The Nine Network "axed" The NRL Footy Show just days after the National Rugby League grand final, according to Broede Carmody of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The decision comes "after years of poor ratings and speculation the struggling program would soon get the chop." This year, sports broadcaster Erin Molan took over from long-time host Paul Vautin, who had hosted the show for 24 years. A Nine spokesperson said that the decision "has no effect" on sister program The AFL Footy Show or The Sunday Footy Show, which "focuses on NRL and is also hosted by Molan." The NRL Footy Show had been on the air since '94 and "earned several Logie awards over the past two decades." However, this year -- its 25th season -- "saw a number of setbacks alongside lacklustre ratings." The new-look program "struggled to shrug-off Foxtel rival League Life" (SMH, 10/2). In Sydney, Lilly Vitorovich reported Nine Dir of Sport Tom Malone said that it has been an "incredible ride" for the show. Molan took over the hosting gig from Vautin in "a bid to improve its popularity with TV audiences." Malone said, "A quarter of a century of laughs, controversy and first-class footy analysis. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this amazing era of live sports-entertainment television." Malone added that Vautin already made the transition back into the commentary box, and Molan will be joining the Wide World of Sport team to "help lead the coverage of rugby league, netball, tennis and cricket." Malone: "Erin is a star and a great broadcaster. She's going to take an even more prominent role on Nine's sports broadcasts going forward" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/2).
