TV Blackbox
Australia-focused TV industry news and ratings/distribution.
CASTING | Think You Can Beat the Banker on DEAL OR NO DEAL?
Network 10 has officially renewed Deal or No Deal Australia for a third season, commissioning 195 additional episodes to air weeknights at 6:30 pm. Hosted by Grant Denyer, the revived format returned in early 2024 and has settled into a stable early‑evening slot after several scheduling changes. Casting is now open for contestants aged 18 and over, with applications accepted via the show's dedicated website. Filming will continue at Docklands Studios Melbourne, supporting local production activity.
Is DELTA GOODREM the Safe Choice for EUROVISION 2026?
SBS has announced that Delta Goodrem will represent Australia at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, marking a shift back to a familiar pop star after recent experimental entries. Goodrem will perform her new arena‑ready single “Eclipse,” co‑written with...
NITV Unites Sport Slate with WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPORT NIGHT
National Indigenous Television (NITV) is launching a new weekly banner called Wednesday Night Sport Night, consolidating its flagship sports shows into a single midweek block. The lineup begins March 4 with PBR 2026 at 8:30 pm, followed by the 10th season...
JURY DUTY Returns with Fresh Corporate Chaos
Prime Video has released the first trailer for the new season of Jury Duty, titled Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat. The documentary‑style comedy follows temporary worker Anthony at a staged corporate offsite at a family‑owned hot sauce company, where a...
TV Highlights | 2026 Week 10
TV Blackbox’s Week 10 guide highlights a packed Australian TV lineup, with reality power‑houses Married At First Sight, Australian Idol and Australian Survivor anchoring prime‑time across Nine, Seven and Ten. The schedule also features new series launches on streaming services such...
Saturday VOZ Ratings | All Eyes on the 2026 SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE
TV Blackbox published Saturday VOZ ratings for 28 February 2026, spotlighting the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade as a ratings leader. The release introduces new metrics that combine overnight and consolidated data, counting unique viewers who watch at least one...
Children’s TV Favourite Emma Watkins Joins POSTCARDS for Country Escape
Emma Watkins, former Yellow Wiggle now performing as Emma Memma, appears as a guest presenter on Channel 9’s travel series Postcards for a regional Victorian tour. In her segment she visits Trentham on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, stopping at the new Sisko Chocolate...
CASTING | 10 Opens Casting for Next Season of AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR
Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia have launched nationwide casting for future installments of Australian Survivor, even though the current season has seen a sharp drop in viewership and no formal renewal has been announced. Applicants must be at least...
PARAMOUNT Wins US $110B Battle for Warner Bros, Pays NETFLIX Exit Fee
Paramount has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery for $31 per share, valuing the combined enterprise at roughly $110 billion including debt. The deal also covers Netflix’s $2.8 billion termination fee, clearing the rival’s exit from the bidding war. If regulators approve,...
Where to Watch Every Matildas AFC Women’s Asian Cup Match in Australia
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 kicks off in Perth on March 1, with the CommBank Matildas opening against the Philippines. All matches will be broadcast live on free‑to‑air channel 10 and streamed on Paramount+, giving fans full coverage through the...
Shannons SpeedSeries Secures New Home on FOX SPORTS for 2026
After two decades on free‑to‑air television, the Shannons SpeedSeries will move to Fox Sports starting in 2026. The new deal places all six championship rounds live on Fox Sports and on‑demand via Kayo Sports, ending its partnership with the Seven...
Rachel Perkins to Steer First Nations Strategy at SCREEN AUSTRALIA
Screen Australia has appointed acclaimed filmmaker Rachel Perkins as its inaugural Director of First Nations Strategy, effective 2 March 2026. Perkins, an Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman and co‑founder of Blackfella Films, brings over three decades of experience creating Indigenous‑focused television...
Tara Brown Investigates Epstein Scandal Fallout
Australian journalist Tara Brown will front a 60 Minutes special titled "The Reckoning: Inside the Epstein Files" airing March 2 on Channel 9 and 9Now. The program examines newly released documents that map Jeffrey Epstein’s network of powerful associates across...
Bruce McAvaney Leads SEVEN’s Tongue in Cheek 2026 AFL Launch Campaign
Seven Network unveiled a tongue‑in‑cheek promo for the 2026 AFL season, starring veteran commentator Bruce McAvaney as the network’s fictional “Head of Sport.” The spot gathers Seven’s top football voices—including Brian Taylor, Kane Cornes, and Nick Riewoldt—alongside current players and...
Stan Acquires Buzzy George Kay Thriller Series GONE for Australia
Australian streaming service Stan has acquired the exclusive rights to the six‑part psychological thriller *Gone* for the Australian market. The series, created by George Kay – known for *Hijack* and *Lupin* – follows elite headmaster Michael Polly, played by David...
NETFLIX, PRIME VIDEO, DISNEY+ Hold Firm in Australia’s Streaming Race
JustWatch’s Q4 2025 data shows Australia’s streaming hierarchy remains largely unchanged, with Netflix holding the top spot at 22 percent engagement, followed closely by Prime Video at 20 percent and Disney+ at 19 percent. Local platform Stan posted a notable...
James Bracey and Danika Mason Lead NRL Kick Off Live and Free From Las Vegas
The 2026 NRL season will launch from Las Vegas, with Channel 9 and 9Now broadcasting the opening round free‑to‑air on March 1. Hosts James Bracey and Danika Mason will front the Vegas Countdown, joined by a star‑studded analysis panel that includes Phil Gould, Paul Gallen...
LITTLE LUNCH Back with New Grade 5 Crew
Little Lunch returns with a fresh instalment titled Little Lunch: New Class, introducing six new Year 5 students while veteran teacher Mrs Gonsha, played by Heidi Arena, reprises her role. The series is a co‑production between ABC, BBC and the Australian Children’s...
Emma Lawrence Makes History on TRIPLE M
Triple M announced its 2026 NRL broadcast lineup, appointing Emma Lawrence as the first female play‑by‑play caller in league history. Lawrence, a Triple M veteran since 2017, joins a team that includes former player Luke Keary and returning legend Ryan...
ABC Orders Tasma Walton’s WA Crime Drama Pilli Sisters PI to Series
ABC has ordered a six‑part crime drama titled Pilli Sisters PI, created and written by actress‑author Tasma Walton. The series follows Indigenous sisters running a private investigation firm in Fremantle, Western Australia, and will be filmed across the state. Production...
Hunter Page-Lochard, Kat Stewart Lead New ABC Crime Drama Fortitude Valley
ABC announced a six‑part crime thriller titled Fortitude Valley, set in Brisbane’s neon‑lit nightlife precinct. The series stars AACTA‑winning First Nations actor Hunter Page‑Lochard and veteran Kat Stewart, with production kicking off in April and a 2027 broadcast on ABC TV...
Seven Recruits COREY PARKER to Host Weekly NRL Agenda Show
Seven Network announced the launch of "The Agenda Setters: Rugby League," a weekly NRL analysis program hosted by former Brisbane Broncos captain Corey Parker. The panel features premiership halfback Luke Keary, State of Origin forward Aaron Woods, veteran journalist David...
Michael Rowland Announces Sudden Exit From ABC After Four Decades
Veteran journalist Michael Rowland announced his departure from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation this week, ending a 39‑year career that began as a radio news cadet in 1987. He is best known for co‑hosting News Breakfast for 15 years and most...
Louise Milligan Leads FOUR CORNERS Surgeon Scandal
Four Corners aired "Scarred", exposing a Melbourne gynaecologist accused of performing unnecessary laparoscopic surgeries on women in their twenties. Pathology reports often found little or no endometriosis, yet organs and tissue were removed, compromising fertility and causing chronic pain. The...
AUSTRALIAN IDOL Top 30 Face Toughest Test Yet
Australian Idol has finalized its Top 30 roster, setting the stage for the competition's most rigorous round yet. Judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark warned that success will hinge on adaptability, rapid learning and crowd command, not just...
Pensioner Takes on NAB in AUSTRALIAN STORY Tonight
Victorian pensioner Ian Williams lost $1,338 to an online banking scam and sued National Australia Bank (NAB) for a symbolic $379 million in damages. His case, featured on ABC’s Australian Story, highlighted the bank’s initial refusal to refund or apologise. Although...
Friday VOZ Ratings | WINTER OLYMPICS Draws Us All in over Lifestyle Content
Friday 20 February 2026 TV ratings show the Winter Olympics commanding the top‑30 slots across both overnight and consolidated measurements. Lifestyle‑focused programmes fell behind sports content in both broadcast and BVOD audiences. OzTAM introduced new metrics that count a minute of broadcast...
SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA to Rebrand as NEWS24
Sky News Australia will rebrand as News24 later in 2026, coinciding with its 30th anniversary and a shift toward a digital‑first, globally‑focused news operation. The new name drops the geographic tag to broaden appeal and mirrors News Corp’s worldwide branding....
DANIKA MASON’S ‘Drunk’ Cross – What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Channel Nine sports reporter Danika Mason appeared flustered during a live cross on the Today show, prompting viral speculation that she was drunk on‑air. The brief stumble was captured and widely shared across social media within hours. Mason returned the...
Writers Guild Honours Invisible Boys, Colin From Accounts at 58th AWGIEs
The 58th Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) AWGIE Awards celebrated top screenwriting across film, TV and digital platforms in Sydney. Stan’s drama "Invisible Boys" captured Television Series, while Netflix‑backed "Apple Cider Vinegar" won Limited Series, underscoring the rise of Australian streaming...
G FLIP Delivers Reimagined Tournament Anthem Ahead of ASIAN CUP Kick-Off
Australian ARIA‑winner G Flip has reimagined the classic rock anthem “All Fired Up” as the official soundtrack for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The revamped track will play throughout the tournament, which will be streamed live and exclusively on Paramount+,...
IMPERFECT WOMEN Trailer Drops with A-List Cast
Apple TV released the first trailer for "Imperfect Women," an eight‑episode psychological thriller. The series stars and is executive produced by Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss, alongside Kate Mara and a large ensemble cast. Based on Araminta Hall’s novel, the...
Dana White Opens up in THIS IS UFC Special
Paramount+ is debuting a new documentary series titled "This Is UFC" on Saturday, 21 February. The three‑part special offers unprecedented access to UFC president Dana White as he recounts the promotion’s evolution from a fringe spectacle to a global sports...
Tom Hawkins Replaces Nathan Buckley as FOX FOOTY Reveals 2026 Lineup
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports unveiled their 2026 AFL broadcast lineup, keeping most shows unchanged but swapping Tom Hawkins for Nathan Buckley on Friday Night Footy. Buckley steps aside due to his coaching duties at Geelong, while Hawkins joins Garry...