ABC Rests Current Affairs Show ‘The Checkout’ Due To Budget Cuts & “High” Production Costs

ABC Rests Current Affairs Show ‘The Checkout’ Due To Budget Cuts & “High” Production Costs
B&T Magazine
By B&T Magazine



Fans of ABC’s The Checkout have been delivered some sad news today, with the government-funded broadcaster deciding not to proceed with the next series of the show.

Since premiering on the ABC in March of 2013, The Checkout has delivered six seasons and 74 episodes under the guidance of executive producers Julian Morrow and Nick Murray, and was just about to go into production for a seventh season before it was rested.

Morrow issued a press release announcing The Checkout being put on ice via social media, saying he was “disappointed” the show wasn’t included ABC’s funding priorities.

“The ABC’s head of non-scripted production explained the decision not to fund another series of The Checkout by citing budget cuts and the relatively high cost of making the show,” he said.

“It’s true The Checkout’s combination of thorough research and creative ways to present consumer information means it’s not as low cost as some other ABC programs.

“But the cost of making The Checkout has not increased for two years, and the next series would have cost the same or less.

“The Checkout was also slated for production in the current financial year, before the federal government’s freeze on ABC funding in July 2019.”

Morrow said the show was very much a program shaped by information that was sent in by ABC viewers of all ages.

“The Checkout’s inbox was always overflowing with rip-offs, corporate double-speak and advertising fails from the sinister to the silly,” he said.

“The rip-offs will continue, but unfortunately it seems The Checkout will not.

“We’d like to thank everyone who’s tuned into The Checkout over the years for their input and support.”

The ABC then followed up with a statement of its own:

“The ABC has decided not to commission a seventh series of The Checkout for 2018-19 at this time.

“The programming slate regularly changes for any number of reasons, including the need to strike a balance between new and returning programs for audiences. Putting The Checkout on hiatus does not preclude the program from returning in the future.

“The ABC is proud of its long association with The Checkout and production company Giant Dwarf, with which it has worked on other programs such as The Letdown and Growing Up Gracefully.”

Social media has since been flooded with messages of sadness and anger from fans of the show, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

 




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