Reality rules as Network Seven unveils its 2015 programming schedule

CHANNEL 7’s 2015 program schedule includes a double dose of House Rules, an expanded MKR, a new reality cooking show and a drama on killer Ivan Milat.

TWO series of reality renovation juggernaut House Rules, two new Australian dramas featuring former Packed to the Rafters stars, and more live sport across multichannels and digital platforms are the cornerstones of Channel Seven’s plan to maintain its place at the top of the Australian television tree in 2015.

At a slick series of ‘upfront’ presentations aimed squarely at media buyers in Sydney today, Seven West Media took its guests through a series of ‘journeys’ and specifically-designed sets to showcase its products.

RULING THE WORLD: How MKR is making Seven rich

Network Seven CEO Tim Worner said Seven was determined to remain Australia’s number one television network until ‘at least 2020’ after eight years on top.

In 2015, that will include two instalments of House Rules, a new franchise called Restaurant Revolution built on the 2004 format My Restaurant Rules and the return of an expanded My Kitchen Rules.

More please ... Manu and Pete are back for an expanded My Kitchen Rules.

Seven’s Director of Network Production, Brad Lyons, said “My Kitchen Rules last season was its best ever and with House Rules the ratings and success of the second season made us think ‘this (upward) trajectory could get really good’. Renovation is hot and you’ve got to recognise trends.”

Shows including Beauty & The Geek, The Amazing Race Australia, and Bringing Sexy Back didn’t feature in Seven’s presentation but Lyons insists they haven’t been axed.

“We don’t have the make calls on them now. They are still on our slate.”

Seven will usher in New Australian drama series 800 Words, helmed by former Packed to the Rafters star Erik Thomson.

Meanwhile, fellow Rafters star Rebecca Gibney’s The Killing Field telemovie has been spun into a new crime series, Winter, based on her character in the telemovie.

Showing off the sizzle reel for 800 Words, Seven’s director of programming Angus Ross happily conceded the comedy drama has ‘a Packed to the Rafters feel’ and ‘we make no apologies for that’.

Catching Milat, a drama on serial killer Ivan Milat will also be unveiled in 2015.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli in 2015, Gallipoli: The Power of Ten will tell the stories of ten ANZACs who received the Victoria Cross in a series presented by Ben Roberts VC.

The A team ... Matt Nable, Rebecca Gibney and Peter O'Brien in the new crime series Winter.

New international drama includes former The X Files and Californication star David Duchovny’s crime drama Aquarius in which Duchovny’s character is on the trail of notorious killer Charles Manson; legal drama How To Get Away With Murder starring academy Award nominee Viola Davis and former Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl’s political crime drama State of Affairs.

The X Factor, Dancing With The Stars, Winners & Losers, Downton Abbey, Million Dollar Minute, The Blacklist, and Resurrection are among a host of returning shows will all return in 2015.

Seven used a fake locker room set — complete with the scent of liniment — to showcase its big live sports events — the upcoming Melbourne Cup carnival, the Australian Open tennis, AFL, upcoming Summer and Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games and how it will use multichannels and cross platforms and mobile devices to allow viewers to essentially program the way they watch live spot.

Reno times two ... There will be two series of House Rules on Seven next year.

The expanded live sport plan will kick off with Australian Open coverage in January, with the network screening matches on Seven, and 7 TWO and also utilising Hybrid Broadband TV (HbbTV) on smart televisions, mobile and tablet devices to allow the option of watching up to seven matches live.

Seven’s presentation was seriously polished, and featured Seven’s Mark Ferguson arriving in a fake Seven news chopper to outline the network’s news and current affairs credentials, and Bruce McAvaney recalling Cathy Freeman’s famous 2000 Olympics 400m win as the race was screened.

SEVEN’S HIGH HOPES FOR 2015

LOCAL

- Two series of House Rules

- More instant restaurant rounds in My Kitchen Rules

- New show, Restaurant Revolution, with contestants renovating and running a real life restaurant.

- 800 Words, new Packed to the Rafters-style drama starring Erik Thomson as a single dad.

- Winter, a series spin-off from last year’s successful crime telemovie The Killing Field, featuring Rebecca Gibney’s cop Eve Winter.

INTERNATIONAL

- Aquarius: David Duchovny as a cop on the trail of Charles Manson.

- How to Get Away With Murder: new thriller series from Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes

- State of Affairs: Katherine Heigl as the US president’s right-hand woman.

Seat of power ... Katherine Heigl as Charleston Tucker in new serires State of Affairs.