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Axed: House Husbands

Exclusive: Nine domestic drama officially ends amid calls to remove a funding cap on 65 episodes.

EXCLUSIVE: Nine has officially confirmed the end for Logie-winning drama House Husbands after 5 seasons.

The Playmaker Media series starring Gary Sweet, Firass Dirani, Rhys Muldoon and Julia Morris, last aired in April 2017, although production concluded in mid-2016.

Nine had explored the possibility of a spin-off around Gary Sweet’s Lewis Crabb but opted not to proceed, concluding with 58 episodes. But it also pointed towards the challenges of producing Drama under current funding models.

House Husbands had a great run over five seasons, and it certainly could continue with the numbers it was getting,” Nine Network Program Director Hamish Turner told TV Tonight.

“However, there is no question the 65 episode cap on the Producer Offset is a major financial hurdle for all long-running dramas. Hopefully that restriction will change.”

It follows recent confirmation that another Nine / Playmaker drama, Love Child, would also not be returning.

Love Child was still performing strongly for us through to season 4, and it continues to be extremely popular on 9Now. We love the show, but we’re also satisfied that the storylines have come to a natural conclusion after a great run,” Turner said.

Industry concerns around funding increases after 65 episodes persist, as shows lose a rebate and effectively cost 20% more. Other shows ending around 65 episodes include Sea Patrol, Rush and Dance Academy, while Offspring -which had initially ended under the same cap- managed a return in 2017.

Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, said, “The 65-hour cap is an arbitrary and perverse disincentive for success. A sustainable industry relies on long-running productions that provide certainty in employment, skills development and investment. Market conditions have changed since the cap was introduced. To grow a sustainable television industry, this cap should be removed.”

A recent government inquiry into the Australian film and television industry recommended removing the 65 hour cap on television series accessing the offset.

16 Responses

  1. Such a shame. House Husbands was one of the best TV shows on Channel Nine. It was funny, relatable and the children were adorable. I believe that a Crabb family spinoff would have been just as entertaining, if not more. I’m sure it has been replaced with yet another reality TV show that no one cares about. What a disappointment.

  2. Look it doesnt surprise me but I am a little disappointed. I did enjoy this show. I liked the storylines and the characters. It’s a shame that is another Aussie drama gone.

    I also think the kids on the show made it enjoyable. They were adorable.

    Feel for the actors and crew and everyone else involved who have lost there jobs.

  3. If a drama series is highly successful, the networks should be able to pay to make it after 65 episodes without rebates. Why should the taxpayers continue to subsidise popular shows that are earning advertising revenue for their networks?

  4. When drama is on the increase everywhere in the world & the streaming services crying out for new product, we in Australia have a funding model that limits production. What a great idea.

  5. So, that’s why there is an abundance of reality TV, because there is just no point in producing scripted TV in Australia. Thanks which ever government implemented this and and whichever government hasn’t overturned it.

  6. Australian drama is an endangered species on commercial networks. When Big Brother kicked off the reality tv crazy in 2001, many predicted reality would have a short shelf life. Unfortunately it has gone from strength to strength with no end in sight and buried drama in its wake.

  7. really who is really that surprised with this decision…… Knowing also that Julia Morris is in two channel ten shows that should have been a give away

  8. The cap is there clearly to encourage new drama rather than the same returning series, and 65 eps is generally 5 x 13 episodes, so a decent run anyway.

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