I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! has returned on Channel 10 and 10 Play to kickstart the broadcasters new programming slate for 2022.
The show has become a staple of 10’s New Years programming and Mediaweek caught up with 10 ViacomCBS’s head of entertainment Stephen Tate to talk about what fans can expect from the jungle this year.
“I’m a Celebrity has become an annual event,” said Tate. “It’s almost like a major sporting franchise, I think there’s a real occasion for it. If there is pressure on it, it is to deliver to audience expectations which is a big, bright and fun family show. And that’s where we put all our focus.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY NIGEL WRIGHT.
[email protected]
IM A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE S8. 2022
THIS PICTURE SHOWS: EPISODE 1
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The Ratings
The show continues to be a strong performer in the early January timeslot:
Episode 1
Monday Opening Night: 1.062m national (Metro 794,000 Regional 268,000)
Welcome To The Jungle: 1.015m national (750,000/265,000)
Episode 2
Tuesday 877,000 (634,000/243,000)
Episode 3
Wednesday 778,000 (570,000/208,000)
Episode 4
Thursday 834,000 (596,000/238,000)
When asked why 10 has thought it to be prudent to run a major entertainment franchise at a time of the year where sport has traditionally been king, Tate said that 10 is offering viewers a product that they want.
“For the rest of the year entertainment and reality franchises dominate schedules. So why wouldn’t Australian audiences want that content at the beginning of the year? We were just the first network to provide that content, and it’s worked really well. It’s an alternative to sport. We don’t even see ourselves as competing with sport, we very much stay in our own lane. But as you’ve seen in previous years, we are very competitive.”
The Cast
The show has put out a stellar cast which state said was “thanks to Covid”, with more talent than usual being available:
• Poh Ling Yeow- MasterChef Alumni
• The David- Social Media Influencer
• Dylan Lewis- Radio Host
• Beau Ryan- Former NRL Player/ TV Host
• Maria Thattil- Miss Universe Australia 2020
• Nathan Buckley- AFL Legend
• Brooke McClymont- Country Music Singer
• Emily Seebohm- Olympic Swimmer
• Derek Kickett- Former AFL Player
• Cal Wilson- Comedian
“There were people that were available that wouldn’t normally be available”, Tate told Mediaweek. “The current circumstances that the whole world finds itself in has changed the mindset of people going in there. They’re genuinely appreciative of the experience. And there is a kind of a change in the way they’ve interacted with each other. People in general, are much kinder, and more interested in each other. Probably because they’ve been locked in their own houses for a good 18 months leading into making the show and all of a sudden, they find themselves in the Aussie jungle with a dozen new playmates. And they’re loving it.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY NIGEL WRIGHT.
[email protected]
IM A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE S8. 2022
THIS PICTURE SHOWS: EPISODE 1
.
Australia still decides the winner
Tate said that the most important thing to note about this season is that despite the Covid related changes that Australia still decides the winner.
“It will be a live vote for the finale for Australia to choose the King or Queen of the Jungle. That’s one element of making the show in Australia that we were very careful to protect.”