Axed: The Living Room
Exclusive: 10 ends its lifestyle show after 8 seasons -but the hosts will be back in 2020.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News, Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE: Network 10 has axed The Living Room ending a run of 8 lifestyle seasons, anchored on Friday nights.
However in a surprise twist, the four hosts -Amanda Keller, Chris Brown, Miguel Maestre and Barry Du Bois- will return in the same slot in 2020.
A Network 10 spokesperson told TV Tonight, “The Living Room will not return in 2020.
“We are thrilled that the brilliant team of Amanda, Barry, Miguel and Chris will be back at 7.30 on Friday nights next year, watch this space for more information.”
The lifestyle program produced by WTFN began in 2012 with a 30 episode run in 2012 up against the juggernaut that is Better Homes & Gardens and addressed a revolving door of shows in a challenging Friday night slot.
The Living Room added a studio audience, humour and couch chat to the genre and found a weekly following.
By 2015 it had increased to 42 episodes a year and snatched the Most Popular Lifestyle Program at the Logie Awards -winning it four times in a row.
It boosted the popularity of its 4 presenters, appearing in several other shows including I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Sunday Night Take Away and Dancing with the Stars.
Viewers also extended massive support to Barry Du Bois when he revealed a battle with cancer.
But as television increasingly fragments, costs have undoubtedly risen while ratings have dipped, now drawing anywhere from 330,000 – 400,000 viewers.
The axing also comes despite 10 confirming the show for 2020 at its recent Upfronts.
It isn’t clear what plans 10 has for the 4 presenters in 2020 -whether as part of a lifestyle show produced in-house to reduce costs- or as part of a bigger network production in a completely different genre….
The final episode is due to screen on Friday December 20.
38 Responses
Was wondering why Amanda didn’t say see you next year the other night. They’ve all seemed a bit subdued lately too so I guess something was up.
This is so sad and so confusing I love The Living Room it’s the only lifestyle show I watch. And I don’t get it, they are all back together hosting a show but it isn’t the Living Room? Makes no sense I feel like channel 10 is having a breakdown!
Pretty shocked when i saw this considering this show is the only one that has come close to the comp on Fri nights. I hope what ever that have planned for them is good and not some crap show
. I’m glad they are all staying together as they present well as a team.
Also a shame that channel 10 did mention them back in 2020 in their upfront and even had the living room supporting the entire network on their powerpoint :)~
https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/2020-upfronts-10-five-bedrooms-masked-singer-dwts-renewed.html
Maybe they’ll front a Domestic Blitz revival for friday nights. Would stand out more against competitors more but the very low lead in from The Project hasn’t helped The Living Room’s ratings.
Doesn’t help Friday night is a revolving door of presenters on The Project.
Its a revolving door on every Project night that’s one of the things that makes it so interesting. And it’s not a lame, low lead in. But remember it is Friday – it’s not a major home in front of the tv night.