Some of the biggest TV audiences this year have been for live music shows – Australian live music too. The Fire Fight Australia concert in February on Seven delivered them a huge Sunday audience across the afternoon and into the night.

The Anzac Day Music from the Home Front special also delivered a good crowd for Nine. And it brought together producer Saul Shtein and the Mushroom Group, working with Adrian Swift at Nine.

Now the ABC is now meeting audience demand for a program showcasing live music. Just days ago it commissioned The Sound, and after some deft work pulling it all together, the Mushroom Vision delivers the first episode this week to be screened at 5.30pm Sunday.

Every week across six initial episodes hosts – music aficionado Jane Gazzo (triple j, Chanel [V], Recovery) and Double J’s Zan Rowe – will be joined by a special co-host.

Jane Gazzo (Photo by Tony Mott)

Helping pull it all together for Mushroom Vision is producer Saul Shtein – a TV veteran best known for his achievements on the sporting arena. “There is a lot of synergy between sport and music,” Shtein told Mediaweek.

“Athletes and musicians both want to do their very, very best and to entertain people. I am very excited about this project and to be able to work with the great team at Mushroom.”

The aim will be for the ABC to have enough confidence in what the initial six episodes show to commission a longer series for the future. “You should be asking the ABC about that, but that is our hope and the dream for anybody who makes any TV show.

“The quality of what we have been doing is great and the format of the program offers variety so hopefully the viewers will come and stay. Sometimes we tend to take for granted just how talented our local artists are and seeing them performing live will remind people how good they are.

“We will be showcasing raw talent. When it is presented live it is very real, with an integrity to it. I think people will be saying ‘How good is this’.”

The ABC only greenlit the program recently. “From them saying ready, set, go we have had little more than a week to deliver the first episode.” That episode is to arrive at the ABC today ahead of the first episode broadcast on Sunday.

“The team at Mushroom, who I was also lucky enough to work with on Music from the Home Front, have done a great job under the leadership of creative director Tom Macdonald who pulled it all together. Anna Toman and Susan Heyman organised all the acts. To get all this done in literally hours has been an extraordinary performance.

Shtein added: “None of it would have happened without the passion and guidance of Michael Gudinski. Working with him has been an incredible experience – he gets involved in all detail no matter how big or small.”

Shtein is no stranger to music TV. While working as Nine’s head of Wide World of Sports he was pulled aside to launch MTV in Australia on the network in 1987. After establishing the brand here as part of the Nine offering, Shtein returned to sport, handing the reigns of MTV to one of his Wide World of Sports colleagues, an up-and-coming producer called Mark Fennessy.

Better TV experience would be hard to find – Shtein did a total of 17 years with Nine, then nine years with Fox Sports and 15 with Seven where he was also head of sport.

After spending so many years in TV working on sport and music, Shtein said he can’t help but watch TV as a producer. “It’s a sad thing, my wife and children have had to put up with it across the years.” It has rubbed off on the family too. Shtein’s daughter Caitlin is at Sky News and his eldest son is a sport cameraman.

Episode 1 of The Sound

Sunday’s premiere episode sees music lover and acting great Bryan Brown co-host alongside Jane and Zan. There are performances from artists including Mark Seymour and the Undertow, Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey, Sean Sennett, Eskimo Joe, DMA’s, BENEE, Lime Cordiale and a very special exclusive preview performance by Nick Cave.

Mark Seymour and the Undertow

Production Credits: A Mushroom Vision production in association with ABC.
Producer Saul Shtein. Executive Producer Michael Gudinski. ABC Executive Producer Janet Gaeta.

—

Top Photo: Saul Shtein

All of Bauer Media Australia’s employees, the ownership of its print and digital assets, including those brands recently acquired by Bauer from Pacific Magazines, and Bauer’s New Zealand mastheads have now transferred to Mercury Capital.

Bauer Media previously announced it had agreed to sell its Australian publishing business to Mercury Capital.

Mercury Capital has aquired all of Bauer Media Australia’s print and digital assets which cover Women’s Entertainment & Lifestyle; Fashion, Beauty & Health; Homes; Food; Motoring & Trader lifestyle categories.

The agreement also includes those brands recently acquired by Bauer from Pacific Magazines and Bauer’s New Zealand mastheads. Mercury Capital is expected to resurrect some of the key New Zealand titles including Listener, North & South and Metro. Mercury is led by Kiwi-born Clark Perkins and features prominent NZ business figures on its board.

Veit Dengler, Bauer Media COO said: “Bauer Media remains committed to magazine publishing. This decision supports our strategy to invest in our market leading brands where we believe we are best placed to do so.

“We have been proud to be the custodian of these iconic brands in Australia. I would like to thank our talented teams for their commitment and the contribution they have made to Bauer Media. I wish them well for the future.”

Stephanie Famolaro from digital advertising company The Trade Desk joins the Mediaweek podcast to talk about the massive impact Covid-19 is having on consumers and how they are staying connected with the media this year. One of the boom categories is BVOD.

Stephanie Famolaro

Mercado & Manning talk TV

The TV shows being reviewed this week include One Night Only: The Beatles, Micallef On the Sauce, Wentworth, programming on 10 Shake, the movies premiering on TV including Mr Dundee, Walter Mercado and Eurovision: Fire Saga plus James discovers the Just Watch app and Andrew talks about “alternative histories” on Plot Against America, Man in the High Castle and Noughts + Crosses.

Listen to the new Mediaweek podcasts here.

Nine commentators, pit reporters and presenters will bring ARG’s racing categories to life, with a minimum of three hours per day of free-to-air broadcasting, on top of the all day live streaming on 7plus.

Hosting the coverage will be Seven’s lead sports broadcaster Mark Beretta. It will be a return to Australian motorsport circuits for Beretta, who was part of the Supercars coverage with Seven from 2007 to 2014.

Joining Beretta in a host role will be rising media talent Abbey Way. The 29-year-old hosts AFL and cricket for Seven, as well as its reality program House Rules. This year, she will add motorsport to her resume.

Calling the shots for the classes such as TCR Australia, S5000, Touring Car Masters, Trans Am and more will be a wealth of professional talent, including Greg Rust, Matt Naulty, Richard Craill and Cameron van den Dungen.

And the three will work pit lane will know their way around the garages. Jack Perkins (Supercars endurance driver), Molly Taylor (2016 Australian Rally champion and TCR driver) and Jessica Dane (part-owner of Triple Eight Race Engineering) will give television viewers the inside line from pit road.

Every moment of Saturday and Sunday track action, from 9am-5pm, will be broadcast on Seven’s digital offering 7plus.

In addition to the live stream, 7mate will feature a minimum of three hours per day of free-to-air coverage.

Racing categories that will feature on the channels of Seven include TCR Australia, S5000, Touring Car Masters, Trans Am and more, plus the brand-new Bathurst International event in November.

The opening event is slated for September 4-6 at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Matt Braid, CEO Australian Racing Group, said: “It is a pleasure to announce our commentary team in conjunction with the Seven Network as we prepare to start racing,” said Braid.

“We have Australia’s best mix of exciting motorsport categories, and now an equally exciting commentary team that includes a group of Australia’s most respected and experienced commentators and presenters, together with some great new talent, who collectively will provide exceptional coverage of ARG’s race categories and events on Australia’s leading television network.”

Lewis Martin, managing director Seven Melbourne and head of Network Sport, said: “Motorsport has long been a core part of Seven’s DNA so we’re rapt to partner with the Australian Racing Group to bring fans a feast of top-line racing live and free in 2020,” said Martin.

“With a minimum three hours’ coverage on Seven on each day of competition and every second of every day live-streamed on 7plus, racing fans are in for a high-octane mix of TCR, S5000, Touring Car Masters, Trans Am and much more. We can’t wait for the free flag to get things started.”

Mark Beretta – Host

“It’s fantastic to have regular motorsport back on Seven,” said Beretta.

“TCR is booming around the world because of its accessibility, brand rivalry and tight racing, so I know this season is going to grab the attention of Australian sports fans and take them on a brilliant ride!

“To launch a new racing family on Seven is super exciting. Our team of commentators are fresh, knowledgeable, passionate and keen to bring the action to viewers in a way they’ve never experienced before. This is racing with real energy from the team calling the action because they love everything about TCR.

“We’ve got a mix of legends and young guns racing in cars designed to create a even contest, so the recipe for full-on racing action is spot on! I honestly can’t wait to get this party started!”

Abbey Way – Host

“I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible team,” said Way.

“Motorsport is a new challenge for me and one I already know is going to be a hell of a lot of fun with the group we have together. It’s fresh, exciting and going to be the ultimate entertainment. The countdown is well and truly on for Sydney!”

Greg Rust – TCR Australia commentator

“I’m so excited because, on a personal level, it means I’ll have a box seat!” said Rust.

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of the motor racing coverage on many Aussie TV networks over the years but not the country’s best. Channel 7 has a deep and proper connection with motor sport and this latest chapter looks like being a special one. The team they’ve assembled is one I’m enormously proud to be part of. It will ensure the fans get fabulous coverage of the contest while showcasing the characters of the game. That’s a real point of difference and something I’m particularly passionate about.

“In terms of the TCR Australia Series, 2019 was a standout for me. In over 20 years covering the sport, I really loved the freshness of working on TCR. It’s one of the most energised paddocks I’ve ever been in and the racing really delivered. Plus we had a mix of emerging stars competing and some legends not to mention the variety of makes on the grid.

“This year it will go to another level with some trick broadcast innovations too. I can’t wait to get going.”

Matt Naulty – TCR Australia and S5000 commentator

“I’m really looking forward to being part of this great team calling the TCR and S5000 series in 2020 after helping at selected rounds in 2019,” said Naulty.

“I think everyone is just excited to get back to a track after being away for so long, so there will be plenty of energy and hopefully that reflects in the coverage.

“The quality of the drivers, cars and teams in TCR for 2020 is second to none and it has the perfect mix of experience, youth and the weekend racer all combined into one. Im keen to see them at Bathurst as I think they will look great going across the Mountain on the first lap.

“S5000 will really make an impact if the two events late in 2019 were any form guide! The noise is the biggest attraction along with the fact that the cars look cool and they are super fast, so Im really looking forward to seeing them around tracks like SMP or Symmons Plains  for the cornering and places like Winton where patience is a big factor, its going to be great.”

Richard Craill – S5000, TCM and Porsche commentator

“Last year gave us a tease of the potential that exists in S5000, and the pause in life we’ve all experienced in 2020 has just added to the anticipation,” said Craill.

“This is going to be an exciting new chapter in the sport, with lots of exciting stories – stories that motorsport fans may not know but we know they will find absolutely compelling – and great racing to come.

“Some of the greatest heroes in our sport have come out of big, loud, fast and exciting open-wheelers in this part of the world. The VHT S5000 Australian Drivers Championship, with its totally unique mixture of old-school V8’s and the latest safety and sporting ideas, means we can create some more for a new generation of fans … and also tell the nearly 60-year story of the Australian Drivers Championship and the Gold Star award along the way.”

Cameron van den Dungen – Pit lane reporter

“It’s been a year that we’ll never forget, and we haven’t even started racing yet,” said van den Dungen.

“I like to think of it as the longer the wait the sweeter the taste of the incredible categories that are part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships.

“Amongst the incredible category line-up on offer this year, I’m extremely excited to see the National Trans Am Series get stuck into the action-packed racing that these modern V8-powered, rear-wheel drive muscle cars always provide. The calibre of drivers and their mouth-watering machines will be a must-see for any motorsport fan!”

Jack Perkins – Pit lane reporter

“Having been involved in the inaugural season of TCR and the first race of S5000 last year, the natural progression into the second year is going to be great. ARG have secured more racing categories as well, with Trans Am and TCM, so the undercard is as good as the main event,” said Perkins.

“After everything we’ve gone through in 2020, it’s great that we’re finally going racing again and to have Motorsport back on Channel 7, with a new team, new people – its great to be a part of it!

“Touring Car Masters is a real crowd favourite. The old cars and in some cases old drivers attract a lot of attention! These cars have lots of power, vary in shapes and sizes and the racing is always very exciting through the field.”

Jessica Dane – Pit lane reporter

“Like everyone, I cannot wait to get back to the track,” said Dane.

“It’s been a rollercoaster year so far, but this is definitely something to look forward to – the racing should be fantastic with everyone so keen to get back behind the wheel and the coverage will give fans at home plenty to tune in for.

“Honestly, I thought my broadcasting days were long behind me in the UK, but I’ll never turn down an opportunity to go racing, so I’m massively excited to be joining such a great team who will be aiming to deliver the best possible television for the fans.”

Molly Taylor – Pit lane reporter

“There’s always a lot of anticipation over the off-season and this extended break has certainly built our excitement to get back out there,” said Taylor.

“I think the atmosphere is going to be incredible and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

“It’s going to be a strange feeling flipping positions and being on the other side of the microphone. I’m sure it’s going to be a steep learning curve, but I’m really excited to be part of the action from a different perspective.”

The station will celebrate a pivotal era for Triple M’s music history, featuring a plethora of the best 90s tracks, some of which haven’t been heard on the radio in many years. From the rock of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Soundgarden to the party anthems from The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim.

The new station is the latest addition to the network’s line up of DAB+ stations, including Triple M Soft Rock, Triple M Country, Triple M Classic Rock, and Triple M Hard N Heavy. Triple M 90s will replace Triple M Greatest Hits.

The new station can be heard across all DAB+ markets including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and will be included as an additional station option in Perth.

Head of music – Hit and Triple M Networks, Mickey Maher, said: “The 90s was a turning point for the sound of rock, delivering so many awesome bands and songs, many unheard on Australia radio in years! Now you’ll hear them in one place, Triple M 90s on DAB+ radio.”

Triple M’s full suite of DAB+ stations can be accessed via DAB radio, the Triple M app or at www.TripleM.com.au

Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand Denis Handlin said: “I am thrilled that Franco, Annette and Jess have decided to join the company in their new crucial creative roles. Each of them brings a significant amount of experience in their own field and respect in the market with important relationships. I look forward to the valuable contribution that they will make to our artists, their teams and the company.”

Alexander Franco

Alexander Franco

‘Franco’ as he is known throughout the industry, has been appointed senior director, A&R and creative development. Franco will report to Pat Handlin (VP, A&R, ANZ) and commences with the company on July 27.

In a newly created position, Franco will sign and develop his own roster of artists, as well as take over A&R responsibilities for some of the existing artists amongst Sony Music’s diverse roster. Franco will also be a key strategist between the A&R and domestic artists marketing teams allowing the creative vision of artists to be fostered, encouraged and then executed in ground-breaking campaigns.

Franco joins Sony Music from Future Classic where he held the role of senior director of marketing and artist manager from 2016. He has been integral in the development of Flume, G Flip, Hayden James and Flight Facilities. Prior to this, he spent four years as marketing manager at EMI Music Australia working with artists including Alison Wonderland, Sam Smith and Keith Urban. He has also held marketing and communications roles at SBS and Good Vibrations Festival.

In addition to his role at Sony Music, Franco will continue to manage multi-award-winning Hip Hop artist B Wise (who is signed to The Orchard, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) and emerging new R&B artist, Jeida Woods.

Franco said: “I’m excited to join a global powerhouse like Sony Music for the next chapter of my career. I look forward to working closely with their impressive roster, while signing and developing the next crop of stars that will resonate far beyond Australian shores.”

Annette Gevert

Annette Gevert

Gevert has joined the company as national promotions & communications manager, reporting jointly to Dan Nitschke (VP, business development & media partnerships) and Grant Donges (VP, international artists marketing & communications).

Gevert will be responsible for managing promotions relationships with youth and alternative radio, importantly including Triple J and Double J, as well as other media partners including community radio and alternative media. She will also have communications responsibilities for a range of artists on the domestic and international roster.

Gevert joins the company from boutique PR and communications agency, Positive Feedback, where she held the role of publicist, driving PR campaigns for a variety of artists and clients. An experienced promotions and communications specialist throughout her 12-year industry career, Gevert has held roles in both Sydney and Melbourne at Dew Process, Secret Service Public Relations, the Mushroom Group, Shock Records and Warner Music Australia.

On joining the company, Gevert said: “I am so very pleased to be joining the brilliant team at Sony Music Australia. I have been blown away by the warm welcome that I have so far received from my fellow colleagues, artist managers and media partners. It is an absolute honour to be given the responsibility to represent the extensive and diverse roster of Sony Music’s world class artists.”

Jessica Barlow

Jessica Barlow

Barlow has commenced with the company as licensing manager, reporting to Hannah Marsh (director, licensing & business development).

In this role, Barlow will be responsible for developing the company’s licensing and synchronisation business by pitching Sony Music repertoire to clients and responding to incoming music briefs. The role involves working across a far-reaching client base, which includes key clients such as music supervisors and TV networks.

Barlow joins Sony Music from Warner Music Canada, where from 2018 she held the role of synchronisation & licensing consultant, responsible for creative strategy and video game licensing. Prior to this, she held the role of synchronisation & licensing manager at Warner Music Australia from 2016. She has 10 years of experience in licensing that also includes working at Alberts, Universal Music Publishing Group in London, EMI Music in London and EMI Music Australia.

Barlow said: “I am ecstatic to be joining the Sony Music team! Their passion and support for their artists, as well as their reputation in market, is second to none. I am really looking forward to jumping in and start working with the team to create new opportunities for their renowned domestic and global roster.”

There’s already been Adam Hills: Take His Legs (10Play), which was about football, so everybody loved it. Stan Grant’s moving “I Can’t Breathe” on Four Corners (iview) was about racism, so everyone didn’t love it and the usual suspects couldn’t shut up about why they hated it. Sigh.

Now we have Shaun Micallef’s On the Sauce (Tuesday on ABC) examining Australia’s relationship with alcohol, using personal recollections about his own family and past, while Jack Thompson revisits his alcohol-soaked classic Wake in Fright (still the greatest Aussie film ever made, now on iview).

Micallef is pretty revealing but it’s hard to top Americans when it comes to going on a “journey”. Amy Schumer’s three-part docuseries Expecting Amy (Binge) is about as personal as you can get, with the highs and lows of her new marriage, debilitating pregnancy and then the birth. Fans will love it.

Kurt Fearnley and Dylan Alcott

What a great idea to get Kurt Fearnley to take over from Barrie Cassidy as the new host of One on One (Thursday on ABC). Even better, his first guest is Dylan Alcott. See, it really is that easy to get more diversity on screen.

The Very Excellent Mr Dundee (Amazon Prime) is the best Paul Hogan movie since the first Crocodile Dundee. Many seem desperate for him to be the poster boy for “cancel culture” but Hoges is already one step ahead, portraying himself in this mockumentary as a dinosaur who puts his foot in it every time he leaves his Hollywood mansion.

The gags are non stop and spot on and the cast is a hilarious mix of new talent, Hollywood biggies and local comedians. There’s everyone from John Cleese to Paul Fenech, and Olivia Newton-John to Bev Killick.

Speaking on Studio 10, Angela Bishop didn’t correct Hoges when he messed about why that episode of Fawlty Towers was problematic. It was not because of WWII jokes about Germans, it was temporarily removed because of racial slurs, specifically the ‘N’ word. It’s no wonder Hoges was confused given how many in the media have misrepresented the facts. Fawlty Towers is now back on its UK streaming site with a disclaimer. Calm down everyone.

It’s going to be great to see Aussie music back on TV. The Sound (Sunday on ABC) will be all live music, but pre-taped so we don’t have any Molly incidents like the old days of Countdown. Fingers crossed.

Seven News 1,127,000/1,092,000
Nine News 1,063,000/997,000
ABC News 768,000
A Current Affair 615,000
7.30 540,000
The Project 308,000/529,000
10 News 424,000/263,000
Sunrise 281,000
News Breakfast 223,000
Today 216,000
News Breakfast 216,000
SBS World News 190,000
The Drum 179,000

Wednesday TV

Seven: Home and Away wrapped for the week on 586,000 after strong audiences close to 700,000 on the first three nights.
The AFL followed on either Seven or 7mate across the network with 695,000 watching Collingwood snuff out a late resurgence from Geelong. The Melbourne audience was 439,000. Footy fans got to see Dennis Cometti return briefly to the network when he visited Basil Zempilas in the commentary position during the broadcast.

Nine: A Current Affair’s dipped to 615,000 on an episode that featured an interview with Scott Morrison.
The NRL then screened across the network on Nine or 9Gem with 351,000 watching the Raiders upset victory over the Roosters. The Sydney audience was 202,000 with 122,000 in Brisbane.

10: After launching with 595,000 on Wednesday, the second episode of Bachelor in Paradise was on 501,000. The episode again performed strongly in the demos, ranking #1 Thursday 16-39 and 18-49.
Earlier in the night The Project 7pm did 529,000.
Later in the night Celebrity Gogglebox USA was on 274,000.

ABC: The property hunt was in the Byron Bay region on Escape from the City with 295,000 watching an episode that took nearly two years to get to air. Prices in the property hot spot have move up significantly since.
The Heights was on 183,000 after 8pm.

SBS: Another travel by train series has moved into the Thursday night schedule with the first of the two-part repeat of Inside the Orient Express screening to 239,000 at 7.30pm.
Drain on Alcatraz then did 203,000, followed by the second week of War of the Worlds on 190,000.