Media
Murdochs circle possible TikTok power play
While we already know about the Murdoch’s potential involvement in the social media giant (“a man named Lachlan is involved. Lachlan is, that’s a very unusual name”), what we don’t know is exactly how their role will work.
Crikey’s Daanyal Saeed’s done some digging, writing that if the deal happens, it would mean the media dynasty could be part of a consortium calling the shots on how the app runs in the United States.
If the Murdochs join the table, they wouldn’t just own a slice of TikTok – they’d hold sway over what content gets served up, how ads are sold, and whether a “US TikTok” looks and feels the same as the global one.
Meanwhile…
Digital Music News’ Ashley King writes that even though The White House has secured billions from would-be TikTok investors, but it won’t be taking a seat at the table.
Under the arrangement, a consortium of American investors will take control of TikTok’s US operations, but Press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US government won’t be appointing any board members to the new entity.
Kimmel faces patchy return to ABC
The comedian is back on ABC in the US tonight, but not everyone will be tuning in.
As Alex Weprin details in The Hollywood Reporter, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar are pulling the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live! across their ABC affiliates, swapping it out for local news instead.
Nexstar says the show stays off until it backs “respectful, constructive dialogue,” while Sinclair wants to keep talks open.
Meanwhile…
Deadline’s Dominic Patten’s done a deep dive on Kimmel’s return.
He writes it wasn’t a smooth curtain raise, but rather, the product of frantic behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that went down to the wire.
Sky moves Freya Leach show off live schedule
There’s been more movement at Sky News Australia after that Islamophobic bacon stunt.
As Calum Jaspan writes in The Sydney Morning Herald, the network has now pulled the plug on live broadcasts of the show it took place on, Freya Fires Up.
Word is Leach, 22, and her junior producer were left to manage the guest alone, with no senior managers rostered to vet the booking.
The Project is back… but not as we know it
Even though The Project was officially cancelled earlier this year, the brand hasn’t disappeared.
Former head of social, Kieran Simpson, announced on LinkedIn that there’s been something of a comeback.
Take a read of what he told Mediaweek about the return.
Legal
ABC to learn penalty in Lattouf case
The ABC will today find out whether it faces a hefty fine over its sacking of Antoinette Lattouf.
news.com.au’s Steve Zemek writes that Aunty has already been ordered to pay Lattouf $70,000 and now faces further penalties, with her team seeking up to $350,000 while the broadcaster argues for closer to $56,000.
Here’s what Lattouf posted on her social media account about the upcoming judgement:
Rebel Wilson hit with fresh defamation claim
The Aussie actress is back in the legal spotlight, this time facing a defamation suit linked to her directorial debut, The Deb.
The Australian Financial Review’s Max Mason reports that co-star Charlotte MacInnes has filed proceedings in the Federal Court, alleging Wilson implied she changed her story and lied about reporting unwanted sexual advances on set.
Companies
Disney rolls out streaming price hikes
The Hollywood Reporter’s Caitlin Huston writes that Disney is upping the cost of its streaming plans, with Disney+ rising to $11.99 a month with ads and $18.99 for the ad-free premium tier.
The new prices kick in from 21 October.
No word yet if this will impact Aussie users, but Mediaweek has reached out to Disney for confirmation.
Optus brand faces another trust crisis
Optus is back in repair mode after its latest outage, with brand experts warning the cost of rebuilding trust could be steep – and possibly too much for parent company Singtel to stomach.
Analysts say the blackout, which has been linked to several deaths, could drive around 3 per cent of customers to rivals like Telstra and TPG.
But The Australian’s Danielle Long writes bigger concern is whether Singtel might consider cutting its losses in Australia as faith in the brand sinks further.