Logies jumps ship to rival network in major broadcast shake-up

The Logies has announced a major change ahead of next year’s ceremony, which will no doubt intensify the TV war between rival networks.

The Logies has found a new home.

Channel 7 has snatched broadcast rights from rival network Channel 9, with the latter having aired the awards annually since 1995.

Seven today announced a “multi-year agreement” that will see Australian TV’s night of nights debut on the network from 2023.

A location is yet to be confirmed for next year’s TV Week Logies, which are owned by Are Media, but Seven West Media Managing Director and CEO James Warburton said the network had “big, exciting plans for the awards.”

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Tom Gleeson and Sophie Monk at the 2022 Logies. Picture: Channel 9

“The TV WEEK Logie Awards are more than television’s night of nights; they are a treasured Australian institution and a celebration of Australia’s love of television,” Warburton said.

“We are honoured to be partnering with Are Media to bring the Logies to Australia on Channel 7 and 7 plus. It’s early days but we have big, exciting plans for the awards in 2023 and beyond.”

It’s a major blow for Nine after it recorded dominant results in the ratings for this year’s event in June, with 885,000 viewers tuning in for the ceremony.

Despite the event being strongly associated with Nine for decades, a spokesperson said the Logies had “screened on all networks” since its inception in 1959, and that the broadcaster “looks forward” to joining in on the celebrations.

Hamish Blake won the Gold Logie this year. Picture: Josh Woning

“The Logies are an important and valuable platform to celebrate the great work of our television industry, a night for our audience to connect with all parts of the industry and celebrate,” a spokesperson said.

“It has in its 62 year history been screened on all Networks – we look forward to the TV Week Logies in 2023 and joining in the celebrations.”

In August, the Herald Sun reported Seven was in early talks to poach the broadcast rights from Nine in a bid to bolster its 2023 TV offerings.

This year’s awards, which were hosted on the Gold Coast, saw Hamish Blake win the Gold Logie for a second time.

Jessica Mauboy performed at this year’s Logies, which was a ratings hit for Nine.

Are Media CEO Jane Huxley added she was “pleased” to welcome Seven as the Logies’ new broadcast partner.

“The TV WEEK Logie Awards has become the most anticipated event of the year for the television industry as we celebrate the most popular stars and shows on our screens,” Huxley said.

“We are delighted to continue our longstanding association with the awards and equally pleased to welcome the Seven Network as the Logies’ Official Broadcast Partner.”