Will Sideliners return?

 

Amongst the recent ABC shows yet to be confirmed as returning in 2018 is sports panel show Sideliners.

Featuring Nicole Livingstone, Tegan Higginbotham and Amberley Lobo, it debuted in July in a surprising 6pm Friday timeslot.

ABC Director of TV David Anderson recently told TV Tonight, “Sideliners really had a focus on Women in Sport.

“We had it at 6-7 because we were looking for family co-viewing with a lighthearted feel to lead into the 7pm News.

“In its form it didn’t really work. It didn’t hold its audience and didn’t do its job, so we finished that run,” he said.

While no decision has been made, Anderson is keeping his options open.

“It doesn’t mean we won’t go back and revisit Sideliners again,” he explained.

“I think it wanted a later timeslot and to take us to places, but couldn’t because of where it was airing.”

So what about primetime on Fridays, given ABC has now axed The Link? The key concern there is it would compete with actual sporting events.

“We have plans for Friday night next year,” Anderson said.

“There will be first-run Australian-commissioned content sitting in that slot next year.”