In an Australian TV first, Network Ten will bring the unique and innovative concept of ‘Pilot Week’ to audiences from Sunday 19 August.
Pilot Week will premiere eight original and provocative pilots of domestically-produced TV programs, across a number of different genres, broadcast in prime time across one week.
Skit Happens, Dave, Kinne Tonight, Drunk History, Taboo, Trial by Kyle, Disgrace! and Bring Back…Saturday Night are the programs that will premiere during Pilot Week.
While the notion of watching pilot episodes is familiar to industry members, Ten’s Pilot Week will break with tradition and allow Australian audiences the opportunity to watch a pilot episode – that is, the first episode of an array of programs.
Viewers will be encouraged to participate and share their feedback via Tenplay and social media. Audience reaction, social buzz and ratings will help decide what shows will return to Australian television screens in 2019.
Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer at Ten, said: “We are excited to be broadcasting such a fantastic array of unique and entertaining programs under the banner of Pilot Week.
“Involving Australian audiences in whether or not a program gets the green light via Tenplay and other social initiatives provides a fantastic opportunity for Australian audiences to have their say in what they want to see on our screens in 2019.
“Pilot Week for us represents a substantial investment in unique and local production, and further cements Network Ten’s role as the innovator of Australian commercial television.”
Ten’s executive general manager of revenue and client partnerships, Rod Prosser, said: “We are the first commercial broadcaster to be doing anything like this. Pilot Week is an exciting initiative that propels Ten’s position as an innovator.
“With Pilot Week, we are actively taking audiences beyond broadcast, creating a path for them to continue their engagement with the programs across our digital and social channels.
“It continues our commitment to offering creative, multi-platform and innovative opportunities for advertisers and brands, and makes up part of our strongest schedule of programming over the coming months.
“It is a fantastic way for us to be supporting the local industry on and off screen.”
Gold Logie winner Grant Denyer and Studio 10 co-host Angela Bishop will be on hand to introduce the audience to each pilot as it premieres across the week.
