Even though it will be up against the biggest show on Australian TV at the moment – on the primary channel of the network no less – the move of Santo, Sam & Ed’s Sports Fever to 8:30pm on Mondays on 7mate is a good thing. That it will be live to air (AEDT) will add to the edge, and those otherwise distracted can always catch up as it will be replayed later in the evening in it’s current spot. Sounds like winning. From the press release:
FEELING as tired as Djokovic and Nadal at the Australian Open? Caught yourself yawning and laughing at the same time? Well, Santo, Sam and Ed have good news: they’re coming to primetime.
Starting on Monday February 27, SANTO, SAM & ED’S SPORTS FEVER! will be broadcast LIVE on 7mate from 8.30pm AEDT. The program will then be shown later that night on Channel 7 as usual.
Now there’s no danger of missing Ed’s riff on the bob-sled, or Sam’s insight into Chinese tennis. And no longer will Santo have to stay up past his bedtime.
Seven’s Director of Programming, Angus Ross, said:
“Sports Fever is a very funny show and at 830PM on 7Mate viewers can now enjoy it in primetime. We are committed to taking the program to the widest possible audience across both channels.”
“This is a great outcome and it shows what we can do in a multi-channel environment.”The Executive Producer of Working Dog, Michael Hirsh, said
“This is a fantastic opportunity to go primetime. We applaud Tim Worner and Angus Ross for allowing us to seize the opportunity of a new frontier on digital TV! We can now produce an original comedy program to broadcast live at a time when people can watch.”
And some comments from the show’s hosts Santo, Sam and Ed:
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to share Sports Fever with a broader, less sleep-deprived audience.” Santo Cilauro – Sports Fever Co-Captain.
‘No-one told me anything’ – Sam Pang Sports Fever Mascot.
“It may end up costing a bit more to broadcast, as the Network have been taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates, but at least we’ll be saving on coffee.” Ed Kavalee Sports Fever Co-Captain.
SANTO, SAM AND ED’S SPORTS FEVER! dissects global sports news and events in a LIVE hour-long program filmed at Seven’s Docklands studios each week. It consists of well-informed discussion, ill-informed analysis, pre-recorded clips, guest interviews, shonky impersonations, surprise cameos and live sketches. In short, it’s a left-field review of all the weekly sports actions, with a focus on the latest weekend results, hosted by Santo Cilauro, Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee.Missed it this week? Check out the highlights from the show on YouTube:
Produced by Working Dog and broadcast live in front of a studio audience, Santo, Sam and Ed’s Sports Fever! airs Monday nights at 8.30pm AEDT on 7Mate.