‘They want to forget it ever happened’: Channel Seven is ‘forced to pay Manu Feildel, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan OUT of their three-season contracts’ for Plate of Origin after the cooking show flopped in the ratings
Just 335,000 people tuned in to watch the finale of Plate of Origin last month, raking in the worst ratings of the entire season.
And the cooking show’s dismal reception means it almost certainly won’t return for another series on Channel Seven, according to Woman’s Day.
The publication also claims the network has been forced to ‘pay out’ hosts Manu Feildel, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan – who were all reportedly on three-season deals.
All over? Channel Seven has reportedly been forced to ‘pay out’ Plate of Origin hosts Manu Feildel (centre), Matt Preston (left) and Gary Mehigan (right) after the cooking show flopped
‘All three of them signed on for three seasons of Plate of Origin,’ the insider said.
‘Seven really thought the comeback would have delivered a loyal audience, so the figure was no small number.
‘But due to the lacklustre ratings and with no other cooking shows in the pipeline, Seven are now in the process of paying them out of their contracts and are keen to forget it ever happened.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
Expensive flop: All three hosts were all reportedly on three-season deals, according to Woman’s Day, meaning that Seven is obliged to pay out their contracts
Sorry, boys! Plate of Origin drew 667,000 viewers for its premiere, but these numbers got progressively worse as the weeks went by
Plate of Origin drew 667,000 viewers for its premiere, but these numbers got progressively worse as the weeks went by.
On the same night as Plate of Origin’s dismal season finale, Channel Nine’s The Block raked in a whopping 807,000 viewers.
The last episode saw Team Greece’s Dezi, 41, and Penny, 33, crowned champions, taking home a $100,000 cash prize.
Dismal: Just 335,000 people tuned in to watch the finale of Plate of Origin last month, raking in the worst ratings of the entire season. The last episode saw Team Greece’s Dezi, 41, and Penny, 33, crowned champions, taking home a $100,000 cash prize
Dezi said of their win: ‘We have represented the Australian Greek community and now we’ve just won Plate of Origin!’
The network hasn’t said if the show will ever make a return to screens.
However, leading TV commentator Rob McKnight has said Plate of Origin is ‘dead’ and beyond saving.
Not coming back? Seven hasn’t said if the show will ever make a return to screens. Pictured: Greek cousins Dezi and Penny, who are seemingly the only people to profit from Plate of Origin