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Bananas in Pyjamas for the chop, say reports ABC denies Bananas in Pyjamas is heading for the chop
(about 2 hours 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 ABC is strenuously denying reports the much-loved children’s show Bananas in Pyjamas is facing the axe after Fairfax reported on Thursday morning that the animated fruit could be hanging up their stripey pyjamas for good at the end of the month.
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. The TV show, which carried on from the live-action series, will end production just shy of the characters’ 21st birthday, according to Fairfax’s report.
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. However an ABC spokeswoman told Guardian Australia the article was inaccurate and “seriously misquotes” ABC head of children’s content Tim Brooke-Hunt.
“Another series of Bananas in Pyjamas will go through the usual commissioning process to determine future production of the program,” said the statement. When asked if the show was in danger, she said “none at all.”
“This process does not relate to current government funding.” “The ABC has no intention of ceasing to broadcast one of Australia and the world’s most popular children’s TV programs.”
ABC TV head of children’s content, Tim Brooke-Hunt, earlier told Fairfax the cancellation was “a matter of money” The spokeswoman said they still have unaired episodes in the can which should see through to August, and they would then be repeated.
Any new series would go through the “usual commissioning process”, with major decisions made in November of this year.
Production has indeed ceased on this current series, but the spokeswoman said this can often happen for up to 12 months.
“The process we are taking with Bananas is no different to the process we have followed for the 21 years of the program.”
The Fairfax article quoted ABC TV head of children’s content, Tim Brooke-Hunt, saying 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. An ABC statement on Thursday afternoon said the commissioning process does not relate to current government funding.
Bananas in Pyjamas 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.
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.
ABC has been contacted for further comment.
ABC News 24 reported the show was “definitely not being axed” but did not have further details.
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