Radio
Big personalities clash as 2GB producer exits Morning Show
A behind-the-scenes power struggle has ended in a quiet, but seismic shake-up at 2GB: longtime executive producer Olivia Wilbury has exited the station’s Morning Show, just months into working alongside new host Mark Levy.
According to Steve Jackson in The Australian, her departure follows a fiery clash so intense Levy reportedly had to apologise, while Wilbury took her concerns straight to content boss Greg Byrnes.
The two were just six months into their working relationship when things hit boiling point during a tense production meeting in Pyrmont.
All ears on Melbourne ahead of Survey 3
Radio’s most caffeinated scoreboard drops tomorrow, with GfK Survey 3 expected to deliver a few headline shifts, especially in Melbourne, where it’s the first full book since 2Day FM’s Gen Z makeover took hold.
The mood? Anticipatory.
As Sarah Patterson writes in Radio Today, Irene Hulme, Wade Kingsley and Craig Bruce all swung by the newly rebranded Game Changers Radio podcast to trade predictions, and there’s rare consensus: Christian O’Connell’s still the one to beat.
Journalism
Hugh Marks signals shift in ABC’s platform priorities
Hugh Marks is putting the ABC’s broadcast roots back in the spotlight.
In a staff address from Perth, the new managing director made clear that while digital isn’t off the table, television and radio are firmly back in focus.
As James Madden writes in The Australian, it’s a noticeable pivot from the “digital-first” strategy introduced under David Anderson, and one that’s already getting nods of approval inside the building.
Companies
Kayo trims staff again as Foxtel reshapes under DAZN
Kayo Sports is facing another round of job cuts, this time with a smaller headcount but familiar intent.
Foxtel has quietly reduced roles across Kayo’s digital content team, just weeks after slashing around 100 jobs and reshuffling its leadership in the wake of its DAZN acquisition.
According to John Buckley in Capital Brief, sources say fewer than 10 roles are affected this time, but it adds to a growing pattern of streamlining.
Viva Energy punches above its weight on Global 2000 list
Australia’s showing on the latest Forbes Global 2000 is a reminder that balance sheets still matter.
While market darlings like WiseTech and REA were absent, asset-heavy operators like Viva Energy made the cut, landing at No. 1,834 despite posting a US$50 million loss and ranking outside the ASX 100 by market cap.
As Mark Whittaker reports in Forbes Australia, it turns out US$20 billion in annual sales and US$7.5 billion in assets still count for something.
Workplace mandates shift as WFH wars lose steam
HP Australia boss Brad Pulford has called out the office-mandate debate for what it often masks , a deeper trust problem.
As Blair Jackson writes on news.com.au, If your team needs constant supervision to stay productive, he says, the issue isn’t remote work.
Pulford told NewsWire that dragging people back to their desks won’t fix poor management or low engagement.
Advertising
Omnicom eyes full Clemenger takeover and local restructure
Omnicom is closing in on a full buyout of Clemenger Group, with shareholders set to vote on the deal June 30.
The global advertising player already owns nearly 87 per cent of the business, which includes agency heavyweights Clemenger BBDO and Colenso BBDO.
But Danielle Long writes in The Australian, if the final 13 per cent changes hands, it could clear the runway for something bigger.
Television
WIN ‘pulls plug’ on Seven signal in regional AFL and cricket blackout
Footy and cricket fans in parts of regional South Australia and New South Wales are about to hit static.
From July 1, WIN Corporation will stop broadcasting Seven Network’s channels in select areas, cutting off free-to-air access to AFL, Test cricket and the Big Bash League.
According to Kevin Perry in TV Blackbox, the move follows failed negotiations between WIN and Seven West Media, with no new deal in sight.
Streaming
Streamers soar, but light viewers offer broadcasters a lifeline
Homes that watch with ads are ‘lighter’ viewers, consuming up to 40% less content on some services, a trend that could shake up the streaming wars, according to Mark Sweney in The Guardian.
Netflix’s ad tier alone accounts for a third of its 300 million subscribers, while Disney+ boasts 157 million across its ad packages.
While the report is focused on the UK, it could act as a warning for the Australian market of what’s to come.
What makes a Stan Original?
You might assume a Stan Original means a show filmed in Australia, but it’s not always that simple.
Take Poker Face, for example, Natasha Lyonne’s hit created by Rian Johnson. It’s an official Stan Original, even though it was mostly shot overseas.
As David Knox explains in TV Tonight, Stan nabbed the show after getting in early on the financing, well before the usual licensing stage.
Podcasts
How Joe Rogan’s rugged appeal hooked a wide Aussie male audience
Joe Rogan is a guy who lives on his own terms.
It’s a creed that speaks directly to a largely male audience, evident in his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, Australia’s top show last year.
As Jordan Baker writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, with around 50 million global downloads a month, Rogan’s listenership is overwhelmingly male, often baffling advertisers who didn’t expect such a strong, engaged cohort of guys.
Brands
Inside the Perth Bears: why Anthony De Ceglie took the reins at NRL’s newest club
With the Perth Bears gearing up for their first game in almost two years, chief executive Anthony De Ceglie sat down with The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas to unpack the journey so far.
From handling backlash over his appointment to tackling a smear campaign linked to his former employer Seven West Media, De Ceglie also revealed why North Sydney Oval will play a key role in the club’s future.
When asked why he took the job, De Ceglie was clear: at 39, the chance to launch a national sporting franchise in his hometown was irresistible.
AI
Amazon Web Services to pump $20 billion into Australian data centres
Amazon Web Services is doubling down on Australia, pledging a whopping $20 billion over the next five years to beef up its data centre footprint.
CEO Matt Garman announced the plan alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Seattle, citing soaring demand for AI, cloud storage, and digital services from Australia’s heavy hitters, think the big four banks, Telstra, Optus, Atlassian and Canva.
But as James Massola explains in The Age, this investment isn’t just about servers.
Film
NSW government to invest $100 million in new Sydney film studio
Sydney’s film scene is about to get a major upgrade.
The NSW Government is set to splash $100 million from a $380 million screen and digital games fund to build a second major film studio in the city.
As Linda Silmalis writes in The Daily Telegraph, the move comes as local productions are booming but struggling to find the space they need.