NRL Footy Show axed by Channel 9

After 25 years on air the NRL Footy Show will not return in 2019, amid an overhaul of Nine’s rugby league coverage.

Erin Molan took over from Paul Vautin, centre, as the host of the Footy Show in 2018. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Nine Network has axed the NRL Footy Show after 25 years, amid falling ratings.

Two days after the NRL grand final, Nine announced that the show won’t return next year as the broadcaster plans to overhaul its coverage.

Nine director of sport Tom Malone said it has been an “incredible ride” for the show, which was hosted by Erin Molan this year.

Molan took over the hosting gig from former Manly rugby league player, turned sports broadcaster, Paul “Fatty” Vautin, in a bid to improve its popularity with TV audiences.

“A quarter of a century of laughs, controversy and first-class footy analysis. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this amazing era of live sports-entertainment television — from producers, editors, camera operators, the players, guests and of course the legendary hosts,” Malone said on Nine’s Wide World of Sport website.

Erin Molan. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“Fatty holds the record for the longest serving host of any prime time Australian TV show — a tribute to both his understanding of the game, his authenticity, and not to mention his incredible comedic timing. In recent years, Erin has equally brought a new energy, perspective and showed her passion for the game,” Malone said.

Malone said Vautin has already made the transition back into the commentary box, and Molan will be joining the WWOS team to help lead the coverage of rugby league, netball, tennis and cricket.

“Erin is a star and a great broadcaster. She’s going to take an even more prominent role on Nine’s sports broadcasts going forward,” Malone said.

WWOS’s rugby league coverage next year will be vastly different, and include two new post-match shows to follow Thursday Night Football and Friday Night Football, with a “strong emphasis of being at the ground, and interacting with players, fans and coaches”, Nine said.

The spotlight now turns to Nine’s AFL Footy Show, which is hosted by Eddie McGuire and Sam Newman, following a ratings slump.

Newman said goodbye on air last month, citing talk that the program will be cancelled after 25 years.

A Nine spokesperson said no decision has been made about the AFL Footy Show’s future, adding it is in talks with Jam TV, the production company that is owned by McGuire and produces the Melbourne-based show.

The NRL Footy Show is made by Nine’s sport division and WWOS, while the AFL counterpart falls under its entertainment division.

It’s expected more on Nine’s coverage will be revealed when the broadcaster holds its upfront briefing on October 17 in Sydney, where it will announce its strategic plans for 2019, “spanning premium video content, integration, data and automation”.