Marngrook Footy Show won’t be renewed by NITV SBS
The axing of the long-running Marngrook Footy Show has shocked its hosts and fans, but could a rival network already be about to swoop and become its new home for 2020?
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The Marngrook Footy Show has been axed, leaving the show’s host reeling.
Mangrook founder and producer Grant Hansen confirmed the show’s cancellation today, saying it was a “really crazy decision”.
“I can’t understand their reasoning, it was the most popular show on the network and brought people to NITV,” he said.
“People are just stunned. They were lining up to be on it, musicians used to call us to get on the show, players and their managers would want to come on.
“It’s a really crazy decision. Hopefully someone will come to their senses at SBS.”
Hansen said he had already fielded some interest from mainstream networks.
“It’s a decision that’s been made without any foresight. We would hope mainstream TV would be interested in it.
“It would go gangbusters if they are prepared to take a punt on a footy show for everyone.”
Hansen took to Facebook to thank the show’s loyal fans.
“It’s true that NITV – SBS has decided after 10 successful years and there (sic) most popular show not to continue with the Marngrook Footy Show,” Hansen wrote.
“We are hopeful of continuing on another network. We thank all our fans and supporters for your support to the program over 12 years.”
The popular AFL show started on Channel 31 in 2007, before moving to ABC2, and SBS.
It was nominated for Logies, for best sports program in 2015 and 2016.
NITV’s channel manager Tanya Orman said today: “The Marngrook Footy Show has been an important part of NITV’s schedule for 12 years. The media landscape has changed significantly over that time, and we have to make tough choices about how we spend our limited budgets across our programming.
“While it was a difficult decision to make after such a long run, NITV remains committed to delivering quality AFL coverage from a uniquely indigenous perspective.
“We are looking at formats for a new show that will join our existing sports coverage including the Northern Territory Football League, the Koori Knockout, Over the Black Dot and the National Basketball League.”
The cancellation comes amid upheaval in the footy show space this year.
Nine’s The Footy Show was also axed.
The Footy Show dominated ratings after launching in 1994, but audiences started tuning out amid major changes in its on-air line-up and competition from Seven’s The Front Bar. The revamped 2019 version hosted by Brendan Fevola, Neroli Meadows and Dylan Alcott struggled to win over viewers and was dumped in May.
The original Marngrook Footy Show began on radio and was developed for television when NITV launched in 2007.
More to come.