TV Show Given Until First Ad Break To Find Audience

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In a move that is fast becoming the norm for new television programmes, Channel 7 this week has given first-run Australian comedy show 'Milanovic's Can Machine Slam' until its first commercial break to 'find its audience'.

The show, 6 months in the making using relatively unknown cast and crew is set to air tonight in between 'Border Security' and 'Medical Emergency'. If ratings are not good in the first seven minutes, the station will pull the show off the air immediately, replacing it with repeats of the hilarious 90s sitcom 'Home Improvement', which research shows audiences love to death.

This controversial policy has superseded the previous Channel 7 doctrine of playing musical chairs with a new programme, changing a new show's timeslot and day on a weekly basis. Executives for the television network are reported to have stated this new 'zero tolerance' approach to bad ratings is a much more efficient way to make sure nothing subversive or, worse, original slips through the sieve of network programming.

Cancelling a show after a poor seven minute performance also effectively negates the need to pay to fund new Australian content. Russ Moyer, TV executive for Channel 7 said the message would be sent to the creative community that 'we don't want new content'. 'Why should we make our own shows when we can just buy some American imports?' the 52 year old said. 'After all, if Aussie shows were any good, people would watch them, right?'

When asked to predict 'Milanovic's Can Machine Slam's' success tonight, Moyer simply laughed. It airs tonight, quite possible for only 7 minutes, on Channel 7.

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