Don Burke and Nine part ways

EXCLUSIVE: Don Burke and the Nine Network have again parted company.

It follows a number of ‘seasonal’ specials featuring the award-winning gardener slated by Nine over autumn, summer and spring.

A Nine spokesperson told TV Tonight, “There will be no specials with Don at this point in time.”

Don Burke meanwhile remains committed to his passion for gardening on television. He told TV Tonight he was available to chat with other networks.

“My passion for making quality TV programs is and will always be a priority and should Nine or in fact any network approach me for a new series the welcome mat is out and the door is open for discussion,” said Don.

The on again, off again specials with Nine follow a claim in 2006 that the gardening genre had been ‘exhausted.’ But after Jamie Durie found success with Australia’s Best Backyard on Seven, Nine went head to head with unaired episodes of Backyard Blitz. They did good enough business for Burke and Nine to reconvene for seasonal specials -the first airing on a Sunday in September 2007 snared 1.5m viewers and defeated Durie’s rival show.

Significantly, Nine didn’t include Burke in its 2008 slate announcement, but it did air a Rebuilding Paradise special in March which attracted 779,000 on a Friday, against Better Homes and Gardens (1.2m).

Meanwhile Burke remains committed to his passion for gardening via his magazine and CTC Productions empire, boasting a stellar track record as a lifestyle pioneer which dates back to 1987.

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