TV Blackbox
Australia-focused TV industry news and ratings/distribution.
Why Is Network 10 Resting so Many Local TV Shows?
Network 10 reported an $84 million AUD loss (≈$55 million USD) for the year to December 2025, even as revenue grew 6.4% to $464 million AUD (≈$306 million USD). The broadcaster trimmed staff from 850 to 736 and slashed programming spend by nearly $80 million AUD, leading to the axing of long‑running shows like The Project and the shelving of several local formats. Advertising revenue in Australia’s free‑to‑air market fell 12% year‑over‑year, pushing Network 10’s ad‑share below 19%. These moves reflect a deepening cost‑cutting drive amid a weakening ad market and rising streaming competition.
7NEWS Tasmania Ends 64-Year Launceston Era
7NEWS Tasmania launched its first Hobart‑produced 6 pm bulletin on Monday, ending a 64‑year run of nightly news from Launceston. The new edition is anchored by Kim Millar and Andy “Tubes” Taylor, with weather presented by Kiah Wicks, while production and...
Essie Davis Rocked by Hidden Family Truth on WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Australian actress Essie Davis appeared on SBS’s genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? and uncovered that her grandmother had adopted her own grandchildren to conceal a family secret. The revelation reframes Davis’s understanding of her father’s past and...
SCA Reinstates ANGUS ROSS in Remarkable Seven Leadership Reversal
Southern Cross Media Group (SCA) announced that veteran television executive Angus Ross will rejoin the company as Managing Director of Television and Streaming, effective 1 July. Ross will oversee all broadcast and streaming content—including news, sport and entertainment—across the Seven network...
Paramount+ Renews A-LEAGUES Deal as Free-to-Air TV Coverage Shrinks
Paramount+ and Network 10 have signed a three‑year extension of their media rights partnership with the Australian Professional Leagues. The deal keeps every A‑League Men’s and Women’s match live on Paramount+, while free‑to‑air coverage on Network 10 is cut to one...
ABC Delivers $772m Economic Boost as Digital Content Overhaul Looms
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) disclosed that its commissioned productions delivered an economic boost of $772 million AUD (about $509 million USD) and supported more than 7,700 full‑time jobs between July 2022 and June 2025. Deloitte Access Economics found the broadcaster acted as an...
Screen Australia Backs New First Nations Factual Co Production Fund
Screen Australia announced a new First Nations Factual Co‑production Development Fund, backed by state screen agencies, to help Indigenous screen businesses expand internationally. The program will select up to five First Nations‑led companies, each receiving a $30,000 grant to develop...
STAN Turns OnlyFans Millions Into Glossy Reality TV Chaos
Stan has launched the eight‑part docudrama "Turned On: Dirty Sexy Money," a reality‑TV look at the world’s top OnlyFans creators who earn more than AUD 1 million a year (about US $660,000). The series follows stars such as Annie Knight, who reportedly pulls...
NITV Secures New GARMA FESTIVAL Broadcast Deal
National Indigenous Television (NITV) and the Yothu Yindi Foundation have renewed a three‑year broadcast partnership, extending coverage of the Garma Festival through 2028. The 26th edition of the festival runs from 31 July to 3 August 2026 on Gulkula in...
Can TRAVIS BARKER’S New Documentary Reveal His Truth?
Disney+ announced the original documentary *Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear* will debut in Australia on 13 August, following its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on 13 June. The film, directed by Justin Krook and Michael Dwyer, chronicles Barker’s journey from a...
Alan Cumming and David Morrissey Clash in TIP TOE
Russell T. Davies’ new five‑part drama “Tip Toe” drops its trailer, starring Emmy‑winner Alan Cumming and David Morrissey. Set in Manchester’s gay district, the series follows bar owner Leo and electrician Clive as neighbours whose rivalry turns deadly. Produced by...
SBS Names David Fernandez to Lead Digital and TV Sales
SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager of Digital & TV Sales, strengthening its commercial leadership ahead of a projected surge in digital audiences and ad spend. Fernandez arrives from Cartology, Woolworths’ retail‑media arm, after senior roles at Meta...
SPORTSDAY Scores Fox Footy Simulcast in SEN Expansion
SEN is extending its TV presence by simulcasting the first hour of its Monday night AFL radio show *Sportsday* on Fox Footy, starting next week and running through the rest of the AFL season. The hour‑long broadcast, from 5 pm to...
Will MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT Face Global Scrutiny After Rape Claims?
Channel 4 has removed every season of Married at First Sight UK from its streaming and broadcast platforms after a BBC Panorama investigation uncovered rape and non‑consensual sex allegations involving three former participants. The claims target both the show's production...
Delta Powers Australia Into the Grand Final at EUROVISION 2026
Australian pop star Delta Goodrem secured a place in the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final after a visually striking semi‑final performance in Vienna. The staging, designed by Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson, combined celestial visuals, towering light effects and more than...
SBS and NITV Back New DIGITAL ORIGINALS Projects
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have opened applications for the seventh round of the Digital Originals initiative, a talent pipeline for emerging Australian screen creators. Five projects from the 2025 cohort—spanning romance, crime, comedy and regional stories—have secured development funding...
REAL HOUSEWIVES Star Confronts Mormon Church Abuse Claims
Heather Gay, a star of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," is fronting a three‑part documentary, "Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay," that probes abuse, secrecy and power within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints. The series, which debuted...
Paramount+ Backs Blockbuster A-LEAGUE MEN Semi Finals
Paramount+ and Network 10 will air the Isuzu UTE A‑League Men semi‑final second legs this weekend, delivering live coverage of Adelaide United vs Auckland FC and Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC. Both matches are sold out, with Adelaide counting on Golden Boot winner...
WAFL v SANFL Rivalry Returns Live and Free on Seven
Seven Network will broadcast the historic WAFL versus SANFL state football clash live and free on its main channel and the 7plus Sport streaming service this Saturday. The match, held at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, marks the 101st edition of the...
AFL LEGENDS GAME Back on Seven After Blockbuster Revival
The Seven Network will broadcast the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer again in 2026 after a blockbuster 2025 revival. The 2025 match drew more than 2.3 million Australian viewers, raised over AUD 1 million (≈US $660,000), and attracted a crowd of 31,320...
Can FARMER WANTS A WIFE Cowboy Dylan Find True Love?
Seven’s reality series Farmer Wants A Wife returns with 24‑year‑old rodeo cowboy Dylan Scarborough seeking love. Dylan, a sheep farmer from Cherry Gardens, also runs the western‑wear label Outback Drover Co., launched in 2023 while working FIFO in mining. Known...
Bruce McAvaney’s Emotional WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Journey
Veteran sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney headlines the Season 17 premiere of SBS’s genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, tracing his family’s South Australian roots. The episode follows his journey to the tiny settlement of Peter’s Hill, where he uncovers Wendish (Sorbian) ancestors linked to...
Can JUJUTSU KAISEN Fans Conquer This Anime Fitness Test?
Crunchyroll has teamed with virtual‑fitness firm The Conqueror to roll out an officially licensed Jujutsu Kaisen fitness challenge, debuting globally on 15 May 2026. The program offers three distance‑based events—Cursed Vessel (79 km), Unlimited Void (88 km) and Chimera Shadow Garden (124 km)—that participants can complete...
Josh Heuston Joins Prime Video’s OFF CAMPUS Sydney Fan Event
Prime Video is promoting its new YA series Off Campus with a week‑long immersive fan event at Romancing The Novel bookstore in Sydney. Australian actor Josh Heuston will appear for a Q&A on May 19, and fans can earn tickets...
SKY NEWS Locks in Major Political Lineup for Budget 2026
Sky News Australia announced a comprehensive, rolling broadcast of the 2026 Federal Budget, beginning Tuesday May 12 at 5:00 pm. High‑profile hosts Chris Kenny, Peta Credlin and Paul Murray will anchor separate segments that preview, analyze and dissect Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget...
Can TROPFEST Reclaim Its Place in Australian Film?
Tropfest, Australia’s flagship short‑film festival, returns after a six‑year hiatus, highlighted in an ABC Australian Story episode titled “The Hustler.” The documentary follows founder John Polson, whose troubled youth was redirected by acting, and charts the festival’s rise from a Sydney...
HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION? Lands UK Star Olga Koch
British‑born comedian Olga Koch makes her Australian TV debut on Network 10’s quiz show “Have You Been Paying Attention?” airing tonight at 8.40 pm. She joins regulars Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee alongside guests Melanie Bracewell and Ray O’Leary. Koch is known...
JONO BROWN Opens up on Life-Changing Brain Tumour Ordeal
Former AFL captain Jonathan Brown revealed he underwent surgery to remove a low‑grade brain tumour discovered during routine concussion monitoring. The diagnosis, made public in March 2026, followed a career marked by roughly 20 concussions, multiple facial fractures and extensive...
UK Thriller THE REVENGE CLUB Arrives on BritBox in Australia
BritBox has launched the six‑part UK thriller *The Revenge Club* for Australian subscribers. The series follows newly divorced strangers who turn therapy sessions into elaborate revenge schemes, blending dark comedy, suspense, and relationship drama. It features a star‑studded ensemble including...
Coastal Crime Series MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN Scores Third Season
Fox has renewed the Canadian‑produced crime drama “Murder In A Small Town” for a third season, adding a 10‑episode run and bringing Peter Gallagher on board as a series regular. The show, which premiered in Australia on Seven and 7plus...
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Serves Mother’s Day Ideas
Better Homes and Gardens aired a Mother’s Day‑themed episode featuring Australian‑Italian grandmother Nonna Fina, whose viral videos have amassed over a million followers. Host Johanna Griggs joined her and granddaughter Maddie for a kitchen segment, while chef Colin Fassnidge demonstrated a...
THE BEAR Surprises Fans with Hidden Episode ‘GARY’ on Disney+
Disney+ surprised The Bear fans on May 7, 2026 with a hidden flashback episode titled “Gary,” co‑written by lead Ebon Moss‑Bachrach and Jon Bernthal. The short instalment follows Richie and Mikey on a work trip to Gary, Indiana, and can...
Foxtel Secures Buzzy YAGA Thriller Starring Heated Rivalry Favourite
Foxtel Group has secured Australian rights to the Canadian mystery thriller YAGA, adding another high‑profile international drama to its streaming lineup. Produced by Blink49 Studios and Front Street Pictures, the series blends murder mystery, ancient folklore and small‑town tension, starring...
Paramount Australia Merges Sales Teams as GRANT MADIGAN Starts New Role
Paramount Australia has merged its linear TV and digital advertising sales into a single commercial unit, creating a unified sales proposition for advertisers. The restructuring follows the exit of longtime sales chief Rod Prosser after 15 years and introduces Grant...
TASKMASTER AUSTRALIA Returns Tonight with Fresh Chaos and Comedy
Taskmaster Australia returns tonight for its fifth season, with Tom Gleeson reprising his role as the Taskmaster and Tom Cashman back as his assistant. The new lineup features comedians Rove McManus, Celia Pacquola, Anisa Nandaula, Brett Blake and Joel Creasey. The series keeps its signature...
FOXTEL Rollout Brings 4K Sport to Mining Camps Nationwide
Foxtel Group has deepened its partnership with mining giant Fortescue, rolling out its Business iQ platform to more than 10,000 employees across 11 remote accommodation villages. Approximately 11,500 screens will be upgraded to deliver 4K Ultra HD sport and entertainment via...
What Will Top ABC CLASSIC 100 Greatest of All Time?
ABC Classic is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026 by launching the annual Classic 100 countdown, inviting listeners to vote for the greatest classical works of all time. The voting window runs until Thursday 28 May 2026, with the final rankings broadcast on...
Is This MY RENO RULES’ Most Controversial Reveal so Far?
The mother‑daughter duo Emma and Michelle received the lowest score of the night on My Reno Rules, earning 21.5 out of 30 after judges slammed their black‑tiled ensuite as one of the worst bathrooms seen on the series. Julia Green,...
ESPN Sets NBA PLAYOFFS Semi Finals with Star-Studded Matchups
ESPN has released its Australian broadcast lineup for the 2026 NBA conference semi‑finals, slated for May 6‑7 on ESPN2 and ESPN. The Eastern Conference pits top‑seed Detroit Pistons against the hard‑fought Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Western Conference features defending champion Oklahoma...
ABC NEWS Expands Reach with AAP Regional News Partnership
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has teamed up with the Australian Associated Press (AAP) to launch a one‑year pilot that will distribute ABC’s emergency‑related digital articles to 40 regional news outlets. AAP will provide its Newsroom web portal as the...
NCIS: Sydney Season Four Scaled Back After Recent Expansion
NCIS: Sydney’s fourth season will be trimmed to 10 episodes, a sharp reduction from the 20‑episode third season that was expanded to meet CBS’s scheduling needs. The series launched with eight episodes in 2023, grew to ten in season two,...
GUY SEBASTIAN Targeted on GLENN & MICK’S CELEBRITY INTERVENTION
Australian singer‑songwriter Guy Sebastian will be the next focus of Seven Network’s comedy‑talk series *Glenn & Mick’s Celebrity Intervention*. Hosts Glenn Robbins and Mick Molloy, joined by co‑host Lawrence Mooney, will guide a conversation that includes Sebastian’s wife Jules and fellow...
Mrs Mangel Portrait Pulls $19,500 for Dementia Australia
The iconic Mrs Mangel portrait from the Australian soap "Neighbours" sold for AU$19,500 (approximately US$12,900) after a week‑long online auction that attracted 104 bids. A buyer from the United Kingdom secured the piece, with participants spanning the US, Singapore, Italy,...
7plus Tops April BVOD Rankings as Audience Climbs 50%
Seven’s free streaming service 7plus led Australia’s commercial BVOD market in April, securing a 43.4% share of viewing. The platform’s audience swelled 50.5% year‑over‑year, delivering more than 3.6 billion minutes of content, with live streaming—particularly AFL matches—showing the strongest growth. Strong...
Nova 100 Recognises CLINT STANAWAY in Melbourne Breakfast Update
Nova 100 officially renamed its flagship Melbourne Breakfast program to "Jase, Lauren & Clint," elevating co‑host and newsreader Clint Stanaway from an afterthought to a headline name. The rebrand launched on air this morning after sustained listener requests and aims...
2026 BAFTA TV Awards to Stream on HBO Max Australia
The 2026 BAFTA Television Awards will be streamed live on HBO Max Australia, debuting at 4:03 am AEST on Monday, 11 May. The ceremony, filmed at London’s Royal Festival Hall, is hosted by comedian Greg Davies. Warner Bros. Discovery secured five nominations, including The...
HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION? Kicks Off New Season Tonight
Australian Network 10 has launched the 14th season of the comedy‑quiz show Have You Been Paying Attention? on May 4, 2026. Long‑time quizmaster Tom Gleisner returns alongside regulars Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee, with guest comedians Kitty Flanagan, Pete Helliar and Anne Edmonds...
Inside the Fringe Movement Rejecting Laws on 7NEWS SPOTLIGHT
The Australian 7NEWS Spotlight program aired a rare investigative report on the sovereign citizen movement, a fringe belief system that denies the authority of Australian law. The segment shows how ordinary Australians—parents, tradespeople, retirees—adopt radical ideas that taxes, licences and...
Seven Unveils Refreshed 7NEWS Tasmania Team for Hobart Move
Seven Network is shifting the production of its flagship 7NEWS Tasmania bulletin from Launceston to a new studio in Hobart, debuting on May 25. Veteran anchor Kim Millar will present the 6 p.m. weekday slot Monday‑Wednesday, while weekend presenter Michael Maney...
Rohan Lund Begins as CEO of Merged Southern Cross Media
Rohan Lund began his first day as chief executive of Southern Cross Media, the newly merged entity that combines Seven Network, 7plus, Hit and Triple M radio networks, and the LiSTNR audio platform. Lund arrives after former boss Jeff Howard’s departure...