Did Nine become complacent about Logies?

Industry chatter suggests the Logie Awards will have at least one more year in Queensland, despite moving from Nine to Seven.

Queensland missed out on two years due to the COVID pandemic, although what isn’t widely known is that the event was always expected to travel around the Sunshine state, not remain solely at The Star, Gold Coast. But the venue has proven to be a success.

The Sunday Telegraph reported Nine execs were “livid” Seven had swooped on the awards, securing a new five year deal, which is understandable given it has invested, time, money and production resources to the TV Week event. But this year Are Media’s TV Week became magazine partner only, with Rizer events taking charge of judging, event production and more. Nine oversaw the broadcast production.

Seven has in recent years had a tricky relationship with the awards, which it has long viewed as a Nine promotional vehicle. Did Nine become too complacent in assuming it had the awards in perpituity?

Seven CEO James Warburton thought otherwise, while Are Media (which still owns the awards) shares the Better Homes & Gardens brand with Seven.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is known as a big fan of film and television production, and not just for her own red carpet moments.

Industry sources suggest Seven is keen to move the awards south, likely to Sydney, when contracts permit, but much will depend on that crucial $1000 per network talent, which has so far been forthcoming from the Queensland government.