Viewers have been left outraged after the Logies In Memoriam segment on Sunday night failed to include tributes to two legendary Australian media icons.
During the ceremony on Sunday, presenters Tara Brown and Deborah Hutton paid tribute to some of the stars who have died over the past year, including George Negus, Maggie Tabberer and Julian McMahon.
The touching segment saw Australian Idol star Marcia Hines perform a heartfelt rendition of Amazing Grace, as a montage appeared on the screen.
Despite the segment including well-known stars and lesser-known crew members, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that two key people were curiously absent.
Trailblazing 1976 Silver Logie Best Actor Winner Paul Karo, who died in April, and former ABC journalist Iain Finlay, who passed away in May, were not included.
Viewers took to social media to question why these icons were left out of the tribute.
Viewers have been left outraged after the Logies In Memoriam segment on Sunday night failed to include tributes to two legendary Australian media icons. During the ceremony on Sunday, presenter Tara Brown paid tribute to some of the stars who have died over the past year
‘I was expecting more tributes last night!’ one person remarked.
‘It would have been nice if the Logie awards mentioned my father foreign correspondent/presenter Iain Finlay In Memoriam,’ wrote Finlay’s son Sean.
‘After his extensive career in Australian television first as a presenter on ABC This Day Tonight then as co host of Beyond 2000. #Logies2025.’
‘A legend in his field and should’ve been celebrated more than most on the night,’ another person wrote.
‘So sorry he was left out, one of the best, a solid journalist,’ a fourth commented.
The Logie Awards got off to a glamorous start – but not everyone watching the telecast was impressed, with many viewers lashing out at the ‘boring’ awards show.
Several people took to X to slam the annual ceremony and claim the Logies simply aren’t relevant anymore.
‘No better confirmation that free to air TV is dying than the #Logies – a mixture of yesterday’s celebrities and nobodies talking about themselves,’ one person wrote.
Trailblazing 1976 Silver Logie Best Actor Winner Paul Karo (right), who died in April, and former ABC journalist Iain Finlay (left), who passed away in May, were not included in the segment
‘It’s quaint how they still have the Logies – a dying medium celebrating mediocrity,’ another said.
It comes after Daily Mail revealed the Logie Awards might not be back next year – or ever.
A high-level TV insider revealed ‘they’re quietly rolling up the red carpet’.
‘It’s just not viable anymore. No one wants to pay for it, no one’s watching, and the people behind it are already looking for an exit,’ said the source.
That ‘exit’ is apparently the upcoming fire sale of magazines at Are Media – which owns TV Week and the Logies brand.
The private equity firm backing Are Media, Mercury Capital, wants out after five years of underwhelming returns.
The Logies red carpet used to host the likes of Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, One Direction, Ricky Martin and even Destiny’s Child.
‘You remember when the Logies had international stars, outrageous moments, drama?’ said the insider.
‘Now it’s a glorified promo reel for local TV. It’s like the Bogan Oscars. The big acts are gone – and so is the audience. It’s Karl Stefanovic, Sonia Kruger, Hamish Blake – rinse and repeat. Boring! The audience is tired.’
The ratings have also plummeted as Seven – which reclaimed the Logies broadcast in 2023 after 28 years with Nine – has seen a 20 per cent drop in digital audience.
‘Seven thought they were buying back a national treasure. What they got was a very expensive nostalgia trip,’ the insider added.
