‘We’ve all learned not to take anything for granted’: TV bosses on the changes and challenges that lie ahead
Mumbrella’s Brittney Rigby asks Nine’s Hugh Marks, Seven’s James Warburton and Ten’s Beverley McGarvey and Rod Prosser for their thoughts on ad spend, changes, and performance heading into 2021.
It’s been an action-packed year for those within, and watching, TV. Productions were paused, cancelled, and adjusted. News programs experienced a surge in worried audiences relying on up-to-date and accurate information on the bushfires, US election, and COVID-19.
Live sport was postponed and, when it did returned, played without live crowds in many cases (just as other shows grappled with not having studio audiences). The AFL grand final on Seven was the most-watched show of the year, with 3.864 million total viewers tuning in from home, rather than watching at the pub or with mates (Melbourne was still in lockdown). The NRL grand final was next, followed by the second State of Origin game and day eight of the Australian Open, both airing on Nine. And internally, TV companies experienced significant personnel shake ups.
Paul Anderson stepped down as CEO of Ten early in the year. Beverley McGarvey was elevated to lead the business, and last month was joined by KordaMentha’s Jarrod Villani, who became her co-lead.
