After 25 years on air, the ailing NRL Footy Show has been formally axed by Channel Nine amid dwindling ratings and slashed budgets.
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The NRL edition of the long-running series will not return to screens next season, network bosses have today confirmed.
The show premiered back in 1994 and achieved significant success throughout its tenure on-air, including 11 Logie Awards for most popular sports programme.
However in recent years the show’s fortunes have taken a nose-dive thanks to the NRL’s decision to run regular games on Thursday nights, which played havoc with The Footy Show‘s timeslot. A move to Wednesday night proved disastrous with that, coupled with the rapidly changing wants of modern TV audiences, sent their viewership into a nosedive. This past week’s Grand Final special drew an audience of just 78,000 in Sydney and 51,000 in Brisbane.
This season, the show’s budget was dramatically slashed in half, leading long-time panelist Andrew Johns to abruptly quit the show mid-year. This followed the decision to remove long-time host Paul “Fatty” Vautin from the lineup at the beginning of 2018.
It’s understood that current host Erin Molan will remain at the network, with alternative hosting roles currently being negotiated. Meanwhile Nine has announced plans to launch two new post-match shows in The Footy Show‘s place which will go to air after the conclusion of the NRL’s Thursday and Friday night matchups.
Nine’s director of sport Tom Malone issued a statement after confirming the show’s axing, noting that Vautin holds the Australian record for longest-serving host of a prime time TV show.
It’s been an incredible ride for The Footy Show. A quarter of a century of laughs, controversy and first-class footy analysis. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this amazing era of live sports-entertainment television – from producers, editors, camera operators, the players, guests and of course the legendary hosts.
Fatty holds the record for the longest serving host of any prime-time Australian TV show – a tribute to both his understanding of the game, his authenticity, and not to mention his incredible comedic timing. In recent years, Erin has equally brought a new energy, perspective and showed her passion for the game.
The show’s axing also provides an ominous omen for the future of the embattled AFL Footy Show, which is expected to undergo a significant revamp next year with a wildly reduced budget. The show will reportedly feature new hosts, will continue on without Sam Newman, and will only go to air in the southern states.
What becomes of The Big Marn now, folks? Hard to say.
