Monday October 21, 2019

Nine Upfront explained – Chief sales officer Michael Stephenson

• Superbrands on radio, 9Now better than social video, Olympic alternative

By James Manning

Without any major new programming announcements, Nine’s chief sales officer Michael Stephenson was able to tell buyers and marketers exactly what they would be getting next year with their Nine investment.

Stephenson also took the opportunity to update on the completed Fairfax integration.

Here he talks to Mediaweek about the 2020 advertising opportunities.

Nine’s portfolio of Superbrands

The merger of the Fairfax assets has given Nine access to an amazing group of brands – not just The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review – but household brands like Drive, Traveller, Good Weekend, Domain and Sunday Life. People have engaged with their content in our newspapers for many, many years and they all have amazing digital homes.

Now as part of the Nine family they are now finding a home on television. That might be like Domain on a Saturday morning or Good Food which will be live in primetime later this year. Or the extension of Good Weekend and Sunday Life into the Today show.

If there is an advertiser interested in the automotive category or consumers who are in that funnel, we have a solution. If they into food or property we have a solution, as we do for travel and lifestyle.

There is also now an opportunity to extend those brands into radio with Macquarie.

While we have amazing brands that exist on television and are amplified through digital and print, the Superbrands are beginning in print and then amplified across the rest of our business.

No one else can do that except Nine.

9 Now a better place than social video

I am passionate about the power of linear television and BVOD working in combination to deliver real sales outcomes for advertisers. It has been proven it delivers better outcomes.

Over the past five years $700m has moved out of the television market into the social video market. We have the ability to measure incremental reach through TV and BVOD with the VOZ database that is coming. There is further investment from Nine in content that is specific for that platform as we transition from a catchup service into an on demand platform in its own right, which is massively important for our company.

The world is becoming more and more addressable and 9Now is the vehicle to allow us to enable that for advertisers.

Data unification across merged business

We now have 11m deduplicated signed in users and subscribers across the merged business. It was one of the first projects we went with after the merger because we knew how important it was creating the addressable market. The project is complete and we have the ability internally to use that data to better inform some of the content decisions we might make, but at the same time for all of the people who will be at our Upfronts they have the opportunity to use that data to target more effectively.

Not just across 9Now, but across our broader digital ecosystem. It is one of Australia’s largest data assets and it will continue to grow as 9Now users continue to grow.

See also:

Watch the Mediaweek interviews with Nine’s Michael Stephenson and Hamish Turner on TickerTV.

Channel Nine Upfronts – what to expect next year

Mediaweek on Ticker – The Channel Nine Upfronts. James Manning speaks with Nine's head of programming and sales. Mediaweek Ticker Channel 9

Posted by ticker on Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Will dollars get sucked out of the market by the Olympic Games?

The Olympics are a great event and Seven will do a great job with it. The reality for us is next year we will spend $1b on creating local Australian content and what advertisers and agency visitors to the Upfront will see is the launch of Australia 2020.

That is the opportunity for advertisers – four partners – to advertise on all our major formats from the Australia Open into Married At First Sight, The Voice, Lego Masters, The Block, Love Island and the State of Origin amongst others. Powered will build big ideas for them. That will be 52 weeks of primetime coverage, not the 16 days of the Olympic Games.

For advertisers and sponsors who are not part of Australia 2020, but are advertising during the 16 days of the games, we will open up 9Galaxy for the very first time to our primetime inventory.

For any advertiser that invests with Nine over that period, every campaign will be fully automated and fully guaranteed.

[Stephenson explained the Australia 2020 investment for 52 weeks of the year will be a similar price point to what Seven is pricing an Olympic sponsorship.]

We already have a lot of people who are talking to us about this.

How will Nine finish the year?

I don’t think you need to use 9Predicts to work out the results. 2019 has been our greatest year ever. We have had a really clear strategy about creating the greatest content and distributing that content across every platform to engage our audiences and advertisers. We have also invested in data and technology.

We are #1 in every buying demographic that matters to advertisers and while we don’t focus on total people – we don’t program for it and don’t do anything with it – but we will win that as well I suspect. We will win under 50s and we will win over 50s. It’s been a great year for Nine and we offer consistency to advertisers that quite simply no one can deliver.

Nine Upfront explained: Hamish Turner on returning programs

• New Ninja Warrior spin-off + BBC content deal + 2 new series

By James Manning

Nine’s TV programming team of Michael Healy (director of television) and Hamish Turner (program director) have built a Nine schedule that will win the year for Nine and all going well perhaps do the same again next year.

There are no changes to the key timeslots next year as we reported from the Nine Upfront last week.

Here Hamish Turner talks to Mediaweek about the key properties for next year.

Lego Masters: Sticking to the format

It was the biggest show of 2019 and it lived up to expectations and then some. It was a great result for a fantastic show. Hamish Blake was really key to that and we had an amazing find in The BrickMan (Ryan McNaught). Some people saw that show and were surprised why it appealed to a broad audience. At the heart of the show was creativity and the power of creativity. It was showcasing people you haven’t seen on television before and there was real joy at the heart of the show.

We will be staying very true to the format for season two.

Australian Ninja Warrior – expanding the format

We have a fourth season that will run as usual, and like the US, we will now do some specials around that. There will be a team challenge off the back of the main series. There will be some new challenges for the competitors. Year-on-year the performance was up on 2018 and we are looking forward to what it can do in 2020.

The team challenge will possibly be a two-part special over two nights running at a different time of the year to the series.

The premium dramas for 2020 have links to previous programs

Informer 3838 is an extension of the Underbelly franchise and it involves Lawyer X and is currently in production.

In Halifax Retribution, Rebecca Gibney reprises her role as Jane Halifax and Anthony LaPaglia and Claudia Karvan join the cast. Set in Melbourne, it follows the Halifax story 20 years later and is a little grittier and it feels right for the times.

Doctor Doctor will kick off the year with Doctor Hugh back to his bad boy ways.

Hamish & Andy’s Perfect Holiday

This is a show that could become an annual series. With Gap Year we did multiple seasons and Perfect Holiday seems like a logical extension for those boys. We work closely with Hamish and Andy and we are always working on new ideas.

New shows that aren’t major franchises

Parent Jury is around helping parents who might be struggling with kids and putting together parents who feel like they may have the ultimate techniques for disciplining kids. At the heart of the show is a lot of love and a lot of empathy. It is currently in the late stages of development.

Step Back in Time is around the new nostalgia – celebrating years of a bygone era. It will be a celebration in front of a live audience looking at pop culture, music, movies and television. It’s a lot of fun and we have always been keen to get back into this space. We will be announcing some hosts shortly.

Nine’s new BBC deal

There is a bit of an arms race for content underway – we are battening down the hatches and locking in the BBC. This deal will guarantee premieres and exclusivity to Frozen Planet 2, Planet Earth 3 and Seven Worlds, One Planet – all with David Attenborough. It is great to be able to continue working with the BBC and shows that have a proven track record.

[Turner told Mediaweek he expects Nine will still be the home of first run Top Gear episodes in Australia.]

TV disruption with new streaming platforms

We will be watching Disney+ which is coming in November. It will be interesting to see what Apple’s strategy is with Apple+ – perhaps different to what Stan and Netflix is. Amazon is also in the space here, but their business model is very different in that it is linked to home shopping.

There is a lot of noise internationally about other platforms – NBC has Peacock, Warner Bros have HBO Max and I don’t think they will be coming to Australia any time soon. We keep track of where all the content is sitting – who has what – and where the opportunities exist.

Nine is in a fantastic position with Stan and we have the reach to bring real power to the table when we are negotiating.

Seven confirms sale of Pacific Magazines to Bauer Media for $40m

• Seven to keep producing BH&G TV, plus $2.2m ads annually in Bauer titles

Seven West Media has announced it has signed a binding agreement to sell Pacific Magazines to Bauer Media for a cash consideration of $40 million (pre-adjustments and leave provisions), which represents a 4.9x EV/EBITDA multiple based on the 2019 financial year. The sale is expected to complete by the end of the calendar year, subject to ACCC approval.

The deal is the third in two days from new Seven West Media MD and CEO James Warburton. On Friday, Warburton revealed the plan to acquire Prime Media and the sale of SWM’s WA radio assets, Redwave Media.

The proceeds of the sale will be used to pay down debt, improving SWM’s balance sheet flexibility and simplifying the organisation to focus on its content led growth strategy.

SWM and Bauer Media have also entered into commercial arrangements to mutually benefit both parties, including advertising spend commitments, the ongoing production of Better Homes and Gardens television program, and sharing lifestyle content under a long-term agreement. In addition, SWM will receive $6.6 million of advertising on Bauer Media assets over three years.

Warburton said, “The sale of Pacific Magazines is another major initiative aligned with our strategy to improve balance sheet flexibility and simplify the operating model to enable greater focus on growth initiatives. The team at Pacific have been at the forefront of our groups transformation and have done a tremendous job at repositioning their business, but there can be no doubt that there is a greater future within a larger scaled magazine group.”

Kieran Gilbert becomes first chief news anchor at Sky News Australia

Kieran Gilbert (pictured) has been appointed chief news anchor at Sky News and will commence in the role in November.

In this newly created position, Gilbert will lead the Sky News Canberra bureau, spearhead its award-winning political coverage and will also anchor major news and special events coverage.

In his expanded on-air role, Gilbert will front the channel’s election coverage, host leaders’ debates and the Sky News People’s Forum events. He will also anchor a new political program live from Parliament House in Canberra in 2020, with further details to be announced soon.

Previously chief political reporter at Sky News, Gilbert has been with the channel since 2002 and has been instrumental in building the Sky News Canberra bureau into Australia’s leader in political news and national affairs coverage. Gilbert is joined by the Sky News political team including Laura Jayes, Tom Connell and Annelise Nielsen.

Gilbert has earned a reputation as a leading political reporter and news breaker through his coverage of major news stories including six federal election campaigns, dozens of state elections and has covered all the major leadership spills over the last two decades.

In addition to federal politics, Gilbert has reported on many significant global news events including the Boxing Day tsunami and Barack Obama‘s inauguration as the 44th President of the United States.

Paul Whittaker, chief executive at Sky News said: “Kieran Gilbert is an outstanding political reporter and as he celebrates an impressive 17 years at the channel, I am delighted that he becomes our first chief news anchor. We have ambitious plans for the year ahead and Kieran will be at the forefront of Sky News programming. This announcement is the beginning of a number of initiatives we have coming soon.”

Kieran Gilbert said: “I am a proud member of the Sky News family and have been for a long time. I am honoured to take on this leadership role of our super talented political team in Canberra. As chief news anchor, I will not only cover politics, but big news and international stories, such as covering the upcoming Olympic Games in 2020 and the US Election.”

Gilbert returns to Sky News in the role of chief news anchor in November after hosting the Rugby World Cup for Fox Sports.

Week 42 TV Ratings: Nine keeps on winning, 10 records best week of the year

Nine has enjoyed another winning week. The channel has ranked #1 primary for nine of the past 10 weeks. Even though Nine managed to claim victory, it did so with its lowest survey channel share of the year – 18.2%.

The Block was Nine’s key weapon in the ratings race this week.

Nine has now won 21 of the 40 survey weeks with six weeks left.

In week 42 Nine has ranked #1 25-54 for combined channel share and primary channel share.

It’s been a big week for record low shares – Seven has just had its second successive equal lowest primary share since January with 17.1%.

Seven ended the week better than it started. It finished #1 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but ranked #3 behind Nine and 10 on Monday and Tuesday.

Sunrise and Seven News continued to be winners. Better Homes & Gardens ranked #1 lifestyle, but it had under 500,000 viewers.

Network 10 had its biggest combined and primary channel shares of the year and the best since January 2018 when it still had the Big Bash League.

The primary channel this week claimed #1 under 50 plus 16-39 and 18-49.

The combined network offering was #1 16-39nd #2 under 50 behind Nine.

The primary channel was up 19% in primetime week-on-week.

There were lots of programs that contributed. Doing much of the heavy lifting was The Masked Singer, Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Bachelorette and Gogglebox.

The primary channel had big audiences across Sunday with its coverage of the Bathurst 1000.

It will be hard to replicate its performance again this week though with no Tuesday 7.30 franchise and no Gogglebox.

The ABC’s best was again Gruen on 729,000, well ahead of the next best, Australian Story on 659,000.

The best on SBS was again Struggle Street with 292,000, ahead of Building Britain’s Canals on 270,000.

Radio ratings
Radio celebrates its finest in Brisbane at Commercial Radio Awards

• Radio Awards: Jonesy & Amanda Best On-Air FM, Ben Fordham Best Talk
• Other winners inc: Kate, Tim & Marty, Lawrence Mooney, Ray Hadley & Smallzy

WSFM breakfast hosts Jonesy and Amanda (Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller), have been crowned Best On- Air Team (Metro FM category) at the 31st Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), announced Saturday night at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane.
The win caps off a great year for the much-loved duo, who have notched up 14 years on air together and previously won the coveted award in 2012 and 2014.

2GB’s drive time host Ben Fordham won Best Talk Presenter for the fifth time and 2GB morning presenter Ray Hadley was awarded Best Current Affairs Presenter, bringing his career tally of ACRAs to 29 across all categories.

The Best On-Air Team (Metro AM) was won by Afternoons with Erin Molan & Natalie Peters, the first female duo to host a news/talk show on 2GB and the first all-female team to win this award in ACRAs history.

Nova’s popular drive show Kate, Tim & Marty won Best Networked Program and Best Syndicated Australian Program. Best Entertainment Presenter went to Triple M funnyman Lawrence Mooney, while Rebecca Morse, half of Hit107 Adelaide’s new breakfast duo Bec & Cosi, won Best Newcomer On-Air.

Other winners included:

• Best Sports Presenter – Peter Sterling (Triple M, Sydney)
• Best Music Presenter – Kent “Smallzy” Small, Nova Network
• Best Community Service Project – Kennedy Molloy’s trip to Yuendumu for Red Dust, Triple M.
• Best News Presenter (Metro AM) – Mel Usher, FIVEaa, Adelaide
• Best News Presenter (Metro FM) – Ange Anderson, Nova 106.9 Brisbane
• Brian White Award for Radio Journalism – Matthew Pantelis, FIVEaa, Adelaide
• Best Music Special – Carrie Bickmore & Tommy Little, Southern Cross Austereo
• Best Original Podcast (Unbranded) – Hamish & Andy, PodcastOne Australia.

 

Kent Andrew “Smallzy” (NOVA) at ACRAS’s 2019

Broadcasting icon and trailblazer Doug Mulray was inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognising his outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to radio. The former Triple M breakfast host’s quick wit and outrageous character skits in the 1980s gained him a massive following on radio and later TV. He has been a major influence on following generations of comedians and performers. Mulray, who rarely makes public appearances, accepted the accolade via video.

The chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner, said. “Tonight has been about celebrating the amazing talent – both on and off air – that works in the commercial radio industry and continue to produce outstanding radio and audio content in all its forms. We congratulate all the winners, both behind the scenes and in front of the mic.”

Entries for the ACRAs were received from 260 metropolitan and regional radio stations across Australia. Stations outside the metropolitan areas are well represented at the ACRAs with more than 200 finalists from country and provincial stations. Organised by Commercial Radio Australia, the national awards cover 37 categories. Winners are announced in each category across four areas: metropolitan, provincial, country and syndication/production company and encompass all areas of commercial radio broadcasting including news, talk, sport, music and entertainment. The ACRAs are peer judged by industry members.

Carrie Bickmore & Tommy Little – Southern Cross Austereo (Hit Network) at ACRA’s 2019

WINNERS FOR 2019 AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS (ACRAs)

Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters: Country>Provincial>Non-Metropolitan>Metropolitan>Syndication/Production Company

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM
Jonesy & Amanda; Brendan Jones & Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM
Afternoons with Erin Molan & Natalie Peters; Erin Molan & Natalie Peters, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Monkey in the Morning; Matt Monk, Lachi Rooke & Danielle Keilar, Coast FM, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Mike E & Emma;
Michael Etheridge & Emma Chow, The Edge 96.1, Western Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network P

BEST TALK PRESENTER
Sarah Boorer; 2BS, Bathurst NSW, Super Radio Network C
Tim Shaw; 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P
Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM
Country Today with Libby Price; Libby Price, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Australia By Night with Stephen Cenatiempo; Stephen Cenatiempo, Southern Cross Austereo P
Kate, Tim & Marty;
Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER
Stephen Cenatiempo; Triple M Regional Network, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Ray Hadley; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER
Alo Baker; Hit93.5, Dubbo NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C
Jeremy Ryan; Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P
Lawrence Mooney; Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MUSIC PRESENTER
Gemma Maddox; Hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Kent “Smallzy” Small; Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER
Kate Meade; 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Tom King; K Rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P
Peter Sterling;
Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM
Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Richie, Tim Blackwell, Marty Sheargold & the Nova Entertainment Syndication Team, NOVA Entertainment

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT
Brad’s Big Black Box; Brad Blissett, Power FM, Bega NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Disclaimer Man; Luke Bradnam, Gold 92.5, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Back to School Specials; Radio Chaser, Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT
Triple M Classic Rock Digital; Adam Williscroft, Southern Cross Austereo

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR
George Sargent; 2BS, Bathurst NSW, Super Radio Network C
Erin Ramsay; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P
Rebecca Morse; Hit107, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM
Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin NT, Grant Broadcasters NM
Matthew Pantelis; FIVEaa, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Tathra Radiothon; 2EC & Power FM, Bega NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Stand Up To Domestic Violence; Bridget Daley & Spida Everitt, Gold 92.5, Broadbeach QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Kennedy Molloy’s trip to Yuendumu for Red Dust; Jane Kennedy, Mick Molloy, Chris Marsh & Whitney Plowman, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST RADIO SHOW PODCAST
The Jimmy & Nath Podcast; Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Hit100.9, Hobart TAS, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Ricky Gervais One-On-One with Christian O’Connell; The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show, Gold 104.3, Melbourne VIC, Australian Radio Network M

BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – BRANDED
Focus On Ability; Nova Employment & the Nova Entertainment Podcast Team, NOVA Entertainment

BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – UNBRANDED
Hamish & Andy; Hamish Blake & Andy Lee, PodcastOne Australia

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
2018 AFL Grand Final Call; K Rock Football Commentary Team, K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM
State of Origin Game II; Ray Hadley’s Continuous Call Team, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST DOCUMENTARY
David Collins – Goodbye, Farewell, Amen; David Collins, Tanya Wilks, Mark Brewer & David Dollin, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Jimmy Barnes R U OK Day;
Triple M Content, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL
Alana and Robbie’s David Guetta Music Special; Alana McLean & Robbie Klitzing, Red FM, Regional WA, Redwave Media C
Jai Waetford Special; The Edge & Jimmy Manning, The Edge 96.1, Western Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network P
Backstreet Boys Live in Las Vegas; Carrie Bickmore & Tommy Little, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION
Hit104.7 Skyfire; Zak Davies, Tarryn Evans, Adam Jansen, Alexandra Carlon, Georgia Duck, Josh Torney, Ned Breward, Matt Heap, Bethany Larsen, Gemma Maddox & Rod Cuddihy, Hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM
Fifi, Fev & Byron’s Real Slim Tradie; Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola & Byron Cooke, 101.9 The Fox, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES
Jesse & Juelz’ Busselton Jetty Swim; Grant Fletcher, Jesse Watkins, Juelz Jarry, Simone Butland & Amy Collett, Hit 95.7, Bunbury WA, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Afterpay Presents Nova’s Red Room with Gang of Youths; Stephanie Loupelis, Claire Marshall, Aleksei Plinte, Lynette Churchill, Danielle Kosoric, Briar-Louise Rose, Oriel Guthrie, Mitchell Jones, Amy Don, Tara Wyllie, Amanda Ong, Leesa Ogilvy, Brendan Taylor, Tony Thomas & Jane Elliot, Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Sea FM Sing It Out; SCA Marketing, Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Kennedy Molloy DUOS Version 2; Jane Kennedy, Mick Molloy & SCA Marketing, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PROMOTION
Stolzy & Damo’s Town Songs; Glenn Stolzenhein, Damien Leith & Sam Arenson, Power FM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Mow The MMM’s; Jay Shipston, Dave Peters, Angela Julian & Annita Mckinnon, Triple M, Mackay QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Fitzy & Wippa’s Backyard Cricket Match at the PM’s House; The Fitzy & Wippa Backyard Cricket Team, Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SALES PROMOTION
Tanya & Steve’s Mine OB; Triple M Newcastle Promotions Team, Triple M, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Jonesy & Amanda’s Sydney Lunar Festival World Record Yum Cha ; Brendan Jones, Amanda Keller & The WSFM Team, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC
Rhea Gillie Fairsy’s Big Breakfast; LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters, NM
Leon Sjogren – Fifi, Fev & Byron; 101.9 The Fox, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS
Melissa Redman – Tasmania Talks with Brian Carlton; LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters NM
Zac McLean – The Ben Fordham Show; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Glenn Stolzenhein; Power FM & 2NM, Muswellbrook NSW, Grant Broadcasters C
Ryan Khay; TRFM, Traralgon VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters P
Georgie Page; smoothfm Network, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR
Mike Ormond-Birch; Sea FM, Devonport & Burnie TAS, Grant Broadcasters C
Andrew Very; Gold 92.5, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Jack Ball; Hit105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR
Molly Perrett; K Rock and bay 93.9, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM
Melissa Ratchford;
ARN Melbourne, VIC, Australian Radio Network M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO AM
Mel Usher; FIVEaa, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER – METRO FM
Ange Anderson; Nova 106.9, Brisbane QLD, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL
Michael Prevedello; 2GN, Goulburn NSW, Capital Radio Network C
Renee Criddle: i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Project Typhoon – SCA Playout System Rollout; James Dearness, Cameron St Clair & the Project Typhoon Team, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Brendan Egan & Troy McInnes; Hitz 939, Bundaberg QLD, Grant Broadcasters C
Allison Rasmussen; Triple M, Townsville QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P
Jeff Nielsen; WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE
Macquarie Medi Spa “We’re for Blokes”; Janeen Hosemans, Daniel King, Nicolas Cook & Karla McDiarmid, 2BS & B-Rock, Bathurst NSW, Super Radio Network C
Apple Song; Josh Robins, Nat Marshall & Ethan Kavanagh, Hit Southwest, Bunbury WA, Southern Cross Austereo P
Walk a Mile in My Boots; Demi Williams & Eddie Bye, Nova 91.9, Adelaide SA, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN
Brisbane Waters Private; Cameron Horn, David Horspool & Ally Kallis, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM
Speeding Ads; Garry Dean, Magnus Newman & Drew Barrett, Nova 93.7, Perth WA, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON
James Paton; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON
Jim Walker-Broose; 2XL & SNOW FM, Cooma NSW, Capital Radio Network C
Termira Speer; i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P
James Byron; 4BC, Brisbane QLD, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT
3NE & Edge FM Sales Team; Wangaratta VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters NM
Crocmedia Melbourne Direct Sales Team; 1116 SEN, Melbourne VIC, Pacific Star Network M

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR
Leona Chan; 2QN & Edge FM, Deniliquin NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters C
Anthony Badolato; The Edge 96.1, Western Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network P
Will Porter;
Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

Radio Awards 2019: SCA’s Triple M & Hit Network teams biggest winners

The biggest winner at the 2019 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) was Southern Cross Austereo.

The broadcaster took home 33 trophies shared across its Triple M and Hit Network metro and regional stations. Some of those awards were shared with its co-owner ARN at their Canberra stations and we counted one Redwave Media win into the SCA tally. (SCA revealed on Friday it was buying the stations from Seven West Media.)

Nova was the next biggest winner with 13 trophies shared across its metro Nova stations, plus smoothfm, Fiveaa in Adelaide and Star FM on the NSW Central Coast.

Grant Broadcasters performed next best with 12 winners across its regional network.

The Australian Radio Network is the new home of 10 ACRA trophies.

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION Fifi, Fev & Byron’s Real Slim Tradie; Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola & Byron Cooke, 101.9 The Fox, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo at ACRA’s 2019

2019 ACRA Winners by Network

33 Southern Cross Austereo
13 Nova Entertainment
12 Grant Broadcasters
10 Australian Radio Network
7 Macquarie Radio Network
7 ACE Radio
3 Bathurst Broadcasters
3 Capital Radio Network
2 WIN Radio
1 Crocmedia
1 PodcastOne

BEST STATION PROMOTION (M) Fitzy & Wippa’s Backyard Cricket Match at the PM’s House; The Fitzy & Wippa Backyard Cricket Team, Nova 96.9, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M at ACRA’s 2019

Radio great Doug Mulray inducted into Commercial Radio Hall of Fame

Radio royalty and icon of Australian broadcasting Doug Mulray was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the 31st annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards. He was inducted by Triple M Sydney’s current breakfast host Lawrence Mooney.

Mulray was recognised for his outstanding achievements and unique contribution to the Australian radio industry at the event in Brisbane in front of nearly 1000 guests. Mulray wasn’t on hand to accept his award, but he gave his acceptance speech by video. Even though he wasn’t in the room he still managed to get a standing ovation.

Mulray’s first foray into radio was at the small country station 2AD in NSW. His next on-air role was at 2GO Gosford on the Central Coast. Making the move to Melbourne in the mid-70s, Mulray headlined the 3AW program Mulray & The Man, before heading back to NSW in the late 1970s and a gig at 2JJ (now Triple J).

It was in the early 80s where Mulray truly cemented his place as an influential voice in Australian radio when he became one of the faces of the newly launched Triple M.

As Sydney’s breakfast presenter at the network he became a dominant force in the radio ratings, growing the show from a ratings share of 2.6% up to over 18% at one point. Mulray followed his highly successful stint at Triple M with on air roles in the drive time slot on 2SM and at station 2WS, signing off in 1999.

Mulray – or Uncle Doug as he was affectionately called – is well-known for his quick wit and outrageous comedy skits featuring a variety of memorable characters.

During his time in radio, Mulray worked alongside some of the biggest names in Australian media including Andrew Denton and Peter FitzSimons. Outside radio, Mulray recorded several comedy records, including I’m A Punk, which was equal #1 in NSW alongside The Rolling StonesStart Me Up in 1982. His single You Are Soul reached #34 on the ARIA singles chart.

He also featured on Australian TV shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Mulray. In 2003, he hosted the ahead of its time breakfast show Breakfast From the Basement, which was simulcast each weekday morning online and on Foxtel’s MusicMax channel.

“There is no disputing the enduring place that Doug Mulray has in the fabric of the Australian radio industry. His formative impact on breakfast radio and broadcast comedy still resounds through what is heard on air today, making him one of the most respected and unforgettable voices in Australian radio,” said Joan Warner, chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia.

In a message to Mulray, Andrew Denton, who worked with him at Triple M and who considers Mulray a mentor, said, “You broke the mould. In fact, you reinvented the idea of a mould. You single-handedly, as far as I could see, put commercial FM radio on the map. You were the first ever to take a commercial FM radio station to number one against the then dominant AM radio.”

Mulray said: “It’s nice to be included, to be inducted. I’ve never been inducted before, I hope it doesn’t hurt. I appreciate being remembered fondly by the industry. It is a great pleasure and a great privilege.”

He also acknowledged those who contributed to the success that he experienced during his career, particularly the production unit that he worked with at Triple M.

“It would be dumb for me to receive this award without acknowledging those people, generally if I can’t mention all the names. Genius people. And I think that too often when my success is discussed they’re overlooked and I really couldn’t accept this award without including them in my thank you.”

Previous inductees to the Hall of Fame include Amanda Keller, Ray Hadley, NOVA Entertainment Chief Executive Officer, Cathy O’Connor, Jeremy Cordeaux, Peter Harvie, Kevin Blyton, Graham Mott, Tony Pilkington, Derryn Hinch, Neil Mitchell, John Laws, Bob Rogers, Janet Cameron, Gary O’Callaghan, Paul Thompson, Bob Francis, Rod Muir, Frank Hyde and Lee Simon.

Kyle Sandilands shocks radio industry with performance that KIIS audience loves

Radio people often talk about “keeping it real”. Today that cliché was put into practice with a very real brush with a popular breakfast radio.

The Radio Alive session featuring Karl Stefanovic interviewing his friend Kyle Sandilands promised to be the wildest ever at the annual radio gathering.

It’s unlikely delegates have ever heard an industry icon talk about everything from doing drugs to sexual self pleasure (and not just masturbation) and the sexual attraction of a co-host, to the rules of radio. [Spolier: “There are no rules”, said Sandilands to Stefanovic’s question.]

Jackie O was originally scheduled to take part in the interview, in the end she stayed in Sydney to spend more time with her daughter.

Karl and Kyle took that stage with the KIIS FM host cracking jokes about taking cocaine. He referred many times during the 45-minute session to smoking weed. Earlier in the day on his Friday breakfast show, Kyle had tried to persuade the NSW Premier she should legalise marijuana.

Karl didn’t quite now how to start off the interview and reference Kyle’s recent contract renewal. “I got divorced and sacked. You offend two of the world’s great religions and get $8m.”

The interview formally started when Kyle started recounting his career track which started at 4TO in Townsville. He seemed to soon tire of telling it one more time, reminding people there is a book, “If you can find it.”

“I was a homeless kid in Brisbane who then went to living with my aunty in Townsville.

As 16-year-old I went for a job for one hour a week in the 4TO promotions department. I lied and told them I’d worked in a Brisbane radio station.”

Kyle revealed it was the lie that got him the job.

“At night I’d listen to Anthony Robbins cassettes.”

His radio journey then took him to Cairns, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Canberra.

And then WA: “In Perth I was so addicted to marijuana. I was the promotions manager and doing breakfast for free. I also had an obsessive/compulsive disorder. I had about seven relationships at work going at once. It was allowed back in the good old days. I was engaged to one and f@#$in six other ones. Everyone was up for it.”

“Then to Darwin, and then to Triple M in Brisbane. But I hated rock music.”

Jeff Alliss then plucked Kyle out of Brisbane for Sydney to work with Jackie O.

What did you think of Jackie O when you first met, asked Karl.

“I thought she was definitely…. [When audience groaned at what we won’t publish, Kyle said, “What’s wrong – don’t you agree?”]

“My ultimate aim was to do breakfast at SeaFM on Gold Coast.” Kyle said he aimed low realistically.

On Jackie, Kyle said they never competed against each other. “I admire Jackie and what she brings and I listen to what she says. We listen to each other and respect each other. Early in my career Jackie and Cathy O’Connor [then with Austereo] had an intervention because I was screaming at people and telling them they were fucked.

“Jeff Allis helped me get rid of my angst and anger. He said people were so terrified of me and he told me to stop being a prick. I just stopped and it was fine. I have never yelled at anybody since.”

Karl on Kyle: “I find it hard to believe you are still on the radio. I have tremendous respect for your ability and you are very honest which takes courage. Your humour comes from the raw honesty.”

On leaving Austereo: “I knew I could take the audience with me. I was so loyal to that company. They thought our show could only last 10 years. That management are now all selling cars.”

On the move to ARN, Kyle said he called Duncan Campbell – “a genius programmer. I was high on weed and called Duncan with an idea to put the best show on the shittiest station.”

Kyle’s non radio rules

“Nothing is ever planned – I do very little to zero preparation.

” There is a method to that, it is not just laziness. I like to go in and hear things like a listener. I like to go in with virgin ears and hear things for the first time.

The K&J Show goes until 10.30am many days. “They get an hour and a half free.”

“I am always as horrified as anyone else if something goes wrong. Our mantra for our show is it should be a group of friends getting together and taking the piss.

“I have said plenty of dumb things, but I’m not going to run around licking assholes all day.”

“I don’t know if half the shit I say is right. If I hear a better idea or opinion then I will change.”

Working at ARN: “It’s old school radio, not like working for the ATO, which is what it was like at Austereo.”

Grinspoon
ARIA Chart: Hillsong Worship joins Grinspoon…in the top 10!

• Singles: Maroon 5 up, Harry Styles new, but Tones and I still #1

By James Manning

Singles

Tones and I trivia this week sees Dance Monkey holding at #1 for a 12th week meaning it is another week closer to Ed Sheeran’s record of 15 weeks on top of the chart. He set that record with Shape Of You.

The highest new entry this week (and only chart debut in the top 50) comes from Harry Styles with Lights Up landing at #7. It’s his second time in the top 10 after his debut solo single Sign Of The Times peaked at #1 in April 2017. Lights Up is a track from his forthcoming second solo album.

Kosovo-born DJ Regard (Dardan Aliu) has slipped into the top 10 with Ride It up from #11 to #6 after five weeks on the chart with the remix of a 2008 single from Jay Sean.

Also moving into the top 10 this week is US rapper Blackbear with Hot Girl Bummer which moves from #17 to #10 in its sixth week on the chart.

Albums

Post Malone has quietly been building a good run at top spot on the album chart. Another week there for Hollywood’s Bleeding means there hasn’t been a change at the top of either major ARIA chart since the start of September.

Another chart triumph for the Hillsong Church this week with a studio album from Hillsong Worship new at #3. Other Hillsong Worship releases that have done well in the past few years were There Is More (#2 in April 2018), Let There Be Light (#2 in October 2016) and Open Heaven/River Wild (#1 in October 2015).

Four other albums also debuted in the top 50 this week:

#9 Grinspoon with Chemical Heart (Best Of). This vinyl-only release is the band’s second compilation showcasing their body of work. This gives the band their eighth entry into the top 10 and the first since Black Rabbits in 2012.
#18 Babymetal with Metal Galaxy. Third album and second time in the ARIA top 50 for the Japanese kawaii metal band.
#30 88rising with Head In The Clouds II. First time on the Australian chart for the hip-hop collective and, as you might have guessed, with the follow-up to their first album Head In The Clouds.
#47 Lacuna Coil with Black Anima. Some interesting artists new to the chart this week – including this Italian gothic metal band from Milan with their ninth album.

TV Ratings Analysis: October 20

• Scotty tells Blockheads three more weeks work still on TV’s #1
• Best of the rest: Karl faces sharks on 60 Minutes, ABC’s Total Control
• Jumbo jets lift SBS Sunday share to best result in 19 weeks

Sunday Week 43 2019

By James Manning

• Seven News 840,000
• Nine News 790,000
• ABC News 598,000
• The Project 232,000/363,000
• Insiders 340,000
• 10 News First 237,000
• SBS World News 142,000
• Offsiders 138,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 289,000
• Today 172,000

Seven

Going into Upfront week, the channel has recorded its smallest Sunday primary share since January.

Seven is giving the last few weeks of Sunday Night the timeslot it would have hoped for all along – Sunday 7pm. It did 398,000 last night, but that was down on last week’s 430,000.

Border Security did 361,000.

A double episode of the British crime drama A Confession then did 291,000 and 210,000.

Nine

Sunday night is where Nine is really getting its programming in order. It hasn’t had a Sunday share under 20% this year (and many well above), while Seven has had 25 Sundays under 20% so far.

Host Scott Cam broke the news to the contestants on The Block that if they were in last year’s series they would have finished by now! He then told them they have three more weeks of work ahead. The Sunday episode ranked #1 even well ahead of the 6pm news bulletins, with 1.097m.

On 60 Minutes Karl Stefanovic was thrown to the sharks in a story about a shark whisperer. The episode did 533,000 after 703,000 last week.

10

The Sunday Project ended with an appearance from Trinny Woodall who is in Australia to launch her new makeup range. The episode did 363,000 which was 10’s biggest Sunday audience.

The Graham Norton Show was not far behind with 345,000 watching guests including Debbie Harry and Arnie.

NCIS then did 305,000 with a repeat following on 198,000.

ABC

The channel had three of the top seven Sunday shows with ABC News on 598,000 followed by Grand Designs: The Street on 435,000 and then the second episode of the drama Total Control on 446,000. The Blackfella Films drama debuted a week ago with 538,000. However in the seven days since the TV catchup added another 184,000 to 722,000 without factoring in any iview crowd, which looks like another 100,000 over the past week.

SBS

The channel has recorded its best Sunday share since June thanks to a repeat of both episodes of Jumbo Jet: 50 Years in the Sky after 8.30pm. The average audience watching both episodes was 233,000.

Prior to that Great Continental Railway Journeys did 194,000.

Week 42-43 TV: Friday-Sunday
FRIDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC13.7%717.5%913.7%10 11.5%SBS One5.2%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY3.8%7TWO4.1%GO!5.7%10 Bold3.7%VICELAND0.7%
ABC ME0.7%7mate3.8%GEM2.3%10 Peach2.9%Food Net1.8%
ABC NEWS1.5%7flix3.4%9Life2.1%  NITV0.2%
  7Food0.8%    SBS World Movies0.8%
TOTAL19.7% 29.6% 23.9% 18.1% 8.7%

 

SATURDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC9.9%717.2%914.9%10 11.3%SBS One4.4%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY3.6%7TWO4.3%GO!4.9%10 Bold3.5%VICELAND1.0%
ABC ME0.5%7mate3.7%GEM5.4%10 Peach2.7%Food Net1.2%
ABC NEWS1.8%7flix3.9%9Life3.3%  NITV0.2%
  7Food1.3%    SBS World Movies0.9%
TOTAL15.9% 30.5% 28.4% 17.6% 7.6%

 

SUNDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC10.6%714.4%924.3%10 9.9%SBS One6.5%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.8%7TWO3.0%GO!3.4%10 Bold3.7%VICELAND1.5%
ABC ME0.5%7mate4.6%GEM4.1%10 Peach2.0%Food Net1.3%
ABC NEWS1.4%7flix1.3%9Life2.7%  NITV0.1%
  7Food0.8%    SBS World Movies1.2%
TOTAL15.3% 24.1% 34.5% 15.6% 10.5%

 

SUNDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC11.1%713.8%920.8%WIN8.8%SBS One4.8%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY3.2%7TWO3.7%GO!5.3%WIN Bold2.8%VICELAND1.8%
ABC ME1.1%7mate4.9%GEM6.5%WIN Peach1.8%Food Net1.2%
ABC NEWS1.3%7flix (Excl. Tas/WA)1.4%9Life3.2%Sky News  on WIN1.3%NITV0.1%
  7food (QLD only)0.2%    SBS World Movies1.0
TOTAL16.6% 24.0% 35.8% 14.7% 8.9%

 

SUNDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
83.4%16.6%
All People Ratings

Friday Top 10

  1. Seven News Seven 770,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 748,000
  3. Nine News Nine 673,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 657,000
  5. ABC News ABC 522,000
  6. A Current Affair Nine 500,000
  7. Better Homes And Gardens Seven 490,000
  8. Grantchester ABC 455,000
  9. Gardening Australia ABC 452,000
  10. The Chase Australia Seven 444,000

 

Saturday Top 10

  1. Seven News Seven 715,000
  2. Nine News Saturday Nine 561,000
  3. ABC News-Sa ABC 500,000
  4. The Good Karma Hospital ABC 416,000
  5. Rugby World Cup 2019: Qf 1 Wallabies V England 10 396,000
  6. M- Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire Seven 335,000
  7. Vanity Fair ABC 328,000
  8. Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Nine 292,000
  9. Getaway Nine 264,000
  10. Rugby World Cup 2019: Qf 1 Wallabies V England 10 257,000
Sunday FTA
  1. The Block Nine 1,097,000
  2. Seven News Seven 840,000
  3. Nine News Sunday Nine 790,000
  4. ABC News Sunday ABC 598,000
  5. 60 Minutes Nine 533,000
  6. Total Control ABC 446,000
  7. Grand Designs: The Street ABC 435,000
  8. Sunday Night Seven 398,000
  9. The Sunday Project 7pm 10 363,000
  10. Border Security – Australia’s Front Line Seven 361,000
  11. The Graham Norton Show 10 345,000
  12. NCIS 10 305,000
  13. A Confession Seven 291,000
  14. Weekend Sunrise Seven 289,000
  15. Btk: A Killer Among Us Nine 283,000
  16. 10 News First 10 237,000
  17. Insiders AM ABC 234,000
  18. Jumbo Jet: 50 Years In The Sky (R) SBS 233,000
  19. The Sunday Project 6.30pm 10 232,000
  20. Landline PM ABC 227,000
Sunday Multichannel
  1. Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 174,000
  2. Little Princess AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 160,000
  3. Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 156,000
  4. Rusty Rivets AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  5. Bananas In Pyjamas AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
  6. Midsomer Murders 9Gem 138,000
  7. Kiri And Lou AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
  8. M- Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Az 7mate (R) 137,000
  9. Border Security – Australia’s Front Line 7TWO 134,000
  10. Rugby World Cup 2019: Quarter Final 3 10 Bold 132,000
  11. Fixer Upper 9Life 130,000
  12. Border Security – Australia’s Front Line 7TWO 126,000
  13. Octonauts AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 125,000
  14. Play School AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 119,000
  15. Border Security Usa-Ep.2 Pm (R) 7TWO 113,000
  16. Rugby World Cup 2019: Quarter Final 3 10 Bold VE 112,000
  17. M- Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb 7mate 107,000
  18. Insiders AM ABC NEWS 106,000
  19. Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones 9GO! 104,000
  20. Law & Order: Svu Ep 2 (R) 10 Bold 96,000
Sunday STV
  1. Live: RWC: Qf4 Jpn V Rsa FOX SPORTS 503 222,000
  2. Live: RWC: Qf3 Wal V Fra FOX SPORTS 503 201,000
  3. Live: RWC Pre Game: Qf#4, Jap V Rsa FOX SPORTS 503 183,000
  4. Live: RWC Post Game: Qf#4, Jap V Rsa FOX SPORTS 503 130,000
  5. Live: RWC Pre Game: Qf#3, Wales V France FOX SPORTS 503 71,000
  6. Live: Motogp Japan FOX SPORTS 506 63,000
  7. Outsiders Sky News Live 59,000
  8. Outsiders Sky News Live 55,000
  9. World On Fire BBC First 53,000
  10. Selling Houses Australia Lifestyle Channel 47,000
  11. Midsomer Murders UKTV 46,000
  12. Live: A-League Melb C V Adel FOX SPORTS 505 44,000
  13. Midsomer Murders UKTV 41,000
  14. Live: A-League Syd V Well FOX SPORTS 505 41,000
  15. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 36,000
  16. Selling Houses Australia Lifestyle Channel 36,000
  17. Live: Wbbl: Thunder V Heat FOX CRICKET 32,000
  18. Live: Motogp: The Grid FOX SPORTS 506 31,000
  19. The Simpsons FOX8 31,000
  20. Live: Moto2 Japan FOX SPORTS 506 30,000

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

Bauer poised to acquire Pacific Magazines in $40m deal

For years, Bauer Media’s executives who have walked the offices of Sydney’s 54 Park Street have considered the acquisition of arch-rival Pacific Magazines as “water-cooler” conversation – rumoured and discussed, but never a reality, reports The Australian’s Zoe Samios

Even when The Australian asked Bauer’s new chief executive Brendon Hill earlier this year about such a deal, he joked it off.

“There’s been talks for 10 years,” Hill said.

But as early as this week Bauer is expected to acquire Pacific from Seven West Media, in a deal believed to be worth $40m. This will see fierce magazine competitors from Bauer’s The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day and Elle, and Pacific’s New Idea, Marie Claire and Women’s Health and Men’s Health together under one roof.

[Read the original]

Seven West's Prime Media deal keep Stokes' promises

Seven West Media’s scrip-based takeover of regional TV group Prime Media is a great example of the Stokes family fulfilling two of its key promises around its media interests, reports The AFR’s James Thomson.

When the family appointed new chief executive James Warburton in August, it made it clear it was willing to back his push to drive consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. Warburton was specifically brought in to change the narrative around Seven West Media and he’d have the Stokes family’s full support.

But as Seven Group Holdings chief executive Ryan Stokes told Chanticleer at the time, Warburton wouldn’t be getting any capital to make his changes. He’s needed to get creative.

By using Seven West’s scrip to grab Prime Media, Warburton has shown he can meet the family’s dual riding instructions.

[Read the original]

Hoyts invests big to build cinema experience in streaming era

Hoyts chief executive Damian Keogh believes the cinema industry needs to evolve and invest heavily to create experiences in the battle for eyeballs against streaming services such as Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.

Hoyts has spent significant money, more than $300 million, upgrading its cinemas across Australia and New Zealand, to add features including bars, cafes and luxury seating, Keogh said.

“We introduced the recliners at the back end of 2015 into Australia where we renovated, took out all the seats, lost about half our capacity, put in power recliners in every seat, and we kept the ticket price the same so that the focus was very much on the value equation for the customer and the customer experience,” Keogh told The Australian Financial Review.

Cinemas now compete against the so-called golden age of television, where content, of both TV shows and movies, is readily available on streaming services at a monthly price that’s often cheaper than a single movie ticket, all in the comfort of a consumer’s home.

With Hoyts turning 110 years old last month, Keogh said the investment is to “create the cinema of the future”, one that keeps people coming into the movies over the long-term.

[Read the original]

Nine, Deloitte sharpen pencils on Macquarie Radio cost savings

Nine Entertainment Co has sent senior managers and Deloitte consultants into the offices of 2GB-owner Macquarie Media to find $11 million in savings promised to investors following the television broadcaster’s takeover of the radio network, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jennifer Duke.

Major changes at Macquarie are expected in about three weeks, with discussions about staffing, backroom operations, sales and overall cost cuts now underway.

The integration work has unsettled some staff within the radio company’s Sydney office, with several sources raising concerns about redundancies and potential future changes. Macquarie’s Brisbane office has also been visited by senior Nine staff members as the deal progresses.

[Read the original]

Seven wins revenue share in September amid tough advertising market

Seven West Media secured the biggest share of advertising market dollars in September with 42 per cent of revenue, despite rival Nine Entertainment Co attracting the most viewers over the month, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jennifer Duke.

ThinkTV data provided by a media industry source found Seven won the month with 41.9 per cent of commercial free-to-air advertising revenue followed by Nine at 38.4 per cent.

Network 10 tallied up 19.7 per cent of advertising spend, despite launching ratings winner The Masked Singer on September 23.

For the month before Nine had a 43 per cent share, Seven had 35.9 per cent and 10 had 21.1 per cent. Nine was airing The Ashes cricket series in August. Television lobby group ThinkTV’s members include Seven, Nine, Ten and Foxtel Media.

[Read the original]

News Brands

Right To Know takes over newspaper front covers across Australia

Media companies launched the Right To Know campaign in TV ads on Sunday night. Radio ads are also part of the campaign which also includes front pages of newspapers today from all publishers.

News Corp Australia executive Michael Miller writes in The Australian today:

For years, governments, courts and public authorities have been building a great wall to keep much of what they do a secret and using legislation to make it a criminal offence for media to tell you.

In fact, at least 75 pieces of legislation introduced since 2001 have created roadblocks to stop you finding out what’s going on in this country.

This is why every major media company in Australia has come together this Monday to launch a campaign for your right to know.

I urge all Australians to visit the website yourrighttoknow.com.au to read a litany of issues the government is keeping secret.

[Read the original]

Watch the Right To Know TVC here.

Media companies form united front across Australia in fight for freedom

The nation’s media companies have censored their own front pages in a united call for greater media freedom following a sustained attack on the rights of journalists to hold governments to account and report the truth to the Australian public, reports The Australian’s Leo Shanahan.

Spurred by an AFP raid on the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst on June 4 and another raid targeting journalists at the ABC headquarters a day later, more than a dozen of the nation’s top mastheads, TV and radio stations, and websites have taken the unprecedented act of protest against increasing restrictions on the freedom of the press.

The Your Right to Know campaign will be accompanied by radio and television advertising across the country asking the public: “When the government hides the truth from you, what are they covering up?”

[Read the original]

'Right to know' campaign not just for journalists

The Herald, along with most other Australian newsrooms, is today launching an unprecedented campaign for greater press freedom, says an editorial in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Devoting so much space in our newspaper and website to the Your Right to Know campaign is not a decision we take lightly. There are any number of critical economic, environmental and social policies our journalists will continue to cover. We are not suggesting press freedom is an issue that trumps, say, our government’s response to climate change.

Nor do we dismiss reader scepticism about a campaign by the media that seeks to change some of the laws that govern the conduct of journalists, even though we argue these changes would make it easier for us to obtain information in the public interest and protect sources. This masthead is not above scrutiny any more than the institutions or individuals it has written about for the past 185 years.

[Read the original]

Regional publishers win $9 million in federal grants in fight for survival

The Morrison government has given more than 60 small and regional publishers across Australia $9 million to improve their websites, employ more journalists and launch digital strategies to stay afloat, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jennifer Duke.

The Regional Grant Opportunity program, which forms part of a $60 million fund for regional and smaller publishers launched in 2017, received 113 applications in the latest round and is overseen by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

About half of the 62 successful grant recipients had pitched to use the funds to build or redevelop their websites, with several others boosting digital strategies including by developing podcasts, multimedia content and online classifieds.

There were 18 businesses given funding in NSW, 24 in Victoria, 12 in Queensland, three in Tasmania, two in South Australia and one each in Western Australia, Canberra and the Northern Territory. Of all the projects presented for grants, 25 were fully funded and 37 were partly funded.

Among the successful applicants in the first round was Eric Beecher‘s Private Media, including Crikey and public service-focused The Mandarin. The Saturday Paper, Star News Group and Women’s Agenda, with the majority of those receiving grants located in Victoria.

[Read the original]

Television

Breakfast overhaul: The Nine favourite who could be next Today host

Ali Langdon’s star and fortune is expected to rise in future months following the 60 Minutes glamour girl’s 11th-hour appointment as host of Nine’s Upfronts showcase on Wednesday, reports News Corp’s Annette Sharp.

Sources claim that for weeks it was Today host Deb Knight’s name listed on the running order for what turned out to be a rather boring and cheaply catered-for event of sales pitching and Lego displays.

The day before, Knight, we hear, was taken aside and told she had been replaced in the role by Langdon. Our sources say the news came as a blow to Knight.

Langdon has long been favoured as a future Today show host and with Nine expected to replace either Knight or her co-host Georgie Gardner – or both – at year’s end, rumours have surfaced that Langdon could once again be in executives’ sights.

[Read the original]

Radio

Triple M Brisbane appoints new content director to replace Rex Morris

Triple M network head Mike Fitzpatrick has announced the appointment of Scott Menz as content director for Triple M Brisbane, effective Monday 21st October.

Menz has been with Triple M Brisbane since 2013 and has worked as both executive producer of the Big Breakfast on Triple M and most recently as assistant content director.

“You’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate radio guy than Scott Menz. He’s been involved in this industry since before he’d even left primary school. I have no doubt Triple M Brisbane is in very capable hands with Scott,” Fitzpatrick said.

Said Menz, “I’m incredibly thrilled to be leading a team of brilliant people, on and off the air, at Triple M Brisbane. This station’s history of success in Brisbane is not lost on me, so I consider myself lucky to steer the ship into 2020 and beyond.”

Menz replaces Rex Morris who moves to Triple M Sydney as content director.

Nick Tabakoff: Top rating 2GB announcer to depart over contract clauses

More drama at the Nine-owned 2GB yesterday, after George Moore announced he would leave at the end of the year, reports The Australian’s Nick Tabakoff.

Moore is one half of 2GB’s George and Paul show, which dominates the Sydney weekend radio ratings.

Moore told The Australian he “wouldn’t sign the contract that management wanted me to sign,” because it featured a “limited indemnity” clause.

More to come on this one, added Monday columnist Tabakoff.

[Read the original]

Matty Johns linked to vacant breakfast slot on Sydney station

There is very strong mail that the face of Fox Sports, Matty Johns, is interested in joining the Big Sports Breakfast radio show next year alongside Laurie Daley, a man he admires greatly, reports News Corp’s Phil Rothfield.

Johns has had a year off radio since quitting the Triple M Grill team but has freshened up and is apparently keen to have another crack. He would replace veteran Terry Kennedy, who stood down last week after 18 solid years.

[Read the original]

Annette Sharp: TV and radio networks circle in-demand Carrie Bickmore

Carrie Bickmore is shaping up as the hottest signing of 2020 with television and radio networks clamouring for the star’s signature, reports News Corp’s Annette Sharp.

Bickmore was scheduled to meet with 10 bosses last week to ink a new contract and discuss her future with the broadcaster as co-host of The Project.

Meanwhile, radio network Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has separately doubled its efforts to woo Bickmore to the breakfast slot on the embattled 2Day FM station claim station insiders.

Bickmore, who currently hosts a weekday drive radio program with Tommy Little from her Melbourne home town on SCA’s Hit FM, has been offered the struggling breakfast show on the network following the axing of breakfast team Grant Denyer, Ed Kavalee and Ash London in August.

And then there remains the approach from 10’s rival Nine who sounded the star out to co-host its troubled breakfast show, Today, with Karl Stefanovic.

Nine later denied The Sunday Telegraph’s report that Bickmore would join Stefanovic at the helm of Today in 2020, however this newspaper stands by the report and the claim, made subsequently in Woman’s Day magazine, that the approach to Bickmore came at embattled Stefanovic’s own suggestion.

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Sports Media

Bruce McAvaney calls for “immediate action” on retired racehorses

Broadcasting icon Bruce McAvaney delivered an editorial on Saturday as Seven telecast The Everest at Royal Randwick and the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, reports TV Tonight.

His comments follow horrific footage of horse slaughter in abattoirs, on ABC’s 7.30.

“Thursday night’s ABC expose of what happens to some retired racehorses calls for immediate action,” McAvaney said.

“It was horrifying to watch. As a small-time owner it made me feel ashamed, and to not have known is not good enough.

“There has to be a way we all think going forward. The nurturing of our racehorses in retirement is just as important as the care and training given to a yearling or a four-year-old champion.

“It’s a complex issue that must be addressed as a priority. It’s going to require a unified approach nationally, across all levels of the industry.

“Horse racing can be the very best of sports, a magnificent spectacle where the thoroughbred, the strapper, the jockey, the trainer and the owner unite in a thrilling performance.”

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