McLeod's Daughters Wants $500,000.00 from SA Gov

It seem that those responsible for production of Mcleod's Daughters are after HALF A MILLION DOLLARS to continue production of the show in South Australia.

Recently the SAFC approved a $200,000.00 grant to McLeod's Daughters (production) for the next two years. Now the team are holding their hand out for a further $300,000.00 of state money.

The team are so confident (not) of the show continuing that they even said that the HALF A MILLION DOLLARS would be returned if the show was AXED, which seems highly possible if the show is on financial shaky ground.

The show has seriously thought about building sets in Sydney and just shooting outdoors with a second unit in SA.

The current estimated cost of producing another season of McLeod's Daughters was estimated at AUD$19 MILLION and with the NINE network seemingly in a continual state of re-organisation it seems more likely that the show will be shut down as opposed to going interstate.

Producers claim that since the show began they have spent about AUD$72 MILLION in South Australia.

HIGH-RATING TV drama series McLeod's Daughters - filmed north of Adelaide - wants a minimum $500,000 State Government handout to remain in South Australia.

The show's producers and the SA Film Corporation yesterday warned the future of McLeod's Daughters was in doubt, with the possibility it might be axed or its production moved interstate.

An internal SA Film Corporation document obtained by The Advertiser reveals the makers of McLeod's Daughters last month made an urgent appeal for State Government funding in a bid to convince the Nine Network to commit for another season of the show.

In the February 8 production investment application to the SAFC Board, the show's creator, Posie Graeme-Evans, stated: "In light of major restructuring and cost-cutting that is taking place within the Nine Network, the production company, Millennium Television, is seeking support from the SAFC to secure a commitment from Nine for the eighth series." ~ by Michael Owen at the Advertiser

Humphrey B Bear's future on Another Network?

CHILDREN'S television favourite Humphrey B Bear's future is uncertain, with the Nine Network yet to commission a new series of the beloved bear's program despite a looming deadline.

Humphrey has been a fixture on Australian television since 1965, is yet to set a deal with Adelaide-based Banksia Productions to commission a new series of Here's Humphrey, Fairfax newspapers reported today.

Here's Humphrey is not currently airing, but the Nine Network has only weeks left of daily repeats if it does not do a deal with Banksia.

This has left the door open for the rival Seven and Ten networks to step in and give the bear a new home.

When questioned on the future of the honey-loving bear at Nine, network chief executive Eddie McGuire said: “We are in a production break at the moment and we'll discuss Humphrey in due course”.

Nine has signed a two-year deal with the makers of rival program Hi-5 and has ceased promoting Humphrey as one of its programs on its website.

Banksia spokesman Stewart Lamb refused to comment on speculation that rival commercial networks were set to headhunt Humphrey, but said keeping Humphrey on Australian TV was important.

“He's been on Australian TV for 42 years and we don't want that to end,” he said.

Humphrey is a big overseas seller. Banksia flies in Mandarin and Spanish-speaking presenters to serve its large Chinese, Spanish and South American markets.

See the full article as reported by: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21217563-10229,00.html