Two Former ‘Good Game’ Hosts Are Launching A New Show On A Rival Network
The ABC has blamed declining ratings for the show's cancellation.
Yesterday the ABC devastated fans of Good Game by announcing the series had been axed after 10 years on air.
A statement published on Good Game’s Facebook page said that the decision came after “two of the key presenters of Good Game announced they were leaving to pursue other opportunities” and “changes in the way audiences are choosing to get their information about gaming”.
Junkee can reveal that the two hosts leaving Good Game, Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen and Nich “NichBoy” Richardson, informed the ABC earlier this year that they were leaving the network to a join a new show at Channel Seven. Details about the new gaming show have not been revealed.
In an email to staff today, the ABC’s Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, said “When it was announced that two key members of our presenting team were heading off to join a new rival show, the Entertainment and Programming teams agreed we were best to go out on a high.”
Junkee has been told the decision to cancel the show was made by Finlayson, who is due to leave the ABC later this year. Some sources claimed the decision was about a lack of resources, and was a flow-on impact of the Turnbull government’s $250 million cut to the ABC’s funding. However Junkee understands declining ratings were a contributing factor to management’s decision.
@takeitslowok their other reason was ratings. *shrug* our TV numbers were down but no more than other shows across the network I believe.
— Stephanie Bendixsen (@hexsteph) February 1, 2017
In his email to staff, Finlayson argued “when Good Game began in 2006, Facebook was less than two years old and YouTube just 12 months. It virtually stood alone as a video-based information source for gamers. While the show has remained strong, today it is one of myriad offers.”
While it’s true Good Game faced competition from YouTube and streaming services like Twitch, it also innovated with online first content like Good Game: Well Played, which covered the competitive e-sports scene.
Though Good Game has been cancelled, the children’s version of the program, Good Game: Spawn Point, will continue to air on ABC ME.
Junkee has contacted Seven for comment.