Network TEN announced last night it hopes to continue on an upwards ratings and prime time audience growth trajectory with six new local shows, and the return of The X Files series.
The network, which showcased its 2016 Upfronts – hosted by Chris Brown and Julia Morris at The Star in Sydney – saw TEN chief executive Paul Anderson saying his network has delivered on momentum, growth, innovation and consistency to both advertisers and consumers in 2015.
Anderson highlighted all five newly launched shows in 2015 such as Shark Tank, Gogglebox and The Great Australian Spelling Bee, will be returning in 2016 as an accomplishment, and added to the depth and diversity of existing content which are at different points in their life cycle.
Key new content announcements included Australian Survivor returning to television screens after a lukewarm reception by local audiences when it first appeared on rival network Nine in 2001, and was shelved after its first season.
TEN also unveiled two new home-grown series: Long Lost Family – billed as a heart-warming factual series hosted by Anh Do and Chrissie Swan, which reunites long lost family members after years of separation, and The Wrong Girl – a fictional series based on Zoe Foster Blake’s best-selling book, starring Jessica Marais.
The network has dubbed Brock, a story based on Australian racetrack champion Peter Brock’s life on and off the track as the “television drama event of the year”. The new drama stars Steve Bisley and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and been created by the same team behind INXS: Never Tear Us Apart.
Other new local shows announced last night included All Star Family Feud and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Now – a behind-the-scenes look at the main show, which is returning in 2016.
Offspring fans will welcomes its return in 2016 for its sixth season, and Masterchef will be returning in 2016 for season eight with Nigella Lawson announced as a guest chef.
The big overseas content announcement was David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning as special agents Mulder and Scully in the new X Files six-part series. Also adding to the TEN 2016 line-up will be the new Rob Lowe legal comedy, The Grinder, which also stars Fred Savage, best remembered from The Wonder Years.
