Winston Tan talks to Ten's senior publicist Patricia Ricketts about the performance of Good News Week, the cancellation of Breakers and the upcoming Million dollar TV battle.
Winston (interviewer): Firstly Patricia what exactly is your role at Ch 10?
Patricia: I am a senior publicist. I look after shows such as Dawson's
Creek, the News and special events such as the Melbourne Cup.
W: What exact demographic is Ch 10 aiming for?
P: The 18-39 year olds. That's where we have found our shows are most
popular.
W: On 3AW's Rumor File it was reported that Julian Mounter (head of Ch 7)
said Ch 10 was the Coca Cola Skateboarding channel. Is that a fair
description.
P: Well yes, we do appeal to that demographic.
W: One of the shows in that demographic is GNW and GNW Nite Lite. How is
that performing in the ratings?
P: Its performing well, especially in its own demographic. So we're very
happy with it at the moment. Nite Lite is something which they wanted to do
more of at the ABC but didn't really get the opportunity. With more music
and entertainment etc.
W: So do you think that commercial television is ready for a show such as
GNW where the political satire is a bit out there at times?
P: I think so. Ten have basically allowed them to do what they want, unlike
other networks who may do all sorts of things with them. I think its
performing okay, and people in our demographic want to see that kind of
thing.
W: Are the GNW shows in the right timeslot? A lot of people are saying it
should have stayed on the Friday and Saturday.
P: Well a lot of young people are out or working on a Friday and Saturday
night. The show costs a lot to put together. So when you're on a commercial
network you got to get that revenue back. You've got to have that audience
there. We have had a fair bit of faith putting them on a Sunday night
though.
W: Is there any Australian production which 10 are currently comissioning?
P: Well there are a few things being discussed. A couple of dramas,
including one coming out of Melbourne. One is based on This Life and a few
other things mixed in. There are a couple of things in negotiation with
Southern Star and Hal McEroy. They won't be out till late this year or next
year.
W: We had some news last week that Breakers was to be cancelled. One of the
reasons given was a lack of international sales?
P: That's right. Ten were really behind it. However, something like that is
quite an expensive show to make and we had to sell it overseas. And
unfortunately they wern't able to that. Production ceases shortly, but
there is enough there for the show to last till the end of the year.
W: Do you think that might be the same for many drama shows in the future,
where a lack of international sales could see them struggling?
P: Yes. We had that problem with State Coroner. A lot of the rules have
changed overseas regarding buying international product. Many tv stations
overseas are now obliged to show more local content, which obviously
doesn't help international sales for Australian productions. However,
established shows such as Neighbours will continue.
W: One of the timeslots of concern is the early evening 6 pm timeslot. How
is that performing?
P: Its doing okay in its demographic. And Judge Judy has a cult following.
Neighbours is also getting its audience. I think we'll be sticking with
that for a while. The 5 pm News is doing well quietly which is great as
well.
W: The two Millionaire shows look like they will be going head to head at
5.30 pm. How do you think that will effect the Ch 10 News?
P: We'll have to see how it goes. The News has a steady following. The
Millionaire shows are pretty much flash in the pan type shows. They can't
continue every night. Their short term things. We're happy with out news
nevertheless.
W: Do you think there is place for hard news and current affairs on TV?
P: Personally yes, but I don't know if that's what people want. Especially
with out demographic which looks at news in a different way, with shows
such as The Panel and GNW. We got a great response when The Panel
interviewed the drug addict for example.
W: Is there any new Children's programming to be on Ten soon?
P: Yes. One which is on air at the moment is Thunderstone which is on
Fridays. And another which is currently is production is High Flyers which
is based on the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, which is for slightly older kids
but is looking good. And in what is a brave move, we'll have Pokemon on a
Saturday Night at 6 pm from June 6. We've had a great reaction about the
show from kids and I think it has a cult following.
W: How much money do infomercials bring in?
P: Obviously they help with the revenue. But only a little bit. But I guess
everything counts.
W: Still talking about early morning television, what's happened to the
wrestling?
P: Oh, it does move around a little bit. We have tried it on a Sat night,
but to be honest it doesn't rate through the roof. I think it has more of a
cult following.
W: Do you find you get a lot of response to shows which have a cult
following?
P: Yes you do. Like I'm sure Seven do with Buffy. If you get a group of
people who are really into it, they will do anything to try and get their
opinion across. It may not mean that the show rates well, its just got a
strong core group of fans.
W: Ch 10 recently launched its website. How is that progressing?
P: Yes we were the last of the networks to have a website but we have put a
lot of effort into it and are quite happy with it.
W: How much does Ch 10 pay to e mails it receives through its website?
P: Oh we do. Each of them should receive a reply.
W: Would an e mail be eqivalent to a phone call or letter?
P: I'm not 100 % sure. The site is looked after in Sydney, so being in
Melbourne I'm not totally sure.
W: What sort of commitment does Ch 10 have to motorsport and does it plan
to continue it?
P: We cover something like over 700 hrs of motorsport a year. Its covered
by other networks but not as extensively. We show a lot of the motorsport
which you wouldn't normally see on other networks.
W: What would you see as the best programming move 10 have made.
P: Probably giving the likes of Melrose a go during the summer and sticking
with them. They have been quite succesful.
W: And the worst?
P: Well I use to work on the Early Bird Show and it was quite disappointing
when that was axed.
W: At least you see Marty Monster popping up somewhere once in a while.
P: Yes, I actually have lunch with him occasionally!
W: The fall schedule for US TV came out recently. And a couple of Ch 10
shows got axed including World's Wildest Police Videos. What are Ten's
feelings towards reality TV and why are they showing such shows?
P: Well we're not doing as many of those types of shows as other networks.
We're doing much of the fly on the wall stuff which appeals to an older
audience. The more action stuff such as Police Videos are easy to put
together and easy to play. But we wouldn't look at them as a long term
thing. They're not like a drama where you have to put a lot of money into
them and stick with it and try and make it work.
W: Just a couple of quick questions on shows which have disappeared from
our screens. Seven Days?
P: Seven Days will be coming back but in a different timeslot TBA. But
we're bringing back Seinfeld on Thursdays which will be followed by Just
Shoot Me.
W: And Newsradio?
P: We have the next series. And it will be coming soon at a time TBA.
W: What would be the most complained about show on Ch 10? Would it have
been Sex/Life last year?
P: Probably, but they use to watch it and still complained about it.
W: Did big brother have a say in the cancellation of Sex/Life?
P: No, it had finished its run and had done what it needed to do. But
generally we don't get hundreds and hundreds of complaints. We get a few
like with the wrestling. Recently though we did get a lot of calls when we
showed the wrong episode of the Bold & the Beautiful.
W: Were you surprised by how much reaction that got?
P: Not really. We know people are really into B & B.
W: Do you get any compliments as well as complaints?
P: We do, a show which received much positive reaction was The Day of the
Roses when it was shown last year. But generally not.
W: What are Ch 10's opinion of a Liberal senator questioning a homosexual
relationship being shown on Breakers?
P: We don't really give a comment on things like that. As it is an
Australian Broadcasting Authority thing.
W: And why is Breakers on twice a day.
P: Different audiences I suppose. Similar to Neighbours in the UK.
W: Is there any show on other networks which you wish you had?
P: I'm sure Ten wished that they could buy Ally McBeal. But you can't go in
and buy any program. You have a certain affiliation to certain
distributors.
W: And finally where do you see Ten in the future?
P: There are going to be a lot of changes. Ten has led the way somewhat.
You have to be leaner financially. Digital TV will also be a big thing. But
it's quite an exciting time to be in the television industry.
Winston Tan can be heard on The Idiot Box (3MU 95.7 FM Melbourne, Wednedays 9 am)
