A new beginning for The Great Australian Bake Off? Rumours swirl that Channel Seven is buying the rights to the cooking show
The Great Australian Bake Off takes the cake for being one of the most wholesome, family-friendly shows on Australian TV.
And it’s possible the series could be making a return to free-to-air television next year, after it was notably absent from Foxtel’s 2021 programming slate.
As reported by TV Tonight, The Great Australian Bake Off could find a new home on Channel Seven, which has been left without a cooking show after the cancellation of My Kitchen Rules and Plate of Origin.
Rumour has it: The Great Australian Bake Off could be making a return to free-to-air television next year, after it was notably absent from Foxtel’s 2021 programming slate. Pictured (L-R): Matt Moran, Maggie Beer, Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle
Back in October, Seven West Media managing director and CEO James Warburton hinted the network had a few surprises up its sleeve for next year.
‘Our new content led strategy of outsourcing proven international formats has delivered this year with an incredible resurgence led by the phenomenal performance of Big Brother and Farmer Wants a Wife,’ Mr Warburton said.
‘We have shown only glimpses of our best from this year and that’s got us to less than half a point from being the most watched network in the country.’
Seven already has a slate of proven winners heading in 2021, including The Voice, Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australia’s Got Talent, so it would make sense for them to add another established brand to its line-up.
Opportunity: The Great Australian Bake Off could find a new home on Channel Seven, which has been left without a cooking show after the cancellation of My Kitchen Rules and Plate of Origin. Pictured: Plate of Origin judge Manu Feildel, with contestants Kelly and Ashley
Shows: Seven already has a slate of proven winners heading in 2021, including The Voice, Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australia’s Got Talent, so it would make sense for them to add another established brand to its line-up. Pictured: Sophie Monk on Australia’s Got Talent
Seven’s Head of Production Andrew Backwell previously told TV Tonight he liked the format of The Great Australian Bake Off.
‘I like the format of Bake Off. It’s still powering in the UK. I think that will pop up somewhere at some stage, but it’s not a priority for us,’ Mr Backwell said.
‘As you see with our announcements today, we’re really concentrating on big broad shows. But I think there is value in the format.’
Wholesome: Seven’s Head of Production Andrew Backwell previously told TV Tonight he liked the format of The Great Australian Bake Off
The remainder of Seven’s 2021 schedule was released earlier this month, and will include Australian Gangster, RFDS (Royal Flying Doctors Services), Holey Moley, Ultimate TAG, The Front Bar and the Tokyo Olympics.
Foxtel has also announced its line-up for next year, including new dramas such as The End, Mare of Easttown, A Teacher, Industry and Red Bird Lane, as well as returning favourites like All Rise, Wentworth and Prodigal Son.
Gossip Girl will also be returning to Foxtel with a reboot announced for the new year.