The addition of the channels to the ViacomCBS commercial portfolio follows a partnership between ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) and Foxtel which saw VCNI assume programming over the music channels on Foxtel.

The new local channels go live on Foxtel from 1 July and will celebrate even more of the music audiences love, with curated music blocks for rock and pop, contemporary and country, charts and dance, urban R&B, easy listening and the all-time classics.

Network 10 and ViacomCBS chief sales officer Rod Prosser said: “This is really exciting for us. The addition of the new music channels to our already premium line-up of brands and shows further strengthens our under 50s proposition, while also expanding our offering into the music genre.”

MTV Hits, Club MTV, MTV Classic and CMT join 10, 10 Peach, 10 Bold, 10 Play, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Music and Comedy Central in ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand’s playground of brands.

Prosser added: “Our brand offering is unrivalled in market with a sharp focus on the demographics who are young at heart and highly-engaged. The opportunities across our portfolio are endless.”

Ranking #1 on the May 2020 chart is Stuff You Should Know again after holding down top spot in April.
A new addition to the chart this month is details of the number of podcast episodes released during the Podcast Ranker reporting period.

More episodes lead to more downloads, but that’s not an essential to get to the top. Stuff You Should Know had 19 episodes during May, while Casefile True Crime had just three.

The busiest podcasts are radio stations chopping up their daily radio shows – The Kyle and Jackie O Show released 77 separate episodes across the month, Rush Hour Melbourne had 121 and Whateley did 144.

Eighteen new entities debuted in the Top 100 Podcast Ranker this reporting period, including Casefile True Crime and No Such Thing As A Fish (Audioboom), Matt & Alex – All Day Breakfast (SCA-PodcastOne Australia), CLAREMONT: The Trial (West Australian Newspapers), and The Fighter & The Kid (ARN/iHeartMedia).

As for the All-Australian Top 100 Podcast Ranker, 11 new entities debuted this reporting period, including AFL Trade Radio (SEN/Crocmedia), The Chaser Report (Nova), and 3pm PickUp (ARN/iHeartMedia).

Total downloads of all shows by all participating publishers in the month of May is 40.5M, up 20% over April 2020.

Participating publishers in the Australian Ranker include ARN/iHeartMedia, Southern Cross Austereo, News Corp Australia, Audioboom, Stitcher, Wondery, Nova, Nine Radio, SEN / Crocmedia, Schwartz Media, TOFOP Productions, The Parent Brand, Australian Radio Network, Wavelength Creative, Wondery, NBC News, and West Australian Newspapers.

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The UK-based Audioboom offers US, UK and Australian titles, including Casefile True Crime, a cult-hit Australian podcast that deals with well-known murders, and is hosted by an Australian man who remains anonymous. Australian sales representation for Audioboom is provided by ARN/iHeartPodcast Network Australia.

West Australian Newspapers produces the acclaimed Australian podcast Claremont: The Trial, as well as The West Live Podcast and The Hard Ball Gets AFL Show.

Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer Joan Warner welcomed the two new publishers to the ranker.

“The addition of the new Top 10 Publishers list, along with the provision of new data on total monthly downloads and podcast episode numbers provides new detail on the scale of podcasting in Australia and gives advertisers a more complete, independent report to track and compare podcast performance,” she said.

Overall, total downloads of podcasts from participating publishers reached 40.5 million in May, a 20 per cent increase from April.

The Australian Podcast Ranker is an industry initiative and is published by Triton Digital in accordance with IAB Tech Lab’s Podcast Measurement Guidelines.

Following the app’s surge in popularity locally, TikTok announced the appointment of its local leadership team, with former Google and YouTube executive Lee Hunter joining as general manager for TikTok Australia alongside former Google executive Brett Armstrong (pictured) as general manager for global business solutions in Australia. Armstrong previously was at Google where he led as country manager for New Zealand and head of media agencies ANZ.

Hunter will lead a team of experts for TikTok based in Sydney, with a focus on overseeing the implementation of safety policies and resources, as well as driving growth, partnerships and the local product experience.

Other executives on the Australia team include Brent Thomas as director of public policy for Australia, leading engagement with policy and NGO stakeholders to maintain industry leading standards in safety and content, and Arjun Narayan Bettadapur Manjunath as head of trust & safety, leading TikTok’s dedicated APAC team based in Singapore.

Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US overseeing North America and ANZ, comments: “We are delighted by the positive response to TikTok in Australia and have been inspired by the remarkable creativity across Australia. As we continue to build a positive and safe environment for users, our focus is on hiring the right local talent and strengthening our local leadership team to best support the Australian TikTok community. I am confident in the management team we’ve assembled to drive TikTok’s growth and opportunity in Australia for creators and brands, and look forward to furthering the incredible creativity of our Australian community.”

Commenting on his appointment, Lee Hunter said: “I’ve been truly inspired watching Australia’s unique and creative spirit shine through on TikTok, especially during this challenging time. I love that TikTok has helped bring Australian communities together when we’ve needed it most, whether it’s having fun at home, sharing how we’re feeling, or expressing ideas and messages that need to be heard. I’m excited to build on this outpouring of positive, diverse and creative content, lead our growing local team, and support our brilliant community of Australian users, creators and partners.”

On his role, Brett Armstrong said: “TikTok is all about spreading joy and positivity through fun shared experiences, and I’m incredibly excited to continue to share this ethos with Australian brands and partners. We’ve got some fantastic campaigns underway, with results exceeding expectations already, so I’m really looking forward to growing our business offering from strength to strength locally.”

As well as continuing to invest in its local team and tools to promote a positive and safe environment for its Australian users, TikTok has committed to supporting communities affected by COVID-19 both globally and in Australia. As part of its financial support for relief efforts, TikTok has announced a AUD $3 million donation to The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

The Kennedy Awards’ team of experienced judges are eager to begin considering entries in a massive news year which has seen outstanding coverage under difficult conditions of local and international disasters, the crippling world health crisis and global unrest over the death in police custody of black American George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Now in its 9th year, the 2020 NRMA Kennedy Awards will be staged on August 7th in the grand ballroom of Royal Randwick following the Prime Minister’s announcement to ease restrictions on gatherings of more than 100.

Entries have been streaming since the May 11 opening date and the Kennedy Foundation which stages the annual awards is keen for last year’s record for entries to be challenged in 2020.

All the pictorial categories sponsored by Salty Dingo are open for judging in the lead-up to the awards as are the raft of print awards, including Outstanding Reporting on the Environment, Outstanding Indigenous Affairs Reporting, Outstanding Travel Reporting, Outstanding Investigative Reporting and Outstanding Crime Reporting, all the television awards as well as Outstanding Online News Breaking, Outstanding Radio Journalism, the award for Young Journalist of the Year and Outstanding Illustration or Cartoon.

Kennedy Foundation chairman Rocco Fazzari said the 2020 Kennedy Awards would acknowledge media organisations and their journalists, photographers and cameramen for the way in which they have covered major news for readers, viewers and listeners in Australia.

“It has been a colossal news year all around the world and our media teams have continued to show their mettle in the toughest of times,” Fazzari said.

The awards include the richest prize in Australian Journalism – the $25,000 Kennedy Award for Journalist of the Year.

Entry registration and work from the current financial year are by close of business July 1.

Registration is completed via www.kennedyawards.com.au and then submit your entries, 400 word supporting statement and a head shot to: [email protected]

Finalists in all 35 categories will be announced on July 22nd.

In the newly created role McCallum will oversee the editorial direction and development of the company’s premium food and travel portfolios.

Nilsson said: “Kerrie is a talented editor with a proven track record in developing products that connect with consumers and clients. This promotion acknowledges her success with the market-leading delicious. brand and its high performing network across digital, video, social, print and events. I’m delighted she will now spearhead our travel offering, evolving the strategic direction of the portfolio and identifying new opportunities and partnerships.”

With more than 20 years publishing experience s McCallum has been the editor-in-chief of delicious. since 2014.

McCallum said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity of expanding our premium food and travel portfolios through bold content that connects with consumer aspirations, new contributors across key categories and evocative picture-led experiences. The Escape brand is trusted, it is big, powerful and it works, and it is also ripe for growth and development as we get ready to shake off the isolation shackles and discover what’s in our own backyard. I can’t wait to begin.”

Jana Frawley has been appointed content director, Escape.

In addition, Nova Entertainment recorded over six million total listening hours across 14 stations, its highest ever result.

Nova Entertainment had already seen strong year on year (YOY) increases pre-COVID, with further growth highlighting the continued attraction of streaming as a device option for audiences.

The Nova Network experienced strong streaming growth across all day parts, with a 48%+ increase in workdays and triple figure YOY gains on weekends (113%+). The smooth Network also experienced strong YOY growth with 34% increase in workdays and 82%+ on weekends.

Paul Jackson, Nova Entertainment’s chief programming & marketing officer said, “Since lockdown in March, it’s become the new normal for our listeners to listen live to Nova or smooth across various devices especially across the workday and weekends. This is a reflection of the broad appeal of both network’s music offering and of our audience’s enduring love for our brands through events like the Nova and smoothfm Thank You concert.”

The COVID-19 crisis and ensuring social distancing restrictions have had a significant impact on streaming behaviour, accelerating consumer adoption, with a 49% increase in cume to 1.29 million Streaming Listeners, 5.05 million Active Sessions (24% increase YOY) and 6.25 million Total Listening Hours (14%+ YOY increase). Smart Speaker Listening now accounts for 21.5% of Total Streaming Hours at 1.3 million hours in May*.

Fayad Tohme, Nova Entertainment’s chief digital officer said, “While May was another breaking record month, I expect the growth to continue. More listeners are adopting emerging technology and shifting to new channels. It is exciting to see that our most engaged listeners are now those streaming via smart speakers with an average time spent listening of two and a half hours.”

* Source: Web Metrics Triton Digital NOVA Entertainment May 2020, 6.257 million Total Listening Hours – 14 stations (Nova 96.9, Nova 100, Nova 919, Nova 106.9 & Nova 93.7, smoothfm 91.5 & smoothfm 95.3, smooth Adelaide, smooth Brisbane, smooth Perth, smooth Relax, smooth Chill, FIVEaa, Star 104.5)

+ Source: Web Metrics Triton Digital NOVA Entertainment May 2019 compared to May 2020

Bronze Award Categories: All Media 

Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique supported by MEAA
Jane Howard, Guardian Australia, Kill Your Darlings and Witness, “Body of Work”
Judges Comment: The winner stood out amongst a high calibre of finalists, for the clever and entertaining way she intertwined commentary and opinion, with hard facts. Tackling a range of topical issues from gender equity in the art world to the anti-vax debate, the winning body of work displayed extensive research and a knack for interpreting data in an interesting way. Jane Howard shines an important light on the increasingly neglected field of ‘Arts’ reporting.

Best Rural/Regional Journalist supported by Stories Well Told
Bec Whetham, 7pm news, ABC SA, News Breakfast and ABC Online, “Country convert”
Judges Comment: The judges agreed Bec Whetham was the unanimous winner in this category despite a strong list of entries. Her use of innovative techniques, such as drone footage, compelling subject matter, an engaging camera presence and a disarming sense of humour, helped give her the edge. Her love for rural journalism and the unique characters from South Australia’s country regions shone through, along with a keen instinct for constructing engaging stories under strict deadline pressures.

Best Coverage of Public Service Journalism supported by SACOSS
Fiona Churchman, Travis Saunders, Rachel Fountain, Joel Werner and
Monique Bowley, Audio Studios, ABC Radio, “The Parenting Spectrum”
Judges Comment: Travis and Fiona’s podcast, featuring their son Patch, is raw, deeply personal and incredibly insightful. It conveys feeling and information in equal measure through a medium the judges noted requires creativity and hard work. The topic challenges and changes the way people think about autism, celebrating diversity, ticking all the boxes in this category.

Sports Journalism supported by Media Super
Isadora Bogle, 7pm news, ABC SA and ABC News Online, “Sport in the South East”
Judges Comment: Wonderful writing, research and production, especially noteworthy given the lesser resources available to a solo reporter outside the metropolitan area. Shows real flair and a sense of community, resulting in engaging content of local, state, and national relevance. Strong presentation and delivery, with a gift for extracting the best from the talent.

Best Investigative Journalism supported by Media Super
Casey Briggs and Rebecca Puddy, ABC News, “Combustible cladding fears over major Adelaide buildings”
Judges Comment: The judges were impressed by Casey Briggs’ series of stories tackling the major public safety issue of combustible cladding on some of Adelaide’s most visited and iconic buildings. Months of investigation, including Freedom of Information requests, resulted in engaging, informative and impactful TV news packages that led to the state government having to address a lack of transparency in relation to concerns about the safety of buildings thousands of South Australians use every week.

Best Freelance Contribution supported by MEAA
Royce Kurmelovs, The Saturday Paper and Guardian Australia, “Body of Work”
Judges Comment: This category attracts more entries every year, revealing a depth of talent and diversity of content. This year the winning entry demonstrated qualities that epitomise the ideals of journalism, showing a determined commitment to find the truth, through investigation and sheer hard work-breaking impactful national interest stories on the lives, and well-being of Australians including the environment.

Bronze Award Categories: Radio 
Best Radio News or Current Affairs or Feature Report supported by Media Super
Annie Hastwell, The History Listen, Radio National, ABC, “Waterloo Bay: That word Massacre”
Megan Spencer, Australian War Memorial website, “From A Whisper To A Bang!”
Judges Comment: A powerful piece of important storytelling that explores the past, examines controversy today, and looks to the future. An exceptional piece that is beautifully researched, written and produced, with a sensitive and distressing topic presented in a balanced, insightful and non-judgemental way, painting a ‘picture in sound’ of fracture lines – dividing a community that has attracted attention world-wide. Riveting and courageous reporting. From a whisper to a bang is a beautiful, sometimes confronting journey that blends the personal with the public, a journey that takes the listener on an insightful ride. Exceptional research, writing and production that has been developed with empathy, curiosity, and presented with passion and richness. The audio story draws you into the scene.

Bronze Award Categories: Television 
Best TV/Video News Report supported by MEAA
Mark Mooney, 7 News, “Cancer Bungle”
Judges Comment: Mark’s piece is a heart-wrenching expose, which shines a light on holes in the health system. It is to be applauded that Mark’s enquiries prompted action from the government and that Mark continued to follow Mr Burg’s plight as the situation progressed. Mark’s piece allows us to experience the subtle stoicism of Mr Burg who seems to have a dying wish to take care of his family. It also provides an insight into the devastation felt by his wife, Lynda.

Best TV Current Affairs or Feature supported by MEAA
Angelique Donnellan,30, ABC, “Deadly DIY”
Judges Comment: It should not be underestimated the amount of background work Angelique has put into bringing this story to light. Clearly Angelique has recognised the importance of Mathew Werfel’s plight to Mathew, to his family and to the broader community. Mathew Werfel could be anyone of us. Angelique broke the story by realising the importance of Mr Werfels’ situation by trawling through court lists. Angelique then had the sensitivity required to convince Mr Werfel his story should be told, and the integrity to do the story justice. Mr Werfel and his family made a wise choice in trusting Angelique to tell his story.

TV/Video Camerawork supported by Mosaic Audio Visual
Tony Salvatore, Today Tonight, “Body of Work”
Judges Comment: Breathtaking. If, under normal circumstances a picture tells a thousand words. Tony’s work tells a million.

Bronze Award Categories: Print/Digital 

Print/Text News Report supported by Telstra
Lauren Novak, The Advertiser and Advertiser.com.au, “Ashlee’s Out”
Judges Comment: This category contained some excellent hard-news stories. Some were scoops, some were heart-warming human-interest pieces and some could point to positive outcomes for their audiences. But only a few were the complete package, which made judging quite difficult. Nevertheless, the entries by finalists Michelle Etheridge, Lauren Novak and Tom Richardson illustrate just how important hard-news reporting is in a world where transparency is in limited supply. The winning entry stems from years of work in this field, and from the patient and sensitive development of a relationship with these sources. The stories provide great insights into the damage crime can do, but also the power of forgiveness when there is genuine remorse. Excellent story-telling skills make this compelling reading, confronting the question in every reader’s mind: How could you ever forgive the person responsible for your granddaughter’s death. Especially when that person is your daughter.

Best News or Lifestyle Feature supported by University of South Australia
David Eccles, InDaily, “The Life and Death of Andy MacQueen: child sexual abuse, church cover-ups and the mental health system”
Judges Comment: In a strong field of feature writing on topics ranging from cannabis to kink culture, David Eccles’ entry is a stand-out. The Life and Death of Andy MacQueen: child sexual abuse, church cover-ups and the mental health system is a harrowing, poignant story sensitively told by the reporter who had clearly earned the trust of the family. The reporter displayed writing flair, making strong use of quotes and graphics to advance the storytelling.

Bronze Award Categories: Photography
Best News Photograph or Photographic Series supported by MEAA
Tricia Watkinson, The Advertiser, “Hellfire”
Judges Comment: Tricia’s stunning portrait of Alverna Ballard epitomises a great news image, where the photographer had to react to a situation with technical fluency and emotional maturity in order to capture a fleeting moment. The resulting image is bold and dramatic, while keeping a strong emotional connection between subject and viewer.

Best Sport Photograph or Photographic Series supported by MEAA
William Bailey, Murray Valley Standard website and Facebook, “Eagles Break Drought”
Judges Comment: The judges agreed that the raw emotion conveyed in Eagles Break Drought was a perfect distillation of the grassroots nature of football in regional South Australia and what it meant for these men to finally win. Judges also appreciated the technical skill required to capture such a fleeting moment.

Best Feature Photograph or Photographic Series supported by MEAA
Brad Fleet, The Advertiser, “Leigh Creek”
Judges Comment: Brad’s use of the natural tones and shapes of the Leigh Creek landscape, with the compliment of stunning portrait work, really set his entry apart. The earthy textures and harsh environment were blended beautifully with the warmth of personality and optimism.

Silver Award Categories 

The Max Fatchen Award for Best Young Journalist supported by Department of Human Services
Joshua Boscaini, ABC News – online and television, “China’s reach in South Australia”
Judges Comment: The Max Fatchen Award for the best young journalist is perhaps the most exciting category in the awards, since it shines with vigour and enthusiasm of youth and the promise of our media’s tomorrows. Once again it attracted a wealth of exciting entries confronting the judges with hours of intense deliberation. The standard was wonderful but one young journalist stood out with a demonstration of initiative, courage and tenacity which belied HIS years. He unravelled and doggedly pursued a delicate story which has long needed to be told. We know this young journalist will go far. Congratulations Joshua Boscaini.

Julie Duncan Memorial for Student Journalism supported by University of South Australia
Thomas Kelsall, The University of South Australia
Judges Comment: Thomas is a double-degree student doing journalism and international relations at UniSA. He focuses on reporting welfare policy, environmental politics, foreign policy and international politics. Apart from maintaining a stratospheric Grade Point Average throughout his degree, he has a keen interest in international affairs. He’s provided outstanding leadership as former Editor and current mentor of the university’s On The Record publication.

Best Radio Broadcaster supported by MEAA
Narelle Graham, Petria Ladgrove and Adam Jones, Regional Drive SA and Broken Hill, ABC Radio, “ABC radio Regional Drive SA and Broken Hill”
Judges Comment: Imagination, a well-modulated voice and good diction are the added professional tools to this element of our media awards and they are demonstrated in spades by this year’s winner, who knows not only how to source and research great stories and interesting people, but also weave them into engrossingly and enlightening entertainment.

Best TV Broadcaster (Presenter, Reporter and/or Camera) supported by Media Super
Ben Avery, Nine News, “Body of Work”
Judges Comment: As always a strong field contested the Best Broadcaster category in this year’s awards. The judging panel took the view that the winner was represented by more than one excellent story. Rather he exhibited the ability to adapt to a range of broadcasting styles and formats, all with maturity, authority and compassion.

Best Print Journalist supported by University of South Australia
David Eccles, InDaily, “The Life and Death of Andy MacQueen: Child sexual abuse, church cover-ups and the mental health system”
Judges Comment: Writing a series of articles for InDaily, David Eccles poignantly paid tribute to the life of Adelaide musician Andy MacQueen. MacQueen was one of 30 people sexually abused by Robert Brandenburg. It was a burden the young man carried for 42 years before taking his own life David expertly, but without the hyperbole often injected into works about paedophiles, documented the life and spiral downward of the happy boy who succeeded in his career despite being destroyed within, and ultimately succumbing.

Best Photographer supported by Serafino Wines
Sarah Reed, The Advertiser, “Body of Work”
Judges Comment: The judges noticed a trend towards some softer, feature-type treatment of news shots in this year’s entries, allowing the finalists to experiment with special effects producing spectacular pictures. This was nowhere more evident than in the Catching Fire shot by winner Sarah Reed. Sarah’s entries demonstrate how the art and craft of a news photographer cover a whole-of-life range of topics. From an emotive picture of Eddie Betts, through an empathetic shot of animal carers, to the joyful return of footy to the APY lands, her control of composition and technique is masterful.

Gold Award Categories

Hall of Fame supported by MEAA
Rex Leverington
Citation: Stepping in to the Hall of Fame in 2020 is a familiar name. He was not always in the media. Before he was in the media he was an office boy. We all have to start somewhere. He spent his early working life as a travel consultant for the Orient Steam Navigation Company and even Elder Smith. However, his heart had been elsewhere since he was a lad growing up in Edwardstown. His heart belonged to radio. It was 1957 when he managed to score a job as a junior tech with radio 5KA. He was a callow teenager, Sadly, he says now, he didn’t know a green wire from a red wire and he was quickly sidelined to other duties and then, well back into the workforce. It was a whole decade later when he got his foot in the radio door again. 5DN, bless it, took him on for the princely sum of $48 a week as the midnight to dawn announcer. The rest is fairly colourful history. These were the swinging 60s and the nascent days of talkback radio. Our man had workmates such as Mel Cameron, Vitor Stewart Braham and the great Jeff Medwell. There was a sort of “oops” moment in 1969 when he was sacked. But he shot straight over to 5KA where he made such a success of the graveyard shift that he went on to breakfast and then to the newsroom where he found his true raison d’etre. He wrote and chased up stories before slipping sideways into music PR at WEA records. In 1973 he returned to the newsroom as a journalist and newsreader at 5AD. But, like most journos of the time he simply had to do a London stint, so there he was working as a journalist for LBC and VISNEWS before returning home to the 5AD Broadcasting network. These were halcyon newsroom days. As news editor, he not only ran the newsroom then but when the Tiser and 5AD, who were one business and at the height of their profitable years, bought a helicopter, he was in charge of it. It was a busy working chopper, especially at lunchtimes. In 1983 he popped over to work as news editor of 2UE in Sydney for a year, co-ordinating the LA Games on air. Then it was back to Adelaide where, for the next decade he was one of the most beloved voices ever on the ABC Radio 5AN. He was the second longest serving AN Breakfast presenter and basked in fabulous ratings. He did the name on the night shift. He’s done myriad things and won myriad prizes – Best Current Affairs Program Pater Award for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Daniel Award for edited highlights of 5AN’s Formula One coverage in 1987. Among other things, he was responsible for reintroducing live radio to the Adelaide public with audience participation shows out at the ABC and in the Capri Cinema – big crowds and TV coverage. He’s MCed and judged, opened and closed events and, notably he was the man behind the most popular ever Quiz Show on radio, Rex’s Quiz.

Journalist of the Year supported by University of South Australia

Ben Avery
Hardworking … versatile … and humble … just some ways to describe the 2020 South Australian Journalist of the Year. This journalist has the ability to produce high quality coverage of major breaking news events, in physically trying conditions. They have the skill to follow a story patiently, working and researching to shed light on some of the darker South Australian mysteries. This journalist also has the natural ease to talk with people from all walks of life and show us their highs and lows. From live coverage of the Adelaide Hills bushfire disaster… to a revealing cold case murder investigation… to the redemption of the Australian Cricket Team, this journalist is solidifyng a reputation of being determined, compassionate and engaging. Recently given the well-deserved role as a foreign correspondent with Nine News, he’s already been seen running determinedly through the streets of London.

The aim of MFA Support is to retain valued talent in the industry by ensuring they remain connected to the industry and providing them with an accessible mechanism for re-employment.

An initiative of the MFA Board, the program provides support to anyone who has worked in an MFA member agency and lost their job due to Covid-19, in three different ways:

1. Access to continued learning via MFA People programs: free access to all of the MFA’s learning and knowledge programs – MFA TV Foundations, MFA Digital Foundations, NGEN and MFA 5+.

2. Talent directory for re-employment: the MFA has created a Talent Directory of all out-of-work professionals for agencies to access when new roles open up. Available roles will also be posted on the MFA website and emailed to MFA Support members.

3. Staying connected via introduction to industry leaders: the MFA will facilitate conversations with senior leaders and industry peers at member agencies, providing an opportunity to build their networks, chat about developments in the industry, and gain CV feedback or career guidance.

MFA CEO Sophie Madden said: “The impact of Covid-19 has meant media agencies have had to make some incredibly tough decisions, in some cases having to let go of valued staff who are very good at their jobs. In speaking with our members, we identified a real desire to provide emotional and practical support to all those affected by job loss, to ensure we keep them connected to their colleagues in the industry and provide a smooth pathway to re-entry through future employment opportunities.”

MFA board member Aimee Buchanan, CEO of OMD Australia, added: “The entire board felt very strongly that we have a responsibility to ensure media agency professionals who have lost their job during this difficult time feel supported and remain connected to the industry. We are confident that this program will provide real value to our community.”

If you’ve lost your media agency job as a result of Covid-19, you can join MFA Connect & Support by contacting the MFA at: [email protected]

Seven News 1,139,000/1,094,000
Nine News 1,103,000/1,011,000
A Current Affair 811,000
ABC News 791,000
7.30 648,000
The Project 352,000/578,000
10 News 404,000/269,000
Sunrise 254,000
The Drum 227,000
News Breakfast 221,000
Today 198,000
SBS World News 175,000

Seven: Home and Away started its week on 664,000 after a week 24 average of 667,000.
On Big Brother Kieran was given a small motorised vehicle and a purpose-built area in the backyard to complete a 3-point turn to Big Brother’s satisfaction, within an acceptable time frame and with minimal damage to the vehicle and surrounds. The reward was pizza for all, except Kieran because he damaged the wall.
The evicted housemate was Danni Keogh from Townsville who attracted 11 of 16 votes. On her way out Danni said: “I think I was playing a great game, I really thought I was good at it. I’m so confused about what went on tonight. I could be completely wrong and my game play is completely off but if my gut and my intuition is right, I believe it was Kieran. Kieran might have been that snake.”
The Monday Big Brother did 655,000 for the eviction and 658,000 for the start of the episode. On Sunday night Big Brother was just under 700,000 for both parts, while a week ago it launched on Monday with 862,000 and 931,000.
The US drama 911 then did 309,000.

Nine: The Voice did 941,000 after 848,000 on Monday a week ago. Despite the growth last night it was still outrated by MasterChef.
It was the final episode of the Blind Auditions with the episode starting with a full house of vocalists for Teams Boy George and Guy. That didn’t stop Guy from picking an extra singer as the others were about to pass on him. (“Cheating scandal”!) Delta quickly picked up an all-star to fill her team while Kelly agonised over her final two but eventually got there.

Earlier in the night A Current Affair featured the story of a surfing influencer Blade Roberts on the Sunshine Coast who had her Instagram account hacked with porn images while Instagram refused to help her get back control of her account. The episode was hosted by Deb Knight and had an audience of 811,000 after 718,000 across week 24.
Later in the night part two of Queen – Days of Our Lives was on 378,000 after part one was on 345,000.
In AFL markets Footy Classified had an audience of 95,000 with 70,000 watching in Melbourne. In NRL markets 100% Footy did 66,000 with 41,000 in Sydney.

10: Khanh was a special guest to end The Project where he managed to slip in a plug for his new book A Gay Guy’s Guide to Life Love Food. The episode did 578,000 after 7pm.
The winner’s trophy was on display for the top eight left on MasterChef after they learned that one of them would be going home every week from now one with just three episodes each week. In a gold Mystery Box challenge, Tessa made it into her first immunity challenge, along with Brendan, Reece and Callum. The Monday episode did 954,000 to rank #1 non-news after 855,000 a week ago.
Have You Been Paying Attention? then managed to just sneak over the 800,000 mark after 767,000 a week ago.

 ABC: Leigh Sales was at her best grilling Albo on 7.30 with 648,000 watching.
The second episode of Heather Ewart’s Nullarbor journey on Cross Roads did 678,000 after launching with 650,000 a week ago.
Four Corners featured a PBS documentary called The Age of AI with 530,000 watching.
Media Watch then did 515,000 with had a special interview with former ACT attorney-general, lawyer Bernard Collaery, who’s at the centre of a secret trial the media can’t cover. The episode had an audience of 515,000 after 455,000 a week ago.
Q+A featured sports administrators and journalists talking about the future of sport to an audience of 242,000, the smallest audience of the year.

SBS: Secrets of Royal Travel did 189,000 followed by a repeat of The Truth About Slim People on 129,000.