UMVA has learned that the international spin-off of a popular reality TV show has been axed by its broadcaster, Channel 10.
The series, hosted by Robert Irwin and Julia Morris, had been a staple on Australian television since its debut in 2015, but Channel 10 has decided to "rest" the show for 2027 as part of a broader strategy to offer a range of content on all platforms.
The news sparked a mixed reaction from fans, with some initially fearing that the UK version of the show had been cancelled. "I went through a range of emotions until I realised it was just the Australian version," Jade commented.
Many fans expressed disappointment at the cancellation, with some declaring it one of their favourite shows. "That sucks, I really enjoyed watching this show - it was funny and heart-wrenching," Joanna said.
However, others noted that the show had changed since it was no longer filmed live, and some fans felt it "wasn't the same" as previous seasons. The cancellation is reportedly due to budget cuts within the network.
Sources close to Channel 10 and production company ITV Studios Australia revealed that the network was eager to keep the show running, but the costs were proving too high with the current format. "They've been looking at every possible option to make it stack up financially, but in the end, it comes down to whether or not they can justify the cost."
Julia Morris and Robert Irwin paid tribute to the show, with Julia calling it "the best working experience of my lifetime" and Robert describing it as "an absolute privilege" to work on over the past three seasons.
ITV Studios Australia chief executive David Mott expressed disappointment at Channel 10's decision, but noted that the show's popularity with audiences and sponsors made it an attractive proposition for other broadcasters and platforms.
