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MediaWorks lifts the lid on what’s in store for 2017

MediaWorks has announced its 2017 programming line up, which is set to entertain audiences and deliver advertising opportunities with a feast of local and international reality TV and drama. 

While the new season announcement usually comes as a stand-alone event, this year the broadcaster broke away from that tradition and included the programme line up alongside the radio results. It has, however, released a music video about itself that gives a melodic rundown of its offerings.

Within that offering, its loyalty to local reality TV remains, bringing back The Bachelor New Zealand and The Block NZ, which in the last five years has made itself one of the biggest shows in the MediaWorks line up. According to Nielsen data, 2.6 million viewers (1.3 million in TV3’s core target of viewers aged 25-54) tuned into the The Block this year. Its TV viewership increased by two percent during the previous season, while online streaming increased 17 percent.

When The Bachelor returns, Dominic Bowden will be replacing Mike Puru as host. Bowden will return for it from his base in LA, where he has been working as the backstage host on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars and hosting the red carpet for E! Channel. This will be the third season for the programme, and we wait to see the drama it produces after season one made headlines for a ‘fart that stopped the nation’ and season two delivered a nail biting ending only for the couple to break up days later after.

And as well as the drama, these programmes are likely to see the incorporation of brands as sponsors, with CEO Michael Anderson saying in the announcement that next year it will continue to work closely with its customers to deliver opportunities around its content and enable their brands to engage with its listeners and viewers.

Earlier this year, the ‘Jono V Ben’ campaign, in association with Frucor, took home three golds and two silvers at the Beacons. It saw the V Energy drink integrated into Jono and Ben through a taste test with a difference.

And with Jono and Ben returning to the screen next year, there’s more opportunities for brands to get involved as it entertains on Friday nights alongside 7 Days. The comedic news show will be back for a ninth year.

Also returning for another season is Grand Designs New Zealand and local drama Westside, which will continue the family saga in the hope of keeping Kiwi eyes glued to the screen.

There will also be a dose of reality TV from across the ditch with Married at First Sight Australia and The Block Australia, however MediaWorks assures StopPress that Kiwis favour The Block NZ.

And stepping into the greatly contested 7pm slot will be The Project, which is set to replace Story next year. The new programme is based on the The Project Australia which has been on the airwaves since 2009—significantly longer than any of the current efforts by both MediaWorks and TVNZ, with Seven Sharp.

About the programme, MediaWorks’ chief content officer, Andrew Szusterman said: “We’ve seen the strong success of this format in Australia and can’t wait to bring New Zealand its very own version”.

While the programme’s hosts have yet to be named, it’s been announced Paul Henry will make guest appearances. Henry, however, will be stepping down from morning presenting next year, and in his place, Duncan Garner will host a new 6-9am weekday news programme The AM Show.

All programmes will be available to watch on 3Now.

The full programme line up includes:

The Block NZ

Jono And Ben

The Bachelor New Zealand

The Block Australia

Married at First Sight Australia

Family Feud

Grand Designs New Zealand

Westside

Lost & Found

Fail Army

The Graham Norton Show

Humans

Grand Designs UK

Live at the Apollo

SVU

NCIS

NCIS: LA


The Blacklist

Wanted

Chicago Med

Hawaii Five-O

Beach Cops

Hyde & Seek

This Time Next Year

Hamish & Andy

The New Celebrity Apprentice 

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