Former network execs on the comeback

Former Nine, Seven and ABC execs are on the comeback trail according to a report in The Australian.

Andrew Backwell, previously Nine’s managing director of Programming and Production is to do some consulting work for Seven.

Backwell most recently worked as  Head Of Unscripted at Playmaker and consulting for MediaWorks NZ, but has previously worked at Seven including as executive producer on Popstars.

“Seven has been number one for 12 consecutive years, so after spending 14 years at Nine, it’s a matter of … if you can’t beat them, join them,” he said.

He told TV Tonight he is Cannes-bound joining Seven Head of Programming Angus Ross at MIPTV, where he spent numerous trips representing Nine.

Meanwhile former Seven director of network production Brad Lyons has also been spotted meeting various networks. The newspaper suggests he is in talks to form an alliance with Richard Finlayson, ABC’s former director of television.

Lyons left Seven at the end of 2017 after 20 years with the company overseeing productions including My Kitchen Rules, Dancing with the Stars, House Rules, The Amazing Race Australia, Beauty & the Geek, First Dates and more.

Finlayson departed ABC in March 2017 after 3 years.