Screen Forever 2022: Seven in advanced discussions for RFDS season 2
Seven is in talks with producers around the costs of its outback drama, but hopes it can return.
- Published by David Knox
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2021 drama RFDS may yet be getting a renewal from Seven, with talks underway with producers.
Brook Hall, Seven Head of Scheduling yesterday told the Screen Forever delegates the overall numbers for the show were good.
“I’m really proud of RFDS. I love the show but it’s one of those ones that gets hurt by the old metrics. The metro Overnights were pretty much 450,000. A bloody solid effort as a drama, building as an 8:30 show and not relying on a reality lead in.
“Then when the regionals came in it over-indexed – makes sense. Then the time-shifted was 200,000 and BVOD did 200,000. Suddenly, when all those metrics were added in for the end of year analysis, including all of the Free to Air broadcasters, Home & Away was #1, RFDS was #2 drama.”
Hall also says the two week tail of the series gets over-shadowed by reporting of Overnights.
“The media cycle have moved and to a degree the advertising cycle. This is where we get trapped. So we’ve been looking at that,” he continued.
“I still think it’s so premium it belongs on Seven. Bu how do we make it financially work for us?
“We’re actually in advanced discussions to try and get Season Two up. Because it did succeed. Did it make financial sense? Maybe not so much. But can we do it differently… I think we can.”
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Reading between the lines: if we can cut the budget we’ll do a season 2. So feels like a stripped back version with less cast might be coming.
And maybe not all shot in Broken Hill, but only establishes shot there. The rest shot nearer Sydney or Melbourne