Iconic Australian TV show to be axed after 14 years on the air: TV network plans to replace it with an ‘addictive’ new format
According to industry rumors, an iconic Australian game show is being shut down after an impressive 14-year run.
Millionaire Hot Seat, which airs weeknights at 5pm on Channel Nine and is hosted by longtime networker and ex-CEO Eddie McGuire, is reportedly on the chopping block.
Nine wants to replace Hot Seat with a local version of the popular British game show Tipping Point, the channel reports TV black box.
Executives have set their sights on filming their own Tipping Point at the show’s UK studios with “Aussie expats and tourists” as the participants.
This saves the cost of setting up an entirely new production in Sydney or Melbourne.
The Channel Nine game show Millionaire Hot Seat, hosted by longtime networker and ex-CEO Eddie McGuire (pictured), is reportedly axed after an impressive 14-year run
It is unclear whether English presenter Ben Shephard will helm the Australian version, or if he will be replaced by a British Aussie presenter.
The UK version of Tipping Point, a quiz that combines elements of luck and general knowledge, is already airing weekdays at 3pm on Nine, having replaced the 9News Now bulletin in December 2019.
It is possible that the UK and Australian versions of Tipping Point will be broadcast on the same channel one hour apart.
This is already happening on Channel Seven which broadcasts The Chase UK at 3pm followed by The Chase Australia airs weekdays at 5pm.
Millionaire Hot Seat is believed to be facing the ax due to declining ratings.
Despite the game show recently celebrating a 2,500-episode milestone, Nine executives are aware that the series isn’t delivering the audience it used to.
Nine wants to replace Hot Seat with a local version of popular British game show Tipping Point, hosted by English TV presenter Ben Shephard (pictured)
Applications to participate in Millionaire Hot Seat recently closed, reinforcing rumors that the show is on the verge of cancellation.
Millionaire Hot Seat, initially called Hot Seat when it premiered on April 20, 2009, is a spin-off of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which first premiered in 1999.
It is Australia’s longest running quiz show and remains the only program on Australian television where it is possible to win $1 million.
Executives have set their sights on filming their own Tipping Point in the show’s UK studio with “Aussie expats and tourists” as the participants. This saves the cost of setting up an entirely new production in Sydney or Melbourne. It’s unclear if Shephard (pictured) will helm the Australian version, or if he’ll be replaced by a British Aussie presenter.
Millionaire Hot Seat, initially called Hot Seat when it premiered on April 20, 2009, is a spin-off of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which first premiered in 1999. It is Australia’s longest-running quiz show and remains the only program on Australian TV where it is possible to win $1 million