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Bananas in Pyjamas for the chop, say reports Bananas in Pyjamas for the chop, say reports
(about 1 hour later)
The stripey blue-and-white pyjamas have become an iconic part of an Australian childhood, but it appears ABC’s famous bananas could be hanging them up for good at the end of this month.The stripey blue-and-white pyjamas have become an iconic part of an Australian childhood, but it appears ABC’s famous bananas could be hanging them up for good at the end of this month.
Fairfax is reporting that the ABC’s Bananas in Pyjamas animated TV show, which carried on from the live-action series, will end production just shy of the characters’ 21st birthday. Fairfax on Thursday morning reported that the ABC’s Bananas in Pyjamas animated TV show, which carried on from the live-action series, will end production just shy of the characters’ 21st birthday.
ABC TV head of children’s content, Tim Brooke-Hunt, told Fairfax it was “a matter of money”. On Thursday afternoon the ABC released a statement reassuring viewers they would continue to broadcast the series, but did not confirm if this referred to repeats or episodes beyond the new series which ends at the end of the month.
“Another series of Bananas in Pyjamas will go through the usual commissioning process to determine future production of the program,” said the statement.
“This process does not relate to current government funding.”
ABC TV head of children’s content, Tim Brooke-Hunt, earlier told Fairfax the cancellation was “a matter of money”
The ABC reportedly invests $100,000 per half-hour of screentime, and despite its phenomenal success both in Australia and overseas, the show was no longer viable due to poor merchandise sales.The ABC reportedly invests $100,000 per half-hour of screentime, and despite its phenomenal success both in Australia and overseas, the show was no longer viable due to poor merchandise sales.
The show is syndicated to 130 countries around the world.The show is syndicated to 130 countries around the world.
Brooke-Hunt told Fairfax there would be no consideration of renewal for two years and overseas merchandise sales figures would be a determining factor.Brooke-Hunt told Fairfax there would be no consideration of renewal for two years and overseas merchandise sales figures would be a determining factor.
The executive producer of the series, Barbara Uecker, said it was a “sad moment” for the team.The executive producer of the series, Barbara Uecker, said it was a “sad moment” for the team.
Greens senator Scott Ludlam said Bananas in Pyjamas was an “important part of the ABC slate” and called for the ABC to reconsider their decision.Greens senator Scott Ludlam said Bananas in Pyjamas was an “important part of the ABC slate” and called for the ABC to reconsider their decision.
Repeats of the series will continue on ABC2. ABC has been contacted for further comment.
When contacted the ABC said it would be releasing a statement shortly.
ABC News 24 reported the show was “definitely not being axed” but did not have further details.ABC News 24 reported the show was “definitely not being axed” but did not have further details.
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