SBS tipped to axe Ellen Fanning’s The Observer Effect as network unveils plans for World Cup year

Ellen FanningSBS is expected to axe its high profile long-form interview series The Observer Effect after the show’s poor ratings performance this year.

The speculation comes as supermarket chain Coles has conceded it “may” have complained to the show’s production company Shine Australia about an interview between journalist Ellen Fanning and Coles CEO Ian McLeod.

Sources at SBS and Shine have told Encore that the program, hosted by journalist Ellen Fanning, will not return in 2014 after failing to draw viewers or gain sufficient traction with its interviews.

“It would be a miracle if we brought it back,” said an SBS source. “The show has not performed in terms of wider traction and was rushed out.”

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