A furious viewer has lashed out at Channel Nine for airing the award-winning Kiwi drama Madam, branding it as ‘filth’ unfit for television. 

The outraged Aussie vented to 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham, slamming the show, which follows an American woman who moves to New Zealand to open a ‘feminist, ethical brothel’.

The viewer insisted that former Nine boss Kerry Packer would be ‘turning in his grave’ over the program’s inclusion on the network. 

‘The person reading this may be too young to remember that the late Kerry Packer whilst at home watching his own TV station stopped a show whilst it was airing for it’s inappropriate content,’ they wrote to 2GB.

‘It just goes to show the decline in our society to have this filth on at 9pm at night or even at all.

‘Even if this is legally allowed to be aired so what, does anybody proof watch these shows?’

The upset viewer added the show could be detrimental to young viewers, especially children who were on school holidays when it premiered.

‘You should be sued by our society for forcing images on our children, elderly and people of any age that innocently think they are safe to turn the channel over and then be hit with those images that will forever be scarred in their mind,’ they wrote.

Madam follows the life of an American woman who moves to New Zealand and starts a ‘feminist, ethical brothel’

Madam is based on the true story of Antonia Murphy and stars Rachel Griffiths, best known for her role as Rhonda in Muriel’s Wedding. 

‘How dare you steal people’s, who choose to live differently to your standards, innocence.’

Another told Fordham that his mother in law was shocked to see the show.

‘She said it was absolutely disgusting filth and described it as porn, she was actually disturbed by it.

‘She said she could not get the image out of her head and was scarred by it.’ 

Their outrage was echoed online, where several others voiced their disapproval of the 10-part series, which carries an MA 15+ rating. 

‘Channel Nine you are a disgrace to put on that trash. The Madam – it’s pornographic, it’s not suitable for TV. Shame on you. Kids are still on school holidays,’ one said.

‘Standards are in the gutter now. It should have been on later at night,’ another wrote.

‘We need more family shows on TV not this trash,’ another said.  

Outraged viewers have vented to 2GB host Ben Fordham about the new Nine show Madam

Madam is based on the true story of Antonia Murphy and stars Rachel Griffiths, best known for her role as Rhonda in Muriel’s Wedding.

The series premiered in New Zealand on July 4, 2024, before reaching Australia on February 4, 2025.

Madam notably won the Golden Nymph Award for Best Creation at the 2024 Monte Carlo TV Festival.

Madam airs Tuesdays 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.