THE NATION'S indigenous broadcaster has committed to a fresh focus on football in 2020 despite axing the Marngrook Footy Show.

NITV will shift to targeting a younger audience after parting ways with the legacy program in September following a 12-year partnership.

Channel manager Tanya Denning Orman told AFL.com.au that NITV would only be ramping up its football programming next year.

"We totally agree that the national indigenous channel needs programs that deliver to the footy fans and we've got all intentions to keep meeting that desire," Denning Orman said.

Sadly @NITV - @SBS have decided NOT to continue with The Marngrook Footy Show after 10 successful years. Marngrook would appreciate your support by signing the petition. We thank everyone for the tremendous support and feedback. https://t.co/203cIGAREv — Marngrook Footy Show (@marngrook) October 30, 2019

"It's not Marngrook, we're really keen to target young people and work in the digital space, partners out bush and making it more national.

"NITV has not walked away from footy, it's quite the opposite, we're shifting gears.

"We're getting ready for a new phase in 2020 when it comes to footy and footy entertainment programing."



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Denning Orman, who forms part of the AFL's Indigenous Advisory Group, said the Marngrook program lost a large chunk of its viewers in recent years, forcing the decision for the reset.

Marngrook aired on NITV from 2007 with stints across ABC and SBS.

"I think it has a legacy piece where people love it and love the idea of it and may not have been watching it or engaging with it.

"In the last three years, it dropped 63 per cent, a huge amount of those out of Melbourne.

"We gave them a chance with no experience and we love to see how far they've come.



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"(Host) Gilbert (McAdam) is a huge example with that realness the show portrays.

"We love the fact people have grown with NITV, have grown with the talent and the crew. They've had an environment where they can grow and become the people they are today.

"That's still NITV's prerogative, to keep growing indigenous talent and crew."

Denning Orman said the programming decisions around football would continue to be reviewed heading into 2020.