The global coronavirus pandemic is already having a major impact on the Australian entertainment industry.
Television shows have been forced to suspend filming, audiences are being banned from studios and even sport has been affected.
With production shutdowns and lay-offs growing by the day, the television schedule is going to look very different this year.
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How coronavirus could DESTROY the Australian TV industry: Production shutdowns and lay-offs mean the 2020 schedule will look very different. Pictured: Seven’s Sunrise
Coronavirus has impacted different types of programs in different ways.
Popular entertainment shows are facing an uncertain future while news coverage is rating through the roof due to the overwhelming public interest in COVID-19.
Seven News drew more than a million viewers for its Sunday night special report on the pandemic.
Former TV executive and editor of industry website TV Blackbox, Rob McKnight, spoke about entertainment changes on Tuesday’s edition of the TV Blackbox podcast.
He said while all production for everything outside of news has been shut down in the US, Australian productions like The Bachelor, Big Brother and The Block are pressing on with filming.
In demand: News has become ratings gold during these trying times, especially COVID-19 specials and related updates
‘Lives are at risk and this is more important than ratings and television shows’: Former TV executive and editor of industry website TV Blackbox, Rob McKnight (pictured), spoke about entertainment changes on Tuesday’s edition of the TV Blackbox podcast
Production for everything outside of news has been shut down in the US, but Australian productions like The Bachelor, Big Brother and The Block are pressing on with filming. Pictured: 2020 Bachelor Locky Gilbert
‘The networks need to understand lives are at risk and this is more important than ratings and television shows, we need to stop producing these shows and wait until we get the all clear and resume,’ he said.
Steve Molk, who runs MolksTVTalk.com, then gave his overview of which shows will air, be postponed, altered or go on an indefinite hiatus in 2020.
CHANNEL NINE
Steve claimed Nine were in a good position as many of their top-ratings programs had finished filming or were intending to keep up production.
Lego Masters and the second season of Travel Guides have been filmed and are ready to be aired.
Australian Ninja Warrior is nearing the end of its filming schedule with a reduced audience of the contestants’ close family and friends only.
Going ahead: Australian Ninja Warrior is nearing the end of its filming schedule with a reduced audience of the contestants’ close family and friends only
Lineup change? Despite the blind rounds being filmed already, strict travel conditions around the world could see judges Boy George and Kelly Rowland replaced on the panel. Pictured: Boy George, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian and Kelly Rowland
The Voice has apparently already filmed its blind rounds, but have yet to start filming live episodes. Steve claimed the strict travel conditions around the world could mean new host Renee Bargh and judges Boy George and Kelly Rowland may be replaced.
Nine News boss Darren Wick also appeared on the podcast, where he said the channel were doing everything to minimise staff in news room and rotate ‘A and B teams’ to reduce burnout.
He also spoke about The Block pressing on with filming in Melbourne: ‘They are all there. They’re all on site. They are self contained and self isolating as a group, so that will go ahead.’
‘They’re all on site. They are self contained and self isolating as a group, so that will go ahead’: Nine News boss Darren Wick also appeared on the podcast on Tuesday, where he said The Block was continuing with filming
CHANNEL SEVEN
Seven’s long-running soap Home and Away shut down its production this week, and Big Brother Australia temporarily suspended filming when a crew member feared they had contracted the disease. They have since tested negative, with production allegedly continuing after they were given the all-clear.
New TV shows SAS: Who Dares Win and Holey Moley were forced to be cancelled as the overseas-based programs were forced to send cast and crew back to Australia amid stricter travel restrictions.
The new season of House Rules will start soon, with advertisements already promoting its April debut.
Seven and Nine weekend schedules will also be affected by sporting matches not being aired as the AFL and NRL suspend play.
Seven’s long-running soap Home and Away shut down its production this week
Pressing on! Big Brother Australia temporarily suspended filming when a crew member feared they had contracted the disease. They have since tested negative, with production allegedly continuing after they were given the all-clear
CHANNEL TEN
Ten already have a few shows filmed and ready to be aired on the network, including Bachelor In Paradise, Secret She Keeps and How To Stay Married.
While the The Bachelor with Locky Gilbert is currently filming, it’s uncertain if government updates on social distancing will force the show to suspend production.
The Amazing Race was initially scaled down to a domestic version, but with state borders closing, Steve claimed the show is very much in limbo.
Travel troubles: The Amazing Race was initially scaled down to a domestic version, but with state borders closing, Steve claimed the show is very much in limbo
No more: Ten have also suspended Five Bedrooms and cancelled the new Survivor (pictured, host Jonathan LaPaglia), which was due to air later this year
Despite the first few weeks of the show ready to be aired, MasterChef is still in production and could face delays or alterations to its anticipated schedule.
Ten have also suspended Five Bedrooms and cancelled the new Survivor, which was due to air later this year.
Shows already filmed and ready to be aired on the network are Bachelor In Paradise, Secret She Keeps and How To Stay Married.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven, Nine and Ten for comment.
Coming soon! Shows already filmed and ready to be aired on the network are Bachelor In Paradise (pictured), Secret She Keeps and How To Stay Married.
On Tuesday night, after the podcast was published, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced stricter social-distancing guidelines and state border closures.
He restricted social gatherings to ten people, put a blanket ban on overseas travel and ordered more workplaces to close in his latest measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Australia recorded 2,317 confirmed coronavirus cased on Wednesday morning, with a death toll of eight.
Pandemic: In Australia, as of Wednesday March 25, there were 2,317 reported cases of coronavirus, including eight deaths