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How networks decide to overhaul their schedule for tribute

Nine programmer talks through the decisions they face when a national icon dies.

When a name as big as Olivia Newton John, Shane Warne or Bert Newton passes, how do networks weigh up whether to toss out their schedule and program primetime tributes?

It was early on Tuesday morning when both Nine and Seven faced such decisions following the sad passing of Olivia, adding Grease and a local miniseries, respectively.

That meant holding off previously announced shows such as The Hundred with Andy Lee for Nine, and The Ipcress File for Seven.

On Tuesday, Nine Programming Director Hamish Turner told TV Tonight, “We debated it but I think we kind of got back to the point of, ‘Why is a Free to Air broadcaster there? What does it deliver?’

“She is a national icon and I think to not provide that to the audience, a nod to what is her best movie, would would have been under-servicing it.

“Hopefully people get around it and celebrate her.”

4 Responses

  1. It’s not them changing their programming that is the problem it’s that they don’t update their EPG guide. I have multiple DVD recorders & one will have one show listed & the other will have the different show listed. It’s very confusing when you don’t know which one is right.

    1. I agree wrong / conflicting EPGs are an issue, but wouldn’t what you describe prove they are updating them but some of the platforma being used to watch the programming not updating quickly enough?

      Having said that I’ve often noticed on Fetch the EPG for the SD and HD versions of the same channel will be different.

  2. So, if it’s a public service, it should have been run ad free?
    Seriously though, I have often wondered how the ad staff go when something like this occurs…are they madly calling all their advertisers for that slot? Offering discounts or bumping up the price depending on what it is?

  3. I, being wrong again, was expecting him to say:

    Here’s an opportunity to get a much bigger audience for a rerun,
    And it also makes us look good.

    Thankfully our TV networks are morally uplifting.

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