Majella Hay may run the unscripted content slate at Seven, from My Kitchen Rules (MKR) to Australian Idol, but she’s just as frank about family life as she is about formats.
The Director of Content, Unscripted is this week’s guest on Mediaweek’s Newsmakers, where she admits that while mum guilt is real, she’s learned to manage it.
“My children don’t know the difference between 80% and 100%. As long as I’m present at least that 80%, they’ll know I’m there,” she says.
“It’s about ring-fencing components, putting the phone away, being upfront with the kids if I can’t get to something, and normalising that reality.”
Balancing work, family and resilience
In an era where the work/life balance can at times feel impossible to manage, Hay is candid and honest about her need for balance.
For her, the key is perspective. “My children don’t know the difference between 80% and 100%. As long as I’m present at least that 80%, they’ll know I’m there. It’s about ring-fencing components, putting the phone away, being upfront with the kids if I can’t get to something, and normalising that reality.”
She credits her partner too: “I’m really lucky. I’ve got an incredibly supportive partner who will actually call me on it and say, enough’s enough. Don’t feel guilty. He will be okay. And teaching children resilience is just as important as wrapping them in your arms and keeping them really close.”
Childhood beginnings in television
Television has been part of Hay’s story since childhood. She recalls sitting with dolls at age four, pretending to host Play School, complete with imaginary camera tally lights.
“I’d kind of play to the three cameras,” she says. “That’s probably my earliest memory of television making an impact on me that perhaps would lead to something later in my life.”
Growing up in regional Queensland, Hay once won a junior newsreader competition in a shopping centre wedged between Katie’s and Big W, the scent of Wendy’s hotdogs in the air.
“I read this newsreader script very much more plum in mouth than relatable, and I won. From there I thought, okay, I’m gonna give this journalism, and in particular this TV thing, a go.”
Australian Idol judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark. The show is one of many within Hay’s remit.
Lessons from the early years
Hay’s career started young. She left home for university at 15, later running regional bureaus, chasing stories and presenting weather.
“I’ve chased con men down the street in high heels. I’ve done travel shows, reno shows, medical shows, news, weather presenting, and now I’m here lucky enough to be in this position at Seven.”
Her approach has always been to absorb everything.
“ I’m a big believer in that you gain something from every job that you do. And even if that learning that is, I never wanna do that job again. That’s still a learning. So I think I was very, very passionate, especially early in my career, of just being a sponge of just getting as much info.”
Leading a slate of favourites
Today, Hay oversees Seven’s unscripted hits: MKR, The Voice, Australian Idol, Farmer Wants a Wife, The Chase Australia, 1% Club and Dancing with the Stars. “It’s like naming your children – you always forget one,” she laughs.
She credits her team for the network’s success. “They are such a small but creative team who want to do things differently without alienating our core, loyal audience. I’m really blessed to work with people who are incredibly like-minded and who are given access to try something different and continue to be creative with these established formats.”
Listen to the full conversation with Majella Hay on Mediaweek’s Newsmakers wherever you get your podcasts.