Channel TEN will reverse its decision to air Australian Idol this year according to a feature story in today’s Daily Telegraph.
The newspaper claims the show will be “rested” this year despite it being announced as part of the network’s 2010 line-up.
“TEN is going to rest Australian Idol for 2010. They will make a decision towards the end of 2010 as to whether it will return in 2011,” an unnamed source said. “They have asked Fremantle for ideas on how to relaunch in 2011.”
Last year was Idol‘s softest year on record with Sunday night figures barely cracking the 1m margin.
1.47m viewers tuned in to see Stan Walker crowned the show’s winner, down from 1.6m in 2008. The show’s peak era was when Casey Donovan pipped Anthony Callea in 2004 when 3.34m tuned in.
In October Australian Idol was featured as part of the network’s 2010 Programme Launch. While there has already been speculation about who may or may not return as part of the Idol franchise, TEN has refused to comment on the report.
None of the judges have been renewed for the show yet.
In a poll on TV Tonight, 17% of readers voted to replace Jay Dee Springbett, 6% Marcia Hines and just 2% for Andew Gunsberg and 1% for Dicko.
But while 10% voted to get rid of them all, a whopping 63% voted to get rid of the show entirely.
Some readers have suggested a return to a rejuvenated X Factor, which allows for different groups rather than solo singers. Yesterday the Seven Network also announced the 4th season of Australia’s Got Talent.
The reality show has been a “tentpole” part of the network’s programming for seven years. The loss of Idol to TEN will create a major hole to the network’s Sunday programming, particularly after the added exit of Rove. Complicating matters, this year’s Commonwealth Games also falls in the middle of the traditional Idol season, but the boost from the Games may in turn become part of the solution to the network’s final quarter.
As MasterChef proved in replacing Big Brother, major change also brings opportunity. Could TEN move Junior MasterChef to Sundays to make up the difference?
Source: Daily Telegraph
Having had a read through, I reckon the following would work well:
6:30 – Aussie Sitcom (or Your Gen, whichever suits)
7:30 – UK X Factor/American Idol
9:30 – WeekReview (Something like Newstopia)
10:00 – Sunday Night Couch (Similar to Rove crossed with Sunday Night Project)
Ten should increase the cut off age to 35…
This shows needs around a 5 to 10 year break before returning.They have been scraping the bottom of the barrel for to long
I can’t believe how may people are singing Kyle Sandilands praises. This low life was not the reason Idol declined in ’09. It has been a gradual decline ever since the second season ended. Kyle was horrible on that Idol, all he did was comment on how fat people were on stage and their bad dress sense. Is that what makes an Idol judge? I think not.
His experience in the music industry is dubious other than the fact he is a shock jock. He even tried to start a record label with his girlfriend as the star client? Didn’t she have a fantastic career? In case you didn’t get the sarcasm the answer is no. It was a good move to dump Kyle from Idol, and its a good idea to dump idol because the format is stale.
ten should just play the american idol season in its place but cut out all the bulls**t and eliminations. this would make up free space for the cw games
This is a couple of horrid seasons overdue, what a rubbish show. How shows like this keep getting air-time when ridiculously great shows like Mad Men, 30 Rock and Studio 60 get shown on 3% stations, terrible time-slots or not at all is beyond me. Standards have fallen so so much, people dont know what good shows actually are any more. Time to get the old box sets of West Wing and Studio 60 out instead of having Ten programmed into my TV.
Thank goodness Idol has gone (for the time being at least)
2009 Idol was a yawn, embarrassing to watch, boring judges, untalented contestants and worst of all that truly dreadful format …Ugh
I think resting Idol is the best thing to do this year. Maybe for 2011 they could have the cut off age at 31. So the people who turn 30 this year don’t miss out.
I am sad that Idol won’t air this year. However I hope that it returns stronger and better than ever in 2011, perhaps a shift to the start of the year, biggest loser middle, and storm home with masterchef? New Judges are a must. Being able to vote free online is also needed.
I really hope Micallef gets a Parkinson style show for Sunday nights…
@Timmuh:
MasterChef? That was a pretty darn good show to watch.
@David:
My bad – this was what I was thinking of: “There is some speculation that 2010 may see the ‘concept’ return in some form.”
Timmuh : I feel this argument is not going to win you over but crane a look at the current series of Survivor that’s showing. That’s a show that still delivers drama and excitement in the genre.
And “reality” TV still refuses to die. Has there ever been one even vaguely watchable show in the genre?
I hope TEN dont use Junior MC to fill Idols spot. People will get sick of MC fast and I dont want that to happen, and neither should the network.
PS: I don’t think this was a new decision. I think showing it as part of the 2010 promo package was so as not to have “Idol is over” headlines before the series ended, which has a history of hurting ratings as a show comes to an end.
So Ten no longer have: Big Brother; Thank God You’re Here; Idol; Rove.
What do they have left? Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation. That’s a great show, but it’s a huge fall from former heights.
I do not envy them their 2010.
Hooray!!
@Avid – I doubt Nine would spend the big money needed for BB to air it on a channel with such a small audience. Personally I think its only hope would be if Ten decides to revive it in the future (2011 maybe, if they are desperate). I don’t think Nine is interested and Seven simply doesn’t need it.
There were reports after Big Brother ended in 2008 that Nine was looking at it (albeit in a different format). Wouldn’t this be the perfect addition to GO!? Fits their demos and they have plenty of hours that need to be filled.
Alot of the success from these shows come from the judges – not just the contestants.
Look at Simon Cowell. Look at Sharon Osbourne. Look at Piers Morgan.
Hell, look at Dicko or Kyle. Even bloody Mark Holden (as corny as he was, the touchdowns were a big part of the show).
It’s not just about the raw talent any more, it’s about the whole experience.
Sorry, but Marcia and Jay Dee should go. Zero personality, useless commentary. You want judges that are going to say things, you need viewers wondering to themselves “what are the judged going to say/do this week?”. That is what makes the viewing experience.
The public don’t want the same thing over and over again and there is only so much you can do the format. It is the judges that the most changing.
big brother! big brother! big brother! big brother! big brother! it’s time!!!
over 50 comments and not one person seems they will miss it. i think we can judge that they made the right decision. but why would they return it? how many shows in the last decade have ‘taken a year off’ and actually returned. whatever replaces it cannot do much worse than idol so i’d say that we have seen the last of it.
it’s just a shame they didn’t say this before season 7 ended. it could have gone out on big ratings if it was promoted as the last ever episode.
*Mac does a little dance…that lasts ages*
George TEN didn’t say anything about reviving BB or about a big new entertainment format. What you are remembering is a search for new future formats within the industry. But nothing was confirmed.
That’s one less annoying promo that will saturate every ad break on 10. Current and usual suspects are Biggest Loser ..er…first look, that annoying rhythm of life so you think you can dance. What is it with 10 and just being so annoyingly repetitive with their stock music and ads. If looks could kill (Ah yes, the 2010 theme tune), then please look directly at me so I don’t have to hear that song ever ever again.
Didn’t TEN say they were going to revive Big Brother in 2010? And also didn’t they say they were going to be launching a new ‘big entertainment’ format in the next year? I’m going to assume that their plans to fix up their Sundays with the loss of Rove and Idol is a new show paired up with a relaunch of Big Brother.. Kinda like how the Biggest Loser and Dance have been paired up. It might do good to give Idol a break, and then in 2011 actually get some Life into the show. Bigger stage, maybe move the show to Melbourne, better judges, and get Andrew and Ricki-Lee’s roles better organised for them. This year they were getting there, but it still felt pretty sloppy between the two of them.
Bring back Big Brother
you got to laugh when people bag other people for bagging their favorite show. maybe if those people should take off those rose coloured glasses and realize how bad their favorite show is.idol is terrible
Interesting read. All those opinions just saying pretty much the same: ‘If I don’t like it they shouldn’t be allowed to show it.’
@Francis, regarding your comments about show about families who can do nothing wrong, did you miss the whole controversy about the erotic dreams the boys from Packed to the Rafters had that a lot of people up in arms last year?.
This is a good idea, I hope the rest of the channels can do this, and start producing some good local content. I hope Ten doesn’t start to import reality shows from overseas.
X-factor, Idol, you still need Mark Holden.
Probably for the best. The rest could mean the series won’t meet the end that Big Brother did.
Big Brother time? I hope so!!
dicko said that he hasn’t been contacted by ten in regards to idol, you would think they would have the courtesy to at least tell the judge’s that it wont be returning this year rather than just leave them in the dark.
who would have though that people wouldn’t be interested in a show where the winner makes on or two song and then is never heard from again. lol
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Instead of resting it can’t they axe it completely?
If this is true I’m sad but not surprised. What does surprise me is that ‘It’s A Knockout’ has been suggested as a revamped show for ten. Why? What train of thought goes from singing to giant foam hammers hitting people? As for Junior Masterchef I don’t see the point. Who cares if a kid likes to cook? With all the other cooking shows popping up on other stations Channel 10 needs to stick to the original Masterchef and trust in its proven success and loyal fans.
I do wish Ten would bring back Big Brother..
As a suggestion to Ten, how about adopting the Celebrity Hijack format used once in the UK where celebrities take on the role of Big Brother and normal people enter the house as housemates to be ordered around by these celebrities?? That could work just as long as Kyle Sandilands isn’t involved.
Not sure what to make of this. I have watched every series, but sometimes when watching it I thought it would be best if they gave it a rest rather than having it on year after year.
Strange, considering Andrew G announced it would be back though.
Sigh.. if only they’d get rid of The Biggest Loser as well (or just the trainers, as I really prefer Bob and Jillian, whereas I think Shannan and Michelle have brought it down). Not really a fan of Masterchef either. Actually.. just get rid of all the reality shows!
Though I was a fan of Big Brother, mostly when Peter Abbott was in charge.
Guys I realise it’s a passionate topic but please mind the length of comments.
Ever since Popstars began all those years ago, manufactured pop stars rarely gained long standing fame with the only exceptions being Guy Sebastian & Jessica Mauboy. Many of the singers had dubious contracts which meant even though they won, they wouldn’t gain much profit. Once this became obvious, people just used these shows as cheap exposure for example Cosima De Vito & the school teacher last year who opportunistically left the shows abruptly to pursue their careers independently.
There was so much backlash in the UK towards manufactured pop stars that an internet Facebook campaign encouraged people to download Rage Against The Machine’s 1992 hit single “Killing In The Name” so as to defeat the UK X-Factor winner Joe McElderry to the #1 spot for the coveted Christmas #1 single in which the anti-X-Factor campaign prevailed.
Regarding Idol, Marcia Hines was only touting those she was sympathetic with and the only thing that the show had going for it in the end was Kyle Sandilands commentary which shows just how low the Idol viewership had stooped. It was subsequently Hillsong fans that remained watching the show in the end.
The recording contracts and SMS voting systems were just cash cows for the record labels and show producers. As long as someone behind the scenes is out to make a quick buck, I doubt there will be any more appeal for manufactured pop idol shows in the future.
Hamish and Andy with Sean Micallif show for Sunday nights in 2010? Me likey very!
Hardly a surprise this news, the last couple of years ratings have been soft and in these economic times it really makes no sence..
SYTYCD is next in my opionion – 2010 will be the beginning of the end.
When i read this this morning i thought its about time. As for other ideas, placing Junior MasterChef on isnt a bad idea but TEN be warned Seven have a cooking show too and with your MC then another spin off to the MC series people may get stale of this format very quickly. I loved the original MC and then when they did the Celebrity version i turned off because it wasnt the same.
I was one of the knockers of MC early on but as i watched it i wanted more. As long as that stupid Vote Off is eliminated from the process and replaced with a judges verdict instead it will make for awesome viewing.
So replacements for idol? Big Brother anyone? No seriously i agree with Francis why not try an Aussie Sitcom again. Not a sketch show these dont work, a good Aussie sitcom would be perfect for TEN. Other ideas i love X Factor and if TEN fast tracked that from the UK it would be fantastic however a local version would also be good but then again its to do with singing again. So people would probably wane at it like they have with Idol.
I can see Ten’s year like this: Start off ok, strengthen with MC then slip again until the Comm Games are on for 2 weeks then slip by the wayside again. TEN need more than just what they have. Its time to target the older audiences as well now. Otherwise you are going to fall in a heap. The problem with TEN is they lack good content across the board. They have NCIS, Generation, Glee, Loser, SVU, MasterChef and House but the rest really isnt that crash hot. Rove is no more and that stupid 7pm Project needs to be shown the door. We will wait and see but i see Seven taking the year from Nine maybe a closer 2nd and TEN third. Things wont change much in 2010.
If this is true, it’s the best news in a long time! Why flog a dead horse?
Great news that this tripe has been given the axe. One of Ten’s best moves in a long time
thank god for that. to many hillsong rejects have been on this show and that’s what 10 and the producers look for in the talent wise. the show is terrible and it’s not even close to being anything like the american version.. they should axe it all together
x factor won’t work., well it certainly didn’t work last time and all it will be is a sad spinn off of idol
Probably a good decision.
Given the level of public enthusiam for the show in 09 there is really not that much of a hole in the schedule. It was only on for 2 hours a week. Big Brother left a much larger hole and was very successfully filled. With the MasterChef period for promotion whatever they choose to put there could be very successfully if it is original.
It was a serious mistake to fire Kyle. The show was dead boring without him.
As an avid Idol/X Factor fan Im really not surprised nor bothered at this decision. Last season was a real let down, I would be quite happy for them to fast track X Factor from the UK on the Sun/Mon night. It would save me from downloading it.
Could they bring back It’s a Knockout in the Sunday night slot. It would be great to bring it back as maybe a family event where families from each state competes against each other.
Another show that would be great to bring on Oz TV would be The Friday/Sunday night project. Its a show similar in vain to Rove however each week is a different guest host, so one week you might have Delta Goodrem, the next Dicko, followed by Kate Ritchie etc and they have two regular comedy side kicks that keep the show moving.
Sunday Night
7.30: Its a Knockout
9.30: The Sunday Night Project (renamed, as a little to similar to 7pm project)
No, TEN wasn’t reviewing YTT. It was an inteview with Johnny Young who was pushing for it and I heard he has since corrected some of the finer points.
It’s safe to bet TEN hasn’t made this decision without a Plan B already underway. Wonder if Shaun Micallef configures anywhere in this…..
I’m starting to wonder whether the same thing might happen to So You Think You Can Dance in the next couple of years. It suffers from the same problems as Idol, in that it’s basically exactly the same thing served up week after week, year after year, and that despite the extremely high-quality promotion it’s not really very interesting to watch. I suspect people will get bored of it sooner rather than later.
I think that as its reality formats begin to die off, Ten will have to realise that it is a big risk to build so much of its schedule around a few franchises. The good thing about this strategy is that it creates a consistency and reliability in its schedule that is completely missing from Seven and Nine, but it leaves them extremely vulnerable when fickle audiences suddenly decide they’re not interested in the shows anymore.
Fantastic news – give it a rest, if they must – re vamp it & bring it back, new judges, new look, new feel.
If 10 have a “hole” late in the year – why don’t they fast track X Factor UK, with the time difference they could play it on Sun & Mon nights.
Even though AGT is confirmed as back, Im not sure about the judges.
If 7 do AGT second half of the year, Dannii normally does X Factor from May or June & from Oct – Dec – though they may squeeze it in in between the auditions being filmed & the live shows airing in the UK!
I believe ch10 should come up with an origianl comedy sitcom for 2010.
I think it should air sunday nights where idol was.
A really good sitcom with a great cast is what australian is gagging for. Like Mother and Son in the past or Kingswood Country, Australian’s a dying for another sitcom.
Get rid of all these stupid Australian cop dramas and sitcoms about feel good families who can do nothing wrong.
Put on a comedy sitcom not a sketch show or a send up of a reality show and ch10 will have a huge market on there hands.
Look at Kath and Kim. It’s a situation comedy and people love it. Look at the raitings for kath and kim on channel 7…huge!!!
Come on channel 10. You screen all those American sitcoms “Accidently on Purpose”, “Rules of Engagement”, yet you never seem to want to screen any of your own ideas…come on!!
I totally agree with resting idol for the year. It’s a good decision.
It’s like Kath and Kim. They’ve rested it for a year and will come back with huge raitings as people are waiting to see them.
If it was on every year people would get bored and just give up but a resting a show that has been popular in the past will surely get the old fans back as they’ll realise what they’re missing
If I remember rightly, Ten was looking at reviving Young Talent Time back in October. I’m tipping we’ll get an announcement, within days, that YTT’s back (final run at Nunawading angle perhaps), and Idol’s being rested.
As for 9AM, just hand it back to the individual stations…
What’s on ten in 2010? Seriously. No Rove. No Idol. Please ditch Masterchef 2!
This post just made my day. There is a TV god!
Good on them! It needs a rest this year, otherwise it risks saturation, I think more people will tune in to a 2011 idol, feeling it has been adequately rested and refreshed.
Does AGT returning mean no Red Symons for Hey Hey?
They should do Idol one year, and Big Brother the next, and so on to keep both formats fresh and interesting.
Great decision, now maybe they can make some good dramas and sitcoms this year.
Channel 9 were quite happy to announce this this morning on the Today show. Not sure why they are so happy, where will they source this years Carols By Candlelight singers from!?
Yeah, that’s a great idea, saturate the schedule with versions of Masterchef. After all, that worked for Nine and the various chef Ramsay shows, didn’t it?
Ten really do like to run shows that dominate their schedule, every time you switch over to Ten there’s the reality show du jour, grinding away. Big Bother, or Oidul, and more lately Masterchef.
Good. Now can they do a backflip on the 7pm Project?
thank god for that!
Seven seasons and they haven’t had a winner who’s become successful, yeah I think its high time for a “rest”!
I do not belive that Junior MasterChef will be able to get the rating they need. By the time the real version is over, people will not want a lesser version. Celebrity MasterChef went well, but as people said, they want to see everyday people, not celebrities or niche markets.
I wonder if TEN read all the Idol comments on TVTonight to influence their decision. With all the negative comments, and many many comments telling them how to improve it, it hasnt left them with much time for a full overhaul, and getting it approved by 19 and Freemantle.
X factor all the way. Look how ITV have turned that into a juggernaut in the UK.
If this report is true, Ch10 has lost it 1st Major Draw. ..And they are already at panic stations pulling 6shows in the last 3weeks in an Off-Season!. This Year is gonna be very ugly for Ch10!
*Grins* Late last year TEN begged Kyle to come back for the next one. Of course he turned them down. And this is the result. If Kyle had returned this year they would have had the hype to get the viewers back. Now the show is just limp.
Maybe next time they’ll treat their employees a bit better and stand behind them, instead of bowing to hysterical media and public backlash.
The first year did unearth a talent in Guy,who stills has a good career,and some have had some success………The show was a good way too find unknown talent and some who didnt even win have careers now,but mainly the ones from first few years..Shannon,Anthony,Ricki Lee,Pauline,Jessica,Damien.The last few years no real talent came out of the show.Oh and if story in Telegraph newspaper is actually right………rested in 2010 and might return in 2011,if it does return in 2011 it needs total makeover………..new judges and format l hope
Oh wait I didn’t see you already mentioned that in the article
Appropriate given that lead in the current poll is:
“# Jus ditch the whole show (63%)”
Probably a good move. Comm games take most of its usual slot anyway. 2010 is going to be a turbulant year for Ten.
If Ch10 faces a ‘major hole’ in its 2010 schedule due to resting this “tentpole” programme, there is something seriously wrong with the forward planning in its Programming Dept. Blind Freddy could have told them what TVT’s straw poll has indicated: it is past its use-by date. Why not start planning its replacement earlier instead of continually thrashing a dead format? Surely David Mott has alternatives on his whiteboard?
Now lets hope they reverse the decision on keeping the 7pm project!