0/5

What show best represents a network’s DNA?

TV Tonight recently asked programmers to nominate the show that best represents them.

As part of this year’s 10th Programming Wrap, TV Tonight recently asked programmers which show of the last decade best represents their network DNA?

Here’s what they said…

Michael Carrington, Director of Entertainment & Specialist, ABC: You Can’t Ask That.

“You Can’t Ask That has really resonated very strongly with audiences and it’s unique. It’s done extremely well in selling that format abroad and Australian audiences love it. It’s the quirkiest show that represents what the ABC can do best. Representing Australians.”

Angus Ross, Network Director of Programming, Seven: My Kitchen Rules

“The game-changing show during that period was My Kitchen Rules. It became the biggest show on television. It made major stars of the chefs involved. It became a cultural phenomenon, even becoming known as MKR. It’s still an important show for us to this day. The format sold around the world, and the success of that show pushed us to develop House Rules. So in terms of hours in the schedule, what it did for ratings and revenue, I think it was pretty brand-defining during those 10 years.”

Hamish Turner, Nine Programming Director: The Block

“At its heart The Block feels very much like a Nine show. It was one of the first to have a gay couple. It’s a big family friendly show, with the dissection of relationships, whether that be husband & wife, father and daughter or best friends. And it’s the great Aussie dream to own your own home, or building one. It talks to a lot of the driving factors of Australian life.”

Daniel Monaghan, 10 Director of Programming: The Project

“The Project represents our DNA perfectly. It’s news but it’s different. It’s fresh. It has a great cast of core talent, it’s brilliantly made. It’s entirely our DNA.”

Ben Nguyen, SBS Channel Director, SBS: The Hunting

“I think the story of SBS over the last 10 years is in part of the story of our increased move back into Drama. The Hunting was just so successful for us. It really resonated with audiences and it told a story from multiple perspectives, including white Australians and migrant Australians. It showed how issues around the illegal sharing of images can transcend who we are as Australians, impact everyone, and the ripple effects of that.”

10 Responses

  1. Would love to have seen Ten say HYBPA? I’m expecting that and the stars to get screwed over with the logies now that Ten have a limit on the amount of people they can nominate.

    1. Why would he change his answer?
      The question is ‘which show of the last decade best represents…’
      MKR was number 1 for a long time and deserves that answer.

      1. I agree as well. The question actually was ‘which show of the last decade best represents their network DNA?’. MKR personifies Network Seven as a smug, bitchy network that shows contempt for the viewer.

          1. I agree, however, it was Seven that said it represented their DNA. The only honest responses I see above from networks are SBS, ABC and 10, which recognise the values as opposed to ratings and success.

      2. Well, it wasn’t a genre buster like the block. It was a straight up rip off of master chef. It shows their DNA is about stealing elements of successful shows and driving it into the ground.

        As with all TV shows, MKR will be remembered for its lack-lustre final season.

Leave a Reply