Thursday December 13, 2018

Podcast Week: PodcastOne’s Dognitive Therapy, 60 Minutes True Crime

The relationship between humans and dogs is explored in the new PodcastOne original series, Dognitive Therapy.

Laura V on the transformative power of owning a dog

A true dog lover will attest that the emotional bond they share with their four-legged friend is as real and unwavering as human connection.

Dognitive Therapy tells of the transformative power of man’s best friend while the host, acclaimed dog behaviourist Laura V, explores how human emotions and behaviours determine that of the dog.

“I often meet with owners looking for help with emotional or behavioural issues in their dogs, however, after digging a little deeper, what I discover is that the dog’s issue is usually a direct reflection of the owner’s,” said Laura.

“Most dog training isn’t about the dog at all, it’s about educating humans and helping them understand their own emotional responses which travel down the leash.”

After being a life-long dog lover, Laura told Mediaweek her first brush with the media was on Seven’s Better Homes & Gardens. “I had taught my dog Chester to ride a skateboard, and Dr Harry wanted it on the show.”

After studying a Bachelor of Animal Science, then Archaeology and then Post Graduate studies in Education and Psychology, Laura spent over 10 years working at Zoos Victoria, before launching her own business.

Throughout the 10-episode podcast series, dog lovers and experts from various walks of life share stories of how dogs gave them purpose, taught them love and gratitude, supported them through enormous grief and rescued them, physically or otherwise.

From Story Dogs who read with children, to military canines that put their lives on the line for their masters, Dognitive Therapy demonstrates the unconditional love and the implicit oath between man and his best friend.

Laura has published two books – Things Your Dog Wants You To Know and Dognitive Therapy.

She has also recently started accepting dogs for training classes. Find out more here

“Because dogs can connect with human emotion, they have this amazing ability to provide support and healing to people.

“Throughout the Dognitive Therapy series, our guests detail the incredible, life-altering bonds they share with their dogs, and really confirm just how phenomenal these animals really are”, said Laura.

Dognitive Therapy is available now on the PodcastOne app and Apple iTunes.

The 2018 IAB Audio Industry Survey 

The IAB is inviting all agency, advertising and marketing people who use any form of audio advertising – such as radio, streaming audio, podcasting and voice – to share your plans and opinions by completing a short survey. The data collected will inform and assist the IAB in supporting the industry. This is the third wave of the research and respondents will be invited to State of the Nation events in Sydney and Melbourne in February 2019.

Take part in the survey here.

60 Minutes launches True Crime podcast series

Throughout 40 years of Nine’s 60 Minutes, some stories have featured crimes so heinous or mysteries so inexplicable that they still have people talking.

In the all-new podcast series, 60 Minutes True Crime, launched this week, some of the especially memorable stories are revisited by the original reporters as they reflect on why they have stayed with the viewers, as well as themselves.

With introductions from Nine’s Peter Overton, each of the five original podcasts feature new insights, previously unheard audio, and updated opinions from those who were closest to the subject matter.

All five episodes are available from Nine Podcasts, Apple Music and Omny.

Episodes include: CATCHING A MONSTER

Australia’s worst paedophile spent four years on the run following his atrocious crimes. Peter Scully thought that by hiding out in a remote corner of the Philippines he was beyond the reach of the law. But Scully was wrong. In this episode, reporter Tara Brown recounts the chilling case as she tracked down and came face-to-face with the depraved predator. What he has to say for himself will leave you stunned.

WHERE IS BABY TEGAN?

It’s a simple question with a diabolically difficult answer. Is Tegan Lane dead or alive? She was last seen as a two-day-old baby being carried out of a Sydney hospital by her mother Keli, an aspiring Australian Olympian. That was in 1996, but 22 years on, Tegan’s fate remains a mystery. In 2010, Keli was found guilty of murdering her baby daughter, even though her body has never been found. In 2016, in a last desperate bid to prove she is innocent, Keli’s parents Sandra and Robert broke their 20-year silence and spoke to 60 Minutes. In this episode reporter Allison Langdon discusses the mystifying case that gripped the nation.

 

THE WHOLE HOAX

It was the lie that rocked Australia. A beautiful young woman is given the terrible news she has inoperable brain cancer and only four months to live. Belle Gibson is courageous – she tries chemotherapy and radiotherapy before turning to alternative medicine. It seems to work, and she tells the world through social media, encouraging others to try the treatment. Hers is a truly inspiring story. Hundreds of thousands of sympathetic followers and fellow sufferers live every step of her journey and celebrate her success as she becomes the poster girl for the alternative wellness industry. There’s an award-winning app and a cookbook. But it’s all a lie. As Tara Brown reveals, Belle Gibson profited from the false hope she gave vulnerable people living with cancer. And that is a true crime.

Preview: News Corp’s Michael Miller on ACCC, Nine and Kayo

News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller is a special guest on the final Mediaweek program for 2018 on the Your Money channel today. Special starting time of 2pm. Here is a preview of some of what he has to say in the extended two-part interview.

By James Manning

The interview started with Miller commenting on the major breaking news of the week – the ACCS’s, digital platforms inquiry: “The ACCC has done a good job in understanding the issues, the next stage is deciding what can be done about it. The ACCC will ultimately be guided by what are the consumers needs and how are they being treated,” he said.

“Advertising is a part of the report, but also the sourcing of journalism. For those of us who are spending a lot of money in journalism, not being able to be renumerated for that investment is a concern.

Talking about the acquisition of cricket broadcasting rights early in 2018 from Cricket Australia, Miller noted the impact across the group.

“We have the cricket on Foxtel and now Kayo. But we also have the digital rights which we share across the group. We are able to bookend our offering with AFL and cricket across the 12 months. The cricket is key to the rejuvenation of the Foxtel business. It is early days for the streaming service Kayo, but it has had a good start.

Miller talked about how News Corp continues to pivot the business to be less reliant on advertising dollars. He said growing ad revenue continues to be a challenge. “But the recent data has shown there has been growth year-on-year for print. There has been a little move back to main media and print hasn’t been the only beneficiary of that. Marketers are considering trust to be a key attribute. Trust has been a theme of 2018 and it has played a part in swinging the pendulum back to main media, particularly news media.”

Later in the interview talk turned to the Nine-Fairfax merger, with Miller noting the two groups have much in common. The two companies are both partners and competitors. “Competition is healthy…and we like to win. It is good to have a competitor who does value journalism, which is good for all in the category. If we can manage to grow advertising, it won’t come at the cost of either of us, but will come from outside the category. They will be a formidable competitor, but we tell great stories and have journalists within our company.”

New chairman elected for Commercial Radio Australia

The year is nearly over when it comes to the management of the Australian commercial radio sector.

Nearly over…the results of the final radio ratings survey of year from GfK still have to be released next week.

The industry’s trade organisation Commercial Radio Australia held its final board meeting for the year yesterday. At the meeting the organisation’s chairman Adam Lang, chief executive of Macquarie Media, stepped down from the role after four years. Lang was elected chairman at a board meeting in October 2014. He will remain on the board and retain his role as chair of the CRA research committee.  

Grant Blackley CRA Chair & Joan Warner CEO CRA

Taking over as the new chair is the chief executive of Southern Cross Austereo, Grant Blackley.

Both the outgoing and incoming chairman were guests at the annual industry Christmas drinks event held in Sydney last night. Lang didn’t stay for long as he had his own Christmas party to attend last night.

Blackley said he was excited about the appointment and he said he was optimistic about the continued success of the sector.

Blackley has been a Commercial Radio Australia board member since he took control at SCA over three years ago.

Blackley said: “The commercial radio industry is a dynamic and innovative multiplatform medium and I look forward to working collaboratively as chair of CRA with all key stakeholders including the networks and station members, industry commentators and observers as well as key political and government agencies.”

Dr Grant Cameron, director of Grant Broadcasters Group and vice-chairman, CRA regional committee resigned from the board after 12 years. Alison Cameron, appointed CEO of the family-owned regional broadcaster in July this year, was elected to the CRA board and will also serve as the vice-chair, CRA regional committee.

Ciaran Davis, managing director and chief executive officer of ARN and HT&E returns to the CRA board, replacing outgoing ARN CEO Rob Atkinson.

CRA board members at the event last night included Grant Broadcasters’ Grant Cameron, Nova Entertainment’s Cathy O’Connor and Super Radio Network’s Greg Cupitt.

Special guest joining CRA chief executive Joan Warner and her team was Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield.

Creina Champman & Mitch Fifield

Also in attendance were ACMA’s Creina Chapman and Fiona Cameron, ARN’s Anthony Xydis and Deborah Clay, Nova Entertainment’s Michael Duncan, Triple M’s Becko, The Chaser’s Dominic Knight, Grant Broadcasting’s Janet Cameron, Jeremy Simpson and Ric Lenarcic, The Comms Department’s Bec Brown and Tina Liptai and Mediaweek’s James Manning, Tyson Young and Trent Thomas.

The CRA Board is:

• Grant Blackley, chief executive officer and managing director of Southern Cross Austereo, Chair of Commercial Radio Australia.
• Alison Cameron, chief executive officer of Grant Broadcasters Group, elected as Vice-Chairman Regional.
• Adam Lang – Chief Executive Officer – Macquarie Media Ltd
• Kevin Blyton – Managing Director, Capital Radio Network
• Greg Cupitt – Consultant, Super Radio Network
• Michael Harvey – Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Australian Radio Network
• Ciaran Davis – Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Australian Radio Network & HT&E
• Lisa Young – Chief Financial Officer – Macquarie Media Ltd
• Cathy O’Connor – Chief Executive Officer, Nova Entertainment
• Tony Hudson – General Counsel & Company Secretary – Southern Cross Austereo
• Peter Colosimo – Group General Manager – Nova Entertainment

Stan streaming deal: Customers get Disney’s biggest brands

• Films and TV from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and Disney Channels available on Stan from Friday, December 14

Stan has secured a deal with The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand for some of Disney’s live-action and animated films and TV programs to the Australian streaming service from Friday, December 14.

The move to licence the content to Australia comes after Disney recently announced plans to launch its own streaming service Disney+. The Disney streaming service is expected to launch in the US in 2019 yet there are no details about any planned international roll out.

Stan subscribers will be able to watch content from Disney’s biggest brands: Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and Disney Channels, in one place, and all at no extra cost. A line-up of Disney’s hits will be available on Stan this Friday, in time for the holidays.

Programming from Disney and Pixar on Stan includes family favourites such as Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, Finding Nemo, Frozen, The Lion King, Cars and Cars 2, Monsters Inc. and Monsters University, Big Hero 6, The Incredibles, Up, Wall-E, the animated Beauty and The Beast, Maleficent, The Little Mermaid and the live-action Cinderella. These titles will feature alongside films from the past year including Coco and A Wrinkle in Time.

The partnership will also bring the Marvel universe to Stan including this year’s blockbusters Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and Iron Man 3, The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor and Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Ant-Man.

Fans of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars universe will be able to enjoy recent box office hits Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Alongside the movie collection will be a selection of Disney’s kids TV programming from Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Key titles include Disney Junior’s Sofia the First and The Lion Guard, and Disney Channel’s Tangled: The Series, Star Wars Rebels, Andi Mack and DuckTales.

Mike Sneesby, Stan’s CEO, said: “Disney is one of the most iconic entertainment brands globally and we are very proud to be partnering with them to bring a huge collection of their biggest live-action and animated films and TV programmes to our customers. With hits from across all their biggest franchises including Disney Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm as well as Disney Channels’ TV series and movies, the deal further illustrates Stan’s ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the world’s very best premium entertainment.”

Hard Quiz
TV ratings Analysis: December 12

• Hard Quiz & Mad As Hell wrap successful year as timeslot champs
• Young Sheldon double and a western give Nine midweek win

By James Manning

Seven

Home And Away as again just under 600,000 with three episodes on its penultimate evening this year.

The 2010 Russell Crowe movie Robin Hood followed with 229,000.

Nine

A Current Affair was back above 700,000 for the second time this week.

Two episodes of Young Sheldon were both close to half a million – one over and one under.

The 2016 remake of the classic western The Magnificent Seven followed with 418,000 which helped secure Nine’s midweek win.

10

Christmas movies and women’s wrestling were featured on The Project with 357,000 after 7pm.

Lovers of Italy and old-school cooking are having a great time watching Jamie & The Nonnas with 330,000 last night.

Blind Date then did 206,000.

10 Bold has been copping it over its name change, but the viewers are taking it in their stride as the channel was the #1 multi last night on 4.1% with its line-up of Bondi Rescue, Walker Texas Ranger and three episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles.

ABC

The season final of Hard Quiz did 623,000. The third series of the show delivered 18 episodes and some big audiences after season one was just 10 eps. The final night saw contestants getting grilled on Kath & Kim, The Hunger Games, Puccini and Scotch whiskey.

Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell then wrapped its 10th season with episode 10 on 605,000. It too has had a great year and both programs were timeslot winners again for the channel.

The panel show Tomorrow Night then did 434,000.

Lots of Brexit chat on Adam Hills: The Last Leg with the host on crutches after a sporting injury in the days before the episode was broadcast. The audience was on 247,000.

SBS

Destination Flavour China was on 117,000 at 7.30pm.

The audience jumped to 189,000 at 8pm for Great British Railway Journeys and then hit 200,000 for an episode of 24 Hours In Emergency.

Week 50 TV: Wednesday
WEDNESDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC14.0%718.1%921.3%10 8.9%SBS One5.4%
ABC 22.3%7TWO3.1%GO!3.5%10 Bold4.1%VICELAND1.4%
ABC ME0.8%7mate2.6%GEM3.1%10 Peach2.2%Food Net1.3%
ABC NEWS2.0%7flix2.1%9Life2.2%  NITV0.1%
  7Food1.4%      
TOTAL19.0% 27.4% 30.1% 15.2% 8.2%
WEDNESDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC13.4%719.5%917.8%WIN9.1%SBS One3.8%
ABC 22.7%7TWO4.3%GO!4.2%WIN Bold4.0%VICELAND1.5%
ABC ME0.9%7mate3.4%GEM5.1%WIN Peach2.0%Food Net1.4%
ABC NEWS2.0%7flix1.9%9Life2.2%Sky News  on WIN0.7%NITV0.1%
TOTAL19.0% 29.1% 29.3% 15.8% 6.8%

 

WEDNEDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
84.1%15.9%

 

WEDNESDAY FTA
  1. Seven News Seven 898,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 850,000
  3. Nine News Nine 843,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 808,000
  5. A Current Affair Nine 702,000
  6. ABC News ABC 623,000
  7. Hard Quiz ABC 623,000
  8. Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell S9 ABC 605,000
  9. 7.30 ABC 575,000
  10. Home And Away Seven 570,000
  11. Young Sheldon Nine 515,000
  12. The Chase Australia Seven 495,000
  13. Young Sheldon – (R) Nine 492,000
  14. Tomorrow Tonight ABC 434,000
  15. Hot Seat Nine 430,000
  16. The Magnificent Seven Nine 418,000
  17. 10 News First 10 357,000
  18. The Project 7pm 10 357,000
  19. Jamie & The Nonnas 10 330,000
  20. Sunrise Seven 305,000
Demo Top 5

16-39 Top Five

  1. Nine News Nine 96,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 91,000
  3. The Project 7pm 10 91,000
  4. Home And Away Seven 89,000
  5. Young Sheldon Nine 85,000

 

18-49 Top Five

  1. Nine News Nine 194,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 192,000
  3. Home And Away Seven 168,000
  4. Young Sheldon – (R) Nine 164,000
  5. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 163,000

 

25-54 Top Five

  1. Nine News Nine 237,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 229,000
  3. Seven News Seven 214,000
  4. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 208,000
  5. Young Sheldon Nine 206,000
WEDNESDAY MULTICHANNEL
  1. Peppa Pig AM  ABCKIDS/COMEDY 171,000
  2. Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 163,000
  3. Floogals AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 158,000
  4. Fireman Sam AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000
  5. Hey Duggee AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 148,000
  6. Olobob Top AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 132,000
  7. Neighbours 10 Peach 131,000
  8. NCIS: Los Angeles Ep 2 (R)  10 Boss 130,000
  9. The Justine Clarke Show! AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 129,000
  10. NCIS: Los Angeles (R) 10 Boss 127,000
  11. Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 126,000
  12. Shaun The Sheep ABCKIDS/COMEDY 120,000
  13. Luo Bao Bei ABCKIDS/COMEDY 119,000
  14. Dino Dana ABCKIDS/COMEDY 117,000
  15. Spicks And Specks ABCKIDS/COMEDY 116,000
  16. Andy’s Wild Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 115,000
  17. Peter Rabbit  ABCKIDS/COMEDY 113,000
  18. Play School AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 113,000
  19. Peg + Cat AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 113,000
  20. Becca’s Bunch PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 108,000
WEDNESDAY  STV
  1. Love It Or List It Australia LifeStyle Channel 133,000
  2. Grand Designs Australia LifeStyle Channel 49,000
  3. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 48,000
  4. The Bolt Report Sky News Live 46,000
  5. Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 44,000
  6. Supergirl FOX8 42,000
  7. The Simpsons FOX8 42,000
  8. NCIS TVH!TS 39,000
  9. Murdoch Mysteries 13TH STREET 37,000
  10. Richo Sky News Live 35,000
  11. PML Overtime Sky News Live 34,000
  12. Criminal Minds TVH!TS 34,000
  13. Mrs. Brown’s Boys UKTV 34,000
  14. Criminal Minds TVH!TS 31,000
  15. The Simpsons FOX8 31,000
  16. Bones TVH!TS 30,000
  17. Credlin Sky News Live 29,000
  18. Judge Judy ARENA 29,000
  19. Family Guy FOX8 28,000
  20. Below Deck ARENA 27,000

Shares all people, 6pm-midnight, Overnight (Live and AsLive), Audience numbers FTA metro, Sub TV national
Source: OzTAM and Regional TAM 2018. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM

Media News Roundup

Business of Media

ABC/SBS Competitive Neutrality Inquiry report released

An independent panel has found the ABC and SBS are meeting their competitive neutrality obligations, but recommended they be more open about their competitive activities.

Minister for Communications and the Arts Mitch Fifield has released the expert panel’s report on the inquiry into the competitive neutrality of Australia’s national broadcasters.

“The panel recognised all media organisations are operating in an environment of heighted competitive pressure, driven by changes in the way audiences engage and the entry of global companies into the Australian media market,” Minister Fifield said.

The panel found the national broadcasters are applying a “best endeavours” approach to meet competitive neutrality requirements but recommended they improve their transparency, reporting and other processes relating to their competitive activities and charter performance.

The panel also noted the ABC and SBS boards should give greater guidance on how they take account of other media market participants.

Minister Fifield said he recognised that the charters of the national broadcasters are broad and allow flexibility in how they are implemented by the respective Boards.

“It is now up to the national broadcasters to act on these recommendations,” he said.

Earlier this year the Government appointed Robert Kerr (former head of office at the Productivity Commission), Julie Flynn (former CEO of Free TV) and Sandra Levy (former director of ABC TV) to undertake the inquiry and determine whether the national broadcasters are operating in a manner consistent with the general principles of competitive neutrality, as defined by the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Policy.

The inquiry received a total of 6,839 submissions from members of the public, commercial media, industry stakeholders and the national broadcasters themselves.

The panel’s report is available at: 
www.communications.gov.au/competitive-neutrality-report

Seven West Media appoints Colette Garnsey to board of directors

Seven West Media has appointed Colette Garnsey (pictured) as a new non-executive and independent director of the company.

SWM chairman Kerry Stokes said: “We are delighted to welcome colette to the Board of Seven West Media.

“Colette is a highly-experienced and well-regarded director with a long successful executive career in customer-focused industries. She brings a broad range of skills and we are confident she will make a great contribution to Seven West Media.”

Garnsey said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Seven, home to some of Australia’s most iconic brands. I’m looking forward to working with Kerry, the board, Tim Worner and his team, as the company positions itself to capitalise on the very many opportunities ahead.”

Garnsey is currently a non-executive director of Flight Centre Travel Group, and non-executive director and chair of Australian Wool Innovation Limited.

Garnsey has over 30 years’ executive experience, having held senior management positions at David Jones, Pacific Brands, and Premier Investments, encompassing strategy, operations, marketing, business planning and business transformation. She spent over 20 years with David Jones Limited rising to become group general manager.

Garnsey has served on the board of the Melbourne Fashion Festival. She has also advised the CSIRO, The Federal Innovation Council, and the business advisory boards of various Federal Trade and Investment Ministers and Australian Fashion Week.

ABC review was no more than a sop to One Nation

After a battering year for the ABC, the “competitive neutrality” review foisted on it by the government and One Nation has amounted to a bullet dodged, comments The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Koziol.

As retired economist Robert Kerr succinctly put it in his report, the inquiry was all about whether the ABC and SBS are “competing fairly with the private sector”.

So benign is the review that Mitch Fifield batted it straight back to the broadcasters and said it was up to them whether they wanted to make any changes based on its recommendations.

While the ABC has often felt under assault from the Coalition government, Fifield never wanted this review. It was nothing more than a sop to One Nation to buy Pauline Hanson’s support for the government’s media ownership reforms.

[Read the original]

Facebook lashes algorithm regulatory oversight as 'unworkable'

Facebook has slammed a proposal from the consumer watchdog to create a new regulator in Australia to oversee algorithms, which govern news rankings and advertising on it and Google, as unnecessary and unworkable, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.

Facebook’s head of content distribution and algorithm policy, Andy O’Connell, disputed that the social media giant was not transparent about how its algorithms worked and said it consulted widely and publicised any major changes.

“It seems to me a lot of things they seem to be pushing for are unnecessary,” Mr Connell said from San Francisco.

“We’ve done a lot around transparency that hasn’t been able to break through. At least with regard to the general call for an undefined algorithm regulator, that seems unprecedented to us. At least in the more aggressive interpretations … it does seem pretty unworkable. The way Newsfeed works, the way our ranking products work, they’re personalised to individuals.”

O’Connell said Facebook understood and was open to regulation but did not believe a body overseeing its algorithms was the right way to go about it.

“We are supportive and we understand the desire to have clearer rules of the road. You need to agree on what the specific problem is you’re trying to solve before you propose a solution,” he said.

[Read the original]

Aussie screen legends get behind 2019 Screen Forum in New York

The Australian International Screen Forum co-founders Chris Beale and Michael Kelleher have announced screen legends Deborra-lee Furness, Hugh Jackman, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin will serve as active Ambassadors for the 2019 Screen Forum.

The second annual Australian International Screen Forum will be held at the Francesca Beale Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City from March 19-22, 2019.

In the role of Ambassadors, the four award-winning filmmakers will guide the strategic development of the Screen Forum and will participate in the planning of the March 2019 event including customised industry strands for independent filmmakers.

“New York is a hotbed of emerging filmmakers, actors, and creators with a very independent spirit. It is the perfect fit for creatives from Australia, and the Australian International Screen Forum provides an unparalleled opportunity for engagement,” said Baz Luhrmann. “CM and I are thrilled to be working with Hugh and Deb in supporting the mission of Australian International Screen Forum as a connective tissue between emerging Australian storytellers and international opportunities.”

Screen Australia is funding a group of Australia’s new wave of screen creators who will travel to New York to participate.

In addition, decision makers from the major New York-based independent studios as well as other established local industry professionals are expected to attend to meet with the Australian delegation. The inaugural event in 2018 saw representatives from the major indie labels such as A24, Neon, Cinereach, Focus Features, Film Nation, NBC and Vice Media attend for talent and project-based activities.

For information visit: https://www.australianscreenforum.org/.

News Brands

It’s the nation’s biggest story but media can’t report it

A high-profile Australian with a prestigious worldwide reputation has been convicted of an awful crime, comments an editorial in The Daily Telegraph.

The whole world is talking about it and reputable overseas news sites have published lengthy stories on the case — but The Daily Telegraph and other Australian media are prohibited from telling you about it.

The courts demand that you ignore the story totally until they see fit.

Our political representatives need to fix those laws, which run contrary to the universal principles of the open administration of justice.

We believe you have the right to know this story now and without any further delay.

And we believe there are strong grounds to fight the ban.

We’ve taken immediate steps to challenge the ban.

If we’re successful then you’ll be the first to know.

[Read the original]

ABC ‘biased’ against complaints: 2,630 allegations in 2017-18

The ABC has fielded more than 2,000 complaints about bias in its news services and current affairs programs in the past year – but its $1.3 million internal complaints unit only upheld one of them, reports The Australian’s Richard Ferguson.

An ABC submission to the Senate estimates committee has revealed there were 2630 complaints of bias in the 2017-18 period to the ABC Audience and Consumer Affairs unit.

The only complaint explicitly alleging bias upheld by the public broadcaster in this period involved an interview of a trade unionist on ABC Brisbane Breakfast in February.

[Read the original]

Television

Josh Thomas and Kevin Whyte secure US order for new TV sitcom

Disney’s young adult television network Freeform has picked up Everything’s Gonna Be Okay to series with a 10-episode order.

From Please Like Me creator, writer and comedian Josh Thomas, and produced by Avalon Television and Freeform, the half-hour comedy introduces Nicholas (Josh Thomas), a neurotic 25-year-old still living at home with his single dad and two teenage half-sisters, one of which has autism. He is not particularly helpful in raising his siblings, but when their dad becomes terminally ill, the girls have to cope with not only a devastating loss but also the realisation that Nicholas is the one who will have to hold it all together.

“The absolute bestest thing about having a brand new TV show is getting to create new characters. I love the characters in this show, and I love how our cast depicts them – they are funny and kind and fascinating. I feel very grateful to Freeform for giving me the opportunity to introduce them to you,” said Thomas.

“Both on and off screen, Josh is a master of creativity and bringing unique stories about underrepresented topics to television,” said Tom Ascheim, president, Freeform. “At Freeform, we are committed to elevating narratives that resonate with today’s youth culture and this series is the perfect vehicle for that. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Josh to tell the story of this unconventional, quirky family that will spark many conversations around love, grief and adulting.”

Thomas created the concept, wrote and stars in the pilot and will serve as showrunner with David Martin, Jon Thoday, and Richard Allen-Turner serving as executive producers for Avalon Television. Stephanie Swedlove and Kevin Whyte also serve as executive producers. The series will star Josh Thomas, Kayla Cromer, Maeve Press and Adam Faison.

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay will be distributed internationally by Avalon Distribution.

DHX Media signs new distribution deals for hit family series The Deep

DHX Media has announced 10 new distribution deals for the hit family series, The Deep, bringing the total number of broadcasters and streaming platforms for the CGI-animated underwater adventure series up to 40 globally.

The news follows a 2018 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nomination for best International Animation for season two of The Deep, co-produced by DHX Media and A Stark Production.

New deals for season three of The Deep, which was commissioned by ABC Australia earlier this year, have been struck by DHX Media with CBBC (UK), Super RTL (Germany), VRT (Belgium), NRK (Norway), KidsZone(Baltics), S4C (UK and Wales), SVT (Sweden), and TVP (Poland), in addition to previously announced deals with Netflix (worldwide) and Family CHRGD (Canada).

DHX Media has also signed two new distribution deals for seasons one and two of The Deep, with France Televisions (France) and RTP (Portugal). Seasons one and two of The Deep air in 190 countries.

“From the moment it premiered, The Deep has resonated with kids and families for its wonderful animation and strong storytelling,” said Jerry Diaz, VP distribution, DHX Media. “The series continues to generate strong sales into markets around the world, and the talented creative team behind The Deep have done an amazing job on season three, delivering a great new set of adventures for broadcasters and streaming platforms to share with audiences.”

The Deep is a co-production between Australia-based Avrill Stark’s A Stark Production (scripts, design and music) and Canada-based DHX Media (animation, voices and post-production), with distribution also handled by DHX Media.

Technicolor, underlying rights holder to The Deep, has oversight of the brand’s licensing extensions, with CPLG, a DHX Media company and one of the world’s leading licensing agencies, serving as the multi-territory licensing agent for the brand, including North America, EMEA (excluding Germany) and Latin America.

The Deep is based on the Aurealis Award-winning graphic novel series of the same name, created by multi-award-winning, best-selling comic book author and playwright Tom Taylor (All-New Wolverine, Earth 2, Superior Iron Man, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Star Wars: Blood Ties). The graphic novel series is illustrated by James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond) and published by Gestalt Comics.

The Deep is a global hit that has garnered numerous industry awards and accolades, including a 2018 BAFTA nomination for best International Animation, Best Music for Children’s Television at the 2018 Screen Music Awards in Australia, the 50th Annual AWGIE Awards in Australia for Children’s Television (5-14 years old), the 2017 Kidscreen Award for Best New Series (Kids Category), the Golden Sparrow Award at the 2017 German Children’s Media Festival.

The Deep toys debuted in Fall 2018 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK and Nordic countries, and quickly became Simba Toy’s bestselling boys’ property in Germany. Bloomsbury has debuted a range of books based on the series in the UK and Australia, including young fiction, an official handbook and activity-based books; and Blue-Ocean Magazines launched The Deep magazine in Germany. A larger rollout of toys, books and more is expected in spring 2019 in these territories as well as France.

Colin Vickery’s wedding message: “Karl, it’s time to quit Today”

Will Karl Stefanovic’s wedding restore his reputation with Aussie TV viewers? asks News Corp’s Colin Vickery.

That is the question I have been pondering after the Mexico nuptials between the Today co-host and Jasmine Yarbrough on the weekend.

Will viewers see his splashy Mexican wedding as a charming love story, or will they see it as a tacky display that seemed to pay no heed to the hurt he’d left in his wake, and the possibility it would only compound that hurt?

Nine was hoping that the couple would have had a more low-key event. Instead, with sixteen in the wedding party, a Bundaberg rum bar, Julie Bishop on the decks – it was try-hard Hollywood kitsch.

As far as I’m concerned, Today has more problems than simply Stefanovic. Nine CEO Hugh Marks told me recently that the production needed to be sharpened up and in the last week Mark Calvert has been replaced by Steven Burling as the network’s director of morning television.

So where to from here? Maybe the best thing Stefanovic could do is quit Today. Shed all the baggage that comes with the job. Move on professionally as well as personally. Shape a new future.

[Read the original]

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