No way around it: this is a bad idea. The Australia’s Got Talent brand has been waning for the last couple of seasons, highlighted by how it performed against The Voice Australia this year. With a new series of The Voice coming in 2013 to Ch9, including AGT in their line up only muddies what is expected to be a strong schedule. The already have a hit musical reality show – do they need another?

AGT will require a complete re-work – not just new host/judges/livery – to gain any sort of foothold in the market. David Campbell is the natural fit for host, but who to judge? Importing judges won’t bring credibility. The series will be a distraction that Nine doesn’t need in a year where it will be taking the fight to Seven, and it needs to win… and AGT won’t offer any advantage, short of being a different kind of shiny. From the press release:

Nine Network today confirmed it has acquired the international and local ratings hit Australia’s Got Talent for 2013.

“The Got Talent brand is without doubt one of the world’s biggest entertainment programs right now and we are excited to be adding it to our schedule for 2013 and beyond.” said Nine’s Head of Television Michael Healy today.

The new look Australia’s Got Talent on Nine will have a fresh and fun approach to the production, new hosts and judges and a broader base of exciting talent to bring to the Australian audience. The global success of Got Talent has seen the format top the ratings in Britain – where the finale was watched by a massive 13.8 million, the US, New Zealand and scores of other territories around the world.

“We are already in discussions with a number of exciting judges to bring to the panel and have begun series planning with FremantleMedia on expanding and focusing the search for Australia’s most talented acts to showcase to our audience.” said Michael Healy today.

The Got Talent format now airs in more than 50 territories globally, launching in 9 new territories in 2012 alone, with more on the way. It is a true variety format featuring acts from all performance disciplines, of all ages and from all walks of life.

Australia’s Got Talent is a FremantleMedia Australia production of a Syco and THAMES format for the Nine Network.