By James Manning

Inside the Optus Sport bunker the pre-game show before the Australia v Norway round of 16 Women’s World Cup game is under way from the recently completed new studio set.

Recently arrived Optus vice president of product development, television and content Clive Dickens is in the complex early as he is when there is a major live event underway.

Dickens normally sits at a desk in the open-plan Optus Sport office, this Sunday morning though he is in the “war room” sitting alongside Corin Dimopoulos, Optus’ head of TV and content, as they monitor the feeds from France and watch just how many Optus Sport subscribers are logging on for the early start. If fans sleep in, no worry. Customers can watch on demand from the start whenever they wish, or watch the compressed mini-match after Optus Sport post the edited highlights soon after the final whistle.

But first, let’s write about the end at the beginning.

The day didn’t go as the former players and staff at Optus Sport would have hoped. After a gruelling 120 minutes match, Australia and Norway are still locked at 1-1. It’s left to a penalty shoot-out to decide the game and it all goes horribly wrong for Australia.

What should have been a win for the Matildas turns into their poorest Women’s World Cup performance since 2003.

The result dampens the confident vibe at the Optus Sport offices until that point. Even the staffer who was exposed for supporting a Norway win looks gutted.

When I first arrive at the Optus Sport complex, former Socceroo-turned-Optus Sport pundit Heather Garriock asks, “Are you nervous?” Turns out I should have been.

The Optus Sport team spread across a floor in one of the group of buildings making up the Optus complex on the edge of Sydney’s lower north shore.

Football coverage executive producer Richard Bayliss wanders the floor looking slightly more pensive as the match progresses. He also appears on air each game day, hosting a review show of the overnight action after the live coverage ends.

The Optus Sport coverage is powered by former greats of the game. Hosting coverage on the day I visit is Amy Duggan, who is joined on the couch by Heather Garriock, Cheryl Salisbury and Amy Chapman.

Optus has also invested in basing a team in France who cover the matches – Alicia Ferguson, Mark Schwarzer, Jules Breach and Niav Owens. Although as Dickens explains, the tech needed for live crosses now anywhere in the world is considerably cheaper than it once was.

The busiest room during the match is where rows of content specialists sit filing stories, social media pieces and video clips before, during and after. Dickens explains this has been one of the recent changes at the business, growing the online content. Optus Sport editor David Weiner watches the game on a big screen adjacent to the TV studio, trying to manage both messages on his laptop and the match.

The Sunday result aside, Optus Sport has been riding a football wave since the Premier League got underway in August 2018 after the bungled World Cup coverage this time last year.

Since then the sports streaming service has sorted out its issues and has had a good year of presenting many games of football – including just under 400 Premier League clashes.

In the short time since the EPL season finished in May, Optus Sport has also covered UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League and now the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019.

Optus holds the master rights for the Premier League and UEFA competitions and its sub-licences FIFA World Cup games from SBS.

Optus Sport doesn’t have a need to reveal viewer numbers, yet, but after the European action in early May it reported Optus Sport’s activated customer numbers soar 50% year-on-year. Optus Sport also reported its biggest ever week, with unique weekly viewers up +130% in a recent week compared to the same week last season.

That growth is coming partly from customers signing up to mobile or internet plans with a bonus Optus Sport subscription a key attraction.

Optus reported 11.2m mobile and broadband customers in Australia earlier this year. That’s an impressive number, but the total customer base of parent company Singtel is over 600m, with just under 400m of them in India.

While Australia being drummed out of the Women’s World Cup won’t boost audiences, people taking the Optus Sport feed (the only place to see every match of the tournament) will be interested in the thrilling football still to come from the remaining countries.

Dickens is guarded about what might be next for Optus Sport. He admits the telco-turned sports broadcaster is talking to everyone about possible rights acquisitions. Expect things other than football to be on the menu, eventually.

It is produced in consultation with William’s foster parents, who also feature exclusively in the podcast. It is the first time his foster parents have given an interview about the case in four years.

Harris said: “I was one of the first journalists on the scene in Kendall when William disappeared and I’ve been following the case closely ever since. I’ve become determined to uncover the truth, particularly as I have come to know his foster family so well.

“This podcast will include an unprecedented in-depth interview with his foster parents as they speak about the devastating day William went missing, what life has been like for them over the past four and a half years and what they hope for the future of the investigation. They, like me, hope this podcast will shed new light on the case and help bring them some much-needed closure.”

Network 10’s director of news content Ross Dagan said: “We have a fantastic team of journalists here at 10 and now, with 10 Speaks, we’re able to extend their talents into the audio space.

“Where’s William Tyrrell? reflects Lia’s brilliant inquiring mind, hard work and unwavering dedication to the story. It delves deep into the baffling disappearance of William with the support of his foster parents – that is incredible access. For anyone who has followed the case, this is a must-listen fresh perspective. We all hope it helps us get closer to uncovering what happened to William, particularly in the lead-up to the August inquest.”

The podcast, researched, produced and presented by Lia Harris, is available from today on Acast, Apple Podcasts and Spotify, with new episodes dropping each Monday.

The launch of Where’s William Tyrrell? by 10 Speaks follows the debut of The Western Front, a weekly AFL podcast hosted by 10 News First Perth presenter Tim Gossage and reporter Lachy Reid, and The Professor and The Hack, a weekly podcast focused on politics hosted by 10’s network political editor Peter Van Onselen and national affairs editor Hugh Riminton.

In fact, taking a sickie may be the most valuable thing you do this flu season, that’s according to a push from Triple M’s Radio Chaser team.

To raise awareness for what they have labelled an important cause, Radio Chaser has declared next Friday 28th June National Sickie Day, and launched a website, NationalSickieDay.com where people can pledge to chuck a sickie to support the cause.

So 100,000 people have pledged to chuck a sickie next Friday.

There have been some questions raised about National Sickie Day however, after it was realised the date chosen for the national bludge was in fact the last day of rostered on work for many in the radio industry as it breaks for a two-week winter radio relax from Monday July 1.

“We are calling on all able-bodied Australians to join an important public health initiative, pledge their support and chuck a sickie next Friday,” said Charles Firth, the Executive Director of National Sickie Day.

“Who knows, there might be a new strain of Ebola that is symptomless until it’s too late. We just don’t know. So it’s best if everyone stays at home next Friday – just in case they’re sick.

“We have partnered with some of the best-looking stock-photo doctors in the world who probably would endorse this campaign if they knew their image was being used to promote it,” said Firth.

“Now pardon me, I think I might be coming down with something, so I think I might go home just in case.”

Firth added: “With the casualisation of the workforce, tons of Australians don’t get sickies anymore. Even though they’re proven to be important and safer for everyone. We want to raise awareness that sickies are good and should exist for everyone.”

Parsons previously led Nine’s digital business, as chief digital officer, for a number of years, including the launch of 9Now and rebranding of ninemsn to nine.com.au, plus the creation and implementation of Nine’s data strategy, before he moved on to become CEO of Adcorp.

Earlier this year he returned to Nine to oversee the sale of its events and entertainment division.

“Alex has a strong history at Nine, including leading Nine’s initial acquisition of CarAdvice, and it’s great to welcome him back,” said Greg Barnes, CFO of Nine and chairman of CarAdvice. “He is a proven leader and his experience in the digital, advertising and data space will be the key as we chart the next stage of growth for CarAdvice.”

The appointment sees Nine placing a new strategic focus on the automotive publishing business, which earlier this year merged with the Drive Network.

“I am thrilled to be taking on the role of CEO of CarAdvice and Drive after returning to Nine to oversee the sale of its events and entertainment division,” said Parsons.

“Having led the acquisition of CarAdvice I have a great appreciation for both the category and the opportunity ahead of us. I am looking forward to working with both the CarAdvice team and the wider team Nine to realise its full potential across the automotive vertical.

“Nine’s audience reach and data, combined with the strength of CarAdvice and Drive in the category, has tremendous potential that the team and I will be singularly focused on realising.”

Barnes added: “Alex’s appointment marks the next step in a renewed push by Nine in the automotive category. The opportunity for him and the team is really around how they can capitalise on the assets within the combined group and build on CarAdvice’s current growth trajectory.”

Parsons will commence in the role this week. He replaces Andrew Beecher who stepped down last week after more than five years in the role.

Hinch will broadcast the one-hour program live from the Sky News Melbourne studio each week, bringing his knowledge and contacts from over half a century in news and current affairs, plus his more recent experience as a federal senator.

Derryn Hinch said: “Hosting Hinch on Sky News, I feel like I am coming home. I loved my time at Sky before I ‘jumped the shark’ and became a senator. Now, I can bring you info from both outside and inside. Not just politics but the issues of the day. I can’t wait.”

Paul Whittaker, Sky News chief executive said: “As we continue to expand our programming offering, Hinch will be compelling viewing as he provides his unique take on events.”

Hinch returns to Sky News having previously hosted Hinch Live before launching his political career. He was elected to the senate representing Victoria for Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party at the 2016 federal election, before losing his seat at the 2019 federal election.

Hinch’s media career spans print, television and radio across a variety of roles, including that of former newspaper editor. He is currently working on his sixteenth book.

The channel’s key properties driving that success were Seven News, House Rules and Home And Away. The AFL was again a big contributor with Thursday and Friday games and The Front Bar on Wednesday.

Seven managed the win despite posting its second lowest primary channel share in 14 weeks.

The result keeps Seven narrowly ahead of Nine in survey year-to-date, combined channel shares.

Nine was not far behind on both counts.

Nine was the home of the most-watched show of the week – The Voice Sunday with 1.09m watching.

Also performing for Nine last week were Nine News, A Current Affair and 60 Minutes.

Nine noted coverage of the Cricket World Cup on 9Gem helped a win in the network primetime commercial shares across the key demographics people 25-54s (38.1%) and shopper with child (38.2%).

10 posted its best primary and combined channel shares since January.

It’s best properties delivering for advertisers were Have You Been Paying Attention? and MasterChef.

In the next rung of performers were The Project, Five Bedrooms, The Graham Norton Show and The Living Room.

The ABC’s biggest audiences tuned in for Anh’s Brush With Fame and then the Saturday and Sunday 7pm news bulletins.

SBS share was at the lower end of the range across the past 10 weeks. It’s biggest audience came for the final of Who Do You Think You Are? with 312,000. Next best were 63 Up and Insight.

Close to 120 guests were in attendance, including Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who officially opened the new studios.

Read more: ARN’s Ciaran Davis launches new Brisbane home for 97.3FM and 4KQ

Below is a summary of the tech and design involved in the relocation.

The Technology:

In an Australian industry-first, ARN is the only commercial radio broadcaster ever to build audio production facilities that provide a perfect balance of Production and Broadcast technology – Dante digital audio integrated with Broadcast Livewire. The set-up allows for premium radio content creation, with producers having direct access to all live on-air audio sources, as well as being able to live mix straight to air, from the production studios.

ARN is also the first commercial radio network in the country to integrate new Axia Audio Over Internet Protocol (AOIP) technology across all of its on-air and production radio systems. The ARN Melbourne studios were first in January, with the new purpose-built 97.3FM and 4KQ Brisbane facility going live in mid-May.

ARN achieved a successful broadcast transition to the new studios in a record time of three and a half weeks. Through a combination of sourcing the right engineering talent by pulling resources from ARN’s Sydney, Melbourne and Perth offices to reduce interruptions to the Brisbane studios, to working effectively via a ‘plug and play’ project approach with their suppliers – the installation process was literally seamless.

To enhance efficiency and comfort of staff, throughout the new Brisbane offices motion sensors detect movement and light areas as required, and audio monitoring can be controlled by anyone sitting at their desk. The meeting rooms are all centrally managed by the Microsoft booking system with iPads mounted in each room, giving real-time information for room availability.

The views to the Brisbane River and city feature prominently in the studios, and even the blinds can be controlled via the radio panel.

The Design:

Designed and project managed by strategic workplace design agency, Graham Nicholas, visually the studio incorporates some of the most beautiful aspects of Queensland and Brisbane through the use of the Queensland colours of white, blue, green and sand, and inspiration from the Story Bridge, Queensland beaches and Queensland architecture.

The exterior of the 97.3FM studio is themed around the iconic Queenslander home, while the 4KQ studio is clad in Spotted Gum timber battens, referencing a more contemporary Queensland architectural style.

It was important for ARN to develop studios that maximised space and natural light, encouraged airflow, and made a significant contribution to overall staff wellbeing, inspiration and productivity. The result is a spacious office with panoramic windows, beaming in natural light through the open plan layout, along with captivating river and city views.

Entertainment at the heart:

Entertainment options for guests, clients and listeners was also a large focus of the ARN Brisbane studio move – with a key appeal being an on-site entertainment area designed to fit 120 people comfortably, complete with stunning views of the river, city and Suncorp Stadium.

Additional benefits come in the form of the studio’s adjoining, heritage-listed Milton House – the original homestead for the area dating back to 1852. A rare example of 1950s Colonial Georgian architecture and one of the oldest surviving houses in Brisbane with a rich history, Milton House offers a swimming pool, tennis court and additional internal meeting spaces as extra offerings.

It is with deep sorrow we share the sad news that Australian entertainment icon, “Mr Movies” Bill Collins passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, June 20, 2019.

Bill was 84 and lived a life filled with love and devotion for and from his family. It was also filled with passion for movies and Hollywood and all the adventures and opportunities associated with his 55-year career in the entertainment industry.

Bill introduced generations of Australians to the world of movies. His passion for filmmaking, his eye for detail and his knowledge of the work of the great screen talents, added with his natural charisma and spirited presentations, turned watching a movie presented by Bill into an “event”.

After starting his television career talking about film appreciation on the ABC’s Roundabout program in 1963, Bill went on to work as a movie presenter at the Nine, Seven and Ten Networks before signing with Foxtel for its launch in 1995 where he continued for the remainder of his career.

Over the years Bill’s dedication to sharing his love of movies earned him awards and accolades, including the Order of Australia Medal in 1987, the TV Week Hall of Fame Logie Award in 2009 and, in July 2013 he was presented with the inaugural ASTRA Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Joan Collins, Bill’s wife of 36 years, said: “Our hearts are broken by the loss of our dear Bill – he will never be forgotten. How fortunate we were to have him in our lives. On behalf of Bill’s family and myself, I would like to thank the public for the great support given to Bill over the years.

“Bill’s love of film was encouraged by you, his audience, and his love of sharing his passion, which increased over the five decades that he presented on every Australian television.

“Bill was always thrilled when he realised the joy and happiness he gave to his viewers. He never took them for granted, always wanting to please.

“Darling Bill you will be loved and missed always.”

Bill and Joan shared a love for books and animals, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dymocks Children’s Charities or Monika’s Doggie Rescue.

The family will be holding a private service to remember Bill over the coming days.

—

Top Photo: Bill Collins with Roger Moore

Following the success of two previous Stargazing series, BBC Studios ANZ will produce the one-hour special in collaboration with experts from the BBC Studios Science Unit.

Filmed in front of a studio audience and hosted by Professor Brian Cox and Julia Zemiro (pictured), Stargazing sits at the heart of a season of programs marking the historic event on the ABC this July.

Stargazing: Moon and Beyond is BBC Studios’ third local production since its ANZ production arm was set up in September 2018. Headed by director of production Kylie Washington, the unit has produced 85 episodes of Mastermind, currently broadcasting on SBS, and was a co-producer on 10’s recent successful series of Dancing with the Stars, along with producers Warner Bros Entertainment Australia.

A BBC Studios format, Stargazing will be produced by the new production arm in Australia for the first time, with the majority of the crew drawn from the talented local production industry, working alongside experts from BBC Studios’ world-renowned Science Unit.

Kylie Washington said: “We’re delighted to be working with The Science Unit to produce this Stargazing special for ABC’s landmark season of moon landing programs and that BBC Studios ANZ’s crew will be delivering this premium show.”

Helen Thomas, executive producer BBC Studios Science Unit, said: “It is great to be collaborating with BBC Studios ANZ on this special production, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the amazing Apollo moon landing and looking ahead at the very exciting future of space exploration.”

Aidan Laverty, manager science, ABC, said: “We’re really excited to be working with the BBC to create a show that pushes the boundaries on what a factual studio show can look and feel like and to develop the Stargazing brand across our different platforms.”

The ABC’s season of programs marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landing also features BBC Studios’ new series, The Planets, showcasing the solar system like never before.  

Singles

Lil Nas X must be heading toward chart record territory with a ninth [non-consecutive) week at #1 for Old Town Road as he releases a debut EP 7.

As we end the first half of the year, just seven songs have made it to #1 in 25 weeks.

One of that exclusive club was I Don’t Care from Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber. It is almost an underachiever though after debuting at #1, it has spent its five successive chart weeks at #2. The pop duo did manage to stop Lil Nas X from claiming successive chart weeks on top.

Also missing top spot is Taylor Swift who marks her return to the top 10 with another track, You Need To Calm Down, form her forthcoming album Lover. The other track ME!, which charted in May, dropped out of the top 50 this week after peaking at #2 in its seven weeks.

Chris Brown is new to the top 10 at #7 after jumping 10 spots in the second week with No Guidance featuring Drake.

Four other tunes debuted top 50 this week:

#12 Drake with Money In The Grave featuring Rick Ross
#31 Flume with Let You Know featuring London Grammar
#42 Joji with Sanctuary
#45 Blanco Brown with The Git Up

Albums

Amazing to think that in his long and successful career Western Stars is just the fourth ARIA #1 album for Bruce Springsteen. His 19th studio album battled Madonna for top spot and Bruce was the winner. He most recently topped the chart with High Hopes in 2014 and before that with Born In The USA in 1984 and Greatest Hits in March 1995. He went close with Magic and Wrecking Ball which both peaked at #2.

Springsteen managed to rob Madonna (so far) of a 12th ARIA #1 album as Madame X landed at #2 in its first week. The album comes after appearances on Seven’s Andrew Denton’s Interview and 10’s The Graham Norton Show last week. Madame X is Madonna’s 20th top 10 ARIA album and charts four years after Rebel Heart hit the top in 2015.

The only other top 10 arrival was another chart debut – Sydney producer Hayden James with his debut album Between Us at #9.

Just two other albums this week managed to debut in the top 50:

#13 Amber Lawrence with Spark. Sixth studio album for the Australian country singer-songwriter and her highest chart peak.
#21 Bastille with Doom Days, the British band’s third album.

Sunday Week 26 2019

By James Manning

• Seven News 1,137,000
• Nine News 1,020,000
• ABC News 703,000
• The Project 268,000/457,000
• 10 News First 286,000
• Insiders 275,000
• Offsiders 153,000
• SBS World News 112,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 282,000
• Today 209,000

Seven

Despite the State of Origin game two, House Rules had a good night with the audience up from 723,000 to 743,000 week-on-week.

Sunday Night then did 422,000, down from 575,000 a week ago.

Nine

Courtesy of the State of Origin the channel posted another monster primary share – 34.2% with 47.9% in Sydney and 51.6% in Brisbane. The curious Perth TV audience in what was a very wet night in the host city recorded a share of 18.2% which couldn’t overtake Seven Perth’s 23.8%. The Perth audience of 167,000 was the biggest-ever though watching Origin in Perth.

The network primary share was down from 39.0% for Origin game one. The audience of 1.960m was of course a huge crowd, but was down from 2.181m watching game one.

Origin game two was also on a Sunday last year. It also dropped below game one last year, but still recorded a stronger 2.122m.

10

MasterChef Australia was unable to match the previous week’s numbers. The Origin clash and no guest chef contributed to a smaller audience of 619,000.

Earlier in the night The Sunday Project was on 457,000 after 7pm.

Two episodes of FBI filled the rest of the primetime evening with audiences of 237,000 and 151,000.

ABC

The Sunday drama double both managed to find a spot in the top 10.

Shetland did 507,000 (512,000 a week ago) and Harrow was on 466,000 (501,000).

SBS

Part two of Rise Of The Clans did 212,000.

Earlier in the day coverage of the Women’s World Cup match between Australia and Norway started on 166,000. As the match went into overtime and then a penalty shootout the audience grew to 270,000.