Thursday November 5, 2020
Podcast Week: iHeartPodcasts welcomes DM, Acast Local Heroes
iHeartPodcast Network partners with Diamantina
ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia has announced two new partnerships.
A new publisher coming on board is DM Podcasts (Diamantina Media) – home to Betoota Advocate, Chat 10 Looks 3 and So Dramatic!
DM Podcasts, iHeartPodcast Network, along with the Australian Podcast Awards have also partnered to release the new series Behind the Podcast, a weekly series on Australia’s most interesting and successful podcasts.
Hosted by director of podcasts and strategy at DM, Antony Stockdale, and Sydney-based digital producer and avid podcast enthusiast, Jules Batstone, Behind the Podcast features the people who create some of Australia’s most popular podcasts, discussing how they started out, their ups and downs, key learnings, and the processes behind how they make their shows. It features the likes of The Squiz, Shameless, 7am, Equity Mates and more.
Stockdale said, “DM is thrilled to work with the iHeartPodcast Network Australia to monetise and grow our audience. This relationship allows DM to focus on what we do best, create entertaining and engaging content. It is a team we know and trust.”
Listen to Behind the Podcasts here.
Acast launches Local Heroes campaign
Acast has launched an initiative to promote and celebrate Melbourne independent businesses whose doors have reopened.
The initiative – Acast’s Local Heroes – features popular Melburnian podcasters voicing ads that support and promote their favourite local, independent businesses.
Acast talent including Georgia Love (Everyone Has an Ex), Meshel Laurie (Australian True Crime), Paul Verhoeven (Loose Units) and The Weekly Planet are among the first to lend their voice in support of the program.
Guy Scott-Wilson, content director for Australia and New Zealand at Acast, said: “Podcasting has continued to be the media platform of choice for many Aussies during this truly crazy year. As restrictions ease in Melbourne, we want to give back to the local community and help shine a light on the amazing independent businesses that are re-opening their doors.
“We know many of our podcasters have built highly engaged, loyal communities and we want to tap into this mindset to encourage Melburnians to use their new-found freedom to support local businesses at a time when they really need a bit of extra support.”
Acast’s Local Heroes has launched with geo-targeted messages running across Acast’s full podcast network. The company hosts more than 20,000 shows worldwide with 26 million monthly listens in Australia.
Byron Cooke launches his own show
Australian radio veteran Byron Cooke this week launched his own podcast series The Byron Cooke Show. Cooke is part of the Fox Melbourne breakfast show Fifi, Fev and Byron. Other radio and TV appearances have included hosting and anchoring roles like the Triple M Shebang drive show when it was co-hosted by Fifi Box and Marty Sheargold.
Despite being a long-time SCA employee, Cooke said he hasn’t gone with PodcastOne Australia, instead deciding to launch what will be an independent production. “SCA have no drama with me doing it and I know [PodcastOne Australia boss] Grant Tothill very well,” Cooke told Mediaweek. “I wanted to own the platform in the longer term.”
Cooke hosts and EPs the weekly podcast, with the aim of publishing every Sunday night. He records from a “proper” home studio developed with some help from former Fox colleague Keegan Bakker, who runs Audata with Adrian Brine. Keegan has also worked on a platform to deliver the content from Cooke. “I am used to having everything done for me in the last 20 years,” Cooke added. “To have a studio set up in the spare bedroom is different. My girlfriend Alex Battaglia has also been a great help creatively.”
The Byron Cooke Show launch episode released during Melbourne Cup Week looked at horse welfare social media campaigns and protests against the “race that stops a nation.” 2019 saw the smallest crowd on Melbourne Cup Day since 1995 and a downward trend in TV ratings. In a rare joint interview, Cooke managed to assemble Racing Victoria and the RSPCA sitting at the same table to talk horse welfare for this episode. Guests on the launch episode were Liz Walker (CEO RSPCA Victoria), Jennifer Hughes (Equine Welfare, Racing Victoria), Jason Richardson (7 Horseracing host) and Dylan Dunn (professional jockey).
Having a quality studio won’t mean Cooke might be absent from SCA Clarendon Street some days. “I need to be at home base to drive the show technically,” Cooke laughed. “I am a control freak and very much like to direct when everything starts and stops.”
Listen to The Byron Cooke Show here.
New from PodcastOne: Trump, Remo and Rusty with Russell
Dr Keith Suter looked at Donald Trump’s first four years as the US President in a podcast episode of Global Truths released on US election day. Suter looked at Trump’s successes and failures and his transformation of the Republican Party.
Also worth a listen is a new episode of Five of My Life with host Nigel Marsh talking to Remo Giuffre, the person behind TEDx Sydney and the brave Sydney store Remo that opened in Darlinghurst 1988 and now exists as on online operation.
Meanwhile Rusty’s Garage podcaster Greg Rust has just recorded what he says is his longest ever podcast. That comes just days after publishing his two-part episode with former Supercars team manager Jeff Grech which ran for just under two hours. The subject of the new longer episode of Rusty’s Garage is Supercars champion Russell Ingall and it will be published soon.
Listen via the PodcastOne Australia app here.
Take It Blak celebrates NAIDOC Week
NITV’s Take It Blak podcast will release an exclusive episode where host Jack Latimore is joined by the legendary Archie Roach on the eve of the re-release of his iconic Charcoal Lane album to celebrate NAIDOC week.
Cricket journos Peter Lalor and Gideon Haigh pad up
Cricket, Et Cetera is the name of a new podcast from cricket writers at The Australian, Peter Lalor and Gideon Haigh. The paper has long had some of the best writers covering the sport and Lalor and Haigh carry on that tradition. Haigh is also a prolific author with over 40 books to his name, mostly about cricket, but a number of others too. Bendigo-born Lalor is also an author, but is perhaps best-known away from the crease for his annual list of the top 20 beers for The Weekend Australian Magazine.
On the weekly podcast they get together for a heartfelt and humorous conversation spanning hard news, heritage, and a bit of whatever else they fancy, from poetry to punk rock.
At the end of each episode they will answer burning questions from The Australian’s subscribers. This part of the podcast is available only on The Australian’s mobile and tablet app.
In the first episode the hosts discuss the finer details of the summer to come, Gideon told to giddy up in Perth, some strong performances in the Sheffield Shield, hublife in the BBLW, and taking a knee.
Listen to Cricket, Et Cetera here.
Radio Ratings 2020, Survey 7: Highlights + Full Results
Sydney
• 2GB maintains lead but breakfast and evenings trend down
• smoothfm maintains #1 FM position as Bogart & Glenn surge
• KIIS 1065 #1 FM breakfast with Kyle and Jackie untouchable
UP: smoothfm 95.3 +0.9
Down: Nova 96.9/2GB -0.5
Read more: Sydney Radio Ratings 2020: Survey 7
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Melbourne
• Covid creep continues as 3AW climbs – Ross & Russ hits 28.4%
• Gold 104.3 still #1 FM and FM breakfast with Christian O’Connell
• Fox again hammered as 10+ share slips to new record low
UP: 3AW + 3.7%
DOWN: smoothfm -1.0
Read more: Melbourne Radio Ratings 2020: Survey 7
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Brisbane
• Nova 106.9 ranks #1 with Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie up to 12.6%
• 4BC posts best results in years with Neil Breen share now over 10%
Read more: Brisbane Radio Ratings 2020: Survey 7
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Perth
• 96FM the new market leader with rock solid daytime shares
• Nova holds as breakfast and drive champ as Mix drops in all shifts
Read more: Perth Radio Ratings 2020: Survey 7
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Adelaide
• Mix 102.3 fights back as #1 overall with Jodie & Soda #1 FM breakfast
• David and Will #1 commercial breakfast despite share pulling back
UP: Cruise1323 +1.5
DOWN: Fiveaa -1.2
Read more: Adelaide Radio Ratings 2020: Survey 7
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12 months after launch IMAA reaches 50 member milestone
IMAA chairman, Dominic Pearman, said: “It was 16 months ago that the initial five independent agencies met to determine how best to structure the IMAA and after eight months of planning, the IMAA was launched in February this year with 20 agencies.
“We are extremely pleased to announce today we have 50 agency members from all around Australia representing around 800 employees within the advertising industry. The IMAA now has a very diverse membership with the common trait being 100% independent and Australian owned. Clearly there has been a desire and need for independent agencies to work together and to have a voice.
“Raising the profile of independents is highlighting the enormous benefits indies deliver to clients and the importance of indies in the media landscape. One of the greatest achievements has been to see our members help each other throughout the COVID period. We greatly look forward to what the next 12 months holds for the IMAA with the new leadership team due to take over early next year and make 2021 the ‘Year of the Independent’.”
The IMAA’s members can be viewed here: https://www.theimaa.com.au/#our-members
The new agency members agreed that the IMAA was needed both to work with other independent agencies and the value of having a combined independent voice.
Victoria Rowe
Growe Media founder and media director, Victoria Rowe, said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to join this group of passionate marketers who are deeply invested in driving the best possible results for clients. With collaboration and trusted partnerships between like-minded independent agencies, we have the opportunity to support top tier advertisers and drive local Australian agencies to the forefront of innovation. The IMAA offers more than a membership, it’s a movement, and together we can help rebuild the Australian economy.”
Laura Hamond Barnes and Josh Barnes
Connected founder and director, Laura Barnes, said: “We are excited to join the IMAA to further connect and collaborate with like-minded agency leaders. We appreciate the IMAA championing the benefits of working with independent agencies, and we are pleased to add to the powerful collective voice in market.
“We believe that independent marketing agencies can be the best choice for big brands. We pride ourselves on offering big agency smarts and experience combined with small agency innovation and flexibility.”
Chris May
The Advertising Works managing director, Chris May, said: “All independent agencies can add as much value to clients as large ones. Joining together and sharing ideas, thoughts and challenges can only enhance the value we can offer.”
Phil McDonald
BCM partner and managing director, Phil McDonald, said: “Joining the IMAA is just part of that ongoing commitment to being an independent media company. It really is exciting to join a group of like-minded media and advertising professionals across Australia. We are already benefitting from sharing learnings and helping to add to the strong voice of the many strong independent, Australian owned media agencies. We firmly believe the future of media here is Australian owned and being independent and we are very excited to be part of the IMAA.”
Members receive a range of benefits including a formalised network of industry leaders, a code of conduct, staff training, pitch support, IMAA certification and membership of the world’s largest independent agency network, thenetworkone.
Grant Broadcasters to launch 24 local sports shows in 2021
The Sideline View will broadcast on Saturday afternoons and will cover all the latest local community sport news, local games score updates and stories from all levels of local community sports clubs. Regular updates of the major National sports codes will also be included.
Alison Cameron, CEO of Grant Broadcasters, said: The Sideline View continues our commitment to increasing local content on our radio stations. Local sport is huge in the regional communities and has a great amount of interest with listeners. With the launch of 24 new shows by February of next year, we will have more live and local programmes than we have ever had before.”
Ryan Rathbone, group content director for Grant Broadcasters, is overseeing the launch. “The Sideline View is a new and exciting program developed purely for our local regions. We have a huge array of existing announcers across the network who are already connected with a lot of community sports organisations plus we will be seeking contributors to cover local news and sports updates. We will also look to the grass roots sporting clubs to share the history of their teams and some of the past stories that have now been passed into legend!”
In October this year Wave FM in Wollongong was the first station to launch a local version of The Sideline View with hosts Glen “Stolzy” Stolzenhein (a lifelong Parramatta tragic) and former NRL Premiership winner, NSW Blues State of Origin representative and Indigenous All-Star player, Jamie Soward (pictured).
Grant Broadcasters will not be taking any NRL games or networked sport shows previously sourced through Crocmedia/SEN to focus the content resources on the local production of The Sideline View in each market.
Stations in Victoria and SA will reduce their AFL broadcast to one game per weekend while the locally produced K Rock football will continue in Geelong as will their significant sponsorship of the Geelong Cats.
The Sideline View shows will be rolled out across the following markets before the start of the 2021 winter sports season:
Bega, Muswellbrook, Nowra, Wollongong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong , Mildura, Darwin, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln, Riverland, Spencer Gulf, Hobart, Launceston & the North West Coast of Tasmania.
TV ratings: Wednesday Week 45 2020
Primetime News
Seven News 1,049,000/1,051,000
Nine News 763,000/772,000
ABC News 641,000
10 News First 318,000/250,000
SBS World News 153,000
US Election Coverage
ABC: News/USA Votes special 7pm 641,000
ABC: USA Votes America’s Decision 6pm 384,000
ABC News: Planet America USA Votes Special 303,000
ABC: USA Votes Election Day Special 4pm 303,000
ABC: USA Votes Election Results Live 1pm 272,000
ABC News: USA Votes America’s Decision 6pm 233,000
ABC News: USA Votes 7pm 212,000
ABC: Planet America USA Votes Special 212,000
ABC: USA Election Day Live 10am 189k
Seven: US Election 2020 176,000
Nine: US Election 2020 151,000
10: The Project US Election Special 72,000
Daily current affairs
A Current Affair 682,000
The Project 324,000/466,000
Breakfast TV
Sunrise 264,000
News Breakfast 242,000
Today 212,000
Late night news
Nine News Late 149,000
The Latest 120,000
ABC Late News 54,000
World News Late 53,000
Wednesday TV
Seven: Despite attractions elsewhere Home and Away posted its best audience of the week with 584,000 after starting the week on 549,000 and 535,000.
The first episode of the two-part My House and Other Animals was on 226,000 at 7.30pm.
The 2020 movie Honour featuring the great Keeley Hawes did 149,000.
Nine: A November State of Origin match was always going to be a risk, but one Nine had to take with what is the biggest TV property of the year. Going up against the Trump v Biden title fight in the USA wasn’t ideal either.
The origin crowd of 1,598,000 was the smallest metro audience since 2003 while the national number of 2,378,000 was the smallest also since that year.
Even the reduced audience size was enough to keep Nine well clear in top spot across the night all people and in key demos. Nine will be hoping for a NSW win in Game 2 otherwise the Game 3 audience might tumble even lower.
10: Origin and election coverage elsewhere was bad news for the channel with The Bachelorette and The Project staying under 500,000.
Origin has hammed the channel’s share in previous years, and it did it again last night with the lowest Wednesday rating this year.
ABC: The channel ranked #2 in primary share and network share last night thanks to its USA election coverage (see chart above for how it dominated that news story).
The channel still found room for three non-election programs which all had smaller than usual audiences – Hard Quiz (596,000), Gruen (601,000) and Reputation Rehab (305,000 after launching on 556,000 a week ago).
SBS: Walking Britain’s Roman Roads had the biggest audience with 177,000.
The premiere of The Royals and the Tabloids did 128,000 and then the season final of The Good Fight was on 69,000.
Week 45: Wednesday
| WEDNESDAY METRO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven | Nine | 10 | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 13.7% | 7 | 12.1% | 9 | 31.0% | 10 | 8.6% | SBS One | 3.7% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 1.7% | 7TWO | 3.5% | GO! | 1.8% | 10 Bold | 2.6% | VICELAND | 1.7% |
| ABC ME | 0.4% | 7mate | 1.5% | GEM | 2.2% | 10 Peach | 2.1% | Food Net | 0.7% |
| ABC NEWS | 7.8% | 7flix | 1.4% | 9Life | 1.8% | 10 Shake | 0.3% | NITV | 0.1% |
| 9Rush | 0.8% | SBS World Movies | 0.6% | ||||||
| TOTAL | 23.6% | 18.5% | 37.6% | 13.5% | 6.9% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY REGIONAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven Affiliates | Nine Affiliates | 10 Affiliates | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 10.4% | 7 | 11.5% | 9 | 35.3% | WIN | 5.8% | SBS One | 2.4% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 1.4% | 7TWO | 4.4% | GO! | 2.4% | WIN Bold | 2.9% | VICELAND | 1.4% |
| ABC ME | 0.4% | 7mate | 2.1% | GEM | 3.7% | WIN Peach | 2.4% | Food Net | 0.4% |
| ABC NEWS | 6.3% | 7flix (Excl. Tas/WA) | 1.6% | 9Life | 1.7% | Sky News on WIN | 3.2% | NITV | 0.1% |
| SBS Movies | 0.7% | ||||||||
| TOTAL | 18.5% | 19.7% | 43.2% | 14.3% | 5.0% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY METRO ALL TV | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | STV | ||||||||
| 88.2% | 11.8% | ||||||||
WEDNESDAY FTA
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Match Nine 1,598,000
- Seven News At 6.30 Seven 1,051,000
- Seven News Seven 1,049,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 772,000
- Nine News Nine 763,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Pre Match Nine 749,000
- ABC News: USA Votes 7pm Special ABC 641,000
- Gruen ABC 601,000
- Hard Quiz S5 ABC 596,000
- Home And Away Seven 584,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Post Match Nine 486,000
- The Bachelorette Australia 10 470,000
- The Project 7pm 10 466,000
- Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COME DY 414,000
- USA Votes: America’s Decision ABC 384,000
- Hot Seat Nine 367,000
- The Project 6.30pm 10 324,000
- 10 News First 10 318,000
- Reputation Rehab ABC 305,000
- Planet America: USA Votes Special ABC NEWS 303,000
Demo Top Five
16-39 Top Five
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Match Nine 442,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Pre Match Nine 179,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Post Match Nine 136,000
- The Bachelorette Australia 10 128,000
- Seven News Seven 124,000
18-49 Top Five
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Match Nine 679,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Pre Match Nine 310,000
- The Bachelorette Australia 10 227,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 223,000
- Nine News Nine 221,000
25-54 Top Five
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Match Nine 728,000
- State Of Origin Rugby League QLD V NSW 1st -Pre Match Nine 340,000
- Seven News Seven 267,000
- Nine News Nine 259,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 258,000
WEDNESDAY Multichannel
- Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 414,000
- Planet America: USA Votes Special ABC NEWS 303,000
- USA Votes : America’s Decision ABC NEWS 233,000
- Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 220,000
- ABC News: USA Votes 7pm Special ABC NEWS 212,000
- Bluey ABCKIDS/COMEDY 196,000
- USA Votes : ABC News Primetime Special- EAVBC NEWS 185,000
- USA Votes : Election Day Special Cover AGBEC-PNMEWS 157,000
- Love Monster AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 146,000
- Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
- NCIS (R) 10 Bold 142,000
- Go Jetters PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
- The World-Le ABC NEWS 135,000
- Dog Loves Books ABCKIDS/COMEDY 135,000
- USA Votes : Election Results Live PM ABC NEWS 133,000
- Lewis PM 7TWO 130,000
- Hey Duggee ABCKIDS/COMEDY 129,000
- The Coroner PM 7TWO 125,000
- Peter Rabbit AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 124,000
- USA Votes : Election Day Live AM ABC NEWS 121,000
WEDNESDAY STV
- The Bolt Report Sky News Live 101,000
- Credlin Sky News Live 87,000
- Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 86,000
- The Kenny Report Sky News Live 84,000
- PML Later Sky News Live 77,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 75,000
- Democracy 2020: Election Coverage FOX News 69,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 64,000
- Alan Jones Sky News Live 62,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 59,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 47,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 47,000
- Democracy 2020: Election Coverage FOX News 44,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 43,000
- Outsiders Sky News Live 43,000
- Democracy 2020: Election Coverage FOX News 42,000
- The Great British Sewing Bee Lifestyle Channel 41,000
- U.S. Election Day Live Sky News Live 40,000
- Ricky Zoom Nick Jr. 34,000
- The Simpsons FOX8 33,000
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
Media bosses push government on tech giant crackdown
In his first public comments since the draft news media bargaining code was announced in July, News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller said it needed to be implemented in the next eight weeks to provide future financial certainty for news outlets. Nine Entertainment Co chief executive Hugh Marks has separately shut down the idea that the proposed legislation, which will force Google and Facebook to pay media companies for use of their news content, should accommodate the value of referral traffic.
“The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has handed the government a ground-breaking solution to solve the power imbalance between the tech giants and Australian media companies,” Miller told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. “It is vital for the future of trusted journalism in this country that the original timetable of putting the solution in place this year is met.”
Dan Stinton, managing director of Guardian Australia, said it was urgent a bill was passed through parliament.
“Let’s just remember why we’re here. According to the ACCC, Google and Facebook have increased their collective share of the digital advertising market from 73 per cent to 81 per cent in little more than a year,” Stinton said.
Harold Mitchell hit with $90,000 fine in Tennis Australia case
The relatively light fine imposed by the Federal Court came after a controversial case brought by the Australian Securities Investments Commission, which was only partially successful, and drew criticism of the regulator’s “litigate first” strategy.
Mitchell said he co-operated throughout ASIC’s six-year investigation into the awarding to Seven West Media of the tennis television rights in 2013, for $195m from 2015 to 2019.
Mitchell’s statement said he decided to not appeal as he did not want “any more taxpayer funds wasted by ASIC”.
Canberra likes ex-SBS, Telstra exec Michael Ebeid for AusPost job
As Australia Post’s board goes looking for the group’s third chief executive in three years, it is understood they’ve been given clear directions to think about an obvious candidate hiding in plain sight.
That candidate is Ebeid, who is well known in business and political circles thanks to his former two roles: running SBS and as head of Telstra’s enterprise business, from which he resigned last week.
When Ebeid left Telstra last week – a job that had him charged with a complex $8 billion business and 9000 staff across 20 countries – he hinted that he already knew where he would pop up next. He said: “Never easy, but the time is right for me & I’m excited abt pursuing a new business opportunity”.
Ebeid made $2 million at Telstra in the year to June 30 including salary, superannuation, incentives and the like and $1.6 million the year before, according to the telco’s annual report. Holgate, as Australia Post group CEO, made $1.6 million in FY20 and $2.6 million in FY19.
SBS staff reject freeze on pay increases despite government request
An SBS spokesman said 73 per cent of employees voted against deferring pay rises by six months earlier this week. SBS staff received a 2 per cent pay rise when a new enterprise agreement came into effect earlier this year and are expected to receive another increase next February.
“Voting closed earlier this week and the proposed EA variation was not approved by EA staff, with 27 per cent voting in favour and 73 per cent voting against the proposed pay increase deferral,” the SBS spokesman said. “This means there will be no variation to the current EA, and the scheduled pay increase for EA staff will go ahead in February 2021 as planned.”
News Brands
Seven, Nine in “full blown media war” over Adelaide news
Seven claims the bulletin was halted locally due to COVID while it was broadcast from Melbourne, but it has since been restored.
FIVEaa breakfast’s David Penberthy said “… it was a bit sneaky for Channel Nine to keep running ads denouncing Seven’s news service as not being local, last week.. the bulletin came back, the ads kept running.”
Seven reportedly sent Nine a “ferociously-worded” legal letter accusing them of false, deceptive misleading conduct.
A Nine spokesperson told TV Tonight, “We stand by our promo – it was factually correct and that’s why Nine refused Seven’s demands to pull it early. We note that despite their threats, Seven took no legal action.”
TV anchors and pundits criticise Trump’s baseless claims of fraud
Then President Trump got involved.
In a wee-hours appearance from the East Room of the White House, Trump claimed without evidence that the election was being taken from him by “a very sad group of people.” His baseless statements – including an unfounded claim that the election was “a major fraud on our nation” – stirred up anchors at major networks, some of which cut away from his remarks before he was finished.
“This is an extremely flammable situation, and the president just threw a match on it,” the anchor Chris Wallace told viewers on Fox News. Referring to Trump’s false claims that he had “clearly won” Georgia and North Carolina, neither of which has finished counting votes, Wallace said: “He hasn’t won these states. Nobody is saying he’s won the states. The states haven’t said that he’s won.”
Television
'Err on the side of caution': Carols by Candlelight ditches crowds
The annual Christmas sing-along last year drew a crowd of 10,000 to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The announcement that there would be no live audience for this year’s event comes after the city recorded its fifth consecutive day of no coronavirus cases on Wednesday. But Vision Australia chief executive Ron Hooton said public safety still needed to be taken into account.
“While the decision was made in the last few days, under stage three restrictions and despite fewer cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne, Vision Australia thought it better to err on the side of caution until there was greater certainty that COVID-19 was under control following the easing of those restrictions,” Hooton said.
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight will screen from 8pm on Thursday, December 24. The event will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and radio station 3AW.
Wake Up remembered: “It was like the Frontline of breakfast TV”
The ambitious show, the brainchild of producer Adam Boland, ran for only six months, broadcasting Live from Queenscliff Surf Club at Manly Beach.
But despite hopes to reinvent Breakfast television, it struggled against the titans, Sunrise and Today.
Co-host James Mathison recently reflected on the project telling TV Tonight, “That was easily the most disastrous thing I’ve ever been anywhere near. On so many levels!
“It was like the Frontline of breakfast TV, the sequence of events around that…
“But what came out of it was a very close, beautiful relationship with a super, dear friend of mine, Natarsha Belling. So that was my big takeaway from what was not an overly-glorious moment for 10.”
Publishing
MasterChef judge Melissa Leong lands cover of WHO Sexiest People issue
The much loved new MasterChef judge has landed not just her first magazine cover but a starring role in the much anticipated WHO Sexiest People issue.
“It has certainly been a year of the unexpected on all fronts, so why not add an extra level of surreal on top of that,” Leong said.
“I don’t see it as an opportunity for me, alone. To be an Asian woman on the cover, I know this will mean something to others who aren’t used to seeing faces like ours in this capacity. We’ve a long way to go in Australia in terms of opening the doors to real representation and inclusion, and I hope this cover, like the many who celebrate diversity, signals to those who are yet to be seen, that their time is coming.”
Sports Media
‘Flogging a dead horse’: Ten’s racing coverage falls short
This point came thundering home like Makybe Diva in the 2003 Melbourne Cup in a situation last weekend during Channel 10’s already infamous Derby Day coverage on Saturday.
To be fair to Ten, I didn’t watch it. To be fair to myself, neither did most of the country.
More to the point, the few who did seemed to instantly regret it.
Ten’s coverage of the Victoria Derby only pulled in 172,000 viewers while Seven’s broadcast of the fledgling Golden Eagle day in Sydney got 227,000.
Twitter is an appalling and dystopian barometer of the public mood but when you see almost 30,000 tweets being directed at a free-to-air broadcaster about a horse race then it’s fair to say that broadcaster is not having a good day. Trust me, I know how it feels.
Ray Warren retirement: Rabs concedes 2020 grand final could be his last
The man whose broadcasting career is as legendary as Smith’s playing achievements is undecided if this year’s State or Origin series will be his last.
The great Ray Warren told your columnist before Wednesday night’s game: “To give it away would be like cutting off my right arm.”
After 55 years of calling sport and becoming the voice of the game and rugby league’s version of Richie Benaud, Rabs says the Storm-Panthers grand final could have been his last decider.
“I’m going to sit back, relax and enjoy Christmas and January and then make a decision,” he says.
Melbourne could be the sole venue for complete summer of tennis
Tennis Australia chiefs have given other states and territories until next week to guarantee the world’s best players will be able to quarantine and easily travel to Victoria for January’s Open.
If not, the ATP Cup scheduled for Sydney and Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart Internationals would all be moved to Melbourne and played either side of the Open and event qualifiers.
Organisers fear players such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams could be stuck in other states if another COVID-10 outbreak occurred and restricted entry to Melbourne.