TV networks and celebrities are reportedly furious the prestigious Logies event is scheduled for a delayed return in November, instead of the normal May-June date.
According to The Australian, television personalities and executives have warned Are Media’s TV Week magazine – which hosts the Logies awards show – that November is an unworkable date as most attendees will be tied up in projects or in COVID-protected production bubbles.
Production of many high-profile Australian shows will likely be in full swing in November, which means many of TV’s biggest names will be unavailable.
The Logies are traditionally held in May or June however the pandemic has prompted organisers to wait for a coronavirus-vaccinated event later this year.
Are Media CEO Brendon Hill reportedly sent a letter to the networks asking them to offer as much “talent attendance” as possible, however executives have bluntly said November cannot work.
“We love the Logies but we simply can’t do it at that time of year. There needs to be some compromise here. That’s all we’re asking for. But it seems to be going ahead on that day regardless,” one anonymous executive told the publication.
November 28 has been pencilled in as the tentative Logies return date, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tipped to be speaking to broadcaster Nine this week to announce it.
Palaszczuk will match a generous subsidy scheme also offered by TV Week to entice networks to bring along their top talent.
