KIDS SHOW STAR FOR SUPERCARS TV

Kids show star for Supercars TV – Photo: InSyde Media

Former children’s TV star Charli Robinson is set to join the Supercars broadcast commentary team next year.

By MARK FOGARTY

As part of a shake-up of the on-air talent, Robinson is in line to become a celebrity presenter/reporter.

There is also a push for a regular main broadcast role for outspoken former racer Paul Morris.

Robinson is famous as one of the original cast of the popular kids’ TV show Hi-5.

She has had many other TV roles since retiring from Hi-5 in 2008. Most recently she has been a presenter on Nine’s ‘Getaway’ travel and lifestyle show.

She is a motorsport fan and is engaged to GT racer Liam Talbot.

AUTO ACTION understands that Robinson is being brought on board to appeal to a younger, wider audience.

Broadcast industry sources confirm she will join the Supercars commentary team in 2021, although her exact role is undetermined

She could be a pit lane reporter or, more likely, a paddock behind-the-scenes presenter.

Supercars is looking to broaden the appeal of its telecasts on Fox Sports and the Seven Network.

Robinson’s inclusion will be among significant changes to the commentary line-up.

It has now been learned that Fox Sports and Seven will simulcast the coverage completely, with cross-channel commentators and personalities.

As a cost-cutting measure, Fox Sports and Seven will show the same Supercars Media-produced telecasts with the same presenters, commentators and reporters.

Seven will not ‘top and tail’ its coverage with different hosts and experts, as Channel 10 has done for the past six seasons.

Jess Yates will become the host of all broadcasts, backed by Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes.

They are secure because they are retained by Fox Sports, which has demanded Skaife continue against some resistance within Supercars.

Seven celebrity Mark Beretta, a motorsport fan, will be part of the cross-network team, most likely reporting from the pit lane.

The full commentary line-up is still being debated.

Supercars executives are pushing for a less technical call, with Neil Crompton and Mark Larkham under threat.

Crompton is ‘The Voice Of V8s’, backed by more than three decades as a commentator with top-level racing experience, while fellow ex-racer Larko is popular for his amusing and informative analysis.

According to our broadcast industry sources, neither has a confirmed deal for next year and beyond.

Supercars Media boss Nathan Prendergast is reportedly fighting to keep Crompo and Larko, regarded as “too technical” by Supercars bosses.

There is also pressure to elevate Paul Morris from support race commentary to the main broadcast.

Morris’s ‘shoot from the lip’ pronouncements are regarded as ‘entertaining and informative’ within the corridors of power of Supercars.

Ironically, despite his close connections, he is often technical in his explanations and notably critical of officialdom. He is also a critic of Supercars’ management.

Likely casualties of the Fox Sports/Seven broadcast aggregation are pit lane reporters Greg Murphy and Riana Crehan.

Murph has strong New Zealand TV appeal and undeniable knowledge, but he is expensive – and unavailable until travel between Australia and NZ is relaxed – while there is just no room for Crehan despite her expertise.

Ex-driver Andrew Jones, who was a pit lane regular due to the coronavirus disruption this year, is set to stay. He is informed and informative, as well as being useful as a support race co-commentator

AA is reliably informed that Supercars executives regard the Skaife/Crompton/Larkham triumvirate as too ‘insider’, turning off casual viewers.

While the majority of Supercars viewers are not diehard fans, there is a substantial hard core of followers who drive the audience.

Supercars’ preference to ‘dumb down’ the coverage should concern regular devotees, who enjoy the insight and rapport – if not their ‘boy club’ banter – of Skaife, Crompton and Larkham.

Bringing in Charli Robinson – and folding established Seven personality Beretta into the combined coverage – just underlines that Supercars is tone deaf when it comes to what the fans want to hear.

They love Larko, they revere Crompo, they respect Skaifey and they adore Lowndesy. They also rate Murph.

Robinson is a talented TV performer who could be a revelation – or a dud.

We don’t know – and nor does Supercars.

Hopefully, she will be entertaining and informed. Her history as a Hi-5 star and established TV presenter bodes well – as a performer.

But if Robinson descends into puff and pageantry, the fans won’t be happy. Male, female or otherwise, presenters who trivialise incite the faithful.

Channel 10’s Kate Peck is an affirmative action presenter/reporter who annoys dedicated fans.

Peck is proficient, presentable and personable. She also lacks any vestige of credibility. Fans hate her for her vapidness, nothing else.

Probably not her fault, just doing as she’s told, but her annoyingly up-vibe presenting/reporting grates. As did her 10 co-presenter Scott Mackinnon, who is all teeth and no substance.

So, Supercars, be careful of what you wish for.

Sports commentary is always divisive. But the best in any field have earned their broadcasting spurs through years of experience and knowledge or high-level participation.

Agree or disagree, the good ones have a basis on which to opinionate.

Supercars’ commentary team is the face of the sport. They need to be interesting, entertaining and, most of all, informative.

Love ’em or loathe ’em, Skaifey, Crompo and Larko are the best Supercars commentators. They know their stuff and they know the important people. They are informed, if sometimes conflicted.

Reducing Supercars’ coverage to “Gee, wow, look at that!” or “How good are we?” is neither what the sport deserves nor what the audience really wants.
Good, honest, credible coverage is the minimum we should expect.

For more of the latest Supercars news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.