TV
Seven investigated over employee claims of underpayments and poor working conditions
The Herald Sun reports that employment litigation firm Adero Law is investigating the Seven Network, following accusations by current and former employees. It reports that “Adero said the concerns from journalists, producers, camera operators and production crew related to potential underpayments, misclassification of roles, unpaid breaks and unpaid overtime.
“The law firm’s website said it was attempting to obtain employee records from Seven, including actual recorded hours of work, and would take instructions from clients to verify whether the records were accurate and complete.”
Chastain and Apple TV+ are ‘not aligned’ on decision to pull show
Actress Jessica Chastain has criticised the decision by Apple TV+ to pull show The Savant from debuting this week on the streaming service. Apple didn’t offer a reason why, saying only that “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone The Savant. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to releasing the series at a future date.” It is believed that Apple was concerned that the show, which stars Chastain as an investigator infiltrating online hate groups, could be an issue in the current cultural climate.
In an Instagram post, Chastain said: “I wanted to reach out and let you know that we’re not aligned on the decision to pause the release of The Savant.”
Kimmel’s return drives YouTube record
Jimmy Kimmel has broken records already with viewers on YouTube. He has passed 15.5 million views in 18 hours for the video of his monologue with that number continuing to tick up. It is his most-viewed video to date. Read more at The Hollywood Reporter
His return was also a monster ratings success, with AdWeek reporting over 6 million viewers, despite the show being unavailable in 23% of the US.
Many viewers will have missed the significance of it, but his first line “As I was saying before I was interrupted…” is an homage to former Tonight Show show host Jack Paar who quit on air in 1960 when the network censored a joke about a toilet. He returned to air a month later with that line. Read more at Late Nighter
Tech
Australian TV networks seeking damages from Big Tech
Lobby group Free TV Australia has proposed damages be paid by Big Tech firms that breach a new regime targeting anti-competitive behaviour in the digital advertising market. It places Google, Meta, and Amazon in the cross-hairs.
Customers need AI education, says NAB
NAB retail banking exec Ana Marinkovic says there is still work to do to convince customers of the merits of incorporating more AI into processes and operations, despite positive experiences with the technology so far.
Ry Crozier at IT News reports that Marinkovic told an AWS financial services symposium in Sydney that AI is “a pathway for the future, a lot of our consumers do not necessarily have the same positive view on AI.”
Vale
Fashion designer Mark Patrick dead at 73
Sydney-based fashion designer, celebrity agent and luxury homewares owner Mark Patrick has died aged 73. Patrick was one half of the Mark and Geoffrey label.
Elodie Jakes writes for News.com.au: “After selling to more than 30 countries The Age described Mark & Geoffrey as “the first truly international Australian fashion label. By the 2000s, Mr Patrick was running the highly successful publicity company MP agency, servicing top clients including French champagne supplier Moet.”