News.com.au
Sat August 11, 2012 6:15am
AUSSIE TV networks have been slammed for creating too many copycat programs.
The criticism comes after Channel 7 announced its making its own Block-style home renovation program.
Seven is looking for teams of two with a passion and flair for home renovation.
Sound familiar?
It's a big gamble. The Block is a hugely popular franchise for Nine but that doesn't mean all reno-shows are a walk-up, success story.
Channel Ten's Block copycat, The Renovators, was one of 2011's biggest ratings flops.
``The biggest thing lacking is originality,'' media analyst Steve Allen says.
``The public don't like being conned.''
Truly original home-grown TV concepts can be counted on one hand Packed to the Rafters, Thank God You're Here, Kath & Kim, Rockwiz, Can of Worms.
Earlier this year Nine's copycat weight loss show Excess Baggage went head-to-head with The Biggest Loser.
Despite its massive budget and ad campaign, Excess Baggage was a ratings disaster and shunted to GO! after two weeks.
Nine is also cooking up a MasterChef clone with The Great Australian Bake Off, a reality cooking competition focusing on cakes, pastries and desserts
The Nine network has also bought and revamped Big Brother, which ran on Ten for seven years. It returns on Monday night with new host Sonia Kruger.
The former Dancing With the Stars host also fronts Mornings with David Campbell, which is Nine's answer to Seven's The Morning Show.
Ten recently launched Better Homes and Gardens clone, The Living Room, to tepid ratings.
And it will screen its new reality show Don't Tell the Bride, hosted by former Home and Away star Kate Ritchie.