Sad news for anyone who actually enjoys quality football content on free-to-air TV, with producers at the exceedingly great Marngrook Footy Show confirming that SBS-NITV officials have made the decision to axe the show from their programming, bringing an abrupt end to an otherwise sensationally good 12-year run.
In a Facebook post earlier this morning, Marngrook confirmed it would not be returning to SBS-NITV screens in 2020. However they remain hopeful of finding a new home for the hugely popular show on another network.
Posted by Marngrook Footy Show on Tuesday, 29 October 2019
“Just to confirm the rumours! It’s true that NITV-SBS has decided after 10 successful years and there [sic] most popular show not to continue with the Marngrook Footy Show. We are hopeful of continuing on another network.”
“We thank all our fans and supporters for your support to the program over 12 years!”
The backlash to the decision on social media has already been vehement, with fans expressing disgust at the decision all morning.
So NITV axe the very popular Marngrook Footy Show. And I see they’re now showing Fraggle Rock.
I thought the I stood for Indigenous TV ????????♀️ pic.twitter.com/0oLQB8MPNL— flashblak (@flashblak) October 29, 2019
nup to marngrook footy show being cancelled it’s the only panel show that actually cuts through straight to the spirit of the game and reminds us of the necessity of having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at the forefront of our game
— andie (@anndeejam) October 29, 2019
This is outrageous. Marngrook is the best football show on TV. It should be on a network somewhere. https://t.co/k5YWYzuD6s
— Preston Towers (@prestontowers) October 29, 2019
What on earth is going on in footy media? If Marngrook doesn't get picked up it'd be worthy of a royal commission
— Michael Thompson (@mikkithompson93) October 29, 2019
Your week in media then
– Marngrook Footy Show cancelled
– Neroli Meadows Fired
– More Tom Morris!(Cat sigh)
— Rebecca Hayne (@BeccaHayne) October 29, 2019
@NITV you can’t stop broadcasting @marngrook – best footy show around
— mr.ginger (@offsreally) October 29, 2019
So cranky Marngrook has been axed ???????????????? the only footy show worth watching and SBS cans it ????????????????
— MissGrumps (@nellybabe) October 29, 2019
every time I've woken up lately, someone I like has been fired (Nez) something i love has been cancelled (Marngrook) and it's all fucken ridiculous, makes no sense. So be it. I'm never going to sleep again
— Scotty don't. (@LordFrizzle) October 29, 2019
marngrook footy show has been cancelled by nitv. i’m devastated. what a horrible week for football broadcasting.
— morgs (@mxrganjade) October 29, 2019
The original incarnation of Marngrook began as a radio show, before it was adapted and developed for TV in 2007. It first began life on Melbourne’s community station Channel 31, before it shifted to ABC2, and then finally to SBS-NITV.
It won widespread acclaim for its representation of Indigenous and First Nations footballing personalities and players, as well as its balanced and broadly entertaining content, shirking the often-times toxic and repetitive alpha male brouhaha that permeates much of the mainstream footy media.
It received Logie nominations for for Best Sports Program in both 2015 and 2016.
Today’s axing comes in an otherwise tumultuous week for footy media, following the rather sensational collapse of Macquarie Sports Radio, and the frankly baffling decision by Fox Footy to fire tenured and hugely popular presenter Neroli Meadows.
Image: Twitter / Marngrook Footy Show
