Luxe Listings Sydney has been the biggest hit for Prime Video amongst the Australian series it has commissioned since launching here. Viewing over the Easter period has kept the show near the top of landing page for the video platform. (Amazon will release its 2022 Q1 results later today and will likely have an update on latest Prime Video activity.)
Streaming services are careful not to reveal exact details about their successes so as not to give other players too many insights into their hit programming.
The recent series two launch event for Luxe Listings Sydney saw a number of Amazon Studios and Prime Video execs back in Australia with Covid restrictions lifting.
When pressed about how Luxe Listings Sydney ranked among its customers, head of Australia, NZ and Canada content Tyler Bern offered Mediaweek just one word. “High”, said Bern, without any further clarification. His grin indicated though it was in fact “very high”.
The A team at Luxe Listings Season 2 launch: [L-R] Amazon’s Hushidar Kharas and James Farrell, agents D’Leanne Lewis, Simon Cohen, Gavin Rubinstein and Monika Tu, Amazon’s CJ Yu and Tyler Bern
James Farrell, Amazon Studio’s head of originals, was slightly more forthcoming: “This was our biggest hit in Australia when it premiered last year which is why we have season two now and season three later in 2022.”
CJ Yu, head of unscripted development, global formats at Amazon Studios, told Mediaweek: “We are really excited for the success the show has brought us. We are now looking at other cities for other versions of the show, both domestic or abroad. The potential for the show is limitless as there is clearly a thirst for this kind of content in this market and others around the world. And it’s one that hasn’t been quenched yet.”
Bern added: “Australia is the first place for this show and we really think this is something that will take off globally.”
As to just where new series might be filmed, Farrell noted the possibility of new versions based in Canada, Europe and Latin America.
Bern noted how local audiences had warmed to the real estate agents working Sydney’s eastern suburbs: “I was walking behind Gavin Rubinstein arriving at the series two premiere and people recognised him and wanted to talk about Luxe Listings. We really have created something truly unique which is why we have been celebrating season two. It has become a proven format for us know as our customers love it.
“Every season we launch will go out simultaneously globally. There have been very interesting pockets of demand. The interest in real estate is nearly universal as people love seeing inside big houses and they love big personalities. The biggest countries outside of Australia for Luxe Listings include the US, UK and Canada. They all loved the show and we are expecting similar results for season two.”
Season 2 newcomer Monika Tu
Luxe Listings audience feedback
“If you ask people what they want to see more of, some people will want more drama, others will say more houses and others will say more auctions,” said Bern. “It is something of a juggling act as we try to find something for everybody. The chemistry from the cast is undeniable and the addition of Monika Tu for season two amps it up another level.
Yu added: “If you look on social media you will see many comments from people all around the world talking about the ridiculous homes and the amazing characters and storylines. People have preconceived notions about real estate agents and they may love them or hate them, but this show has humanised them in a way that makes people want to be their friends.
“Overall much of the world now knows more about Sydney’s eastern suburbs than they ever thought they would.”
As to how the concept from TV creator and radio star Kyle Sandilands ended up with two production companies, Bern explained: “Kentel is the production company that came to us with the cast. We packaged them with Eureka in order to be able to build the best of both worlds.
“When we create original shows for Amazon we want to work with the best talent, the best producers and between Kentel and Eureka we found a unique package to build something special for our customers in this marketplace.
“The same team worked on the second season and they are working together again on the third season. They have both been fantastic partners for us. The show has a lot of different elements including the talent, the schedules, the homes, the access and the credibility. You are dealing with the owners of multimillion dollar properties and they won’t just let anybody walk in through the door. We need to find the best, most professional crew and producers that can bring these stories to life, but also the talent that can bring the viewer in.”
Luxe Listings and authenticity
The first season of the show attracted some criticism. Writing about Luxe Listings in The Sydney Morning Herald last year, Andrew Hornery commented: “Fake auctions, professional actors pretending to be buyers and attention-seeking socialites clamouring for walk-on roles.”
Bern told Mediaweek: “For a show like this, everything has to be completely authentic. Every auction, every listing, every price, every homeowner. We can’t make things up on this show. At the same time we are shooting in a limited window so we have to make sure we capture the best we can within that window.”
Watch Luxe Listings Sydney here.
See also:
Kyle Sandilands on Luxe Listings Sydney, next TV projects and fatherhood
Luxe Listings Sydney: Power agents launch Season 2 of Australian Amazon Original series