Hot Off the Press Release: Three Unmasks 2021 Season

Despite new ownership under Discovery, it looks like business as usual next year on Three, with the network today unveiling a 2021 slate that signals an “if it ain’t broke …” strategy.

The only new shows announced were a NZ version of The Masked Singer, a Kiwi take on Bondi Rescue, and crime drama LA’s Finest, which Fox axed after two seasons.

Here’s the media release:

MASKED SINGERS AND BEACH RESCUES! THREE UNVEILS A STELLAR CONTENT LINE-UP COMING TO NEW ZEALAND SCREENS IN 2021 WITH TWO BRAND NEW LOCAL FORMAT​S

One of the most outrageous singing competitions in television history with over half a billion fans worldwide, today ​Three ​is excited to announce that our very own local version of the hit singing phenomenon, ​The Masked Singer NZ, will be coming to screens next year.

In keeping with the format, ​an array of local talent – from sports stars, to singers, to TV presenters (and beyond!) – will each have their turn to perform in the spotlight and impress the judges. However, in a unique twist, all contestants will be masked head-to-toe in extravagant costumes, completely concealing their identities. This vibrant and fresh reality series will showcase local celebrities as you have never seen them before.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With the great Kiwi summer just around the corner, ​Three ​also brings you Bay Patrol – think daring beach rescues ​s​et right here on New Zealand shores. Following lifeguards and first responders from Mount Maunganui, we see them put their lives on the line to keep the visitors of one of our most prestigious, yet dangerous, coastlines safe.

It’s time to dust off your hard hat and get ready for the hotly anticipated resurrection of ​The Block NZ. ​Tools down was heartbreakingly called on season nine earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Mark Richardson and the four teams of blockies are back on site and ready to build. ​A lot has happened in the world and their lives since, but they still have one shared goal. Out design and out build the other couples to take out ​The Block NZ​ 2021, and the coveted $100,000 cash prize.

Three ​prides itself as the home of local comedy and 2021 will see the enthusiastic return of the hardcore mother fundraisers from Kate Sheppard Primary in ​Mean Mums​, now in its third season. Guy Williams continues his pilgrimage visiting small-towns for big stories in the second season of ​New Zealand Today,​ and comedy panel show ​7 Days ​will deliver the laughs and their take on the news of the week for every Kiwi home when they return for their 13th year on ​Three.​

Three’s news and current affairs lineup remains paramount with stalwarts The AM Show, The Project ​and Newshub bulletins remaining core to the programming schedule in 2021. Newshub’s own Patrick Gower will be holding court with brand new ​Patrick Gower On: documentaries in the coming year, taking a deep dive into new, topical issues that New Zealanders need to know about – in typical Paddy style.

Glen Kyne, General Manager – Television, says: “Not only are we bringing back all of your favourite local shows, we’re also creating new ones that are made for, and by Kiwis.

“With new shows ​The Masked Singer NZ ​and ​Bay Patrol ​joining fan favourites such as ​The Block NZ ​and ​7 Days, ​and of course our extensive news and current affairs lineup, our 2021 schedule is unparalleled​ .

“​Our focus on homegrown, innovative and compelling entertainment and news content remains key to our future strategy and as we work toward becoming part of the Discovery family, we look forward to taking our audience on this journey and sharing more with you in 2021.”

Further programming announcements will be coming in 2021.

BRAND NEW LOCAL

The Masked Singer NZ

One of the most outrageous and captivating singing competitions in television history, ​The Masked Singer NZ is a top-secret singing competition where a myriad of celebrity entertainers compete in song, completely concealed in extravagant costumes. For the first time on home soil, over several weeks, a number of New Zealand’s best known celebrities will sing in front of a live audience and a panel of judges, slowly being eliminated and unmasked with only one taking home the coveted golden Masked Singer trophy.

Bay Patrol

As hundreds of thousands of Kiwis flock to the beautiful Mount Maunganui to enjoy their Christmas and summer holidays, we will get exclusive access to the first responders working to keep the holiday town safe, by executing the most daring and heart-wrenching rescues. ​Bay Patrol ​is more than just a rescue show – offering unprecedented insight into the daily lives of these life-saving heroes.

RETURNING LOCAL

7 Days (Season 12)

After a stellar 12 week run in 2020, ​7 Days will be back bigger and better than ever in 2021 with brand new episodes to delight Kiwis everywhere. With Jeremy Corbett in the host seat, frenemies and team captains Dai Henwood and Paul Ego will bring New Zealand’s top comedians to the panel to pit their wits against the week’s news and each other.

Mean Mums (Season 3)

Get ready for the third season of the laugh-out-loud comedy, ​Mean Mums​! From the award-winning team behind ​Westside ​and ​Outrageous Fortune,​ immerse yourself in the world of the hardcore mother-fundraisers from Kate Sheppard Primary school. Their kids are growing up, but are they?

Head High ​(Season 2)

After rave reviews from the critics, the empowering and passionate high school rugby drama ​Head High is back for a second season! Four months will have passed since we last met with the Roberts/O’Kane whanau and Southdown High School, but if 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that a lot of life changing things can happen in a few short months. Mana and Tai might be at rival schools, but the common threads still remain – whā​ ​nau, and their shared drive to become top New Zealand rugby players, one way, or another.

David Lomas Investigates (Season 2)

In the second series of ​Three’s powerful investigative documentary series, journalist David Lomas travels the country to solve a number of diverse and complex New Zealand mysteries, reuniting people and discovering lost family heritage.

New Zealand Today (Season 2)

The hilarious Guy Williams is hitting the road and going rural on a brand new season of ​New Zealand Today​. Visiting small towns across New Zealand, he investigates what he thinks are the most interesting stories in New Zealand, today!

The Gulf​ (Season 2)

Up for six nominations at the NZ TV Awards, German-New Zealand co-production ​The Gulf ​will return to Three ​next year. This dark drama is set on picturesque Waiheke Island, following a detective (Kate Elliott) as she investigates a series of crimes on the island while also investigating who is blackmailing her.

The Block NZ​ (Season 9)

Hit reality series ​The Block NZ returns for its ninth season. Hosted by Mark Richardson, our 2020 teams will reunite in 2021 and be back on the tools to finish the Auckland houses that were put on hold this year due to Covid-19. A lot has happened in their lives, but they still have one shared goal. Out design, and out build the other couples to take out the Block 2021, and the coveted $100,000 cash prize.

Patrick Gower: On… Documentaries

Patrick Gower will present new documentaries for ​Three ​in 2021, taking a deep dive into new, topical issues that New Zealanders need to know about – in typical Paddy style.

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Newshub

Bringing you the latest and breaking news from New Zealand and around the world, ​Newshub ​is your comprehensive source for local, world, sports, politics and entertainment coverage.

The Project

Jesse Mulligan, Kanoa Lloyd and Jeremy Corbett will be back in 2021 with ​The Project​, your 7pm fix that combines news and entertainment to provide audiences with an intelligent, informative and engaging mix of the stories that matter.

The AM Show

Back in January so that you can stay informed on weekday mornings with Duncan Garner, Amanda Gillies and Mark Richardson – also simulcast on Magic Talk.

INTERNATIONAL

​L.A.’s Finest​ (Season 1)

Brand new to ​Three ​next year, the action-packed ​L.A.’s Finest ​is a TV spin off to the hugely successful ​Bad Boys movie franchise and ​follows Sydney Burnett (Gabrielle Union), an LAPD detective who gets paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Jessica Alba). Although their personalities do not match, they always put forth their best efforts to take down criminals.

Married at First Sight Australia​ (Season 8)

One of ​Three’s ​biggest shows of the year will be back once again in early 2021! The Aussie version of the ground-breaking experiment will see 20 new participants agree to marry a complete stranger as matched by experts. Provocative and polarising, who will find true love?

Lego Masters Australia​ (Season 3)

Lego Masters Australia brings to life the universal appeal of LEGO and amplifies it to create the biggest and funniest battle of the bricks. Hosted by funny man Hamish Blake and judged by Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught,theshowwasagreatsuccessfor​Threea​ ndattractedfansofallages.

Australian Ninja Warrior​ (Season 5)

This year audiences were captivated as, for the first time ever, they witnessed Ninja versus Ninja on the almighty Power Top and the daunting Mount Midoriyama was finally conquered for the first time in Australian Ninja Warrior history. In 2021, the best and bravest Ninja’s from all over Australia will gather to find that ​Australian Ninja Warrior ​has been completely transformed with brand new obstacles that defy gravity.

The Rookie​ (Season 3)

Nathan Fillion stars as the ‘oldest-newest’ recruit at the Los Angeles Police Department, navigating the fast paced world of crime in L.A. alongside a fresh intake of rookie police officers.

9-1-1​ (Season 4)

The hit US procedural drama returns with their all-new fourth season. Follow police officers, firefighters and dispatchers, who navigate life-threatening situations while also battling the ups and downs of their personal lives. Featuring a stellar cast, including Peter Krause, Angela Bassett, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The Graham Norton Show​ (Season 29)

All-new Graham Norton episodes will be back on ​Three ​for your entertainment. Graham always features the biggest celebrities on his talk show and the legendary red chair never fails to sport a bunch of daring and hilarious Kiwis.

Emergency (Season 2)

Emergency ​follows an extraordinary team of real-life medical heroes as they fight to save desperate patients suffering life-threatening injuries, in one of Australia’s biggest and busiest emergency hospitals, The Royal Melbourne.

Bondi Rescue

The reality show continues next year on ​Three.​ Following Waverley council lifeguards who patrol the shores of Australia’s famous Bondi Beach and face a multitude of challenges when participating in life-threatening rescues.