Feature image: via Twitter
Melbourne will no longer play host to television’s night of nights after the Victorian Government announced it would withdraw funding from the TV Week Logie Awards in 2018.
After 30 consecutive years of being hosted in Melbourne, State Government Tourism and Events Minister John Eren said in a statement, that “it’s time to pass on the baton.”
“There is no, or very little value in having the Logies in Melbourne in terms of return to our economy and in terms of jobs,” Mr. Eren told the ABC last Monday.
Melbourne has hosted the annual affair every year since 1987, with the Victorian Government rumored to be contributing $1 million of taxpayers’ dollars to the event.
But it told the ABC that after “extensive consultation with key stakeholders and a comprehensive analysis”, it would pull back from next year’s awards.
There has been a mixed response on social media since the announcement last week, with many believing that the awards solely belong to the Victorian city.
Co-host of the Nine Network’s Today Show, Karl Stefanovic threatened to boycott the Logies shortly after it was announced they would be leaving Crown’s renowned Palladium Ballroom during an on-air rant.
“I’m telling you right now – if the Logies move from Melbourne I’m boycotting them,” he said to co-host Lisa Wilkinson following the announcement.
Comedian Dave Hughes tweeted “I’ve opened the last 3 Logies, most nerve-wracking and ultimately exhilarating performance I do all year! Weird to see it leave Melb!”
So just where will the Logies go next?
The sunny Gold Coast.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the news on Twitter last Thursday, tweeting “Very excited to announce that the @TVWeekmag Logies will be held on the Gold Coast for the next four years!”
A press release by TV Week further confirmed the news, stating that the move is part of a four-year deal with the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.
The 2018 TV Week Logie Awards will be held in July at The Star Gold Coast– a couple of months later than usual, due to the event conflicting with the Gold Coast-bound Commonwealth Games.
Jayne Ferguson, General Manager of Women’s Lifestyle and Entertainment at Bauer Media shared her enthusiasm at the move to bring the awards to Queensland for the first time.
“The Logies have enjoyed considerable support over the many years they have been held in Melbourne,” she said.
“But it’s the right time, as we celebrate our 60th year, for us to share that excitement with another great Australian city. We look forward to the Gold Coast hosting television’s night of nights in 2018 and beyond.”
Do you think the Logies belong to Melbourne or is it time to share them with another state? Drop us a comment below or via the D*Scribe Facebook page.
