Tuesday May 28, 2019

Rod Prosser
10’s Rod Prosser telling advertisers about 10’s big data deal, and its date

Network 10 is holding mid-year UpClose events for agencies this week. Key amongst the announcements is that from 1 July, 10 will make available multi-platform, multi-device, data-driven segments on its digital sites 10 Play and 10 Daily.

By James Manning

The segments will be backed by 10’s own first-party data and boosted by 10’s partnership with Lotame.

See also:
Network 10 chooses Lotame as it rolls out data solutions

From 1 July, 10 will have what it is calling a critical mass of an addressable cross-device audience on web, mobile, tablet and connected TVs, including iOS and Android, all linked to a 10 ID.

Network 10’s chief sales officer Rod Prosser said: “When we moved our sales team back in-house only six months ago, developing a sophisticated data strategy and rolling it out in market as fast as possible was a top priority. The great thing about our data strategy is that it is not burdened by legacy.

“The team has done a brilliant job accelerating this strategy and I’m really pleased that in just over a month, we will be able to take this solution to market.”

From July, the segments advertisers will be able to access with 10 will also include demographic information, household composition and lifestyle interests.

Prosser admitted to Mediaweek that 10 was “quite late” to the data party, but was now in a much better position. “We wanted to be in market as soon as we could. We don’t expect enormous to come through the door from day one, but we expect it to ramp up.”

When it comes to delivering BVOD audiences, Prosser said 10 is competing very well against Seven and Nine in the under 50 demo, depending on the property. “Programs like MasterChef have much bigger audiences on linear TV, whereas programs like The Bachelor do very well both on linear and on BVOD.”

Prosser added that the strong ratings performance of 10 Bold so far in 2019 has helped 10 secure business across its suite of multi-channels.

Regarding its major new format The Masked Singer, Prosser said it has already been taken to market. “We have been explaining what the show is all about and the various opportunities available.”

Network 10’s general manager data insights & analytics Gareth Tomlin said: “Our strongest asset is our under 50s audience. They engage with media differently. With our data solution, we will be combining the shows they love, the content they consume and how and when they watch these shows with Lotame’s extensive third-party data sets, one of the biggest in the world.

“We’ll continue to build richer segments through new data partnerships in the coming months. These audiences will be available across 10’s digital ecosystem and will give advertisers the ability to leverage their own data into 10’s ecosystem.”

10 Play is having its biggest year ever, with broadcast video on-demand viewing up 57% from the same point in 2018, while 10 Daily had its biggest month ever in April 2019. It recently launched in Nielsen Digital Content Ratings with a monthly unique audience of 716,000 unique visitors.

Over the past six months, 10 has announced technology partnerships with Tealium, Lotame, Braze and Telaria to support its data strategy.

See also:
Network 10 in partnership with customer engagement platform Braze

Network 10 races to the finish line with big event sports

Network 10 has reminded the market of its line-up of premium sport on offer to all Australians, live and free in Q4:

From the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Gold Coast, Bathurst, Sandown and Newcastle Supercars Championship rounds, the Australian MotoGP and “the race that stops a nation” – The Lexus Melbourne Cup – viewers will have an access all areas pass to the heart stopping action, excitement and euphoria synonymous with these big sport events.

10 Sport will be transforming the way viewers get to experience and interact with the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

10 Sport’s innovative and state of the art broadcast will not only boast leading edge technology and renowned international expert Francesca Cumani, it will be flanked by additional exclusive content housed on 10 Play, 10 Daily and a brand-new podcast on 10 Speaks.

With a multi-studio set-up across Flemington Racecourse viewers will get unprecedented access to jockey’s, trainers, owner’s, celebrities and of course all the fashions on the field over the Carnival’s four days.

Studio 10 and The Project will also broadcast live from the track and some of 10’s most popular prime-time programs including The Bachelor Australia, The Living Room, Neighbours, 10 News First and Sports Tonight will feature a plethora of exclusive coverage, stories and cleverly woven storylines that will further complement the offering.

Network 10’s head of sport Matt White (pictured) will be leading 10’s on-air team, along with Cumani, with more announcements made on the hosting line-up in the coming months.

White said: “We’re gearing up to transform the multi-platform coverage of the Melbourne Cup Carnival which will, for the first time, include a multi-layered digital hub.

“At 10, we do things differently and we’re welcoming back the Melbourne Cup Carnival to 10 with a bang. Our editorial philosophy is ‘Access all Areas’ and this is exactly how we’re approaching our coverage and what we’ll be offering to audiences, advertisers and partners,” he said.

10 and WIN Network secure new celebrity singing competition

Global smash hit celebrity singing competition and the world’s biggest masquerade party, The Masked Singer, has found its Australian home on 10 and WIN Network.

10 is branding the new format an “unmissable family event”.

Each week The Masked Singer will feature celebrities facing off against one another with one major twist: each singer is disguised head-to-toe in an elaborate costume to conceal their identity.

With each sensational performance, the host, panellists, viewers and even the other contestants are left guessing who is singing behind the mask.

From hit makers to legendary athletes, not every celebrity will have a musical background, but each competitor will have the eye of the tiger working towards the ultimate goal of becoming the last singer to be unmasked.

Already a viral phenomenon with over half a billion fans worldwide, and the biggest unscripted TV launch on US television in close to a decade, Rolling Stone referred to The Masked Singer as “truly avant-garde TV,” while The Guardian wrote, “this might actually be the best televised singing competition of the last decade”.

The program will be produced by Warner Bros. Australia.

On commissioning the series, Network 10’s chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We are so thrilled to have The Masker Singer on 10.

“It is genuinely original, addictive and a little bit bonkers. It is not that often that you get to launch something that feels so unique and exciting. We cannot wait to get going and have the whole country playing along.”

Warner Bros. Australia CEO Michael Brooks said: “Australian TV audiences are screaming out for something fresh, exciting and original. The Masked Singer is not a singing show, it’s an addictive guessing game that will have the entire country asking one question…who is behind the mask?”

Return of 10’s Pilot Week attracts major production companies

Back for its second year, 10’s Pilot Week 2019 is promising fresh, funny and thought-provoking home grown content that’s set to get viewers talking.

From the larger than life reality of Sydney’s Crazy Rich Asians and I Am…Roxy!, to the heart-warming My 80 Year Old Flatmate, hilarious Part Time Privates and controversial Catfish Australia, Pilot Week 2019 could offer something for almost everyone.

Network 10 chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We were so thrilled with the quality and creativity we achieved with our partners in the production community for Pilot Week last year. We can’t wait to see how this year’s projects deliver.

“It is clear that more domestic content is what our audiences really crave, and we are working hard to ensure we can provide an innovative and diverse slate of local shows.”

Pilot Week 2019 will include

Part Time Privates

Two mothers at a local primary school decide to start a home-based private investigation business so they can enjoy flexible working hours. As their business unexpectedly thrives, they find themselves thrown deep into the world of working ‘undercover’; moving between school pick-ups, dance group and lunch orders, to threesomes, insurance fraud and failed relationships. Starring Heidi Arena and Nicola Parry.

Produced by CJZ. CJZ executive producers Toni Malone and Nick Murray. Network 10 executive producer Paul Leadon.

Sydney’s Crazy Rich Asians

Money, shopping, cars, events and glamour. Sydney’s Crazy Rich Asians follows the opulent lives of six very “extra” characters and their local fixer who waits on their every want and need…no matter the cost.

Produced by Screentime, a Banijay Group company. Screentime executive producer Johnny Lowry. Network 10 executive producer Paul Leadon.

I Am…Roxy!

No publicity is bad publicity. Delve head first into the daily madness of PR guru, publicist, talent manager, reality star, author and mum-of-two, Roxy Jacenko. This entertaining and comedic access-all-areas pilot pries into Roxy’s everyday life behind her world of high glamour and outrageous excess.

Produced by Matchbox Pictures and Two Scoops Media. Matchbox Pictures executive producer Debbie Byrne. Two Scoops Media executive Producer Michael Wipfli. Network 10 executive producer Ciaran Flannery.

Catfish Australia

Pop idol Casey Donovan joins Walkley-nominated documentarian Patrick Abboud on the quest to uncover the truth about online relationships. Coming to the aid of every day Aussies who have suspicions about their internet beau, Casey and Patrick will join forces to uncover the real identities behind the hot online profiles.

Produced by Eureka Productions. Eureka Productions executive producer Tom Richardson. Network 10 executive producer Ciaran Flannery.

My 80 Year Old Flatmate

It’s reality TV with heart, as older Aussies offer cheap rent to hard-up millennials in exchange for company and help around the house. Creating surprising friendships and mutually-beneficial relationships, it’s a look into what can happen when you take the leap across the generation gap.

Produced by Screentime, a Banijay Group company. Screentime executive producer Johnny Lowry. Network 10 executive producer Paul Leadon.

Former Bauer stars rise at Pacific in key digital content and video roles

Pacific has announced two appointments as part of its strategy to accelerate digital growth.

Lucy Chesterton (pictured) joins the business in the role of digital content director and Keshnee Kemp has been promoted to head of video.

Pacific CEO Gereurd Roberts said: “For more than a year, we have seen continued and consistent growth in our digital audiences and, over the past few months alone, a five-fold increase in the number of video streams. These appointments will further strengthen our offering as we look to double down on our digital strategy, enhance our leadership position and drive additional revenue through original content.”

As digital content director, Chesterton will be responsible for digital audience and content strategy, creation and delivery across all Pacific brands overseeing editorial categories including lifestyle, news and news video.

Chesterton joins Pacific following three years as the head of Yahoo! Lifestyle. Prior to that, she held roles at MailOnline, Bauer Media and the Nine Network as well as a stint at Pacific in 2013.

Chesterton said: “I’m excited to join Pacific at this time of rapid digital growth. I can’t wait to work with Australia’s best-loved premium brands as we take our digital offering into the next industry-defining phase.”

In the newly created role of head of video, Kemp will be responsible for video content strategy including the ideation, creation and production of original video content.

Keshnee Kemp

Kemp joined Pacific in May 2018 as the editor and content director of Who. In February, she added to her duties taking on the role of acting digital content director overseeing digital content across Pacific’s stable of brands. In that time, Kemp helped to deliver a record high unique audience of 2.85m, up 42% year-on-year and launched multiple podcast series, as well as The Who 100 List, a cross-platform travel product for the Who brand.

Kemp said: “I’m looking forward to further utilising the skillsets I’ve developed across print, digital and TV production to tell stories that resonate with our audiences through video. We’re embarking on an exciting new chapter at Pacific and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to lead an innovative team in creating engaging, first-to-market content that both our audiences and clients will love.”

Kemp’s promotion sees Stacey Hicks take on the role of editor of Who. Hicks first joined Pacific in 2009, and following a stint at The Sydney Morning Herald, she returned to the position of features writer and health editor for that’s life! magazine. She was then promoted to deputy editor for that’s life!, the youngest in the title’s 25-year history.

In 2018, Hicks was appointed editor and content director for Australia’s only media brand for Gen Z females, Girlfriend. She has continued the work of this powerhouse heritage brand and her newly expanded role will see her build on an intimate knowledge of youth audiences as she oversees both Girlfriend and Who.

Roberts said: “Since joining Pacific, Stacey has quickly climbed the ranks within the entertainment group. She has proven herself as a leader within the company, launching Pacific’s internship program as well as taking time to mentor junior staff members. Who is Australia’s most premium entertainment brand, with a high-valued audience of influential women and we are excited for Stacey to take the reins.”

The Who digital audience jumped 160% from June 2018 to March 2019 alongside New Idea which grew 86% for the same period. New Idea reached 6.4 million page views in March, 24% month-on-month average growth this year. More broadly, Pacific has seen user engagements increase for FY19 Q3 with monthly UAs up 21% with page views rising 34% in comparison to Q2.

Online ad revenue for Q1 2019 down, year-on-year growth continues

Online advertising has continued to climb in Australia with revenues increasing 4.9% year on year to reach $2.2billion for the first quarter of 2019.

The data which was drawn from the IAB Australia Online Advertising Expenditure Report (OAER) published today by PwC, also showed that video, mobile and classified advertising were the stand out performers, increasing year on year by 15%, 26% and 7% respectively.

Consistent with previous years, online advertising expenditure in the first quarter of 2019 softened slightly compared to the seasonally more active December 2018 quarter, decreasing by 4.3% overall. Within this, whilst the general display and search and directories segments contracted, classifieds grew 6% in the March quarter 2019 compared to the December 2018. This classifieds growth was experienced across all three reported sectors – recruitment, real estate and automotive.

Gai Le Roy, CEO of IAB Australia commented: “There is little doubt that the advertising market is tough across all platforms, but within the breadth of digital advertising there were still bright spots. The classifieds sector again had a strong March quarter and the display market saw an increased share for government/political spend which will continue into the June quarter numbers. Yet again video continues to gain share in the display sector.”

Search and directories maintained its overall share of online advertising expenditure at 44% to reach $977.6m for the quarter, while classifieds reached $426.2m, a 20% share of spend and general display advertising is now 36% of spend at $799m.

Video represented the largest share of general display expenditure in March 2019 quarter at 46%, followed by content, native and infeed at 35% and standard display formats at 18%. Each of these segments has a component of mobile advertising expenditure with mobile advertising making up 66% of total general display expenditure, an increase from the December 2018 quarter.

Media agencies were the preferred buying method for display advertising viewed on content publishers’ inventory with some 58% bought via media agencies via an IO / non-programmatic method. 29% of general display advertising was bought programmatically with either fixed CPM and guaranteed inventory (6%) or with a variable CPM based on real time bidding via an exchange or private market place (23%). The share of general display advertising bought programmatically decreased 5% compared to the prior quarter.

The report also found that 32% of video advertising expenditure for content publishers was driven by viewing via a connected TV in the March quarter, with 39% viewed on a desktop and 29% via mobile.

Automotive, Real Estate and Finance lead the General Display advertising market revenue, representing 37.0% of the reported General Display advertising market for the March quarter. The same three industry categories made up 33.4% of General Display in December 2018 quarter. Government’s share of general display increased to 5.0% from 3.1% in the lead up to the May 2019 federal election.

Box Office: Disney finds box office magic with Aladdin

Last week Disney lost its stranglehold on the top spot of the Australian box office when Avengers: Endgame slid down two spots to third, but it only took a week for them to find their way back to the top with a new cash cow in Aladdin.

By Trent Thomas

They now have two films in the top five with Endgame still hanging around in fourth place, although with its overall total at $80.82m after five weeks it is looking less and less likely it will get the $115.76m required for all the time Australian record, or even the $94.03m required for second place.

The other new entry this week is the horror film Brightburn which is the story of an alien boy who uses his superpowers to terrorise the surrounding town. The two films to drop out of the top five this week were the comedy The Hustle (three weeks, $5.69m) and the Australian rom-com Top End Wedding which finally slides out of the top five after four weeks making $4.40m.

Overall it was a good week at the Australian box office reversing the three week slide of consecutive declining revenue totals, after bringing home $16.65m for a 19% increase.

#1 Aladdin $7.59m

Disney has continued its recent success at the Australian box office with its latest release, a re-imaging of the 1992 animated classic Aladdin topping the box office in its first week in theatres. The film has a lot to live up to with the original making an international gross of $918.18m (adjusted for inflation) and a domestic total of $23,802,000 (adjusted for inflation). Although the latest rendition of the middle eastern folk tale has gotten off to a good start after making an average of $13,131 on 578 screens (highest amount this weekend) and is on target to cruise past the $12.06m made by fellow Disney remake Dumbo.

 

#2 John Wick: Chapter Three $2.83m

Still a relative underdog after being shown on the least amount of screens out of the top five last week, John Wick only clocks in at fourth with 259 screens, but with a very strong average of $10,996 and a declines of only 32% which sees the film produce a strong result as it finds itself in the second spot.

 

#3 Pokemon: Detective Pikachu $1.71m

Dropping one spot but still bringing home a strong total, averaging $5,954 over 288 screens, Detective Pikachu has seen its overall total grow to an impressive $11.70m after only three weeks. 

 

#4 Avengers: Endgame $1.552m

Still the second most screened film (350 screens) in Australia on the weekend, Endgame continues to plough forward despite another 50% decline. Easily cruising past the $1m threshold again, the film managed an average of $4,363 per screen during its fifth week in theatres.

 

#5 Brightburn $754,907

The horror film managed to scrape into the top five in its first week in theatres managing to edge out The Hustle which made $723,759. It was the least shown film of the top five only appearing on 247 screens but it managed an average of $3,056.

 

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TV Ratings Analysis: May 27

• The Voice a winner again halfway through Blind Auditions
• MasterChef eliminates another cook on one of 10’s best Mondays
• Pilot Week champ Kinne Tonight returns with bigger audience

Monday Week 22 2019

By James Manning 

• Seven News 1,150,000/1,094,000
• Nine News 1,051,000/989,000
• A Current Affair 865,000
• ABC News 755,000
• 7.30 682,000
• The Project 325,000/502,000
• 10 News First 441,000
• SBS World News 148,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 268,000
• Today 215,000

Seven

Home And Away and House Rules were both over 700,000 last night.

The daily soap was on 759,000. It’s week 21 average was 653,000, close to week 20’s 649,000.

House Rules Monday did 735,000 after 740,000 on Sunday this week and 668,000 on Monday last week.

The US drama 9-1-1 followed with 433,000 after 416,000 a week ago.

Nine

A wannabe rock star was exposed on A Current Affair as it started a new week on 865,000. The show’s week 21 average was 734,000, after 735,000 in week 20.

The Voice is halfway through the longish Blind Audition episodes. The audience is thriving on it though with 952,000 last night after 1.09m on Sunday and 962,000 on Monday last week.

A Nine music special followed with 287,000 watching Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul.

10

The channel had one of its best Mondays of the year, only behind the night of the Dancing with the Stars final. Last night 10 was #1 in key demos.

MasterChef said goodbye to Leah last night with 16 contestants left. Although women well outnumbered men when the contest launched this year, the numbers have evened up now with eight women left from the original 15. The episode did 651,000 after 644,000 on Sunday and 600,000 on Monday last week.

Have You Been Paying Attention? drew the channel’s biggest audience of the night with 741,000, well up from 673,000 a week ago.

The winner of last year’s Pilot Week Troy Kinne was finally back on air with his prize – a commissioned series of Kinne Tonight. The season launched with 389,000, narrowly ahead of the audience of 378,000 that watched hit pilot last year. The show was also #1 in its timeslot.

Earlier in the night The Project was just over half a million at 7pm.

At 6pm Celebrity Name Game started its week on 275,000. It’s week 21 average was 232,000.

ABC

Australian Story was on 596,000 after 8pm as it revisited Andrew Mallard and his troubles with wrongful conviction.

Four Corners featured a French report on the Notre Dame fire that featured images that still shock over a month after the blaze. The audience was on 470,000 after 492,000 last week.

Media Watch featured Prue MacSweens’ greatest TV moments with 454,000 watching.

Q&A then did 372,000.

SBS

Great American Railroad Journeys was on 179,000.

The audience grew to 310,000 for the second week of Medicine Or Myth? It launched last week on 333,000 and was the #2 SBS show for the week.

24 Hours In Emergency then did 207,000.

Week 22 TV: Monday
 MONDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC13.5%718.8%920.7%10 14.8%SBS One5.9%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.2%7TWO2.8%GO!2.6%10 Bold3.1%VICELAND1.2%
ABC ME0.6%7mate3.4%GEM3.0%10 Peach1.9%Food Net0.9%
ABC NEWS1.1%7flix1.6%9Life1.5%  NITV0.1%
  7Food0.4%      
TOTAL17.4% 27.0% 27.7% 19.8% 8.1%

 

MONDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC12.2%721.0%916.2%WIN11.2%SBS One5.6%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.9%7TWO3.6%GO!2.8%WIN Bold3.7%VICELAND0.9%
ABC ME1.0%7mate4.1%GEM5.4%WIN Peach2.2%Food Net0.9%
ABC NEWS1.1%7flix (Excl. Tas/WA)1.4%9Life1.3%Sky News  on WIN1.7%NITV0.2%
  7food (QLD only)0.7%      
TOTAL17.2% 30.7% 25.7% 18.8% 7.6%

 

MONDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
86.3%13.7%
Monday FTA
  1. Seven News Seven 1,150,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 1,094,000
  3. Nine News Nine 1,051,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 989,000
  5. The Voice Nine 952,000
  6. A Current Affair Nine 865,000
  7. Home And Away Seven 759,000
  8. ABC News ABC 755,000
  9. Have You Been Paying Attention? 10 741,000
  10. House Rules Seven 735,000
  11. The Chase Australia Seven 684,000
  12. 7.30 ABC 682,000
  13. Masterchef Australia   10 651,000
  14. Australian Story ABC 596,000
  15. Hot Seat Nine 576,000
  16. The Project 7pm 10 502,000
  17. Four Corners ABC 470,000
  18. Media Watch ABC 454,000
  19. 10 News First 10 441,000
  20. 9-1-1 Seven 433,000
Demo Top 5

16-39 Top Five

  1. Have You Been Paying Attention? 10 262,000
  2. Masterchef Australia   10 226,000
  3. The Voice Nine 185,000
  4. Home And Away Seven 165,000
  5. House Rules Seven 161,000

 

18-49 Top Five

  1. Have You Been Paying Attention? 10 419,000
  2. The Voice Nine 384,000
  3. Masterchef Australia   10 329,000
  4. Nine News Nine 286,000
  5. Nine News 6:30 Nine 272,000

 

25-54 Top Five

  1. Have You Been Paying Attention? 10 449,000
  2. The Voice Nine 431,000
  3. Masterchef Australia   10 347,000
  4. Nine News Nine 338,000
  5. Nine News 6:30 Nine 324,000
Monday Multichannel
  1. Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 166,000
  2. Bluey ABCKIDS/COMEDY 154,000
  3. Molly And Mack PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
  4. Dino Dana ABCKIDS/COMEDY 152,000
  5. Rusty Rivets ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000
  6. Fireman Sam PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  7. Neighbours 10 Peach 149,000
  8. Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 147,000
  9. Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
  10. PJ Masks AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 140,000
  11. Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 140,000
  12. Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 140,000
  13. Nella The Princess Knight AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 139,000
  14. School Of Roars PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
  15. Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
  16. Bob The Builder PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 137,000
  17. Hey Duggee AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 133,000
  18. New Tricks 9Gem 130,000
  19. Bondi Rescue Ep 2 (R) 10 Bold 129,000
  20. Play School AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 126,000
Monday STV
  1. Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 94,000
  2. Live: On The Couch FOX FOOTY 82,000
  3. Game Of Thrones: The Last Watch FOX SHOWCASE 74,000
  4. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 74,000
  5. The Bolt Report Sky News Live 71,000
  6. Credlin Sky News Live 66,000
  7. Family Guy FOX8 56,000
  8. Live: AFL Mid Season Draft FOX FOOTY 54,000
  9. Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 52,000
  10. Border Security: Australia’s Front Line FOX8 51,000
  11. The Simpsons FOX8 51,000
  12. Game Of Thrones: The Last Watch FOX SHOWCASE 51,000
  13. The Simpsons FOX8 49,000
  14. Family Guy FOX8 49,000
  15. Kenny On Media Sky News Live 43,000
  16. Border Security: Australia’s Front Line FOX8 41,000
  17. Live: ICC World Cup Warm Up FOX CRICKET 41,000
  18. Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 35,000
  19. Top 20 Funniest FOX8 35,000
  20. Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 34,000

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

Seven West Media acquires full stake in Community News

Seven West Media has bought the 50.1% of WA’s Community News owned by News Corp Australia.

This marks the second major investment in print recently following Antony Catalano’s purchase of Nine Entertainment’s Australian Community Media.

Community News, which has been run as a joint venture between Seven West and News Corp, will be based at SWM WA’s headquarters in Osborne Park effective from July 1.

Community News’ 23 titles, which include Western Suburbs Weekly, Joondalup Times, Fremantle Gazette and The Advocate, will be added to Seven West’s existing stable of The West Australian, The Sunday Times, The Kalgoorlie Miner, Countryman and more than a dozen regional titles across the state.

“Seven West Media is now delighted to announce that we will be acquiring the remaining shares that it does not already own in Community News, a business with deep connections and engagement within the local communities of Perth and Mandurah,” SWM WA chief executive Maryna Fewster (Pictured) said in an email to SWM staff.

“Seven West Media ownership of Community News will officially commence today. Community News is a business that we are very familiar with and we know that it will complement our existing audiences and media assets in Western Australia.

“As part of the acquisition, we will be relocating the current operations from Stirling Street Perth to our offices in Osborne Park in late June.”

SWM WA chief operating officer Adam Everett will oversee the new business, working with Community Newspaper group chief executive Paul Eteen-Bliss.

The Daily Telegraph to use Rebel Wilson ruling in Geoffrey Rush appeal

Lawyers for Sydney’s Daily Telegraph have questioned a ruling in the case of Rebel Wilson as they launch an appeal against actor Geoffrey Rush’s win in a high-profile defamation battle, reports ABC News’ Jamie McKinnell.

During a hearing on Monday, Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko noted part of Nationwide News’ appeal cited a ruling on damages in the Wilson matter.

Wilson was initially awarded more than $4.7 million in her case against Bauer Media, but the payout was reduced on appeal to $600,000.

The court initially found the cap of $389,500 on general damages for non-economic loss in defamation proceedings did not apply due to the defendant’s conduct and a finding of aggravation.

The Telegraph’s barrister, Clarissa Amato, referred to the interpretation as “plainly wrong” and said it ought not to be followed.

“In our appeal, we say that if that’s found to be wrong, then the finding of aggravation in this case would therefore mean that the cap would not necessarily have been exceeded simply by reason of that finding,” she told the court.

Justice Wigney rejected the application, but reserved his decision on a separate application by Rush’s legal team for an injunction preventing the newspaper from republishing the allegations at the centre of the case.

Justice Besanko gave the Telegraph until June 7 to file an amended notice of appeal before a second case management hearing on June 12.

[Read the original]

Rob Hotchin appointed digital group sales manager Seven Melbourne

Seven West Media’s head of digital sales Melbourne Luke Smith has announced the appointment of Rob Hotchin (pictured) as digital group sales manager – Melbourne.

Hotchin, who has started in his new role, joins Seven from Facebook, where he held the role of client partner. Prior to that he was a sales sirector at global digital advertising specialist – Exponential.

Smith said: “Over the past 18 months, as we’ve executed our strategy to fully own and operate our direct to consumer digital products we have rapidly scaled our digital sales operation, adding over 35 highly passionate team members to realise our goal to become a market leading digital business.

“Great people are the foundation of it all and we’re delighted to welcome someone with Rob’s experience at such an exciting time. In April, Seven West Media recorded its highest ever digital audience of 5.7 million, with 7plus achieving the highest share of CFTA BVOD viewing in a rapidly growing market. And we’re extremely encouraged by the launch of 7NEWS.com.au which is already exceeding all audience and revenue projections.

“But we’re only scratching the surface. Next year we will host the biggest digital event in Australian history – the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Rob will play a key role in ensuring our clients maximise their return on investment from our ‘Total Video’ approach to the games, across Broadcast, BVOD, Social and Digital Publishing. The coverage of this remarkable event will be like nothing we’ve seen before!”

Hotchin said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Seven at this exciting moment in its digital story. Its work to retake full ownership of its digital properties has seen tremendous success, and I look forward to working with the great team already in place to continue this success into the future.”

QMS promotes Andrew Robertson to Victorian state sales manager

QMS Media has promoted Andrew Robertson (pictured) to the role of Victorian state sales manager. Robertson joined the QMS team three years ago from Nova Entertainment and prior to that was at oOh! Media.

Most recently he has been managing major agencies at QMS NSW.

Commenting on his appointment Robertson said: “With so much change in the media landscape, it is an exciting time to be at QMS. We have a clear story, a significant growth trajectory and the tools to deliver more intelligent outdoor media solutions to our clients. It is an absolute privilege to be joining such a strong and established team here in Melbourne as QMS continue to differentiate ourselves as a powerful and competitive alternative in the outdoor media industry.”

John O’Neill, QMS Australia CEO, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Andrew to Melbourne, as we focus on building deeper connections and engagement opportunities for our clients through our network of premium digital assets. Andrew will be integral in driving revenue, building on our agency partnerships and increasing overall market presence in Victoria.”

Robertson takes on the Victorian state sales manager role from Deb Webb, as she takes parental leave to welcome the birth of her daughter.

News Brands

Wealth war: After News Corp initiative, AFR’s Rich List extends to 250

The Australian pre-empted The AFR’s Rich List this year with its Richest 250 from former AFR list editor John Stensholt who defected to News Corp Australia last year.

At the end of this week, The AFR Rich List releases its 2019 rankings and the editor of the list Michael Bailey explains:

Australia’s 201st to 250th wealthiest people will also be revealed.

Rich Listers have to be richer than ever before to earn the title, and poor years for the likes of vitamin mogul Marcus Blackmore and platform pioneer Bruce Neill mean they fall just outside the list of the 200 wealthiest Australians this year.

The cut-off of $472 million for the 2019 Financial Review Rich List, to be published on Friday, is an all-time record.

Accompanying the Rich List proper is a “just missed” list of the 201st to 250th wealthiest people. Given that the total wealth of those on the list increased to $341.8 billion from $282.7 billion in 2018, even some who grew their wealth modestly have fallen off, such as 201-ranked Tony Haggarty.

[Read the original]

Former political editor of The West Australian joins Nine Perth

Nine News has welcomed the appointment of Perth investigative reporter Gary Adshead to the role of state political editor.

Adshead has long been one of Western Australia’s foremost journalists and was most recently state political editor of The West Australian, before leaving the newspaper in April.

Adshead was named West Australian journalist of the year at the 2018 WA Media Awards and has won multiple awards for his investigations of organised crime, politics and breaking news, including the lead in the drinking water scandal at the new Perth Children’s Hospital.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gary to Nine News,” said Michael Best, the recently appointed director of news for Nine Perth. “He is without a doubt one of WA’s foremost journalists. He breaks the biggest and most important stories in Perth.

“I have long admired Gary’s work, going right back to when he was the only TV reporter on the HMAS Adelaide rescue of yachtsman Tony Bullimore. He brings with him a wealth of experience, contacts, and a ‘take no prisoners’ approach to finding the truth. He will be a great asset to Nine News as we look to continue our growth in the six o’clock bulletin in the West.”

A journalist since 1984, Adshead has worked across television, radio and print. His early years included time at A Current Affair. He has also worked as the mornings and drive program host on Radio 6PR and as a trusted political commentator and columnist on political affairs in Western Australia.

“In many ways, returning to Nine is like coming home,” said Adshead. “Some of my biggest reporting moments were during my time with Nine News and A Current Affair. I’m now looking forward to breaking and telling the stories that matter to West Australians each night in the news bulletin.”

Photo: The West Australian

Seven forced to credit podcast in Sunday Night conman story

Seven’s Sunday Night program has been forced to acknowledge The Australian’s podcast Who the Hell is Hamish? after the show aired audio from the podcast without any credit, reports The Australian’s Sascha O’Sullivan.

Sunday Night host Melissa Doyle spoke to victims of conman Hamish McLaren, who swindled millions of dollars away from several Australian women, and used audio from the original podcast without any credit or acknowledgment.

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Television

Directors Guild and Fremantle sign industrial agreement for Neighbours

The Australian Directors Guild (ADG) and Fremantle have signed an agreement covering all directors working on the long-running TV soap Neighbours.

This is the first agreement of its type in Australia for directors and follows an agreement between the ADG with Disney late last year for the offshore show Reef Break and precedes a major agreement with Screen Producers Australia (SPA) for TV Drama.

“This is an historic moment for the ADG as it is the first industrial agreement for directors in Australian television,” said Kingston Anderson CEO of the ADG.

“We have been negotiating with Fremantle for some time and, with new CEO Chris Oliver Taylor at the helm, the company has worked with constructively with the ADG for the best outcome for both directors and this iconic show.”

The Neighbours agreement encompasses a revised tiered wage structure that considers factors such as experience. It also ensures the potential for review.

“The ADG hopes this will be the beginning of a series of agreements in the industry that will benefit both directors and producers of Australian television,” Anderson continued. “We hope that other production companies producing television dramas with engage with the ADG to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.”

The Australian Directors Guild (ADG) represents the interests of film, television and digital media directors, documentary makers and animators throughout Australia.

Waleed Aly speaks about son’s autism diagnosis on The Project

Waleed Aly has opened up about his son’s autism diagnosis, describing the moment he and his wife found out as a relief, reports news.com.au’s Hannah Paine.

Discussing a segment about comedian Tom Gleisner’s work with Learning For Life Autism Centre, Aly spoke about how finding out his son Zayd had autism “opened up doors”.

“I know when we got our diagnosis for our son we actually had the opposite reaction to the guy in the package,” Aly said on Monday night.

“I didn’t worry, it didn’t hit me in the face – it actually explained a lot of things and it opened up doors.”

The Project host, who rarely speaks about his personal life, said that with the relief came the realisation that his approach to parenting had to change.

“Then what happens is you’ve got to try and reorientate everything, so that you’re communicating with the kid in a way that actually works with the way their brain works,” Aly explained.

[Read the original]

Who is TV Week Gold Logie nominee Costa Georgiadis?

When the majority of Aussie TV viewers hear the name Costa Georgiadis, they probably think to themselves, “Who?” reports news.com.au’s Andrew Bucklow.

But that’s all about to change now that Georgiadis, who has hosted Gardening Australia on the ABC since 2012, has been nominated for a Gold Logie.

“I’m sort of a little bit overwhelmed, but super stoked,” he said of the nomination. “It’s such good news for Gardening Australia in our 30th birthday year. To get this recognition and this level of support, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Younger viewers may also recognise the bearded personality as Costa the Garden Gnome, who makes up the cast of ABC Kids’ show Get Grubby TV with Dirtgirl and Scrapboy.

“I was on Hey Hey It’s Saturday as part of the successful duo known as The Hellenic Rebirth Brothers doing a piece called The Yodel Rap,” Georgiadis told news.com.au. “It was a combination of Austrian yodelling and hardcore rapping. When you combine those two the result can be earth shaking and compost building.”

From 2009 to 2011 Georgiadis hosted SBS show Costa’s Garden Odyssey before he was recruited by the ABC to replace Peter Cundall as host of Gardening Australia.

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