2027 Paramount Upfront: Channel 10 stars gather at MasterChef Kitchen – Paramount Australia brought its 2027 upfront to the MasterChef Australia kitchen in Melbourne. As guests arrived, the room filled with Channel 10 and Paramount+ talent, executives, clients and media. The event ran across morning and afternoon seatings, with announcements delivered from the stage and a large cast of familiar faces in attendance.
In turn, the kitchen setting gave Paramount a way to present its broadcast and streaming plans together. For viewers, the day’s news ranged from new Australian drama and returning entertainment to sport and news. For advertisers, the company outlined new ways to buy and measure campaigns across Channel 10 and Paramount+. Meanwhile, TV Central’s Aaron Ryan attended and posed for a photo with The Traitors Australia host Gretel Killeen.
Melanie Lynskey brings Mushroom Murders to the stage
At the event, special guest Melanie Lynskey joined the presentation to announce that she will star in and executive produce Mushroom Murders – There’s More to Unearth. The multi-Emmy-nominated actor is known for Yellowjackets. She is also attached to Don’t Say Good Luck. As a result, the drama was one of the major screen announcements at the event and forms part of Paramount’s Australian original slate for 2027.
Beyond the drama, the company’s other 2027 announcements included the return of The Traitors Australia with Killeen as host, Australian Survivor with David Genat, and MasterChef Australia with judges Poh Ling Yeow and Andy Allen. In addition, Paramount+ outlined new local and international titles, including Hedley Thomas Investigates and the live-action Sam Kerr Kicking Goals series.
What Paramount executives told the room
Beverley McGarvey, President, Network 10 and Head of Streaming, Paramount Australia and New Zealand, led the executive presentation. Furthermore, Paramount says Channel 10 and Paramount+ together reach 16.6 million Australians each month. VP of Content Tamara Simoneau took guests through the January-to-December 2027 slate. The presentation followed what Paramount described as a record year for streaming.
Meanwhile, VP of Sales Grant Madigan and international ad sales president Lee Sears discussed Fixed Streaming Units and premium advertising options on Paramount+. They also outlined cross-screen measurement intended to connect audience attention with sales outcomes. Together, those announcements formed a second strand of the upfront alongside the programme slate.
The presenters and performers
The stage then brought together MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow and Andy Allen, Australian Survivor host David Genat, The Traitors Australia host Gretel Killeen and The Cheap Seats co-host Tim McDonald. In addition, Denham Hitchcock, Hedley Thomas, Ursula Heger and Jennifer Keyte represented news and factual television. Tara Rushton represented 10 and Paramount+ sport.
Elsewhere, several other Network 10 names were among the guests. Australian Ninja Warrior hosts Georgie Tunny and Beau Ryan attended, as did Shaun and Gabe Micallef of Shaun Micallef’s Parents’ Evening. Have You Been Paying Attention? was represented by Tom Gleisner, Sam Pang and Ed Kavalee; The Cheap Seats co-host Melanie Bracewell was also there.
Likewise, the guest list extended to Extraordinary Homes Australia host Wendy Moore, Deal or No Deal host Grant Denyer, Millionaire Hot Seat host Rebecca Gibney and Taskmaster hosts Tom Gleeson and Tom Cashman. Finally, sport commentators Grace Gill and Archie Thompson attended, alongside 10 News presenter and entertainment editor Angela Bishop.
The catering reflected the event’s kitchen setting. Three Blue Ducks, the restaurant associated with MasterChef Australia judge and alum Andy Allen, catered the gathering. Fellow MasterChef alum Jess Lemon provided dessert.
Photos from the 2027 Paramount upfront
Below, Paramount’s official event gallery captured the talent and executives who joined the Melbourne gathering.
For the full 2027 line-up, read TV Central’s Channel 10 upfront coverage. Viewers can explore current programmes on the Australian Paramount+ service.