The advertising industry has lost its shop window to the world – for this year at least – with the ABC confirming Gruen will not return to our screens in 2014.
The network has ruled out the return of ratings hit Gruen in 2014, but says it will be back in 2015.
The finale of Gruen Planet in 2013 was at the end of October and won 1.004 million viewers in Australia's five metro areas. The series was consistently one of the ABC's highest ranking programs.
A spokesperson for the ABC said: “It has never been the plan to retire the Gruen franchise, which has been enormously successful for us. But as it’s panned out, we’ve not been able to get it back on air in 2014. We very much look forward to seeing Gruen as part of our programming in 2015.”
Nick Murray, managing director of the show's production company CJZ, reiterated that Gruen will be back next year.
“Gruen hasn't been retired,” he told AdNews. “We are in advanced planning with Wil and the ABC for its return next year.”
The ABC refused to comment further on why the series will not be back this year, but the schedules of Gruen's three main stars – Wil Anderson, Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft – are believed to be at least in part to blame.
Network Ten executive general manager Howcroft is currently filming the Woolworths-backed TV show Recipe to Riches, while Leo Burnett Australia CEO Sampson has recently taken up a seat on the Fairfax Media board.
And comedian Anderson announced earlier this year that he would be spending most of 2014 living and working in the US.
Murray added: “The plan has always been for Wil to be living in the US for most of this year.”
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.