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The Masked Singer hangs in the balance for 2024

A tight ad market is hitting some of TV's more expensive shows, with one talent show being shopped around.

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A sixth season of The Masked Singer is yet to be confirmed by 10, amid speculation it may not be returning this year.

TV Tonight understands producers Warner Bros TV have been gauging interest from rival networks.

The guessing game singing show is understood to carry a very high price tag and while networks are under pressure from a tough ad market, at just over two hours of TV a week, its future looks unclear. By comparison other expensive formats allow for multiple stripped nights.

Industry sources suggest the ad market is already impacting new unscripted shows into 2025.

The Masked Singer also requires advance plans to secure international judges and talent, but talks continue.

A 10 spokesperson told TV Tonight, “We are currently confirming our program schedule for the second half of the year, with announcements being made soon.”

Also yet to be confirmed is The Bachelors, or any of its franchise editions, also by WBTV. That could leave Gold Logie nominee Osher Günsberg without a current hosting vehicle, at least until a new project is confirmed.

There is still much to look forward to. 10’s upcoming titles this year include Have You Been Paying Attention?, Dessert Masters, Hunted, Taskmaster Australia, Thank God You’re Here, The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers, The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity, Dogs Behaving Badly, Gogglebox, Shark Tank.

Warner Bros TV. Australia has also been contacted for comment.

28 Responses

  1. It’s looks like the big bucks 9 and 7 are pumping into keeping the FTA tv rights for sports will limit them spending big time on tv shows which rate mid par. 10 is obviously being sold and I’m assuming any large investment from 10 is being put on hold by head office in the US. The viewers lose again

  2. I could see Seven and Nine fighting for this, its first season was huge (1m+ metro broadcast) and one of the surprise smash hits of 2019 from memory and it was my favourite show for a few years. And MasterChef (the following year with new judges was also a smash hit at the first wave of COVID with similar numbers) and has shown over the years it can re-work, reinvent itsself and resurge. So if a new broadcaster can go back to the drawing board with the show and its rights holder/producer, it could still be a big show.

  3. I love the US and UK versions of Masked Singer. Australia always seems to ruin their productions of these kind of shows. BB and The Traitors come to mind immediately as well as this. Osher yelling constantly really put me off and the latest pick of judges except for Chrissie Swan were terrible in my opinion. It’s a fun family concept that should be enjoyed.

  4. This might be a dumb idea but I wonder if they could move production to the US or UK. I think a big part of the problem with the masked signer AUS is the celebrities not being big enough stars. I know we all go on about not knowing the celebrities in I’m a celebrity or dancing with the stars but in a way it doesn’t matter so much with those shows because you spend time getting to know the celebrities. Whereas with masked singer you really only spend a couple of minutes with them when they unmask and the guessing component becomes a waste of time if you would never get it because you have never heard of the celebrity. Of course you would have to cast with an Australian audience in mind but imagine if you could get a spice girl or a new kid on the block or an expat like Trish Goddard or Jason Donovan, surely that would make for a more engaging show then Shane Warnes Daughter or Cody Simpsons sister as the celebrity you have to work out from clues.

    1. Not a bad idea… in theory… but the UK version tends to cast a lot of the same sorts of nobodies that typically pad out the Aussie version anyway (but the noteworthy people can be worth sticking around for). Perhaps if there are more ex-pats in the UK willing to do the show (and they can use the same sets and/or costumes as the UK), then relocating the show to the UK would make sense (certainly more so than filming “local” versions of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in the UK).

      I wish Ten would at least play the overseas versions in its absence.

  5. Wowie. That was a little unexpected, given that Ten usually has bugger-all else on that rates.

    If one of the other two pick it up, I doubt that it will go to air this year. Either way, my sister’s going to be disappointed.

  6. Maybe blend both The Masked Singer and The Bachelor(ette) together = The Masked Bachelor(ette).
    The Bachelor(ette) is masked the entire time during their dates. Once the Bachelor(ette) chooses their lover, they take off the mask.

  8. If only 10 could get its hands back on Big Brother again and relaunch it properly like they’ve done in the UK recently. Live shows with episodes showing events from the previous 24 hours. This is the type of advantage free to air shows can have over streaming channels and it would fill a lot of hours in a quarter. 7 clearly have no idea what to do with the show so should just let someone else have a go at it.

  9. I like the format but It should at least be given a years’ break. The novelty has only been wearing thinner.
    If it does come back, it should be freshened up with a new host. Be brave and go with a niche host that matches the zany chaotic energy of the format. Someone like Joel creasy or Rhys Nicholson.

  10. I read it as one of the upcoming shows was Celebrity Dogs Behaving Badly. Although maybe i didnt misread. It’s a few seasons in. DBB is probably due a celebrity edition

  12. “The guessing game singing show is understood to carry a very high price tag ”
    David, do you mean the cost of production or the cost of paying the owner of the franchise for using their format? Thanks

  14. 10 should rest The Bachelor/s this year but I would definitely be interested in having The Golden Bachelor launch or Bachelor in Paradise return for Q4 here.
    The Masked Singer should definitely be brought back…last season was one of the best and the most surprising yet, they shouldn’t stop now.

  15. I said it when the last run of Masked Singer was airing, ditch Masked Singer and do a Aussie version of Claim to Fame … the superior Celebrity Guessing Game

    1. Loved Claim to Fame, could probably be done much cheaper (than Masked Singer) and with relatives of both local and international celebrities…could even be still hosted by Osher (or Carrie, Beau, Grant or Rove).

  18. They better not let ch 7 get it’s grubby hands on it. I’d be happy to lose the stupid dog shows, Hunted & the stupid unemployed show & keep Masked Singer.

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