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A whole swag of new television shows are about to hit the small screen, from compelling dramas — like Cleverman, coming to ABC — to thrilling reality shows. Picture: Supplied
GET set for a swag of new shows coming to the small screen in coming weeks, as networks prepare for round two of the ratings battle.
The first quarter of the year went to Seven, which smashed its nearest rival Nine with the latest season of unbeatable cooking reality show My Kitchen Rules.
Nine endured a series of expensive duds with Reno Rumble, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australia’s Got Talent failing to land.
â€There’s never been more choice in what to watch, which is great for audience and they’re the real winners in this,†media analyst Nathan Cook of Magnus Australia said.
“But so far this year, it’s been a really mixed report card. Seven did well with MKR, Nine had a bit of a disaster with Reno Rumble and Ten had some good results with I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here.
“But I think what’s happening is people don’t watch networks anymore — they watch TV shows.â€
My Kitchen Rules was a hit once again this year for Seven. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Seven’s next big gamble now is with House Rules, now in its second week. The reno reality format is in its fourth season and historically starts slow before building a loyal audience.
“The question is whether there’s still a lag of reno show fatigue,†Cook said.
Nine is hoping to shift fortunes with the latest season of The Voice, which tends to perform strongest during the blind audition stages.
And after a modest start to 2016, Ten’s focus is now on its consistent performer MasterChef Australia, as well as the second outing of entrepreneur investment reality series Shark Tank.
“MasterChef has been a consistent performer in the past few years, since they realised that they just shouldn’t mess with the formula,†Cook said.
“After trying spin-offs and the like and losing the audience, they went back to basics and have built it back up. I think Ten will have a good quarter.â€
Channel Nine hoped Reno Rumble would sing, but it proved to be an expensive and embarrassing flop. Picture: SuppliedSource:Channel 9
As the old saying goes, if you build it they will come and Foxtel has made that its mantra in recent years, cementing itself as the home of premium drama.
Game of Thrones fans agreed, swamping the subscription TV giant late last month with record ratings for the season six premiere of the hit American series.
“It’s an absolutely incredible result and beyond our expectations,†Foxtel director of TV Brian Walsh said.
The season return of mega hit Game of Thrones smashed all-time viewing records for subscription TV giant Foxtel. Picture: SuppliedSource:AP
The company hopes the next instalment of local prison drama Wentworth generates lots of attention, as well as the premiere next month of new star-studded political thriller Secret City.
At the ABC it’s all about quality Aussie drama, with Rake and Cleverman on the schedule, while SBS is boosting its food content with a new season of the popular Poh and Co.
At the end of the day, viewers are the big winners with much more diversity in programming than in recent years when it seemed to be all reality, all the time.
For Cook’s money, Seven is the likely victor for the next leg of the race, with the most variety in its programming.
“The networks need to offer diversity. The moment you put two programs of the same genre against each other, you just split the audience.â€
Successful local drama Wentworth returns to Foxtel this month. Picture: SuppliedSource:Foxtel
It’s no surprise this Aussie prison drama is a global smash — it’s so good. The new season is about to begin, following Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) and her fellow cellmates as they navigate the various and often brutal complexities of incarceration.
Tuesdays, 8.30pm, SoHo from May 10
There’s a new shark in the tank and a whole swag of entrepreneurs vying for their investment dollars. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Some of the country’s most successful business figures hear pitches from would-be entrepreneurs and decide whether to invest to make dreams a reality. It’s infectious viewing, highlighting the very best of the Aussie spirit.
Sundays, 9pm, Ten from May 8
Much-loved chef Poh Ling Yeow is back for a new season of Poh and Co. Picture: SuppliedSource:SBS
This is no ordinary cooking show. It’s a bit of food, a bit of DIY, a bit of insight into a business start-up, a bit of family and friends and of course plenty of kitchen tips and tricks, all presented by the delightful Poh Ling Yeow.
Thursdays, 8.30pm, SBS from May 19
Can the new season of The Voice sing for Channel Nine? Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
The second week of blind auditions is about to begin. This is by far the best bit of this singing contest, when raw vocal talent wins over a marketable look. After that … do we care enough to tune in to yet another signing contest?
Sundays, 7pm, Mondays and Tuesdays, 7.30pm, Nine
Game of Thrones remains one of the biggest television shows in the world. Picture: SuppliedSource:Foxtel
It’s perhaps the most popular TV show in the world, still going strong six seasons in. Audiences can’t get enough of the medieval fantasy epic set in Westeros and Essos. The recent return set new records for Foxtel and delighted eager fans.
Mondays, 11am (direct) and 7.30pm (encore), showcase
Since Ten took it back to basics, MasterChef Australia has climbed back to the top of the television pile. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
This is the thinking man and woman’s cooking show. Yes, there’s drama aplenty, but the focus is firmly on the food. Unlike My Kitchen Rules, you’ll actually care what the contestants are cooking and the visiting superstar chefs are a treat too.
Sundays through Thursdays, 7.30pm, Ten
Ambitious new local drama Cleverman comes to ABC next month. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
A seriously ambitious new local drama set in the near future, where a species from ancient mythology must live among humans and battle for survival. It boasts a talented cast, high production values and a compelling plot.
Thursdays, 9.30pm, ABC from June 2
Jacki Weaver in a scene from upcoming political thriller Secret City, coming to Foxtel in June. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Think House of Cards but with a distinct local flavour … and set in Canberra. This is our very own political thriller, steeped in intrigue, espionage, betrayal, murder and the search for truth. It stars Jacki Weaver, Anna Torv and Dan Wyllie, to name just a few. It’ll be a cracker.
Sundays, 8.30pm, showcase from June 5
The new season of renovation reality show House Rules is back. Picture: Bob Barker.Source:News Corp Australia
It’s fair enough that audiences are suffering a bit of renovation reality fatigue, but this show is a different. It’s got a good pace, huge challenges, phenomenal reveals and a lot of heart. And Johanna Griggs as host is a joy. Give it a go.
Sundays, 7pm, Mondays through Wednesdays, 7.30pm, Seven
Popular Aussie drama Rake returns to the ABC, with Richard Roxburgh reprising the role of Cleaver Green. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
He’s back! The long-awaited new season of this hit local drama picks off where things left off — Cleaver Greene, perennial stuff-up criminal barrister, dangling from a hot-air balloon and smashing headfirst into trouble, yet again. This is compulsory viewing.
Thursdays, 8.30pm, ABC from May 19