SBS and NITV have made the decision to axe the Marngrook Footy Show after ten years of broadcasting.
The show started as a radio concept before developing for television and finding homes on Channel 31 and ABC2 before it landed on SBS and NITV.
Grant Hansen, the founder of the show, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning.
Hansen credited the show's loyal audience for their success across the years.
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“It’s true that NITV – SBS has decided after 10 successful years and there (sic) most popular show not to continue with the Marngrook Footy Show,” Hansen said.
“We are hopeful of continuing on another network. We thank all our fans and supporters for your support to the program over 12 years."
Fans were devastated with the news, crediting the show for providing Indigenous football, players and journalists a stronger representation in the Australian media landscape.
Over 400 comments on Facebook and hundreds of tweets showed just how big the show's audience was.
nup to marngrook footy show being cancelled it’s the only panel show that actually cuts through straight to the spirit of the game and reminds us of the necessity of having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at the forefront of our game
— andie (@anndeejam) October 29, 2019
Very disappointing that @SBS drop @marngrook footy show when they seem to have a British doco on every second night. @NITV should be showcasing Australian life and a big part of that is Indigenous footballers starring in our national code.
— anthony bunn (@adbunn) October 29, 2019
So NITV axe the very popular Marngrook Footy Show. And I see they’re now showing Fraggle Rock.
— flashblak (@flashblak) October 29, 2019
I thought the I stood for Indigenous TV 🤷🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/0oLQB8MPNL
@NITV you can’t stop broadcasting @marngrook - best footy show around
— mr.ginger (@offsreally) October 29, 2019
Sad to find out that Marngrook Footy Show has been axed by SBS, the only footy show worth watching and wonderful personalities. Hopefully it can get picked up by another network.
— Around The Grounds (@ATGAuslan) October 29, 2019
Thank you for acknowledging Around The Grounds on the show! @marngrook @ShelleyWare pic.twitter.com/fM3ObCrGjI
The news about Marngrook Footy Show's axing follows Channel Nine's decision to axe their AFL Footy Show earlier this year.
Some fans believe that Marngrook would be the perfect pick-up for Channel Nine now they have a gap in their AFL scheduling.
Channel 9 SHOULD take this as an opportunity to replace the Footy Show!!
— Mothy Echo (@EchoMothy) October 29, 2019
It's been a strange week for AFL broadcasting, with Fox Sports also coming under fire for getting rid of journalist Neroli Meadows.
Meadows was one of the more popular members of Fox Sports' AFL coverage and was praised in particular for how she handled the recent passing of Danny Frawley live on-air.
