A leading media expert has shared his gloomy prediction about the future of Australian free-to-air television.
Following the recent cancellation of Network 10’s Gladiators, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, The Ideas Business founder Wade Kingsley believes Channel 10 will never be the same.
‘My prediction is sad, we have to enter the space of possibilities here that there will be fewer publishers by the end of the year. There may not be Channel 10 in its current form, there may not be regional television and there may not be as many radio stations,” he told the Game Changers Radio podcast.
‘We are in a really strange time where there is a structural decline in free-to-air media. “We always hear about suffering on TV, and it is… it really is,” he added.
Kingsley explained that the crisis is due to a “record decline” in advertising revenue and that radio stations will soon be affected.
A leading media expert has shared his grim prediction about the future of Australian free-to-air television.
He claimed that Paramount, the owners of Channel 10, are “trying to break up (the network) in the US,” which he said could lead to its “sale.”
Kingsley also alleged that Channel Nine is discussing job cuts.
It comes after Channel 10 decided to ax another popular show amid ongoing concerns for the network’s future.
Following the cancellation of The Bachelors and The Masked Singer, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Gladiators will not be returning.
Following the recent cancellation of Channel 10’s Gladiators, The Masked Singer and The Bachelor, The Ideas Business founder Wade Kingsley has shared his verdict on the future of the media landscape.
Despite their success in the UK, both the recently canned Gladiators and The Traitors struggled to find a foothold.
The Australian reboot of Gladiators, produced by Warner Bros., launched with high hopes but failed to maintain its initial audience.
Hosted by Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis, the show attracted a significant summer audience of 395,000 metropolitan viewers for its premiere.
Unfortunately, the numbers plummeted to just 196,000 in the second episode.
‘My prediction is sad, we have to enter the space of possibilities here that there will be fewer publishers by the end of the year. There may not be Channel 10 in its current form, there may not be regional television and there may not be as many radio stations,’ he said on the Game Changers podcast.
Critics on social media were quick to point out the lack of audience presence, comparing it to shows filmed during lockdown, even though they were filmed under normal conditions.
When approached for comment by Daily Mail Australia, a Paramount spokesperson insisted the company continued to show strength.
“We are a strong media and entertainment company with a diverse content ecosystem spanning free-to-air television with Network 10, streaming video on demand with 10 Play, free ad-supported streaming TV channels with Pluto TV, streaming video on demand with Paramount+, as well as live events and consumer products,” they said.
“Our performance demonstrates our success – 10 Play had its biggest month in April, building on its success as Australia’s fastest growing BVOD in 2023, the biggest A-Leagues season ever, reaching 5.72 million Australians, and Paramount+ has been the fastest growing streaming service in Australia for the past two years, to name just a few of our many achievements.
“As a member of a global media company, we are accustomed to speculation about our business, but our diversified, multi-platform approach confidently positions us to continue navigating the changing media landscape.”
10 will celebrate their 60th birthday this year.
Kingsley explained that the slowdown is due to a ‘record drop’ in advertising revenue and that radio stations will soon be affected.