News, Top Stories Archive:
Looking for the magic touch
TEN’s line up for 2009 includes more factual series than ever, returning favourites and new international content. After a disappointing 2008, especially in the second half, TEN will need the magic touch to win back loyal viewers.
The network made the announcement today as part of a three day tour across the country.
Headlining the announcement is the acquisition of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Cooking show MasterChef Australia will replace Big Brother across a 7pm timeslot mid year.
Another 7pm strip show is yet to be announced.
The new locally produced factual shows include …
The race that tops the nation
It was the week a Pay TV spokesperson called broadcaster feuding “juvenile” while another exec wanted better inclusion at the digital switch table, a TEN programmer conceded it had massive timeslot problems, Nine axed production staff, Sonia Kruger was criticised for an on air joke, a former soap star said he didn’t really enjoy soaps, belated guide amendments left viewers confused, an ABC journo pleads guilty to charges in Singapore, drug charges against a Seven personality were dropped, Seven revisits its C7 case against Pay television, the ABC launches its new …
Airdate: Forbes 20 Under 25: Young Rich and Famous
Some will say it’s the power of the web. Others will say it’s just another network amendment. Either way, Channel TEN is no longer screening the American version of Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
At least not on November 20th it isn’t. Any further than that and we’ll just have to wait and see.
When TV Tonight ran the news just three days ago, it wasn’t in very complimentary terms. Readers agreed that the idea to follow the Rove-hosted series with the American version was a baffling choice.
Maybe Programmers heard and …
TV Forums report card
Since the advent of online, television fans have had ways of letting networks know what they think. No more writing letters to newspapers, it’s as easy as logging onto a network website anonymously and speaking your mind.
TV Tonight has been looking at how our networks embrace free and open discussion. Here’s how they stacked up.
ABC:
Within the ABC site there are individual show pages, many of which have open forums. Shows including Enough Rope, Compass, Can We Help?, At The Movies, Life at 3, Good Game, Media Watch, Spicks and Specks and …
Airdate: Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader (US)?
TEN deserves to go to the bottom of the class and try harder with news it is planning to slug us with the American version of Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
What were they thinking?
The show, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, is due to replace the local Aussie version starring Rove McManus from 7:30pm Thursday November 20. It might be nearly summer, but this isn’t even a good idea for non-ratings.
How does this help the local version? It just creates unnecessary comparisons, and tires people of the franchise a lot quicker. …
Returning: CSI: Miami. Bumped: Rugby World Cup (Vic)
Channel Nine is pushing the telecast of its Rugby League World Cup game this Sunday on GTV9 from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. There is no change to TCN9 or QTQ9.
Instead it will bring CSI: Miami back at 8:30pm with “All In” (S6E16) and follow with a repeat at 9:30pm.
Last night the game attracted just 158,000 viewers in Melbourne and 900,000 viewers nationally, beaten by Dancing with the Stars and Rove. Nine also lost its prized Sunday crown to Seven, although it was first in 18-49 and 25-54. TEN won 16-39.
The semi final …
Packered by the Rafters
It was the week the Packer family parted ways with Nine causing David Gyngell to vow to prove James Packer wrong, TEN announced a new channel, Pay TV launched another three, Minister Stephen Conroy signalled support for increased ABC & SBS funding, commercial networks (briefly) found a conscience but upset David Leckie, WIN sat down at the gambling table, Kath & Kim (US) got a greenlight for a full season, Andrew Denton announced the end of Enough Rope, David Tennant set his exit from his iconic role, Rove visited …
Airdate: Hamish & Andy Re-Gifted
They are unstoppable on radio, so TEN will repackage some of Hamish and Andy’s best bits for a 2008 special to air at 7:30pm Wednesday November 19.
Hamish and Andy Re-Gifted sees replays of their “party marathon”, Beijing stopover, and towing a caravan from Adelaide to Darwin on Rove.
What’s the bet if it rates everyone will reconsider giving the boys more to do in 2009? That’s assuming they aren’t already…
Press Release:
Can’t get enough of Hamish & Andy? Catch this wrap up of all the crazy antics the boys got up to on …
Rove season finale in Sydney
Rove’s final edition for 2008 will be broadcast live from Sydney on Sunday November 16.
They’ve locked in some impressive guests for the big finish too.
Daniel Craig, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and a performance by Snow Patrol -all promised on the couch. None too shabby there…
The finale will be a full 90 minutes, concluding at 10pm.
Other forthcoming guests include:
Nov 2
Chris Isaak
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Hamish & Andy (with their update on their Caravan of Courage)
And a performance by End of Fashion!
No 9
Rob Schneider
Ronan Keating
Hamish & Andy stories from the Caravan of Courage trip
Boyzone - …
Rove meets Leno #3
In tonight’s episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, you can catch Rove McManus in his third appearance on the show.
Both times he has appeared, Rove and Leno have hit it off very well, with some speculation he is seeking his own US show. He even scored a line in Variety on that front…
Of his latest visit Rove reckons this is about as good as it gets.
“I have been waiting for the right time to come back over and as soon as I saw the Aussie dollar hit 62c I …
ONE HD bumps TEN HD into limbo
TEN’s “science fiction Thursday”, Neighbours catch-up, timeshifted News and documentaries on TEN HD could become a thing of the past with confirmation that there is no contingency plan announced alongside the launch of ONE HD.
TEN HD will continue on air until April when it is overtaken by TEN’s 24hr sports channel ONE HD. The current home of TEN HD, Channel 12, will broadcast the sports content in standard definition.
That leaves Smallville and other fan favourites in television limbo. Other shows including Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, One Tree Hill, Friday Night Lights …
Gallery: What we nearly missed at the ARIAs
ARIAs night belonged to Gabriella Cilmi and The Presets, in a very straight-laced event.
Pity Nick Cave wasn’t there to ruffle a few feathers.
Rove managed a cute “subliminal” dig just towards the end. But if you didn’t blink there were a few live telly moments worth another mention….