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Nine denies The Summit on the brink

Network pushes back against media headlines over its latest series, which is part of a bigger play for IP in its content.

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Nine network has denied a report claiming The Summit “is officially on the chopping block amid poor ratings and astronomical production costs.”

Daily Mail quoted an unnamed network insider stating “The show wasn’t worth the headaches that came with it to be honest. At this stage, it won’t be recommissioned for a second season.”

It also claimed producers recreated the ending, after flying the cast down from the mountain for a week, waiting for weather to subside, then flying them back to the top to recreate the ending.

Nine sources told TV Tonight while there may have been periods waiting for safe weather to film, it did not fly cast down and recreate the ending.

Nine is indeed yet to make a decision on a second season, having been averaging 720,000 in VOZ numbers, but remains optimistic about international format sales for the show developed with Endemol Shine Australia.

The Summit is part of a larger play by Nine in having IP in its new formats, joining shows such as Parental Guidance, The Block and the upcoming travel adventure series Rush. The article also suggested Nine was now “apprehensive” about screening series Rush, but sources dismissed that suggestion, saying the network was in the business of creating new content.

Nine programmer Hamish Turner recently told TV Tonight, “From a business perspective, having IP ownership and being able to control those rights, and exploitation of those is really important. We know content is king, but if you’re not owning the content, then you’re probably not going to be left with much at the end of the day.”

Last night Nine unveiled its first promo for Rush, coming soon and hosted by David Genat.

The Summit reaches its finale episode 7pm on Sunday.

11 Responses

  2. I might be in the minority here, but I’ve really enjoyed everything about The Summit! The game-play has been fantastic, the cast is brilliant and the scenery is amazing! Really hoping that The Summit is re-commissioned for a second series!

  3. I love the show, but there are some issues that need to be fixed. The edit definitely needs to be tighter and doesn’t need to drag on. For example, the latest episode, (spoilers) the helicopter hovering around 4 remaining hikers toward the summit, and that goes on for like 2 minutes before it finally drops a bag. I mean, come on!

    And that particular mountain, you could have done that in 2 days. Why 14 days?

  4. Jai C should run checkpoint eliminations. Letting the cast do this meant little accountability. Some small ritual makes this mean more to viewers. That there’s no actual name for this (Deletion? Elimination?) made it seem like a thought bubble.
    Calling redistributing departing cast’s cash ‘stealing’ made it all seem dishonest; it was a rule imposed by the game!
    Many changes needed!

  5. The basic concept is good but the format needs more work.
    Too many arbitrary moments at challenges where people are left behind. Why?
    If there’s a second season, it will be easy to manipulate the game. People will be fighting to carry the extra money bag; then you won’t get left behind.
    If there’s bad weather why disadvantage players? Just suspend the game ’til weather improves. That just felt like another inauthentic move to try and ramp up suspense.
    There’s no show if players don’t get to the top or close, so helicopter trips are confected to help them along. Stick to the map and show it more often!!

  6. 100% agree with you Shiraz, on every point. I’d also add that the scripting in The Summit is the most obvious and manipulative I’ve seen in a reality game show for some time – although I don’t watch other Nine reality shows like MAFS and The Block, so they may be just as bad. At times The Summit makes The Real Housewives of… look like a documentary series. My two-bob’s worth is that the Aussie networks need to invest more in attracting international producers to come here and work on our shows – at the very least to train people in how to do it better. Particularly from the UK, their reality game shows are produced sooo much better, and that’s not due to budget. UK The Traitors vs Aussie The Traitors is an excellent case in point. Very similar looking budgetary investment, but much smarter game development and use of format.

  7. I’ve watched all episodes, but not in full, I’ve found myself fast forwarding quite a lot as it’s very drawn out at times. I record the show and watch it later. The episodes could comfortably be reduced to one hour, but isn’t that the case with many reality shows these days. I’ve found it a bit silly at times. Firstly, they’ve enrolled people who have no chance of making the climb in the required time, they are there to add to the tension, but you know they are going to be dropped off at some point and it just felt like “filling time” to me. Secondly, too many villains and they get too much air-time. Thirdly, it really drags at times. You can watch two segments where nothing really happens. The same people say the same things over and over. It just gets boring. What they did get right it the location and that is what’s kept me watching, for the incredible scenery! This is a great add for NZ!

    1. Agree with all of that. The scenery reminds me of those Tourism NZ films we used to play on Sunday mornings back in the seventies when commercials were not allowed and programs had to be of a certain category. As for viewers and astronomical production costs – compare (Monday) The Chase from 5pm 604,000 -v- The Summit 412,000. The Chase, six people in a basic set, and rarely does anyone win anything. The cheapest show on TV. Must be. The Summit “astronomical production costs” and “headaches”.

      1. Good example regarding cost versus viewers, the Summit needed to excel to justify it’s cost and it certainly hasn’t. I think it’s great concept but implementation and perhaps timing, has let them down. I’ve visited NZ twice and after watching the Summit I’ve realised there needs to be a third and possibly fourth time! The south island with the Remarkables is just amazing. After seeing the chopper on the Summit, I now want to do a chopper flight through the Remarkables and ideally stop for some lunch where they had the first or second checkpoint, the one with all the waterfalls in the distance. That would be an amazing site to visit!

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