The Meghan Effect on Channel 7 and 7plus – What happens when a Hollywood actress enters the world’s most traditional monarchy?
This compelling documentary charts Meghan Markle’s meteoric rise, from trailblazing royal debut to her and Prince Harry’s dramatic departure.
Credited with modernising and diversifying the monarchy’s appeal, Meghan also faced a wave of hostility, press attacks, and institutional pushback.
As her confidence clashed with royal convention, the fallout shook the Firm and the world. Featuring expert insight and cultural analysis, this film unpacks the so-called “Meghan Effect” and explores whether she was a missed opportunity… or the monarchy’s reckoning.
The Meghan Effect on Channel 7 and 7plus – Sunday 15 February at 8.45pm
TV Central Seven content HERE
The Meghan Effect on Channel 7 and 7plus
About the Show
This is where stars are made: welcome to Australian Idol!
Twenty-one years after Guy Sebastian pipped Shannon Noll to become Australia’s first Idol, the international star-making sensation returns to Seven and 7plus for a second big season on Monday, 29 January.
Radio king Kyle Sandilands and TV WEEK Logie Award winner and acclaimed singer Amy Shark will be joined by a new judge: Australian Idol OG and pop legend Marcia Hines. The trio will traverse the country to find the next Guy, Casey or Royston.
Set to be the toughest season yet, with only room for the best of the best, the judges are looking for the complete package: a singer with the sound and style to woo the nation.
Excited to be unearthing Australia’s next singing superstar, Marcia is looking for a strong, pure and melodic voice “that makes the hairs on your body stand up,” regardless of the genre.
The celebrated singer is also looking forward to rejoining Kyle and Amy on the judges’ desk following her guest judging role on the series last year.
“I consider Kyle a good friend and Amy is one-in-a-million and a real individual, without trying to be. Also, Kyle’s a Gemini, Amy’s a Taurus, and I’m the Cancerian in the mix and those three star signs get along very nicely.”
Returning to the Idol judges’ desk for his sixth season, Kyle admits there’s no definitive formula for the ultimate performer, but they have a presence and energy that’s hard to ignore.
“The ultimate performer is someone that you admire for their talent,” he says. “And they’ve got a little swagger or a pizzazz about them that just makes them stand out from the crowd.”
Amy added:
“I’m usually blown away if someone can potentially showcase their personality, voice, style and direction in the space of 10 minutes and leave me wanting more. If I want to learn more about you, I’m interested.”
During their audition, contestants will be on the hunt to score a Golden Ticket to progress to the next round, but with just 30 Golden Tickets across the whole auditions, only the most talented performers will claim their coveted spot in the Top 30.
The Top 30 artists must survive a gruelling week of challenges set by the judges to secure a place in the Top 21.
The Top 21 will transform and perform again as the judges continue to narrow the field to the competition’s Top 12 artists who will feature in the live performance round of the competition, with Australian audiences voting to decide who will be crowned the next Australian Idol.
The winner will receive a recording contract with industry giant Sony Music Entertainment Australia and $100,000 in prize money.
A global success since 2001, the Idol franchise has launched the celebrated careers of many remarkable artists, including Aussies Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, Ricki-Lee, Anthony Callea, Stan Walker, Casey Donovan and Courtney Act.
International music icons Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert also launched their brilliant careers on the Idol stage.
Australian Idol is hosted by multi-platinum-selling, ARIA Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee – who was discovered on Australian Idol in 2004 – and internationally renowned entertainment presenter and former E! host Scott Tweedie.
Australian Idol is produced for the Seven Network by Eureka Productions.
