The Checkout

The Checkout
Company type	Television program
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	March 21, 2013; 13 years ago
Defunct	July 2018
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Consumer affairs television program
Website	www.abc.net.au/tv/thecheckout/

The Checkout was an Australian consumer affairs television program that debuted on 21 March 2013 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) network. Its inaugural season included 10 episodes, followed by a second season comprising 16 episodes beginning on 20 February 2014. The third season aired 12 episodes starting from 9 April 2015, with a fourth season also consisting of 12 episodes launching on 7 April 2016. The fifth season maintained the 12-episode format and was broadcast between 6 April and 29 June 2017. Returning for its sixth season on 30 January 2018, the series introduced updated branding and a refreshed visual style while keeping the original presenters and segment formats.

In July 2018, ABC announced the cancellation of the series, attributing the decision primarily to budget reductions and the relatively high costs of production.

Premise

The Checkout presented various segments that scrutinized the behaviors of manufacturers, retailers, service providers, and advertisers. Employing humor as a tool, the show exposed deceptive, unethical, unfair, or sometimes unlawful business practices. Rather than focusing exclusively on individual brands, many segments examined categories of products or services. Examples included overpriced hotel Wi-Fi offerings, unsubstantiated health claims from complementary medicine producers, and peer-to-peer lending platforms.

Certain segments targeted particular companies or brands specifically. For example, the program criticized Cadbury's Joyville campaign, which promoted a 10% increase in family chocolate bar sizes but overlooked the earlier reduction from 250 gm to 200 gm (a 20% decrease). Another exposé highlighted Anaconda Mountain Bikes marketed as suitable for mountain terrain but actually designed solely for road cycling.

The show also featured a segment titled 'F. U. Tube,' which encouraged viewers to submit grievances regarding purchased products or services. This segment was linked with Choice magazine.

Lawsuits

The ABC encountered defamation lawsuits related to segments about Swisse Vitamins and A2 Milk. Avni Sali, associated with Swisse, initiated legal action alleging defamation; ABC defended its content. Justice David Beach permitted the lawsuit to proceed, acknowledging it had "real prospects of success." The matter was eventually resolved through an out-of-court settlement.

Similarly, The a2 Milk Company pursued legal proceedings claiming inaccuracies and misrepresentations in a segment covering their product. Their case invoked provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act, contending that ABC's program constituted "engaging in commerce," despite this legislation not commonly applying to the ABC.

Reception

In 2014, Paul McIntyre of AdNews commented that the program had "disrupted marketing’s new world order."

Juliette Hughes from the Australian Catholic Office for Broadcasting observed in 2013 that The Checkout maintained the energy and justified indignation reminiscent of The Chaser, challenging established corporations and their promotional tactics.

Gordon Farrer from The Sydney Morning Herald depicted the show as a pointed critique of marketing and advertising sectors, portraying them as filled with fraudsters, consumer limitations, and misleading claims related to non-essential goods.

Nominations

The segment titled Super Foods from the inaugural series was shortlisted for the 2013 Eureka Prize in Scientific Journalism, recognizing its in-depth examination of foods promoted as exceptionally healthy.

The Checkout earned nominations for Best Light Entertainment Television Series at the 4th AACTA Awards and for Most Outstanding Entertainment Program at the 2015 Logie Awards.

DVD releases

A box set containing both Series 1 and 2 was made available on 3 December 2014.

External links