However, in recent years, the show suffered from dwindling viewership, with metro audiences sometimes dipping below 200,000. Criticised for being “preachy” and out of touch, it lost relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Controversies over coverage choices and on-air opinions became frequent talking points, including viewer backlash to political commentary segments and heated debates that sometimes overshadowed the actual news. Photo: Channel 10

After 16 years on air and more than 4,500 episodes, The Project is set to wrap up in June 2025. The once-flagship current affairs show combined news with entertainment, aiming to attract younger audiences with its panel format and celebrity hosts like Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson. Photo: Channel 10

Network 10, now ranked last in commercial network ratings and struggling financially under parent company Paramount, confirmed the cancellation alongside broader newsroom cuts. Around 100 roles are expected to be impacted by the show’s demise, representing one of the largest staffing overhauls in the network’s recent history. Photo: Channel 10

Glitzy and absurd, The Masked Singer was a surprise hit when it debuted in 2019, featuring celebrities performing anonymously in elaborate costumes. Photo: Channel 10

Hosted by Osher Günsberg, with judges including Dannii Minogue, Dave Hughes, Jackie O and Urzila Carlson, it became an early viral sensation. Viewers were hooked on the wacky concept and the guessing game format. Photo: Channel 10

But by season five, enthusiasm waned. Ratings fell, the celebrity line-up became less exciting and audiences began to question the cost versus reward. The show was quietly cancelled ahead of its sixth season in 2024, a decision that signalled Network 10s shift away from high-cost productions amid a shrinking budget. Photo: Channel 10

For a decade, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette dominated pop culture, producing a rotating door of media personalities like Sam Frost, Matty J, Georgia Love and Brooke Blurton. Photo: Channel 10

The franchise saw engagements, public breakups, scandals and plenty of social media drama. But over time, the reality dating format lost its shine. Multiple format overhauls, including dual leads and attempts at diversity, failed to win back viewers. Photo: Channel 10

The Bachelorette’s final season in 2021 and while Brooke Blurton was praised for representation, her season didn’t deliver in ratings. Osher Günsberg, the long-time host, eventually acknowledged the fatigue. By 2023, Network 10 opted not to bring either show back, marking the end of a major chapter in Australian reality TV. Photo: Channel 10

Gladiators first debuted on Network 10 in the mid-1990s and became an instant hit, blending over-the-top athletic showdowns with flashy production and characters like Vulcan, Storm and Commando. It tapped into the pro-wrestling-meets-game-show energy of the era and developed a cult following. Photo: Channel 10

The original run ended in 1996 but was briefly revived in 2008 by Channel 7 with a fresh cast, including celebrity trainer Tiffiny Hall, and even featured appearances from previous Gladiators. However, the 2008 version was short-lived, lasting just one season due to a lukewarm response and criticism that it didn’t live up to the nostalgic original. Photo: Channel 10

In 2024, Network 10 attempted another reboot with Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis as hosts, hoping to capitalise on nostalgia once again. The new iteration introduced updated contenders like Chaos, Phoenix and Maximus, and tried to bring modern polish to the old-school format. Despite heavy promotion and prime-time positioning, the show failed to resonate with audiences. Photo: Channel 10

Viewers criticised it for lacking personality and feeling overly safe. It debuted to soft ratings and was quietly dropped from the schedule after its first season. Photo: Channel 7

Studio 10 carved out a decade-long run as Network 10s morning talk alternative. Originally hosted by Ita Buttrose, Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand and Jessica Rowe, it offered a mix of pop culture, interviews and live debate. Photo: Channel 10

While it had loyal viewers and some viral moments, it never matched the commercial success of Seven’s Sunrise or Nine’s Today. Over the years, frequent line-up changes and budget restrictions disrupted its rhythm. In 2023, it was axed amid a cost-cutting drive, with executives citing the need to streamline daytime content. Its cancellation closed the door on one of the network’s few live daily shows. Photo: Channel 10

Inspired by the classic drama, The Real Love Boat was a dating show was set aboard a Princess Cruises ship, combining travel, romance and elimination ceremonies. Darren McMullen served as host, with Cruise Director Hannah Ferrier from Below Deck making a guest appearance. Photo: Channel 10

Despite the glamorous setting, the show struggled with tone, pacing and awkward contestant chemistry. Critics panned it for being contrived and directionless. Ratings dropped immediately after the premiere, and it was quickly moved to a late-night slot before being burned off on digital. Network 10 quietly confirmed it would not return in 2023. Photo: Channel 10

A psychological reality competition based on the hit Dutch format, The Traitors was hosted by Rodger Corser and filmed in a grand country estate. Contestants played a murder mystery game while secretly betraying one another. It drew comparisons to Survivor and Mafia-style party games. Photo: Channel 10

Despite strong production and initial intrigue, the second season failed to capture the same buzz. Viewership dropped, and 10 gave little promotional support. While not panned critically, it simply didn’t generate enough momentum to survive in a crowded field of reality content. Photo: Channel 10

The local adaptation of the beloved UK panel show Would I Lie To You? starred Chrissie Swan as host with team captains Frank Woodley and Chris Taylor. Guests included familiar Aussie comedians and TV personalities. While some episodes were praised for their charm, others felt like a pale imitation of the original. Photo: Channel 10

Viewers found the delivery uneven, and ratings never broke through. The show wrapped quietly after two seasons and was never officially announced as cancelled. It faded from schedules without a send-off. Photo: Channel 10

Set in tropical Fiji, Bachelor spin-off Bachelor In Paradise brought together past contestants for a second shot at love and plenty of drama. Fan favourites like Keira Maguire, Jarrod Woodgate and Alisha Aitken-Radburn stirred headlines. It delivered memorable moments including engagements, breakups and poolside meltdowns. Photo: Channel 10

But as the Bachelor universe started to contract, so did its spin-offs. By 2020, producers struggled to cast strong personalities and keep the formula fresh. Network 10 dropped the show without a final season wrap-up, focusing instead on revamping the core franchise. Photo: Channel 10

Big Brother exploded in 2001 as the original Aussie reality juggernaut. Hosted by Gretel Killeen, it offered 24/7 voyeurism, live evictions and unfiltered housemate drama. It birthed instant celebrities like Sara-Marie, Blair and Reggie. Photo: Channel 10

But over time, public interest shifted and controversies took centre stage. In 2006, a major incident involving two male housemates allegedly sexually harassing a female contestant caused national outrage and calls for the show’s cancellation. Photo: Channel 10

Ratings declined steadily, and in 2008, Network 10 finally pulled the plug. The franchise would later move to Nine, then Seven, undergoing multiple reinventions. Photo: Channel 10

Before it shifted to Seven, Nine tried to breathe new life into Big Brother with a slicker, youth-focused relaunch. Despite bringing back Sonia Kruger as host, the show struggled without its traditional live format and nightly updates. Fans of the original felt disconnected, and the series lost steam by the 2014 finale. The network moved on to newer formats. Photo: Nine Network

Seven’s reboot of the iconic reality series introduced a sleek, prerecorded game format that initially piqued curiosity. But over time, fans felt it lost the unpredictability and strategic gameplay that once defined it. Photo: Channel 7

The 2023 season, Big Brother: House of Love, was particularly panned for focusing almost entirely on romantic pairings, sidelining any competitive tension. Cast members, which were mostly influencers, failed to resonate, and the show’s ratings plummeted. It was pulled early and quietly axed. Photo: Channel 7

This celebrity edition featured tabloid-friendly names like Caitlyn Jenner, Thomas Markle Jr., and Omarosa. It sparked headlines but for all the wrong reasons — Jenner left the show abruptly for a political campaign, and Markle’s inclusion was widely mocked. Viewers tuned out, and Seven distanced itself from further celebrity spin-offs. Photo: Channel 7

Can of Worms positioned itself as a bold, live talk show that asked taboo questions to celebrities and the public. Hosts included Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, Meshel Laurie and Chrissie Swan. The show sparked heated on-air debates about race, sexuality, parenting and politics. Photo: Channel 10

At times, it attracted criticism for being too sensational, and advertisers were reportedly nervous about brand alignment. Despite its attempts to push boundaries, ratings were inconsistent. It wrapped after three seasons as 10 shifted away from studio-based panel content. Photo: Channel 10

Tone of Network 10s most successful scripted shows, Offspring starred Asher Keddie as Nina Proudman, a Melbourne obstetrician navigating family chaos and romantic disasters. The show was cancelled in 2014 amid network-wide cost-cutting, prompting a fan outcry that led to its return in 2016. It aired two more seasons before concluding in 2017. Photo: Channel 10

One of Seven’s most brutal and buzzed-about reality formats, SAS Australia threw celebrities into a military-style training program led by ex-Special Forces soldiers including Ant Middleton. The show quickly made headlines with its raw, often confronting footage and intense psychological toll on contestants. While the early seasons drew strong ratings, cracks began to appear by season four. Photo: Channel 7

Casting choices drew backlash — with Anthony Mundine facing heavy criticism for past homophobic comments, and Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins being labelled a publicity stunt. Behind the scenes, insiders cited clashes between producers and the network over creative control, and after protracted contract issues with the UK format owners, the show was dropped in 2024. Photo: Channel 7

A short-lived experiment from the Voice franchise, The Voice Generations spin-off teamed up family members across generations in a feel-good singing contest. Photo: Channel 7

Despite judges like Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy returning, it lacked emotional weight and failed to build momentum. Ratings were soft from the outset, and the show disappeared from Seven’s schedule after its single season. Photo: Channel 7

Once a ratings juggernaut and star-maker, DWTS had its heyday in the 2000s with memorable performances by stars like Bec Hewitt and Ada Nicodemou. Photo: Channel 7

When it returned in 2021, Seven leaned heavily into nostalgia, reviving hosts Sonia Kruger and Daryl Somers. But audiences had moved on, and despite some high-profile casting, including Courtney Act and Grant Denyer, viewership declined year-on-year. Production costs were high, and by 2025, it was quietly confirmed this season would be its last. Photo: Channel 7

This once-revered tribute show This Is Your Life made a comeback in 2022 with Melissa Doyle as host. It featured emotional episodes spotlighting the likes of Ian Thorpe and Shane Warne (posthumously). However, the format felt dated, struggling to connect with younger audiences. Ratings were inconsistent, and after a subdued 2023 run, it was shelved again. Photo: Channel 7

Balloon artistry competition Blow Up tried to emulate the feel-good magic of Lego Masters. Despite bright visuals and charming contestants, the show failed to land. Host Stephen Curry and judge Balloon artist Chris Adamo couldn’t elevate it past its niche appeal. It vanished after its debut season. Photo: Channel 7

Marketed as a blockbuster survival epic, big-budget gamble The Million Dollar Island featured 100 contestants competing in a remote location for a million-dollar prize was riddled with logistic issues. Critics called the format chaotic, and the lack of clear storytelling hurt audience investment. The show failed to rate and was canned despite heavy promotion. Photo: Channel 7

Holey Moley was an ambitious minigolf meets Wipeout hybrid that hoped to be a family favourite. While Rob Riggle and Matt Shirvington brought energy to hosting duties, the concept wore thin quickly. Despite a flashy launch and US branding, ratings tanked after a few weeks. Photo: Channel 7

Ultimate Tag was a high-energy sport-meets-game-show format where contestants tried to outrun elite “taggers”. The production was impressive, but the gameplay lacked tension. Even the presence of Olympian Liz Clay couldn’t save it from cancellation. Photo: Channel 7

Wife Swap Australia’s 2021 reboot aimed for controversy but ultimately fell short, being more awkward than insightful. Families clashed over parenting and values, but the drama felt manufactured. Critics said the format hadn’t evolved, and audiences didn’t bite. Photo: Channel 7

Channel 7’s House Rules was a strong contender to The Block, especially with memorable seasons like the 2017 showdown between Aaron and Daniella and Andrew and Jono. But fatigue set in by the later years, and ratings steadily declined. Seven pulled the plug in 2020 and struggled to replace it with a successful renovation show. Photo: Channel 7

Touted as “the Olympics of food”, this multicultural cooking contest Plate of Origin, brought together teams from various backgrounds. Despite heavy-hitter hosts Manu Feildel, Gary Mehigan, and Matt Preston, the show lacked cohesion. The pandemic-affected production didn’t help, and viewership never took off. Photo: Channel 7

Pooch Perfect was a dog grooming competition hosted by Rebel Wilson charmed some viewers but confused others. Critics couldn’t decide if it was a kids’ show or adult reality TV. It gained some attention in the US but was never renewed in Australia. Photo: Channel 7

Launched with a bang, Ninja Warrior became a prime-time powerhouse thanks to its jaw-dropping stunts and everyday Aussie heroes like Ashlin Herbert and Ben Polson. The first few seasons drew millions, but interest began to wane as the format became predictable. Photo: Nine Network

By 2022, key contestants had either moved on or lost their novelty, and new competitors struggled to match early fan favourites. Nine chose not to renew the show amid declining ratings and rising production costs. Photo: Nine Network

Hosted by Scott Pickett and Poh Ling Yeow, Snackmasters was a unique culinary competition had chefs reverse-engineering iconic supermarket snacks. It was playful and different but didn’t have the hook to retain long-term viewers. Although the early novelty worked, the second season suffered from repetition and audience fatigue. Nine quietly shelved it after two seasons. Photo: Nine Network

Fronted by respected journalist Liz Hayes, investigative current affairs series Under Investigation aimed to dig deep into cold cases and social mysteries. While it was praised for its depth, it lacked the urgency of other news programs. Viewer numbers remained modest, and when Hayes departed Nine in 2023 to join Seven, the show was formally retired. Photo: Nine Network

A daytime fixture for over a decade, Millionaire Hotseat was a rapid-fire quiz show hosted by Eddie McGuire kept Nine’s afternoons humming along for years. But by the 2020s, its format felt tired and viewership dropped. The show quietly wrapped in 2023 as Nine refreshed its schedule with newer content aimed at younger demographics. Photo: Nine Network

Marketed as a heartfelt alternative to fast-paced dating shows, My Mum Your Dad’s format saw adult children nominate their single parents to find love. It earned praise for its authenticity and warmth, but ratings never matched critical goodwill. Despite likeable cast members and emotional moments, Nine didn’t renew it after two seasons. Photo: Nine Network

Rush was a travel-adventure competition that tried to mimic The Amazing Race energy with a high-stakes format. Hosted by David Genat, the show placed contestants in remote destinations with limited resources. While visually engaging, the show lacked compelling contestants and storytelling, and Nine opted not to bring it back. Photo: Nine Network

A cult hit in its first run, Beauty and the Geek paired shy, nerdy men with confident women for a reality makeover experience. In the 2021 reboot, Nine gave it a more emotional and wholesome tone, bringing in Sophie Monk as host. Photo: Nine Network

However, long-time fans missed the chaos of earlier seasons, and the new format struggled to attract new viewers. It ended after two revival seasons. Photo: Nine Network

Australia’s version of Celebrity Apprentice Revived had four seasons with Mark Bouris at the helm before ending in 2016. However it was revived with Lord Alan Sugar as the headline act in 2021. The reboot pulled in influencers and entrepreneurs like Martha Kalifatidis and Scherri-Lee Biggs. While it delivered drama, critics called it hollow and repetitive. Despite some explosive boardroom clashes, it failed to capture the magic of the original and was axed after two seasons. Photo: Nine Network

Hosted by Karl Stefanovic, This Time Next Year profiled Australians working towards life-changing personal goals. The time-jump format was novel, showing before and after moments within one episode. While emotional and well-meaning, it struggled to maintain ratings past the second season and was not renewed. Photo: Nine Network