Network Ten today announced its content line-up for 2017 and the further expansion of its industry-leading online service tenplay. After increasing the prime time audience of the main TEN channel for the third consecutive year, Network Ten heads into 2017 with an exceptional line-up of returning content – across all genres – and key new domestic and international properties on TEN, ELEVEN, ONE and tenplay.
The new domestic content includes The Biggest Loser: Transformed, Common Sense from the makers of Gogglebox, all-new episodes of the iconic series Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures and two major drama events, Wake In Fright and Sisters.
Returning content in 2017 includes proven successes such as MasterChef Australia, KFC Big Bash League, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Gogglebox Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Offspring, The Wrong Girl, The Project, Family Feud, The Living Room, Shark Tank, Australian Survivor, The Bachelor Australia, The Bachelorette Australia and much more.
Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson, said: “Every night of the week, television draws a willing and engaged audience of 16 million people, something no other medium can match. “Growth, momentum, and consistency have been the hallmark of Ten in recent years and that will continue in 2017.
“Next year we will create year-round consistency in our 7.30pm franchises, something Ten has never achieved before,” he said.
“The 7.30pm content strategy is book-ended by the summer television sensation that is the KFC Big Bash League, which starts in mid-December each summer and runs until late January.
“It will continue across the year with proven hits such as MasterChef Australia, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, The Bachelor Australia, The Bachelorette Australia, Australian Survivor, The Living Room and The Biggest Loser: Transformed, a refreshed and contemporary version of the highly successful franchise.”
Mr. Anderson said Network Ten’s investment in new domestic content such as Australian Survivor, The Wrong Girl, and Todd Sampson’s BodyHack was paying dividends and would continue in 2017.
“TEN was the only primary commercial free-to-air channel to increase its prime-time audience this year and we achieved our biggest total people audience since 2012.
“As a network, we had our highest commercial shares in total people and 25 to 54s since 2011. Tenplay continued to produce remarkable growth in online catch-up viewing and live streaming, while Ten cemented its position as the leading free-to-air network across social media,” he said.
“Tenplay is already on 12 distribution platforms – more than any other free-to-air network’s online catch-up service – and we will add another five in 2017.”
Network Ten Chief Content Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “We have a diverse and deeply engaging line-up for 2017, with a great mix of returning and new shows that will reach viewers across multiple screens.
“People come to our network for shows that help them unwind or escape; that help them better understand their fellow Australians; that make them laugh; that connect them to the wider world, and that create moments that they will remember for years to come.
“We are excited that our shows are connecting with audiences in more ways than ever before. Our audiences are growing because we create content that is loved, watched, talked about, tweeted about and commented on.”
Ms McGarvey said that in addition to a full 52-week schedule of premium domestic content at 7.30pm, Network Ten would deliver a consistent schedule of proven domestic shows such as Family Feud, The Project, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Gogglebox Australia, Shark Tank, Offspring and The Wrong Girl, many of which generated significant audience growth in their timeslots during 2016.
“We also have an exciting array of new content for 2017, some of which we are announcing today,” she said. “The return of Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures after a 15-year absence is a perfect example of giving viewers unique and compelling content.
“Wake In Fright and Sisters are extraordinary Australian stories. The Biggest Loser: Transformed will take a beloved brand to a whole new level, while Common Sense – a show about Australians talking about news and current affairs – will get Australia talking,” Ms. McGarvey said.
“From overseas, we have the biggest hits of the new US television season – Bull [with Michael Weatherly from NCIS] and This Is Us – as well as Man With A Plan with Matt LeBlanc, Doubt with Katherine Heigl and 24: Legacy, the remarkable reinvention of the 24 franchise.”
NEW LOCAL CONTENT IN 2017.
Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures.
He’s back! After a 15-year break, Australia’s best-loved outback adventurer returns with a brand new series. Yes, Russell Coight is back on Ten, ready to share his unique blend of bushcraft and self-injury with an entirely new audience. Looks like it’s time to hit the road with Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures in 2017.
The Biggest Loser: Transformed.
One of Australia’s most iconic and enduring series will return in 2017 in a contemporary and empowering version, The Biggest Loser: Transformed. Hosted by Fiona Falkiner with trainers Shannan Ponton and Libby Babet, and produced by Endemol Shine Australia, The Biggest Loser: Transformed will see a group of everyday Australians tackling relatable weight issues and undergoing transformations of their bodies and their minds. The reimagined and uplifting show will take the latest advancements in health and fitness to create a contemporary and goal-driven approach to transforming people’s lives. The Biggest Loser: Transformed will also be supported by an innovative new app that will help all Australians transform their lives.
Common Sense.
From the creators of the global phenomenon Gogglebox Australia comes Common Sense, a highly entertaining new show being produced for Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel and Network Ten by Endemol Shine Australia. Common Sense will feature a cast of real people and their real opinions as they round up the week’s most talked-about news topics while in conversation with one another in their workplaces. From general news and current affairs to the latest in politics, sport and popular culture, Common Sense will bring genuine and immediate reactions that highlight the nation’s unfiltered take and differing points of view on the biggest talking points each week.
Sisters.
A contemporary, feel-good family drama from the makers of Offspring, Sisters asks the big questions: what makes you-you; what is the difference between being related and being a family; and does it pay to have DNA tests before sleeping with someone? Exploring this fertile terrain is a superb cast that includes Barry Otto, Catherine McClements, Lucy Durack, Maria Angelico, Antonia Prebble, Remy Hii, Dan Spielman, Charlie Garber, Roy Billing, Zindzi Okenyo and the fabulous Magda Szubanski.
Wake In Fright.
This new adaptation of Kenneth Cook’s classic Australian novel will tell the story of John Grant, a young school teacher who descends into his own personal nightmare after being stranded in the small outback mining town of Bundanyabba. Provocative, morally complex and brilliantly realised, Wake In Fright is guaranteed to stay with viewers long into the night and – possibly – for years to come. The two-part television event will be produced by Lingo Pictures in association with Endemol Shine Australia.
RETURNING LOCAL CONTENT IN 2017.
MasterChef Australia, the show that started a food revolution and created a new genre of television, will be back for its ninth season with more amazing amateur chefs, amazing moments and amazing results.
George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, and Matt Preston have already selected the Top 50 contestants for 2017. They will be joined by mentor Shannon Bennett and a host of special guest chefs including Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White, and Anna Polyviou in what promises to be a spectacular season. MasterChef Australia proved its enduring popularity this year: The Winner Announced episode is the #1 non-sport program of the year among 25 to 54s.
Also returning in 2017 is I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. Julia Morris and Chris Brown are getting ready to head back into the African jungle with a collection of wonderful, weird and wild celebrities who are guaranteed to deliver laughter, tears, shocks and compelling family entertainment.
In a very different jungle, in a different part of the world, Jonathan LaPaglia and another group of castaways determined to outwit, outlast and outplay each other will take part in the second season of Australian Survivor. The first season of Network Ten’s spectacular version of the world’s biggest reality television brand was embraced by critics and viewers alike, resonated strongly with people online and across social media, and increased TEN’s audience in its timeslot by 26%.
The television, online and social media sensations that are The Bachelor Australia and The Bachelorette Australia will return in 2017, with a brand new Bachelor and Bachelorette and more eligible men and women embarking on their journeys to find love and romance.
After its triumphant return this year, Offspring will be back for its seventh season. The all-star cast led by Asher Keddie and Kat Stewart will tell the next chapter in the funny, sad, uplifting, heart-warming and always engaging story of Nina Proudman and her family.
The new year will bring a second season of Network Ten’s newest hit local drama series, The Wrong Girl. The brilliant Jessica Marais’ character Lily will continue her quest to make sense of a chaotic love life and morning television. With a proven ensemble cast and some exciting new cast members, The Wrong Girl will return funnier and more engaging than ever.
It posted record audience numbers this year and Gogglebox Australia will return in 2017 to again make Australia laugh, cry, think and join in with the Goggleboxers as they shout at the television.
Monday night will remain party night, as Tom Gleisner, Ed Kavalee, Sam Pang and a host of the funniest people in the land present a new season of the hit show Have You Been Paying Attention?. The panel show has increased its audience 22% so far this year and built a strong following across online and social media.
TV Week Gold Logie Award winners Waleed Aly and Carrie Bickmore, plus Peter Helliar, will be back at the desk in 2017 for another year of The Project, presenting news and entertainment in their distinctive, highly informative and increasingly impactful way.
Steve Baxter, Janine Allis, Andrew Banks, Naomi Simson and Glen Richards will return to “the tank” next year, helping a new batch of Aussie entrepreneurs turn their ideas and inventions into successful businesses in the new season of Shark Tank. Grant Denyer is also back for a new season of the much-loved game show Family Feud and its spin-off, All Star Family Feud.
Amanda Keller, Barry Du Bois, Chris Brown and Miguel Maestre are on deck for the sixth season of the award-winning The Living Room, bringing their unique blend of entertainment, advice, makeovers, and mayhem into lounge rooms every Friday night.
NEW OVERSEAS CONTENT IN 2017.
This Is Us.
From the writers and directors of Crazy, Stupid, Love, This Is Us is a smart, modern series that follows a group of people – some of whom were born on the same day – as their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in surprising ways. A strong ensemble cast including Mandy Moore (A Walk To Remember), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) and Sterling. K. Brown (The People V. O.J. Simpson) comes together in a refreshing, honest and provocative new series that will challenge your everyday assumptions about the people you think you know. This Is Us is the breakout hit new series in the US this year.
24: Legacy.
A spin-off from the classic series, 24: Legacy will chronicle the story of Eric Carter, a US military hero who returns home after leading a mission to assassinate a terrorist leader only to find he and his squad members are now the targets of assassins. Carter has to fight to save his life and stop one of the largest terrorist attacks on American soil. The stellar cast of 24: Legacy includes Corey Hawkins (The Walking Dead, Straight Outta Compton) and Australia’s Miranda Otto (The Lord Of The Rings, What Lies Beneath).
Bull.
Former NCIS star Michael Weatherly plays Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial consulting firms of all time. Brilliant, brash and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick. Bull, which is one of the biggest hits of the new television season in the US, also stars Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) and Geneva Carr.
Man With A Plan.
Golden Globe Award winner Matt LeBlanc (Friends, Episodes) plays Adam, a contractor who starts spending more time with his kids when his wife Andi goes back to work after 13 years as a stay-at-home mother. Adam soon discovers the truth every parent eventually realises: his little angels are devils. With Andi’s encouragement and advice from a couple of equally stressed parents, Adam takes charge of his brood and decides he is going to “nail” this job.
Doubt.
Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy, Knocked Up) stars as Sadie Ellis, a brilliant attorney at a boutique firm who starts to fall for her charismatic client, Billy Brennan, a paediatric surgeon recently accused of murdering his girlfriend 24 years ago. Sadie’s decision to become involved with her client could put her career, as well as her happiness, at risk if Billy is found guilty, which means she needs to work all the harder to prove reasonable doubt, even if she has some herself. The supporting cast includes Elliott Gould (Ocean’s Eleven, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice) and Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black).
RETURNING OVERSEAS CONTENT IN 2017.
Network Ten’s 2017 line-up includes the best content from overseas, such as the mostwatched television series in the world – NCIS – plus NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, the acclaimed and multi-award-winning Modern Family, Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary and Life In Pieces.
From the UK comes The Graham Norton Show and new series and specials from Sir David Attenborough and Jamie Oliver.
SPORT IN 2017.
A huge summer of cricket kicks off next month, when Network Ten presents the KFC Big Bash League and the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League – live, free and exclusive. The KFC Big Bash League returns on 20 December. A bumper schedule will see 35 matches played in 40 days, including four double-headers. With all 35 matches to be broadcast in prime time on TEN or ONE, fans will not miss a minute of the action.
Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds, current Australian cricket team coach Darren Lehmann and former New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum will join Network Ten’s commentary team this summer.
Symonds, Lehmann and McCullum, as well as returning crowd favourite Kevin Pietersen, will join regular expert commentators Adam Gilchrist AM, Ricky Ponting AO, Mark Waugh AM and Damien Fleming to complete an all-star line-up in the commentary box.
Earlier this year Network Ten announced that multi-award-nominated presenter Roz Kelly will return to Australian television to co-host the broadcast alongside Adam Gilchrist this summer.
Network Ten Executive, Big Bash, David Barham, said: “The addition of Symonds, Lehmann and McCullum to Network Ten’s commentary team ensures that our coverage of the KFC Big Bash League will continue to be a first-class television experience for fans of all ages.
“Network Ten has the most exciting and contemporary cricket commentary team. To have the current Australian coach in the commentary box for the KFC Big Bash League is unprecedented for fans around the country and something that we are very much looking forward to. “The KFC Big Bash League has gone from strength to strength on Network Ten over the past three years and we look forward to another bumper season this summer,” he said.
Network Ten will broadcast 12 matches of the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League, including four of the matches that launch the 2016-17 season from Saturday, 10 December, live and exclusive on TEN. That will mark the first time a standalone women’s sporting competition has been broadcast in prime time on any commercial free-to-air television network’s primary channel.
Ten of the 12 Rebel Women’s Big Bash League matches will be seen on the main TEN channel. Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar will be back as commentators, after their successful inaugural season in 2015-16, along with Andy Maher.
Cricket is just the start of Network Ten’s sport line-up for 2017.
For motorsport fans, the line-up includes the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and other key Formula One races, the best MotoGP races including Phillip Island, the hit magazine show RPM and the biggest Supercars Championship events, including the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Rugby fans will have a big year in 2017, with Network Ten presenting three matches as part of the June Test Series; all of the Wallabies’ matches in the Rugby Championship; and a third match against New Zealand.
ELEVEN AND ONE IN 2017.
ONE has had an exceptional year in 2017 and is the only commercial multi-channel to have increased its prime time total people audience. ONE’s success has been driven by delivering a consistent schedule across the week, anchored Monday to Thursday with strong, factual programming such as Undercover Boss, 48 Hours and Sir David Attenborough specials.
With those shows as anchors, ONE’s prime time schedule has been consolidated with a combination of retro movies and premium factual shows such as Megafactories, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and COPS. That strategy will continue in 2017 and will be complemented by new male-skewing programs such as Building Invincible, Rocky Mountain Railroad and Car Crash Global.
ELEVEN enjoyed another successful year in 2016 in its core target audience of people aged 16 to 39. Its ongoing success is driven by a strong early-evening block of stripped programming including Australia’s longest running serial drama, Neighbours, plus The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother.
This year ELEVEN successfully launched a number of new programs including Fresh Off The Boat, Son of Zorn and the Emmy Award-winning Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. They joined longrunning favourites such as Supernatural, Bob’s Burgers and New Girl, plus the show that introduced the social phenomenon of carpool karaoke, The Late Late Show With James Corden.
In 2017 ELEVEN will add more premium content, including No Tomorrow, The Great Indoors and the musical drama series Star, plus new seasons of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Dating Naked, Bondi Ink Tattoo and Sleepy Hollow.
TENPLAY AND NEW IN 2017: TENDAILY.
Network Ten’s digital catch-up and live streaming service tenplay is one of the leading and fastest-growing online entertainment brands in Australia.
Over the past year, the numbers of unique visitors to tenplay grew 14% to more than 24 million and the number of video segment views jumped 26% to more than 220 million. In October 2016, tenplay achieved a record 32.9 million video segment views in just one month.
More than 2.7 million tenplay apps have been downloaded and the service now spans 12 platforms, more than any other commercial free-to-air online catch-up and live streaming service in Australia. Next year tenplay will expand to an additional five platforms, including Samsung Smart TVs, Sony PlayStation 3 and Sony PlayStation 4.
The success of tenplay has been underlined by the new video player measurement, or online catch-up viewing, numbers that OzTAM started releasing in February 2016. Network Ten dominates the list of the television programs with the highest VPM numbers this year, with The Bachelor Australia ranked #1.
In addition to strong online catch-up viewing and live streaming numbers, tenplay has seen significant growth in 2016 from exclusive, online-only short-form content such as Australian Survivor’s The Jury Villa, Offspring’s The Caravan and The Bachelor Australia’s Insider Guide.
In 2017, Network Ten will capitalise on the growing demand for short-form content with the launch of tendaily.
Drawing on the resources of Network Ten and other content companies, tendaily will be a standalone, full-service, mobile-first website offering extensive, exclusive and premium short-form news, entertainment, lifestyle, sport and parenting content from breakfast to bedtime.
Tendaily will also offer native advertising opportunities and will provide a strong social media footprint with bespoke quality content.