It was exactly a year ago that SBS announced long-running show RocKwiz will not be returning and the network now says it will not rush in looking for a replacement.
Speaking to TV Tonight about its 2020 programming, Channel Manager Ben Nguyen confirmed SBS will broadcast more entertainment shows this year, including Celebrity Mastermind next month on Saturdays with contestants including Courtney Act, Nazeem Hussain, Sam Simmons and Marc Fennell.
“Saturday nights was always the home of RocKwiz over many years and we haven’t really had an entertainment property to take its place,” Nguyen said.
“We’re exploring options in terms of what we could do locally in that space, but we’re not going to rush into anything. We’ll obviously have Eurovision: Australia Decides and Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras with coverage going live for the first time.”
Following SBS' decision to not renew RocKwiz after a 14-season run, over 25,000 people signed a petition to keep the music program alive.
“The decision we’ve made is that it is time to call an end to RocKwiz after a long success on SBS,” Nguyen said in a statement in February last year.
“[Co-host Julia Zemiro] became a big talent through SBS but it is a natural decision as channels evolve and moving into new spaces over time."
Meanwhile, the annual RocKwiz's Really Really Good Friday Easter special will return to Melbourne this April. Check out theGuide for more details.
After premiering in 2005, RocKwiz ran until 2016. Special guest performers in its run included Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Tina Arena, Chrissy Amphlett, Chris Cheney, Paul Dempsey, Deborah Conway, Julia Stone, Courtney Barnett, Billy Bragg, Missy Higgins and Sarah Blasko.
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