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2023 Upfronts: Paramount

Tom Gleeson to host Taskmaster, new reality Dessert Masters, new drama North Shore, FAST channels, I'm a Celebrity back to Africa, but The Living Room is 'rested' in 2023.

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  • New: Tom Gleeson to host Taskmaster.
  • New: Dessert Masters; Location, Location, Location; Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
  • New drama: North Shore; Paper Dolls, Riptide.
  • I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here back to Africa; MasterChef: Secrets & Surprises; Australian Survivor: Heroes vs Villains.
  • The Bachelors in January.
  • Pluto TV FAST Channels on 10 Play.
  • Paramount+: Last King of the Cross, The Appleton Ladies Potato Race, Five Bedrooms.

Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson is joining 10 for an Australian adaptation of long-running UK comedy format Taskmaster. Joined by comedian Tom Cashman the series sees 5 celebrities (Julia Morris, Luke McGregor, Jimmy Rees, Nina Oyama and Danielle Walker) in a series of comedic challenges, filmed in both Melbourne (studio) and New Zealand (location).

“People have been asking me to host an Australian version for years. How could I say no? Hosting this show is a bloody match made in heaven!” said Gleeson.

MasterChef Australia which returns with a Secrets & Surprises season, will be behind a short-run Dessert Masters series later in the year in which dessert chefs will battle it out.

10 gets a new property series Location, Location, Location, based on the British format on Free to Air for the first time, while UK dog trainer Graeme Hall is Australia-bound later in 2023 for a new canine series, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.

In Drama is new UK-Australian drama North Shore by hit writer Mike Bullen (Cold Feet) starring Joanne Froggatt & John Bradley. Previously-announced drama Paper Dolls, with ex-Bardot singer Belinda Chapple as co-executive producer, is based around the rise of a reality TV girl band, Indigo.

There is a big programming move by 10 which schedules Gold-Coast The Bachelors into a January 2 premiere -because I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here returns to a live broadcast from South Africa, now following Survivor Australia: Heroes v Villains.

Charlie Pickering returns to 10 to join Chrissie Swan and Frank Woodley in Would I Lie to You? Australia.

Still to come this year are Mirror Mirror: Love & Hate, The Traitors and reality series The Challenge.

The Masked Singer is not yet formally renewed, but is expected to return while shows such as The Amazing Race Australia, Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod, First Dates and Pilot Week are yet to be decided. Also absent is The Bachelorette.

Upcoming NCIS: Sydney is in development but yet to be scheduled.

10 confirms The Living Room will be rested in 2023. Hosts Amanda, Chris, Miguel and Baz said, “After 11 fabulous years, we’re going to take a break in 2023 and come up with new, zany and exciting ways to rearrange The Living Room. We love spending Friday nights with you and have loads more fun coming your way before Christmas, so stay tuned! Thank you for sharing your living rooms with us, our little dysfunctional TV family of four. We hope you feel as much joy watching the show as we do making it.”

A selection of Pluto TV FAST (Free ad-supported television service) channels will launch on 10 Play, offering many genres and popular shows, giving advertisers an additional environment to reach hard-to-find audiences. Globally, Pluto TV has nearly 70 million global monthly active users and is the #1 free ad-supported streaming TV service in the U.S. and Europe. No credit cards, just drop in and stream for freewith an email registration. FAST differs from AVOD (On Demand) in that it is scheduled and streaming.

Paramount+ will also premiere new local drama Last King of the Cross starring Lincoln Younes as John Ibrahim with Tim Roth, Callan Mulvey, Tess Haubrich, Matt Nable and Damian Walshe-Howling. Another new local drama is The Appleton Ladies Potato Race joining the 4th season of Five Bedrooms.

New:

Taskmaster:
Tom Gleeson stars as the Taskmaster, with Tom Cashman his devoted assistant. Each week the two Toms set five comedians a range of ridiculous tasks designed to bamboozle brains and put funny bones to the test. Who’ll master the tasks? The cleverest clogs will score the most points from the Taskmaster, while bemusement and bafflement will be rewarded with the fewest points. At series’ end, the comedian with the most points will be crowned Taskmaster champion. And who exactly are these funny folk, ready to risk their reputations on TV’s most ludicrous, laugh-out-loud comedy show? None other than Julia Morris, Luke McGregor, Jimmy Rees, Nina Oyama and Danielle Walker! 

Location, Location, Location
Whether it’s homebuyers downsizing to an inner-city apartment or seeking a tree or sea change, Location, Location is ready to help turn dream homes into reality.

Dessert Masters
In a world-first, the greatest pastry chefs from around the country will battle for the title of Australia’s Dessert Master. For anyone with a sweet tooth, MasterChef: Dessert Masters is sure to hit the sweet spot when it premieres on 10 in 2023. Produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company), MasterChef: Dessert Masters sets a dozen of the nation’s sugar-hit specialists against each other in incredible, pastry-themed challenges – all beneath the bright lights of the famed MasterChef Australia kitchen. To claim the MasterChef: Dessert Masters crown, these pastry chefs will need to conceive an astonishing array of delectable desserts. Who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory and become Australia’s first ever Dessert Master? Who will walk away with the incredible $100,000 cash prize?

Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
With a proven track record of reforming over 5,000 fur babies in the past decade, Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly will follow Graeme Hall as we observe the methods behind his mantra of “any dog, any age, any problem.”
Peeing in places they shouldn’t? Graeme’s got you. Separation anxiety? Graeme to the rescue. Literally tearing the place apart? It’s time to call The Dogfather. Graeme Hall said: “I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to bring my canine expertise Down Under. I can’t wait to get cracking on a great new series for 10, helping out plenty more desperate owners and their naughty dogs!”

North Shore
Its creator is Mike Bullen of Cold Feet fame. It’s directed by the highly acclaimed Gregor Jordan. And it stars the brilliant Joanne Froggatt. The premise is intriguing: What happens when a British detective and his Australian counterpart team up to solve a murder? The answer is a clash of cultures and personalities.

Paper Dolls
This fictional series tracks the meteoric rise of a girl band spawned from a reality television show. A cautionary tale about the pitfalls of sudden fame, Paper Dolls will doubtless strike a chord with audiences who have grown up amid the boom in TV talent shows this century

Riptide
A four part thriller starring Peter O’Brien, Pia Miranda, Ally Fowler, Jo Joyner, Ciaran Griffiths, David Berry, Benny Turland, Asher Yasbincek, Yazeed Daha. Alison’s life is plunged into despair when her new Australian husband vanishes after a morning surf. Did he get caught in a dangerous riptide, or is there more to his disappearance than meets the eye?

The First Inventors (with NITV)
The First Inventors will transport you back in time – between 70,000 and 120,000 years ago – to a community in the midst of developing sophisticated stone tools, art, agriculture, irrigation and much more. In this fascinating story of knowledge, resilience, and invention, presenter Rob Collins will meet and collaborate with First Nations authorities whose frontline fieldwork offers an exciting new insight into ancient Indigenous innovations and discoveries. The First Inventors is a collaboration with NITV.

Returning:

Hunted
Australian Survivor: Heroes vs Villains
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
MasterChef Australia: Secrets & Surprises
The Bachelors
The Real Love Boat
Have You Been Paying Attention?
The Cheap Seats
Would I Lie to You?
Gogglebox
The Dog House Australia
Ambulance Australia
Bondi Rescue
Five Bedrooms S3
The Secrets She Keeps S2
Studio 10

News:

10 News First
The Project

Sport:

Australian MotoGP
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne Cup Carnival
A-League (10 BOLD)
NBL (10 BOLD)

Still to Come:

Undressed (Paramount+ / 10 preview)

Mirror Mirror: Love & Hate
Did you know the average Aussie will spend 17 years of their life staring at their phone? There’s no doubt the internet is the most powerful, mind-altering thing on earth. The world wide web is certainly affecting how we relate to each other, how we love and hate, but what impact will this have on our future? Over two big nights, join Todd Sampson as he explores how the internet is changing us and what we can do about it. The question is, are we too late?

The Traitors
The Traitors is a new show that takes the whodunnit murder mystery to the next level. Hosted by Rodger Corser, the series sees 24 strangers converge on an old hotel in the countryside where they’re forced to lie and deceive to win a $250,000 prize.

The Challenge Australia
The Challenge is one of the world’s most successful television franchises, with 38 seasons under its belt. Now it’s time Australia’s most talked about celebrities get their chance on The Challenge Australia. 22 of Australia’s biggest names are set to compete in the most unpredictable and demanding game of their lives. Hosted by Brihony Dawson.

Paramount+:

Last King Of The Cross
Five Bedrooms Season 4
The Appleton Ladies Potato Race
Halo Season 2
Yellowjackets Season 2
Mayor of Kingstown Season 2
Ripley
Rise of the Pink Ladies
Lioness
Three Women
The Challenge: World of Championships
Are You The One [Global Edition]
Star Trek: Discovery

Absent:

Pilot Week
The Masked Singer
The Living Room
The Amazing Race Australia
Shaun Micallef’s Brain Eisteddfod
First Dates
The Bachelorette
Rock Island Mysteries

This post updates.

41 Responses

  1. I’m glad I’m a celebrity is back in Africa it is so much fun and my kids love Dr Chris and Julia.
    The Living Room has gone off this year it doesn’t have as much in it now, they used to have really nice makeovers every week and big trips with Dr Chris and competitions. I liked it when they were at the house with the pool and they used to party and years ago with hot or not and their Christmas episodes were really big when they had an audience. Sad to see them go, a rest sounds like a nice way of saying axed. I hope Amanda is given another show.

  2. I’m interested in Task Master, and I’m glad to see WILTY renewed, it deserves another go. The entertainment factor was very dependent on the panel, some really worked well and others were a bit flat. Location (x3) baffles me a bit…not too sure of the strategy there. Good to see them mix up the schedule a bit with shows airing at different times. Sure as hell Real Love Boat won’t be back, don’t think streaming numbers will save it…

  3. Taskmaster sounds interesting and I’m glad IACGMOOH is going back to Africa. Disappointed that The Living Room is being rested next year. And I really hope The Amazing Race and First Dates Australia come back next season. I really like those shows.

  8. I like Tom but I’d be much more excited about Taskmaster AU if WILTY AU hadn’t already demonstrated 10’s ability to screw up a great UK format, even with some let’s say decent AU talent, with piss-poor execution. (to be fair, see also: SBS’s Celebrity Letters and Numbers)

    Interesting that Chris Taylor has been replaced with Charlie Pickering. Don’t think he was necessarily the weak link…

  10. I see Channel 10 don’t have any intention to compete again.

    Honestly, is it just me? What is there plan? It can’t be what they’ve dished up today. That isn’t going to get eyeballs on them or their platforms. And then they treat their viewers on P+ abysmal too (See a league and returning series dates for a service that people pay for as examples)

    Or are they just here to disrupt where they can and are happy where they are. They could be so much better. So much better.

  11. I understand survivor is tens best franchise, but putting it against MAFS… hope this isn’t the beginning of the end…

    Still intrigued how heroes vs villains works with some of a new cast too.

  12. I just wish Ten started promoting better, currently all they promote well is their flagship shows like Masterchef, IAC so on but forget all the other shows like Law and Order or The Living room who get couple of promo’s the day before a new ep (If that) and then Ten wonders why those shows ratings never grow. On another Note looking forward to Survivor and IAC & HYBPA but that’s about it.

    1. Their promo could be so much better… they have the most interesting shows, but seem to just expect people to discover them the same way as the good old days. A real shame. Easily a better Channel than 7.

    2. They need to stop with the in-show promotion. Criminal to have such great cinematography on Survivir and Hunted then stick a logo in the corner promoting the next reality franchise. No excuse not to fade them out after 20 seconds or so.

  13. Like Tom Gleeson, but Taskmaster, Would I Lie to You and Location Location Location really TEN it’s like stealing someone’s homework and palming off as your own, not very original for entertaining us bored with the same old same old bunch.
    No joy in any of that. Waiting to see if they try the Masked Dancer UK next. No mention of new or returning overseas show like Law and Order SVU as yet, but I’m not holding my breath it’s actually taken my breath away with this lot.

  15. I honestly thought that channel 7 had purchased the rights to F1 ,I guess I’m mistaken.
    Any word if they’ll update 10 Play to Full HD or keep it back in the VHS Age.

  18. The Celebrity format has been overexposed the last few years so it wouldn’t hurt to give The Masked Singer a rest for a year or two. Focus on getting C grade names for I’m a Celebrity which is likely to tank in survey.
    Living Room is a bit of a shock and The Project as expected gets another year to continue its decline, likely due to nothing else deemed suitable or cost affective for the time slot.
    Taskmaster gets my attention with Tom Gleeson as host. It should do good business.

  20. Sport cupboard looks a bit bare. Bar The Melbourne Cup, all those events, don’t generate a whole lot of viewers. Aust Moto GP and F1 Grand Prix are single events; NBL and A-League aren’t even on the main channel!

    They really need the BBL cricket to come back.

  21. Excited to see what they do with Taskmaster. Not necessarily the cast I would expect, but that also isn’t bad. Hopefully there will be a good mix of tasks from the original and international series. As well as some unique ones to us. (I have ideas, contact me.)
    Surprised TRLB has been announced already, but not holding my breathe on that one.
    All round, quite pleased.

        1. I wouldn’t say that lots of decent and interesting commissions in here. They’ve just already been announced, when they made bold decisions early.

    3. Tom might need to revise some of those gags aimed at Channel 10 that he’d crack over on Hard Quiz?!

      Pluto TV sounds interesting, though! Hopefully they might put together a true classic/retro channel including some Aussie content and not just recycle the same handful of titles that 10Peach runs over and over and over.

  23. 10 renewing The Real Love Boat after it premiered to 215,000 metro viewers but not Masked Singer or Amazing Race which didn’t do too hot this year but are solid on catch up.

    The Bachelors is going to be eaten up alive by MAFS early next year.

      1. Whoops! Sorry about that.

        Considering how The Challenge is meant to be airing this year as well, any word on how many episodes/weeks The Traitors is meant to be?

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