Viewers had a lot to say about the ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage on Wednesday night.
As Australia rings in 2026, the government-funded broadcaster wheeled out a series of heritage acts to take the stage for the concert portion of the telecast.
Kicking off the festivities was 2000s band The Cat Empire, with Casey Donovan and Peach PRC performing, while Spice Girls star Mel C is set to headline.
But it was the decision to feature the stars of children’s program Play School performing a medley of kids’ tracks for the show’s 60th anniversary – including Wiggerly Woo and the show’s jaunty theme song – close to 10pm that sparked the most ire.
‘It’s 9.45pm – why on earth is Play School on #ABCNYE – it’s so bizarre. The kiddies are already in bed!’ wrote one person on X.
Another said: ‘Okay enough is enough. We’re switching this crap off. Pity to miss Casey but I can’t take this crap anymore.’
Viewers had a lot to say about the ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve coverage on Wednesday night – which included a Play School medley
The decision to feature the stars of children’s program Play School performing a medley of kids’ tracks for the show’s 60th anniversary – including Wiggerly Woo and the show’s jaunty theme song – close to 10pm that sparked the most ire
‘It’s 9.45pm – why on earth is Play School on #ABCNYE – it’s so bizarre. The kiddies are already in bed!’ wrote one person on X
‘I think we need to defund the sillies out,’ one more chimed in, with another writing, ‘Are you serious? Play School?? WTF.’
‘I am sad… this is cringe. It’s 9:42pm and we have to listen to kids’ songs. Just some good old fashioned rock tunes to bring in the new year please,’ someone else posted.
One more questioned: ‘Why didn’t they do this before the 9pm fireworks?’
‘How do #abcnye manage to get artists to play the most boring unsuitable songs for a #NYE event every feckin’ year?’ a viewer complained.
‘Have the organisers never been to a decent party in their life? Every year it gets worse.’
‘This kids’ section needed to be on before 9pm. They’re all in bed now, and no-one is pissed enough for this,’ one more said.
There was scorn for the Cat Empire, too, with many pointing out that the line-up was reminiscent of a time gone by.
‘Mel C, Casey Donovan and the Cat Empire, so glad I’ve tuned into 2002 NYE on ABC,’ said one viewer.
Another said: ‘Okay enough is enough. We’re switching this crap off. Pity to miss Casey but I can’t take this crap anymore’
Someone else wrote: ‘Every band playing on #ABCNYE should start their performance with ‘Here’s one off our new album’.’
Another commented: ‘HOW is this performance still going. Five songs for a horrible group is insane.’
‘That was terrible from crap empire. #abcnye have done it again bringing another sh**ty New Year’s Eve coverage,’ someone else said.
Another wrote: ‘Cat Empire were good back in the day. They lacked big time tonight ABC New Years coverage disappoints once again.’
‘I’m sorry to be a yearly hater but I will never understand how they can’t get the vibe for these concerts right,’ complained one viewer.
‘How hard is it to play some fun, upbeat party songs that people can sing and dance to? They always make baffling song choices.’
