Wednesday March 20, 2019
Southern Cross Austereo reveals exclusive partnership with SoundCloud
Through the new agreement, SCA will serve as the single point of contact for advertisers in the market to reach SoundCloud’s young, highly engaged and influential audience.
As a result of the partnership, SCA will be able to offer clients digital audio solutions across SoundCloud, live radio streaming & catch up radio podcasts with a commercial reach of over three million monthly users.
SCA’s chief sales officer Brian Gallagher said, “The partnership with SoundCloud will enhance SCA’s ability to provide advertisers with extraordinary reach in the digital audio space. We are looking forward to bringing real scale to the digital audio marketplace with our combined offering.”
SoundCloud’s chief operating officer Michael Weissman said, “Australia is a key market for SoundCloud. We look forward to offering advertisers more opportunities to reach our audience of tastemakers who are driving what’s next in music culture.
“With SCA as our dedicated partner, we’ll be able to leverage their incredible reach and leading sales support team as we continue to grow our service in Australia.”
Listen: Brian Gallagher refers to the new Soundcloud partnership on Mediaweek’s new Power Of Radio podcast.
SCA reports the digital audio market is seeing significant growth with the recent IAB Audio State of the Nation Survey stating 84% of buyers intend to invest in digital streaming audio in 2019.
SCA reaches 95% of the country with assets in television, radio, digital and podcasts. Through SCA, buyers can now reach a wealth of niche music audiences with SoundCloud, in addition to the mainstream radio fans SCA already helps buyers to reach through its massive network.
SoundCloud’s audio and video inventory will be available programmatically and directly, exclusively through SCA beginning April 1st.
Media and marketing initiatives to boost News in tough market
By James Manning
As Mediaweek reported yesterday, Michael Miller, News Corp executive chairman, is leading his team at the Come Together 2019 presentations underway in Sydney and soon heading to Melbourne.
“We are taking clients on a journey of exploration to show the new products we have created to deliver more effective campaign results,” said Miller.
“By combining the smarts of data and technology, with the creativity of our trusted content, we are showing clients how they can work with us and our engaged audiences, to deliver better outcomes for their brands.”
The presentations started in Sydney on Monday evening and there will be something like 20 presentations before the formal showcases end. Miller and members of the leadership team Damian Eales and Lou Barrett speak pre and post event.
But spare a thought for the executives at work, live, in the different category presentations. They present five times each session for a total of 15 presentations each day of Come Together. (Some executives are lucky enough to do make their showcase contribution on video.)
Hedley Thomas, Edwina McCann, and Michael Miller Come Together 2019
During the first full day of Come Together, Miller spoke live with Mediaweek on the Your Money channel.
Recapping the start of the current financial year, Miller started: “We have had a good first six months of the year. The SMI figures indicate that as a category, print has had a good first six months of the year.
“In the first few months of this year the market definitely feels like it is tightening and getting shorter. We have a good pipeline of activity, but with a combination of the Banking Royal Commission, housing prices and recent retail figures there is a degree of conservatism. The elections typically see some conservatism, but there are more factors at play. It is becoming tougher out there, more than the first six months indicated.
“We are optimistic that after the NSW state election and then the federal election in May, we will see a stronger June and second half leading into 2020.”
When asked about the split of revenues at the publishing business between print and digital, Miller noted it was a sector still in transition. “Digital is taking a bigger share every year. The newspaper brands we have, providing trusted journalism, are seeing greater engagement at the community level where there is less competition for information about your suburb, about your school, about your sporting club and the issues when it comes to elections.”
The challenges with advertising revenue the publisher faces mean its diversification of revenue strategy becomes even more critical to success.
Miller said: “Subscription revenue, as our December results showed, is way up. We are very happy how customers here and around the world have a greater propensity to pay for great content. Our subscriber levels are up 20% year-on-year, which is what we planned for.
“Our business continues to migrate from being less advertising reliant and more consumer revenue reliant.
“This Come Together event shows we are not just about media and advertising solutions. We are moving more into being a marketing services, not just media services, provider.
“We have many assets that are marketing related, not just advertising related and they are the conversations that Come Together initiates.”
News Corp Australia had 24 announcements to share with its guests this year which were spread across five different category groupings with a couple sprinkled into the pre and post-show addresses.
See also: Come Together 2019: News Corp Australia’s biggest ever showcase
Fiona Nilsson presenting at Come Together
Miller said one announcement in particular he is proud of is the work News Corp Australia has done around data and its data advertising solution News Connect. “After building a solid foundation we now have 1600 different segments you can plan against. That allows us to have category specialist offerings like Food Connect, Fan Connect, Travel Connect and so on.
“That makes it easy to transact and on top of that there is a self serve functionality we are launching which allows people to plan, buy and transact on our platform.”
The company is also looking to better leverage its Foxtel, Fox Sports and Sky News Australia assets. “We will be able not to just offer digital, data, and content solutions, but also broadcast as well as print solutions to reach more Australians depending on what their needs are.”
The publisher and broadcaster is also offering exclusivity around coverage of different sporting codes with an advertising solution labelled Code Block. Miller noted they will approach the official partners of various sports first before putting the offer to the wider market.
“An advertiser will be able to own a sport, with a category exclusive. There has been a lot of interest in this and some of the categories have already gone after just the first day of Come Together.”
“Australians are great travellers and always have been,” said Miller about the Travel Connect category that is attracting readers and advertisers in growing print and online sections and verticals.
“Visiting new destinations around the world and having great experiences is part of the Escape proposition. It is not just a holiday.”
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Top Photo: Michael Miller and James Manning
Rebecca Caratti shakes up Vogue Living: Next Gen to Rock Stars
By James Manning
While that means only six big decisions, it also means there is a fair bit riding on each of those selections.
Vogue Living’s editor Rebecca Caratti, who has been on the title for 12 months, told Mediaweek she has a disciplined system to make those cover choices.
“I need to have input on that choice because what I like might not translate in a supermarket or a newsagent. I get everyone in the office to vote on their favourite.”
When starting a new edition, Caratti sits with her creative director Natasha Allen, examining the content for that issue and, through a process of elimination, ends up with the most-likely cover candidates. “We often have three to four covers under consideration while we are working on the issue. I always reduce it to two choices – one I really love and one that I think appeals to a wider audience.” She told Mediaweek she usually chooses the latter.
In addition to the regular editions, Vogue Living also publishes special editions. The most recent was its Extraordinary Homes From Around The World, which went on sale earlier this month.
Caratti replaced former editor Neale Whittaker when he stepped down to focus on his TV work for Nine and Foxtel’s Lifestyle.
She told Mediaweek the reality of editing the prestigious title was a little different to what she anticipated.
“I have always loved Vogue Living and I used to work at Vogue Australia. Interiors weren’t really my forte because I have a fashion background.
“It is where my interests now lie though after I have bought my forever home with my husband. I thought it would be an exciting brand to work on, but little did I know the enormity of the brand.
“When I started I realised people across the world, not just Australia, are obsessed with Vogue Living. It struck me then what a big job it is.”
Australia is the only market with a Vogue Living and design devotees hunt printed copies of the veteran brand on newsstands in many countries.
Caratti said she was a regular reader before joining the team, noting she loves design whether it be fashion or interiors.
Another responsibility that comes with Vogue Living is leading the charge for print products. While some general consumer titles are under threat, it seems specialist products serving a specific market are the future of the medium.
“What we do is keeping the magazine spirit alive, with both our regular editions and the collector’s editions. People also collect Vogue Living and they reference them from year to year.”
The March-April edition of Vogue Living features a special 32-page travel section, something Caratti said would be a feature two or three times a year. “We are focussing much more on luxury cruising in the future. We do much more travel online though where we have our own travel vertical. It is our biggest driver of online traffic.”
While the print product drops for readers six times a year, the brand can engage daily with its audience via its website. “We upload at least five to eight pieces of content daily online. We also have a highly engaged audience on social, particularly Instagram where we have over 1.3m followers. We direct a lot of that audience to our website via Instagram Stories which is a big driver of traffic for us.”
Caratti agrees that Instagram was almost made for Vogue Living. “It really was – a portfolio of beautiful images and homes and inspiration.”
When it comes to profiling exclusive Australian homes, we asked the editor if the demand for property porn makes that a challenge?
“For us it is not hard because everyone wants to be in the magazine. We are inundated with offers of projects from architects and designers and we have really good relationships within the design industry. If we ask for them to keep it off social for a couple of months to preserve our exclusive they are completely fine with that.”
As to changes at Vogue Living since she arrived, Caratti said: “I wanted to bring more of a youthful energy to the magazine and I wanted to bring back the people who live in the homes. I like to shoot portraits of the homeowners and if they are not interested at least the designers or architects.
“I also wanted to alter the design and make it more like a coffee table book. We have a longform story at the front of the magazine, but other than that it is a visual feast.
“I have just tried to feminise it as well – bring back the femininity of the magazine.” Was that triggered by the title changing from a male editor to a woman? “Probably,” said Caratti.
The changes at the title coincide with Australians getting a lot more elaborate and creative with design. “The theme of this edition is about the Next Gen of design which is why I have a lot of ‘loud’ projects in the pages. Australians aren’t afraid of colour and texture any more.”
Vogue Living has a number of events on the calendar including design dinners, which sold out in Sydney and Melbourne.
The May-June edition should be interesting from this young editor shaking up the marketplace. The special theme – The Rock Star Issue. “It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think many people will enjoy it because it’s a little bit different for Vogue Living.”
The magazine will take readers inside rock star homes.
Also coming, but not until 2020, is the Alessi Design Awards. The awards were once with Vogue Living, they moved to Belle, now they are returning home.
TV Ratings Analysis: March 19
Tuesday: Week 12 2019
By James Manning
• Seven News 919,000/900,000
• Nine News 880,000/892,000
• A Current Affair 775,000
• ABC News 683,000
• 7.30 564,000
• The Project 223,000/449,000
• 10 News First 339,000
• SBS World News 120,000
Breakfast TV
• Sunrise 265,000
• Today 202,000
Seven
Home And Away recorded a Tuesday audience of 556,000 after on 658,000 on Monday.
My Kitchen Rules was on 746,000 after 714,000 on Monday and 728,000 on Tuesday a week ago.
The brilliant crime drama miniseries Manhunt starring Martin Clunes was on at 9pm with 593,000.
Nine
A Current Affair continued to cover the Roxlyn Bowie disappearance with Simon Bouda on a new development. It then covered “Tight Fight” – a legal stouch between Lorna Jane and a physio over a design. After 891,000 on Monday the Tuesday episode did 775,000.
Married At First Sight was on 1.306m, up on Tuesday last week where it did 1.245m.
Travel Guides had another good week with 768,000, after a season high 786,000 a week ago.
10
The Project delivered the biggest audience after 7pm with 449,000. Hamish McDonald talked about his experience in New Zealand and what it felt like returning to Australia where there is division about reaction and coverage of the Christchurch murders.
Ambulance Australia then did 405,000 after 394,000 a week ago.
NCIS was then on 278,000.
ABC
Not a terribly cheery night after 8pm with depressing tale called Opioid America on Foreign Correspondent, which did 457,000.
Part two of The Cult Of The Family was on 445,000 after launching on 515,000.
And a troubling Louis Theroux doco Dark States: Murder In Milwaukee then did 207,000.
SBS
Michael Portillo was back on the continent last night with Great Continental Railway Journeys on 201,000.
Insight looked at loneliness with 196,000.
Week 12 TV: Tuesday
| TUESDAY METRO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven | Nine | 10 | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 11.5% | 7 | 20.7% | 9 | 27.7% | 10 | 9.3% | SBS One | 4.6% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 2.8% | 7TWO | 2.6% | GO! | 3.9% | 10 Bold | 2.6% | VICELAND | 1.1% |
| ABC ME | 0.5% | 7mate | 2.6% | GEM | 2.3% | 10 Peach | 1.6% | Food Net | 0.8% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.3% | 7flix | 1.6% | 9Life | 1.7% | NITV | 0.1% | ||
| 7Food | 0.7% | ||||||||
| TOTAL | 16.0% | 28.2% | 35.6% | 13.6% | 6.6% | ||||
| TUESDAY REGIONAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven Affiliates | Nine Affiliates | 10 Affiliates | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 10.9% | 7 | 21.3% | 9 | 20.4% | WIN | 10.3% | SBS One | 4.6% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 2.9% | 7TWO | 4.0% | GO! | 4.4% | WIN Bold | 2.5% | VICELAND | 2.0% |
| ABC ME | 0.9% | 7mate | 4.0% | GEM | 3.8% | WIN Peach | 1.6% | Food Net | 0.9% |
| ABC NEWS | 0.9% | 7flix | 1.5% | 9Life | 2.0% | Sky News on WIN | 1.2% | NITV | 0.2% |
| TOTAL | 15.6% | 30.8% | 30.6% | 15.6% | 7.5% | ||||
| TUESDAY METRO ALL TV | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | STV | ||||||||
| 87.8% | 12.2% | ||||||||
Tuesday FTA
- Married At First Sight Nine 1,306,000
- Seven News Seven 919,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 900,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 892,000
- Nine News Nine 880,000
- A Current Affair Nine 775,000
- Travel Guides Nine 768,000
- My Kitchen Rules Seven 746,000
- ABC News ABC 683,000
- Manhunt Seven 593,000
- 7.30 ABC 564,000
- Home And Away Seven 556,000
- The Chase Australia Seven 478,000
- Hot Seat Nine 463,000
- Foreign Correspondent ABC 457,000
- The Project 7pm 10 449,000
- The Cult Of The Family ABC 445,000
- Ambulance Australia 10 405,000
- 10 News First 10 339,000
- The Chase Australia-5pm Seven 324,000
Demo Top 5
16-39 Top Five
- Married At First Sight Nine 368,000
- Travel Guides Nine 221,000
- My Kitchen Rules Seven 143,000
- Ambulance Australia 10 122,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 116,000
18-49 Top Five
- Married At First Sight Nine 614,000
- Travel Guides Nine 371,000
- My Kitchen Rules Seven 244,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 212,000
- Nine News Nine 207,000
25-54 Top Five
- Married At First Sight Nine 669,000
- Travel Guides Nine 416,000
- My Kitchen Rules Seven 292,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 265,000
- A Current Affair Nine 264,000
Tuesday Multichannel
- Kazoops! PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 156,000
- Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 154,000
- Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
- Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 149,000
- Rusty Rivets PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 146,000
- Wanda And The Alien PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 141,000
- Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
- Chronicles Of Riddick 9GO! 135,000
- Dino Dana ABCKIDS/COMEDY 135,000
- The Big Bang Theory 9GO! 135,000
- Pj Masks PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 134,000
- Young Sheldon – (R) Tx2 9GO! 130,000
- Noddy Toyland Detective PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 127,000
- Young Sheldon – (R) Tx1 9GO! 126,000
- Neighbours 10 Peach 122,000
- Shaun The Sheep ABCKIDS/COMEDY 113,000
- Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 113,000
- Death In Paradise 9Gem 111,000
- Spicks And Specks ABCKIDS/COMEDY 104,000
- Thomas And Friends PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 102,000
Tuesday STV
- Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 63,000
- The Bolt Report Sky News Live 51,000
- Jones & Co Sky News Live 50,000
- Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 50,000
- PML Later Sky News Live 47,000
- Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 42,000
- Curious George Nick Jr. 37,000
- Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 36,000
- The Great Kiwi Bake Off Lifestyle FOOD 36,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 36,000
- Blaze And The Monster Machines Nick Jr. 36,000
- Open Mike FOX FOOTY 36,000
- Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 35,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 34,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 33,000
- Shimmer And Shine Nick Jr. 33,000
- Credlin Sky News Live 32,000
- The Day Henry Met Nick Jr. 32,000
- Vanderpump Rules ARENA 30,000
- Jeopardy! FOX Classics 29,000
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
Christchurch massacre: tech bosses to meet Morrison and ministers
The Prime Minister, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Attorney-General Christian Porter are set to meet with executives from Facebook, Google, YouTube and Twitter to consider new measures that can be adopted to remove hateful content from social media platforms.
Senator Fifield said the onus was on those who owned and managed social media sites to take action, but the government was prepared to step in if they failed to do so. “In the wake of Christchurch … the government has started looking at measures to address the ways digital platforms were used and abused,” Senator Fifield told The Australian.
Speaking for the first time since the Christchurch massacre, Facebook vice-president Chris Sonderby said the alleged gunman’s video was viewed fewer than 200 times as it went out live to users and about 4000 times before it was removed from the platform.
Social media giants to escape $200 million tax in federal budget
The government has retreated on its agenda-driving digital tax status, balking at Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push in last year’s budget to make Australia a world-leader in the digital space.
Despite Britain, France, Italy, Hungary and India cracking down on millions of dollars in tax revenue leaking overseas, consultation with the industry’s stakeholders in Australia has not been completed since submissions closed in November.
Chase Carey continues to work with Murdochs on new Fox Corp board
On its first day of trading after selling of many assets to Disney, the new-look Fox also announced the appointment of Anne Dias, Roland A Hernandez and Paul D Ryan to its board of directors.
They join previously announced members Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch and Jacques Nasser.
Lachlan Murdoch, Fox chairman and CEO commented: “We are thrilled to welcome our new colleagues to the FOX board. We look forward to working with and being guided by them as we begin a new chapter, steadfastly committed to providing the best in news, sports and entertainment programming.”
Carey previously served in a number of roles at Twenty-First Century Fox beginning in 1988, including as vice chairman from 2015 to 2019, as president and chief operating officer and deputy chairman from 2009 to 2015 and as a director from 1996 to 2007. From 2003 to 2009, Carey was the president and CEO of DIRECTV.
Murdoch billionaires to multiply after Disney completes Fox deal
Over more than half a century, Rupert Murdoch built a media empire, and he’s now worth $19.3 billion. But the $12 billion of proceeds from the Disney deal are set to be distributed to his six children Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace Helen and Chloe. That will make them billionaires in their own right while cutting the elder Murdoch’s fortune to $7.3 billion, according to calculations by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Tuesday’s spinoff of Fox Corp. and Disney’s subsequent acquisition of 21st Century Fox marks a significant shift in the structure of the Murdoch fortune. Historically, Rupert’s heirs had little control. The Reno, Nevada-based Murdoch Family Trust, which holds the 21st Century Fox shares and News Corp. stock, is effectively controlled by the family patriarch, according to filings.
Rupert Murdoch sends ‘thank you’ note to staff as Disney takes over
“When this transaction is complete, I anticipate tremendous opportunity for our businesses and colleagues alike,” read the 88-year-old mogul’s parting note.
“21CF’s film and TV studios will align with Disney to maximise their impact with compelling storytelling, global reach and scale, and an unsurpassed range of consumer relationships, extensive brands and breakthrough over-the-top media capabilities.”
Murdoch added, “Fox will be a force in the US market with powerful brands, leading sports, news and entertainment programming, and resources to invest in higher growth initiatives.”
Radio
Michael Daley receives legal letter over his interview with Alan Jones
Standing in front of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, Daley said he had received the letter from one of the 14 members of the SCG Trust board.
While on air with Jones, Daley vowed to sack the board of the SCG Trust, which includes the 2GB broadcaster as well as Trust chairman Tony Shepherd, former News Ltd chairman John Hartigan, former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell.
Daley said the letter was marked “private and confidential” and would not name the sender.
2GB: Ben Fordham finally drags the truth out of Michael Daley
The Opposition Leader made the claims in an explosive interview with Alan Jones and was later caught lying again about his comments.
2GB’s Ben Fordham has repeatedly called Daley out on his lies and offered him the opportunity to correct the record.
He finally agreed to an interview and, after persistent questioning, the alternate premier eventually gave in and conceded he was wrong.
It wasn’t a good campaign day for Labor in NSW yesterday. 2GB chronicled the bad news via interviews also on the shows of Alan Jones and Ray Hadley:
Jones: NSW Speaker reveals Michael Daley’s ‘uncontrolled, irrational rage’ that left her in tears
Hadley: Michael Daley filmed attacking Asian migration, Premier calls out ‘rank hypocrisy’
Sports Media
Siren sounds at Foxtel: Important week for Fox Footy and Kayo
The launch of the NRL and now AFL seasons are when many households allocate some extra spending out of their entertainment budget.
For years if sports fans wanted to watch every NRL or AFL match they needed to navigate the Foxtel packages to secure the Fox Sports tier. Now though if a Fox Sports package is out of reach, they have the option of signing up to the much cheaper sports streaming service Kayo.
The streaming service is helping spread the word about the subscription TV offerings via its own launch events.
On Monday this week Fox Sports boss Peter Campbell joined Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany at the formal launch of the Fox Footy channel for 2019.
Today Kayo is having its own AFL launch as four of the AFL’s biggest names are set to makeover Melbourne’s most recognisable smile.
All Australian midfielder Shane Edwards, Bombers spearhead Joe Daniher, star Hawthorn recruit Chad Wingard and veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein will attend Luna Park, St Kilda – where the historic amusement park’s face will undergo a footy makeover.
After preparing “Mr Moon’s” century old smile for the upcoming season, all four players will be available for interviews, before battling it out on some of the iconic park rides.
The Fox Footy launch was a more sedate affair, held in the private dining room at Chin Chin in Melbourne. The event was hosted by Eddie McGuire and guests included Foxtel executives, media, the host of the channel’s new Up The Guts show Lawrence Mooney plus the small army of former footballers and sports journalists who are the lifeblood of the channel.
That onscreen talent at the launch included Jonathan Brown, Sarah Jones, Kelli Underwood, Nick Riewoldt, Bob Murphy, Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton, Garry Lyon, Lawrence Mooney, Mark Robinson, Gerard Whateley, Sarah Olle, Tom Morris and Sharni Layton. They were also joined by Foxtel talent Bernard Curry (Wentworth) and Brooke Satchwell (Mr In Between).
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Photo: Patrick Delany (left) and Peter Campbell (right) at the Fox Footy launch
Why AFL legend Jonathan Brown turned down AFL Footy Show
The Herald Sun SuperCoach ambassador, who also co-hosts the Chrissie, Sam and Browny breakfast show on Nova FM was caught out live on air on Tuesday morning.
Hawthorn legend and guest of the show, Shane Crawford, let the cat out of the bag when asked to talk about the new look Footy Show, making it clear he had hoped to share the screen with the big man.
“Well I can tell you that they did try in the off season to recruit the one Jonathan Brown … but he shut it down,” he said.
“We took Sam Newman’s wage, we got rid of Sam, and we said: ‘Jonathan Brown is our man, we want Jonathan Brown’, and he shut it down.”
With his head hanging low, Browny then fessed up on his little secret.
“I love Channel 9, Channel 9 gave me my start and I love Channel 9 But I work at Fox Footy and I thoroughly enjoy my work at Fox Footy,” he said.
Nothing has changed with Channel 9’s NRL coverage over the years
Luckily the upstairs TV is connected to the old technology and I could take a trip back in time. All the way back to Channel 9.
I don’t know how long it’s been since I watched the Nine coverage of a club match but I can tell you one thing. It hasn’t changed a bit.
There they were just the way I’d left them all those years ago. Rabbits Warren and Gus Gould talking gibberish.
From time to time Sam Thaiday piped in with some original insights such as, “A kick is only as good as its chasers”, but it appeared his main contribution was to pop up in ads for the new Channel 9 post-match show, dressed in naught but a pair of budgie-smugglers and doing a bum wobble.
Obviously they are trying to raise the tone since the demise of The Footy Show.
Seemed to me the new program looked like a straight copy of The Matty Johns Show. It’s called The Knock Off but maybe The Rip Off would have been more apt.