Nine resting Family Feud

Channel Nine is resting Bert's Family Feud when the current series concludes on June 1.

Nine has announced the change while celebrating Newton renewing his contract with the network.

Against the might of Deal or No Deal the show has struggled. As a result it drags down National Nine News across the country. Even in Melbourne where Feud is strongest it makes life tough for the 6pm news. Nationally yesterday Deal had 943,000 to Feud's 604,000.

Newton, who celebrated 50 years on TV last week, will continue to present 20 to 1 and adds What A Year to his CV, previously hosted by Mike Munro. He will also front "other special events." During Easter non-ratings rather than screen repeats Nine trialled houne hour of Antiques Roadshow but it didn't dent Deal at all.

But still no bright spark has greenlit a Saturday Parkinson-esque show.

Press Release:

Following on from Bert Newton’s celebrations of 50 years in Australian television last week, Channel Nine is pleased to announce Bert has renewed his contract with the Nine Network, and willhost the new series of What a Year in the coming months.

“Channel Nine is thrilled to continue its close relationship with Bert, and is looking forward to him being at the Network for years to come. He is a true television legend,“ said Michael Healy, Director of Programming.

A four-time Gold Logie winner and Logie Hall of Fame recipient, Newton joined the Nine Network in the late 1950s to work with Graham Kennedy on In Melbourne Tonight, which made him a household name. In 1976 he joined The Don Lane Show where his “Wheel” segment became one of the most talked about events on television.

Bert’s premiere special event 50 to 1 was the top rating show for Nine last night capturing a national audience of 1.303 million viewers and was the number one show in the 25–54 demographic, proving once again his popularity, across all age groups.

Bert will have another busy year at Nine, as he continues to host 20 to 1 on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm, along with the new series of What a Year, and other special events. Bert’s Family Feud,5.30pm week days, will continue to air until the current series concludes in June, when it will be rested.

Bert Newton said, “Finding another contract with the Nine Network is not foreign to me, but this one is especially significant. 50 years is a long time and since rejoining the Network last year I have felt I am home. 2008 is another year on the clock, and What a Year is another challenge I look forward to.”

And in other news, 50 to 1 (amazingly) did well against the debut of It Takes Two. If you are searching for the list of movie quotes I'm waiting on Nine to forward them, meanwhile try the American Film Institute.

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