No Masterchef and X Factor for TV3 in 2016

MediaWorks’ TV3 will not air flagship reality TV shows Masterchef and X Factor in 2016.

There are also questions about the future of current affairs show 3D.

Asked why the two reality shows aren’t in next year’s line-up and, MediaWorks spokeswoman Charlotte McLauchlan says, “MasterChef and X Factor are being rested for 2016. Nothing further to add.” She declined to be drawn on the future of 3D.

According to reports from the Herald and Stuff, MediaWorks group content director Andrew Szusterman said Masterchef hadn’t performed as expected and Kiwis’ appetite for cooking shows may have dried up.

TV3 picked up Masterchef after TV One dropped it in 2014. The show had a season average of 228,600 viewers (5+), with 130,500 in the target 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen rate cards. When it was with TVNZ, it drew more than 500,000 viewers for both seasons. But the state-owned broadcaster is also experiencing lower ratings for its competitive cooking show My Kitchen Rules.

The X Factor 2013 had an average audience of 446,000 while this year’s had 333,500.

MediaWorks is pushing ahead with other reality shows, however, in The Block, The Bachelor and a local version of Family Feud.

Family Feud will be a weeknight show hosted by Dai Henwood. The format centres on two families competing to name the most popular responses to survey questions in order to win cash and prizes.

Other shows returning to TV3 in 2016 include another season of Grand Designs, a second season of Outrageous Fortune prequel Westside, Jono and Ben, Seven Days and spinoff Seven Days of Sport.

MediaWorks staff were reportedly shocked when the Samantha Hayes-hosted 3D was not included in material about 2016’s planned shows.

3D was moved to Monday 9:30pm after a short time in the 6:30pm Sunday slot, with the 6pm news bulletin trimmed back to 30 minutes as a result. 3News on Sunday nights has since gone back to being an hour long.

The change from Sunday to Monday resulted in 3D’s ratings plummeting from 204,000 viewers (5+) to 49,200.

In an email to staff, chief executive Mark Weldon said entertainment had performed strongly but news had declined.

"The numbers do not lie, and there have been performance issues in both TV and in digital," the email said.

The company has also announced its news brands will be rebranded to Newshub, a multi-platform TV, radio and digital news service.

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