failed to attract many viewers, with ratings between 200 and 250,000 against 7’s 4.30 news and 10’s the Bold and the Beautiful both scoring over 500,000 at the same time.

Both 7 and 10’s 4.30 shows have benefited from the low ratings of THIS Afternoon adding around 100,000 viewers to what they were rating prior to THIS Afternoon.

THIS Afternoon is only in its 3^rd week, and during its first week, was rocked by the shock departure of Mark Ferguson to 7 after his contract with 9 ends in October.

Many had commented that THIS Afternoon was more like a morning show in the afternoon and that there was almost zero chemistry between its host as well as the show simply being incompatible with that time of day, especially for one hour.

9 will return to a standard half hour 4.30 news bulletin followed by Antiques Roadshow at 5.30.

Here are how shows performed on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 between 5.30 and 10.30pm. This is week 28 of the official 2009 ratings period.

The two Tuesday night ratings power house of 7 and 10 go up against each other in an epic battle resulting in only a 0.2% share between the two networks.

With Masterchef running for an hour, 10’s night was delayed by half an hour, with Talkin Bout Your Generation eating into the 1^st half hour of 7’s Packed to the Rafters. This made no impact on Rafters’ ratings but brought Talkin Bout Your Generation down compared to usual. No doubt it’s the kind of show easily watched in half an hour, whereas Rafters’ entertains for the full hour. All Saints remained above NCIS from 9.30 as well, with the second episode of NCIS falling below the average ratings of Harry Potter on 9.

Ch 9 went with Harry Potter, the Prisoner of Azkaban last night, running for 3 hours. While its probably not a bad choice for school holiday entertainment, 9 never had any hope last night, remaining in their distant 3^rd which is typical of Tuesday night.

Tonight sees a 90 minute Masterchef which will eat into the 1^st hour of the 3^rd State of Origin on 9 tonight. 7 has two episodes of Ghost Whisperer against it. Most likely 9 will win the night, but 10 and 7 won’t be that far behind, as the 2rd game never does as well as the first two if the winner of the series is already known. And I bet much more people watch it in QLD compared to NSW as well.

As for the rest of the country (and many of us in NSW and QLD) we don’t really care what happens either way! Hope the fans enjoy it though! With the series over, hopefully 9 will settle into better regular programming on Wednesday nights. Next week, Australia’s Perfect Couple debuts at 7.30, followed by RPA at 8.30 then Cold Case at 9.30.

1^st ch 10 Ten News. 2^nd ch 7 Deal or No Deal. 3^rd ch 9 Hot Seat

1^st ch 7 News. 2^nd: ch 9 News. 3^rd ch 10 Simpsons

1^st ch 7 Today Tonight. 2^nd ch 9 A Current Affair. 3^rd ch 10 Neighbours

1^st ch 10 Masterchef. 2^nd Ch 7 Home and Away. 3^rd Ch 9 Two and a Half Men

1^st ch 10 Masterchef. 2^nd ch 7 Airways. 3^rd: ch 9 Harry Potter

1^st ch 7 Surf Patrol. 2^nd ch 10 Talkin Bout Your Generation. 3^rd ch 9 Harry Potter

1^st ch 7 Packed to the Rafters. 2^nd ch 10 Talkin Bout Your Generation. 3^rd ch 9 Harry Potter

1^st ch 7 Packed to the Rafters. 2^nd ch 10 NCIS. 3^rd ch 9 Harry Potter

1^st ch 7 All Saints . 2^nd ch 10 NCIS. 3^rd ch 9 Harry Potter

1^st ch 7 All Saints . 2^nd ch 9 Harry Potter. 3^rd ch 10 NCIS rpt ep 2

1 Masterchef Australia Ten 2,191,000
2 Packed To The Rafters Seven 1,791,000
3 Seven News Seven 1,627,000
4 Today Tonight Seven 1,531,000
5 Surf Patrol Seven 1,526,000
6 Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation Ten 1,495,000
7 Air Ways Seven 1,216,000
8 Nine News Nine 1,206,000
9 All Saints Seven 1,202,000
10 A Current Affair Nine 1,193,000
11 Home And Away Seven 1,104,000
12 Two And A Half Men -7pm Rpt Nine 1,017,000
13 NCIS Rpt Ten 986,000
14 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban -Rpt Nine 978,000
15 Ten News At Five Ten 929,000
16 Neighbours Ten 913,000
17 Deal Or No Deal Seven 891,000
18 Grand Designs ABC1 884,000
19 ABC News ABC1 865,000
20 The Simpsons Ten 830,000
21 NCIS Ep 2 Rpt Ten 798,000
22 7.30 Report ABC1 691,000
23 Hot Seat Nine 653,000
24 Foreign Correspondent ABC1 613,000
25 The Bold And The Beautiful Ten 533,000
26 M*A*S*H Seven 531,000
27 Time Team ABC1 463,000
28 Little Britain Nine 449,000
29 Friends Rpt Ten 449,000
30 Seven News At 4.30 Seven 413,000

Here are how shows performed on Monday, July 13th, 2009 between 4.30 and 10.30pm. This is week 29 of the official 2009 ratings period.

Masterchef last night cracked the 2 million mark, making probably the highest rating 7pm weeknight show in a long time. Last night, Lucas was eliminated. For the next 3 nights, another person will be eliminated each night, leaving the final 2 to compete in the finale on Sunday night.

At 7.30, in Masterchef’s 2^nd half hour, the finale of How I Met Your Mother on 7 came 4^th in its time slot. Scrubs at 8pm also failed to do well. Both Desperate Housewives and Brother and Sisters continue to perform well for 7, with both having season finales on Monday July 29. The following week would be a great opportunity for 7 to completely revamp its Monday night line up.

Despite only winning a few time slots, Masterchef helped give 10 top share of last nights viewers. 2^nd was 7 and 3^rd was 9.

1^st ch 10 Bold and Beautiful. 2^nd ch 7 4.30 News. 3^rd ch 9 THIS Afternoon

1^st ch 10 Ten News. 2^nd ch 7 MASH. 3^rd ch 9 THIS Afternoon

1^st ch 10 Ten News. 2^nd ch 7 Deal or No Deal. 3^rd ch 9 Hot Seat

1^st ch 7 News. 2^nd: ch 9 News. 3^rd ch 10 Simpsons

1^st: ch 7 Today Tonight. 2^nd ch 9 A Current Affair. 3^rd ch 10 Neighbours

1^st ch 10 Masterchef. 2^nd ch 7 Home and Away. 3^rd ch9 Two and a Half Men.

1^st ch 10 Masterchef. 2^nd ch 9 Two and a Half Men. 3^rd ABC1 7.30 Report

1^st ch 10 Recruits. 2^nd ABC1 Australian Story. 3^rd ch 9 Big Bang Theory

1^st ch 9 Sea Patrol. 2^nd ch 7 Desperate Housewives. 3^rd ch 10 Melbourne International Great Debate

1^st ch 7 Brothers and Sisters. 2^nd ch 9 Missing Persons Unit. 3^rd ABC1 Spooks

1^st ch 10 26.6%, 2^nd ch 7 24.4%. 3^rd ch 9 23.8%, 4^th ABC 17.3%. 5^th SBS 7.9%

Top 30 Shows:

1 Masterchef Australia Ten 2,119,000
2 Seven News Seven 1,814,000
3 Today Tonight Seven 1,699,000
4 Recruits Ten 1,375,000
5 Sea Patrol Nine 1,350,000
6 Nine News Nine 1,207,000
7 Desperate Housewives Seven 1,170,000
8 Home And Away Seven 1,139,000
9 A Current Affair Nine 1,132,000
10 Australian Story ABC1 1,119,000
11 Two And A Half Men 7pm -Rpt Nine 1,061,000
12 Brothers & Sisters Seven 1,018,000
13 Ten News At Five Ten 1,005,000
14 Two And A Half Men 7.30pm Nine 1,002,000
15 Missing Persons Unit Nine 1,001,000
16 Melbourne International Great Debate Ten 996,000
17 ABC News ABC1 986,000
18 Deal Or No Deal Seven 983,000
19 Four Corners ABC1 983,000
20 Neighbours Ten 923,000
21 The Big Bang Theory Nine 902,000
22 The Simpsons Ten 853,000
23 Media Watch ABC1 819,000
24 7.30 Report ABC1 771,000
25 Scrubs – Mon (R) Seven 765,000
26 Top Gear SBS ONE 742,000
27 Spooks ABC1 708,000
28 How I Met Your Mother Seven 707,000
29 Hot Seat Nine 688,000
30 Supernatural Ten 609,000

ABC TV and Southern Star Entertainment are looking for contestants willing to bravely face one of their greatest fears – public speaking.

Strictly Speaking, a proposed new half-hour prime-time television show, is seeking Australians from all walks of life to step into the spotlight and wow a crowd with their words.

Amanda Duthie, ABC Head of Arts and Entertainment, said: “If you have ever wanted to release the secret speaker that lurks inside you, this is your chance. Strictly Speaking aims to bring all the fun of dancing or cooking or singing to public speaking. So come to an audition and show us what you’re made of.”

Rory Callaghan, Managing Director, Southern Star Entertainment, said: “Strictly Speaking is a dynamic new entertainment format that’ll literally get everyone talking. Southern Star is delighted to be in partnership once again with ABC TV.”

To audition for Strictly Speaking you need to be 16 years or older and a confident speaker – the sort of person called upon to say a few words at weddings and christenings, bingo nights or sporting events. You may be a regular debater or member of a speaking association. You will know the power of speech and how words, well spoken, can move us.

To be a part of the auditions fill in the application form and send it to www.abc.net.au/strictlyspeaking.

Closing date for applicants is Friday 6th of August 2009 with Australia-wide auditions being held in August.

The week starting July 26 sees more season finales over at 7, with Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Prison Break, and Lipstick Jungle all concluding their current seasons.

On Monday July 27, at 8.30pm, the season finale of Desperate Housewives airs. That is followed by, at 9.30, the season finale of Brothers and Sisters. That will open up Monday nigh to new programming.

On Tuesday July 28, at 11.30pm, airs the season finale of Lipstick Jungle – a show that ended up at a late time slot due to poor ratings performance in earlier time slots.

And finally, on Wednesday July 29, also at 11.30, Prison Break finishes for good, with what should be an actual conclusion to the whole saga the brothers have been through. With all the crazy story lines of its 4 seasons, there isn’t much else the guys can “break out of” or “escape” from.

Like Lipstick Jungle, Prison Break also landed in a late timeslot due to poor ratings performance at earlier timeslots. With Prison Break, though, the story lines over its seasons have drifted far away from its original concept of breaking out of prison. Probably should have had a shorter run.

Channel 7 must be commended for allowing these shows to run their course at later time slots rather than simply taking them off air together. If shows like Prison Break, Lipstick Jungle, and others like Heroes were on 9, they would have disappeared off their schedule never to be seen again.

9 have so many shows they have taken off air, that they could fill the gap from 1am till 4am with all those shows rather than having infomercials overnight. Would be a much smarter programming move and would make a lot of fans happy.

Channel 9 is set to launch its second channel possibly as soon as some time in August.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Channel 9 would launch a new channel – most likely to be called GO!99 some time in the second half of 2009.

Since then, it has been revealed that the channel will focus on a younger demographic with shows such as Sex and the City, Entourage and Gossip Girl – all of which already air on subscription TV, but will give those who do not have subscription TV an alternative channel somewhat similar to some of the major subscription TV channels like FOX8 and Arena. 9’s $500 million deal with Warner Brothers will help prop up content on the channel.

An announcement in relation to the new channel 9 service could be made any day now, according to commentary this week on Sky News’ Media Week program which airs at 2.30pm on Thursdays.

But the most profound statement to come out of the show was this, apparently said by Kim Gyngel, the CEO of channel 9:

“If the new channel does not rate twice as well as 10’s ONE, I will resign”.

Yes, that’s right, Gyngel states he will resign if 9’s second channel does not rate DOUBLE what ONE HD does for Ten.

Quite a bold statement considering how 9 have been rating generally in past weeks. But then again, to most, the programming on the second channel will appear more appealing and most likely (well, actually almost certainly) more stable than that on the main channel.

Channel 7 are yet to announce anything about their 2^nd channel other than they hope to have something happening later in the year.

Dance Academy, ABC TV’s new 26-part, half-hour children’s drama series started shooting in Sydney today.

Joining the all Australian cast is Tara Morice (Strictly Ballroom); AFI nominee for Best Young Actor, Tom Green; Dena Kaplan (Flight of the Conchords); Tim Pocock (X-Men Origins: Wolverine); and the 2009 Logie nominee for Best New Talent, Jordan Rodrigues.

Dance Academy is the story of 15-year-old, Tara Webster, (played by newcomer Xenia Goodwin) who has grown up on a farm in outback Australia and has always dreamt of becoming a dancer. When she makes it into the National Academy of Dance – the best school in the country – she is sure her life will change spectacularly.

Auditions were held this year in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The chosen cast display an extraordinary ability in dance and drama and will perform routines with some of Australia’s top choreographers.

The series is being produced by Joanna Werner’s (H20: Just  Add Water, The Elephant Princess) production company, Werner Film Productions, for ABC TV and ZDF (Germany) and will premiere on ABC1 and ABC3 next year.

Dance Academy producer, Joanna Werner, said: “I am excited to be starting the shoot for Dance Academy today and I am delighted the series will screen on ABC TV.  After years of development and months of casting we have now assembled a fabulous cast and crew to help realize this exciting new teen drama.”

ABC TV’s Childrens Head of Commissioning and Development, Carla De Jong, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the calibre of talent, both off and on screen. Dance Academy has been in development with ABC TV for just over a year and we very much look forward to sharing this landmark series with our audience.”