Missing the Mark: Why Australians Are Roasting the ABC's New Year's Eve Coverage

Every year, roasting the ABC's New Year's Eve broadcast is as much an Australian tradition as the midnight fireworks themselves. However, for the 2025-2026 transition, the "sledge" of choice "Rubbish" targeted more than just the awkward banter of hosts Charlie Pickering and Zan Rowe. It was a commentary on a perceived decline in production value, a "boring" musical lineup, and a series of technical and timing blunders that left many feeling that the public broadcaster had lost its touch.

The criticism wasn't just isolated to the usual "grumpy" viewers. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, the consensus was that the broadcast felt "lackluster" and "generic." High profile critics, including lawyer Gray Connolly, described the event as a "commitment to mediocrity," while others compared the musical performances to "bad karaoke." When the word "Rubbish" began trending, it acted as a shorthand for a broadcast that many felt had sacrificed high quality entertainment for a "safe" and uninspired template.

The most tangible reason for the "Rubbish" label was a series of significant timing errors. In a night built entirely around a 60 second countdown, the ABC managed to miss the mark. Reports flooded in of the midnight countdown being rushed or delayed because the final musical act headlined by ex Spice Girl Melanie C ran over time. The result was a hurried ten second count that had many Australians celebrating New Year's several seconds after the clock had actually struck twelve.

Furthermore, the musical choices themselves came under fire. While icons like Marcia Hines and Casey Donovan (the perennial "Queen of NYE") were praised for their vocal prowess, the overall flow of the concert was described as jarring. The decision to place TikTok sensation Peach PRC directly after the high energy disco sets of Hines and Donovan was noted by reviewers as a "mis step," cooling the room's energy just as the midnight climax approached. Critics argued that for a night that should be a "dance party," the setlist was often too "sleepy" and tailored more for a Sunday afternoon than the biggest party of the year.

Even the centerpiece of the evening the world famous Sydney Harbour fireworks didn't escape the "Rubbish" sledge. Viewers complained about the camera work, noting that the broadcast relied too heavily on ultra close ups of the bridge, which made it impossible to appreciate the broader artistry of the display. Some even accused the 2026 show of lacking the "wow factor" of previous years, with one viewer lamenting the absence of the iconic "waterfall" cascade of sparks from the lower part of the bridge.

While the ABC's Head of Arts, Music, and Events, Kath Earle, had promised a "truly memorable" broadcast, the disconnect between the official narrative and the audience's experience was stark. For a taxpayer funded event, the scrutiny is always higher, and the perceived "taxpayer waste" on international acts like Mel C only added fuel to the fire. Despite the backlash, some defended the broadcaster, noting that roasting the show is a form of "tough love." Nevertheless, as we look toward NYE 2027, the "Rubbish" sledge serves as a loud reminder that for the ABC, the "best seat in the house" needs to offer a much better view.