Those Two Girls launch The Sugar Rush

PodcastOne Australia this week added to its portfolio of daily short form podcasts, in the process adding to the workload of SCA’s Brisbane dynamos Those Two Girls.

After starting the day on air at 5am (4am Brisbane time!) hosting their Hit Network early breakfast show, Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills (aka Those Two Girls) now have a quick break and then record that day’s new episode of The Sugar Rush. The early breakfast show and the podcast come out of SCA’s new Brisbane state-of-the-art audio facility.

The new podcast aims to cover the top five pop culture stories in the morning for listeners commuting or to accompany an early morning coffee.

Photo: Those Two Girls with Sarah Jessica Parker

For a time Carlaw and Wills also co-hosted Gold Coast breakfast for the Hit Network, but they backed out after a year because doing early and then regular breakfast shifts became too much. (They didn’t say no recently though to filling in for Dylan Alcott on Hit Network’s weekend breakfast as the champion tennis player took part in the US and French Opens.)

“It is a lot of work,” Carlaw agreed with Mediaweek about their early morning routine. “We make a pretty good team now and people like loading us up with work and somehow they are happy with the product.”

The girls said they are happy to flex every creative muscle they can. “We love our early bird audience and the 5am show ticks the radio box for us. For the podcast, Sam Cavanagh gave us a lot of freedom to put our own spin on it. We did that and low and behold he liked it.”

Wills added: “The really important thing with The Sugar Rush is to be able to relate to the stories we are telling. That might mean making a fool of ourselves along the way which we are prepared to do.”

The first episode of The Sugar Rush went out on October 19 and topics so far this week included Jacinda Ardern and her partner, Roxy Jacenko and her reality TV fail and Netflix’s popular yet controversial Emily in Paris.

Listen to The Sugar Rush here.

Making Stuff of Legends

ARN is more than keeping its star British import Christian O’Connell busy. In addition to filling three hours each day with his #1 FM Melbourne breakfast program The Christian O’Connell Show, he also can be heard for an hour in the evening. Adding to the workload now is the new O’Connell podcast Stuff of Legends.

If the cover art looks a little familiar it might be because you recognise the great work of artist James Fosdike who does artwork for the Wil Anderson podcasts too. “I love all James’ work for Wil and I had him introduce me to James,” O’Connell told Mediaweek. When I was launching the podcast I didn’t want it to look like a regular radio station podcast. Using James has made it very eye-catching with his distinctive work.”

O’Connell and the iHeartPodcast Network have managed land a sponsor for the new series. “It’s a tough time in the marketplace and it has been a challenge looking for podcast sponsors,” admitted O’Connell. The sponsor is the digital magazine platform Readly that offers unlimited digital magazine access.

For Stuff of Legends, O’Connell dusted off an idea he originally had over eight years ago. “I recorded a couple of episodes, including one with Ricky Gervais where I famously didn’t hit the record button properly. It was so upsetting that I killed the whole idea of the podcast series.

“When I renewed my contract with ARN last year I pitched them the podcast idea and they loved it. I think radio has been somewhat backward in embracing podcasting and I like to do more like this. Most of what radio stations publish as podcasts – breakfast or drive shows – are really listen on demand audio. Podcasting is about original content. I have heard plenty of radio bosses over the years, in the UK and here, slag off podcasting for being amateurish with small audiences compared to radio.”

Episodes so far in Stuff of Legends feature interviews with Hamish Blake and Russell Brand. Still to come are Celeste Barber, Ricky Gervais, Wil Anderson and Adam Hills. Guests are asked to share three treasured objects from their lives and tell the stories behind them.

Listen to Stuff of Legends here.

Spotify’s Daily Wellness

Spotify is launching Daily Wellness in Australia, a platform designed to curate a personalised mix of motivational podcasts and feel-good music to help listeners find positivity, mindfulness, or peace within their daily routines. Some of the content on offer includes:

Health Code Daily – a new Spotify exclusive podcast that delivers all the health, fitness and relationship advice audiences are familiar with from Sarah’s Day & Kurt Tilse, in a new five minute daily format.

Crappy to Happy Mindfulness – Australian clinical psychologist and podcaster Cass Dunn moves from PodcastOne to Spotify with a new three-minute Crappy to Happy Mindfulness podcast, to help those who may be feeling low in energy, mood or motivation.

Healthy-ish – the online editor of body+soul Alison Izzo gives listeners the tools to make healthier decisions, for mind, body and soul.

Wake Up Wind Down – a Spotify UK exclusive made available for Australia that helps listeners wake up in the morning and wind down at night – all the while enjoying curated tunes.

Katie Mattin and Rachel Thaiday launch Girls + Wine

Following the success of podcast Am I a Bad Mum?, Katie Mattin and Rachel Thaiday have launched a second podcast which offers what the title say – Girls + Wine = Inappropriate Conversations!

The girls sit down at dinner once a week with a guest, whether it be a friend or listener, to add to the fun of a conversation that could literally go anywhere!

This no holds barred podcast is released weekly on a Monday by Podshape. The hosts promise nothing is off limits and that they will open up and tackle topics that people may feel they shouldn’t talk about.

This new series shouldn’t be confused with Spotify’s Two Girls and a Bottle of Wine podcast.

Girls + Wine = Inappropriate Conversations is supporting local business and recording weekly in restaurants across Brisbane.

Listen to Girls + Wine from October 26 on major podcast platforms.

Zoë Foster Blake at Audible

Audible has announced the a series of eight originals that start launching next week.

Author Zoë Foster Blake is the first with a release of her novella Clean Slate on October 27. In a relationship, if you both cheat, does that cancel the infidelity out altogether? Can you just wipe the slate clean? Foster Blake questions the “perfect marriage” in this dark little story that is written from the husband’s perspective and narrated by Stephen Curry.

That will be followed by Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Plot Twist from Nikki Britton and friends on November 17.

The friends include Rhys Nicholson, Susie Youssef, Matt Okine and Claire Hooper.

Later in November comes Winding Road starring Dacre Montgomery, Yael Stone, David Berry and Noni Hazlehurst. The mysterious crime thriller takes place across the course of a fateful long weekend in Queensland’s Maleny hinterland with original music performed by Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger).

Learn more about Audible Originals here.

Highlights from Seven 2021 Upfront presentation held today:

• Proven power formats including The Voice, Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australia’s Got Talent to deliver even more 25-54s
• Epic new family entertainment: Holey Moley with Aussie golfing legend Greg Norman and Ultimate Tag, the fastest show on TV
• Hit franchises SAS Australia and The All New Monty return
• Premier sporting line-up: The AFL, Supercars, Summer of Cricket and Horseracing
• Gripping Aussie drama RFDS starring Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Emma Hamilton and Justine Clarke

See also:

Seven’s primetime pillars: Big Brother and Farmer, SAS and AGT
Seven new in 2021: Holey Moley, The Voice, RFDS, Aust Now & Then
Seven sport in 2021: Supercars, Olympics Games, AFL, cricket, 7Racing

The Seven Network has announced proven power tentpole programs will continue to lead its successful content led growth strategy for 2021 and beyond, adjacent to its established entertainment and lifestyle programs and premier sport and news offering.

James Warburton, Seven West Media managing director and CEO, confirmed Seven would be home to five of the biggest entertainment brands in the world from 2021, including The Voice, Big Brother, Farmer Wants A Wife and Australia’s Got Talent, with another blockbuster title yet to be announced.

Collectively, the premium brands will continue to drive Seven’s audience growth and engagement strategy across its platforms.

“Our new content led strategy of outsourcing proven international formats has delivered this year with an incredible resurgence led by the phenomenal performance of Big Brother and Farmer Wants A Wife.

“Coupled with the return of a sensational AFL season, we’ve led every demographic since June. We’re in front in 25-54s and lead 16-39s by a massive 5.4 share points. That’s a solid transformation, despite the obvious challenges this year.”

Within half a point of winning the year, with some exciting programming still to come, including this weekend’s first ever night AFL Grand Final, Warburton said the Network would deliver a disruptive schedule of fresh and engaging content, providing an unrivalled experience for its audience and partners.

“We have shown only glimpses of our best from this year and that’s got us to less than half a point from being the most watched Network in the country. With our multiple global tentpoles in play, our first-class Olympics coverage and winning news and sport schedules, get set to see what we’re really capable of.”

Seven unveiled almost two years of programming, binding its exclusive tentpole, sport and news content. 

New to Seven in 2021: one of Australia’s most successful and much-loved entertainment brands, The Voice; extreme mini golf program, Holey Moley, a US No. 1 hit two years in row; and Ultimate Tag, the world’s fastest show which takes the game of tag to a scale never seen before.

Returning hits include the world’s toughest test of celebrities, SAS Australia and feel good fan favourite, The All New Monty.

7NEWS remains Australia’s most watched and trusted television news service for five consecutive years, with more than 2.3 million Australians tuning in each weeknight live at 6pm for the most comprehensive coverage of local and international news, sport and weather. The award-winning 7NEWS team is led by Mark Ferguson, Mel McLaughlin and David Brown in Sydney; Peter Mitchell, Tim Watson and Jane Bunn in Melbourne; Sharyn Ghidella, Max Futcher, Tony Auden and Shane Webke in Brisbane; Rod Young and Amanda Abate on the Gold Coast; Jane Doyle, Mark Soderstrom and Amelia Mulcahy in Adelaide; and Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Basil Zempilas and Samantha Jolly in Perth.

Sunrise is Australia’s number one breakfast program for the 17th consecutive year and returns in 2021 with co-hosts David Koch and Samantha Armytage, newsreader Natalie Barr, sports presenter Mark Beretta, features and entertainment reporter Edwina Bartholomew, and weatherman Sam Mac. More than 1.2 million Australians tune in to Sunrise each weekday for all the latest news, sport and weather.

Celebrating its 13th consecutive year of daytime domination, The Morning Show returns to Seven in 2021 with co-hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur. The Morning Show remains Australia’s number one morning television program, reaching an average 1.484 million viewers nationally every week.

7NEWS will continue to take viewers well into the night in 2021 with The Latest From 7NEWS. The nightly live news program, anchored by Michael Usher, covers the very latest breaking news as well as up-to-the-minute developments and analysis on the biggest news events of the day. The Latest has seen record growth in 2020 – average audience up over 60 per cent year-on-year, reaching 1.52 million viewers every week.

In just 18 months of operation, 7NEWS.com.au has stamped its position in the top three commercial news brands in the country and No. 1 news website for people under 30. Record month-on-month growth sees 7NEWS.com.au now visited by 1.3 million Australians a day – underscored by its focus to build connection, conversation and community. 7NEWS.com.au produces Australia’s #1 digital program, The Latest on digital, which has amassed 400 million views, with two new original shows already in production for 2021.

The recently-formed 7NEWS Spotlight division is set to deliver a series of investigative specials in prime-time for Seven in 2021, focusing on major breaking news events as well as long-form investigations of national significance. 7NEWS Spotlight has produced some of Seven’s highest rating program of 2020 including the breakthrough 7NEWS Spotlight – The Lindy Tapes, a documentary watched by 1.35 million Australians.

The Chase Australia is the No. 1 daily quiz program with audience growth year-on-year. Friday night favourite Better Homes and Gardens is Australia’s No. 1 lifestyle program.

Seven continues to be the home of high calibre drama, with the No. 1 award-winning Australian drama Home and Away; hit US dramas The Good Doctor, The Rookie and 9-1-1 and season two of BAFTA award-winning UK drama Manhunt, starring Martin Clunes.

In 2021 the Network will launch RFDS, a gripping Australian drama starring Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Emma Hamilton, Justine Clarke and Ash Ricardo, portraying the modern-day heroes of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Event drama, Australian Gangster, depicting Sydney’s decadently gorgeous but completely inane world of crime will also premiere.

New international dramas for 2021 include the true crime event series The Pembrokeshire Murders, detailing the cold-case pursuit of the most notorious serial killer in Welsh history. Award-winning actor David Tennant stars in Around the World in 80 Days, adapted from the Jules Verne classic.

7mate is Australia’s is No.1 multichannel for 16-39s and 25-54s, delivering a winning mix of top international entertainment titles and a growing stable of homegrown content, including the cult hit Fat Pizza: Back in Business, returning for its second season in 2021.

7plus is the No. 1 commercial FTA BVOD service with a 42.4% market share (2020 Survey YTD). With hit shows, the biggest BVOD entertainment launch of all time (Big Brother 2020) and continued investment in more content led growth and more 7plus exclusives slated for 2021, it continues to be the ultimate streaming destination.

Most of these other shows have also been announced before, but will finally make it to air in 2021.

HOLEY MOLEY

It’s mini golf, but not as you know it! A US No.1 hit two years in a row, Holey Moley is extreme family fun. Teeing off in 2021, mini golf lovers from around Australia will compete head-to-head on an unparalleled, larger-than-life obstacle mini golf course (aka a mini golfer’s wonderland). They’ll face out- of-this-world make or break putts, insane physical challenges and unimaginable distractions while they attempt to complete the course to reach the daunting final hole. Aussie golfing legend Greg Norman will serve as the Holey Moley Resident Golf Pro of the epic Holey Moley course with American actor/comedian Rob Riggle (Saturday Night Live, The Hangover, Step Brothers, The Other Guy) sharing commentating honours with 7NEWS sports anchor Matt Shirvington. In between ducking golf balls, host Sonia Kruger will attempt to keep everyone on course. Who will take home the $100,000, and the coveted Holey Moley plaid jacket?

HOLEY MOLEY is created and produced by Eureka Productions for the Seven Network.

THE VOICE

Megabrand The Voice is on Seven in 2021 and it’s going to have an entirely new sound. With a supercharged format hosted by Sonia Kruger, one of Australian television’s most successful and much- loved entertainment franchises will captivate fans new and old. Get set to meet superstar celebrity Coaches and the next generation of awe-inspiring singing talent about to take their first steps towards stardom. A global phenomenon, The Voice airs in 180 countries across every continent, including the nine seasons on Australian screens. Voice Australian coach alumni includes Delta Goodrem, Keith Urban, Seal, The Madden Brothers, Ricky Martin, will.i.am, Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Ronan Keating and Joe Jonas. Who will be in the red chairs when they spin around in 2021?

THE VOICE is produced by ITV Studios Australia for the Seven Network.

ULTIMATE TAG

The world’s fastest show is here and there’s only one rule: don’t get caught! Ultimate Tag takes the universally known game of tag and elevates it to a scale and skill level never seen before. This fresh and unmissable new series will have the nation cheering on as everyday Australians try to evade elite Pro Taggers in what can only be described as the fastest game on Earth. Ultimate Tag hosts, Seven sports reporter Abbey Gelmi and 7NEWS sports anchor Matt Shirvington with commentator Bill Woods will cover all the intense action as the Ultimate Tag Champion is decided.

ULTIMATE TAG is an Endemol Shine Australia production for the Seven Network. 

RFDS

Aussie drama hits a new high with RFDS. A gripping new Australian action-drama on a grand scale starring Logie Award-winning actor Stephen Peacocke (Home and Away, Wanted), Logie Award-winning star of stage and screen Rob Collins (Mystery Road S2, Total Control), and acclaimed actresses Emma Hamilton (Mr Selfridge, The Tudors), Justine Clarke (Tangle, Rake, The Time Of Our Lives) and Ash Ricardo (Offspring, Bite Club). Filmed on location in and around Broken Hill and based on remarkable real-life stories, RFDS portrays the modern-day heroes of the Royal Flying Doctor Service who navigate private lives as turbulent and profound as the heart stopping emergencies they attend.

RFDS is an Endemol Shine Banks production for the Seven Network. Major production investment from Seven Network in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund and the Regional Filming Fund.

AUSTRALIAN GANGSTER

Finally, the story can be told. Based on actual events Australian Gangster is a punchy, funny adrenaline-ride through Sydney’s decadently gorgeous but completely inane world of crime.

AUSTRALIAN GANGSTER is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production for the Seven Network.

HOMICIDE: WITH RON IDDLES

From the producers of Murder in the Outback, Working Class Boy and the award-winning Ron Iddles: The Good Cop comes a brand new series featuring one of Australia’s most celebrated detectives – Ron Iddles, a tough and unorthodox Victorian homicide detective who used his head and his heart to solve some of Australia’s biggest crime mysteries. Homicide: With Ron Iddles will see Ron dig through his extraordinary case files to explain how he solved the most fascinating and challenging murder cases during his 25-year career as a homicide detective.

HOMICIDE: WITH RON IDDLES is produced by CJZ for the Seven Network.

AUSTRALIA: NOW AND THEN

Was Australia any better in the 70s, 80s and 90s than it is today? What things from the past are we glad we’ll never have to witness or experience again? Well it all depends just who you ask, and which generation you belong to. Australia: Now and Then features the opinions of some of Australia’s most quotable celebrities, comedians, musicians, actors, characters and ratbags – across all generations. We want to know if Australia was cooler, better looking, more stylish, smarter, sportier, now or back then. Were parties better in the time of Corey Worthington or John Singleton? Which generation’s fashion sense made us the most attractive? There’s a lot to learn, and a whole lot to laugh at. The generations have never been roasted quite like this!

AUSTRALIA: NOW AND THEN is produced by Blink TV for the Seven Network.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Multi award-winning actor David Tennant (Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, Doctor Who) stars in this highly anticipated adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic, Around the World in 80 Days. Tennant plays explorer Phileas Fogg, who, following an outrageous bet, takes on a challenge to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. He’s joined on the journey by his valet, Passepartout, played by rising French star Ibrahim Koma and the aspiring journalist Abigail Fix, played by The Crown’s Leonie Benesch. This truly international drama is adapted by a team of renowned writers led by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, The Living and the Dead) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine, Heartless).

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS is a Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production.

THE PEMBROKESHIRE MURDERS

From the producers of the global hit The Bodyguard, true crime drama event series The Pembrokeshire Murders brings to life the extraordinary cold-case pursuit of the most notorious serial killer in Welsh history. Based on the book by Steve Wilkins and Jonathan Hill, this series reveals the gripping story of a ground-breaking case that set the standard for cold case murder investigations. Two unsolved double murders from the 1980s cast a long shadow over the Dyfed-Powys police force. In 2006, Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins (Luke Evans) decided to reopen both cases. The perpetrator of these crimes was nearing the end of his prison sentence. Could the detectives unearth enough evidence to charge their suspect before he was released – potentially to kill again?

THE PEMBROKESHIRE MURDERS is produced by ITV.

THE CLOWN AND THE CANDYMAN

Reinvestigating two of America’s most sinister killers – John Wayne Gacy, the Killer Clown, and Dean Corll, the Candyman – The Clown and the Candyman follows investigators today as they try to identify seven of their unidentified victims and wonder: could there be more victims? During the 1970s, thousands of teenage boys went missing across North America. Some returned home, others disappeared without a trace. And some were brutally murdered by two of the era’s most prolific serial killers, Gacy and Corll. More than 60 young men died by their hands. The four-part series reveals never-heard-before tapes of Gacy and uncovers a hidden web of paedophiles operating throughout America – many with money and influence. One of its masterminds, John Norman, lived his life in the shadows, but his organisation may have links to both the Clown and the Candyman.

THE CLOWN AND THE CANDYMAN is produced by Cineflix Productions.

HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED

How to Look Good Naked has one aim: to get body confidence soaring by showing real sized women in all their naked glory. The definitive guide to looking good with your clothes on or off, this is a show that loves natural women. From the slim to the curvy, grannies to teens, and all in between – without a surgical knife in sight! Hosted by Gok Wan – a fashion expert not afraid to tell a few home truths, it includes plenty of how best to dress advice. This is a truly uplifting series for women of every shape and size. Iconic moments punctuate each show, from the ‘reality check’ line-up to the big finish: a huge image of our once-shy contributor projected onto a building for the whole world to see!

HOW TO LOOK GOOD NAKED is produced by Banijay.

THE REAL MANHUNTER

Former Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton spent 30 years in the police force, a career that saw him lead many of the most high profile and successful murder investigations of his generation, and although he will forever be associated with the arrest and conviction of serial killer Levi Bellfield and ‘night stalker’ Delroy Grant, his career was so much more, as his conviction record shows. Of the 37 murder cases he investigated, he solved 35 with convictions. In this special event series, Sutton (recently portrayed by Martin Clunes in ITV’s hit drama Manhunt) will revisit cases he led and explore everything from the crime itself through to the breakthrough moment when the suspect was identified and arrested. He will take the audience on a journey from the moment the police were called to the scene, visit key locations; and explain how he and his team managed to gather enough evidence to secure a conviction. The Real Manhunter features contributions from fellow police officers and journalists who covered the cases and will offer a gripping insight into exactly what happens after the most violent of crimes has been committed.

THE REAL MANHUNTER is an Abacus Media Rights production.

Seven is the reigning home of sport in 2021, with the greatest events only on Seven. Spanning Seven’s broadcast channels, market leading BVOD platform 7plus and other digital properties including 7NEWS.com.au, Seven will bring audiences closer to the action than ever before.

Starting on the 23rd of July 2021, Tokyo 2020 will redefine how Australians watch sport. The 30 days of the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic Games are forecast to reach over 21 million Australians, even more than Sydney 2000.

Seven’s broadcast coverage on Seven and 7TWO – led by Bruce McAvaney – will be simulcast in HD on 7plus. On top of this, six bonus curated 24/7 channels and 35 live streams on 7plus will allow Australians to experience the Olympics like never before. 7plus will also offer captioning in multiple languages – an Australian first.

Just seven months later, Seven will broadcast the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, starting on the 4th of February 2022. Seven will offer Australians a comprehensive, multi-platform experience for Beijing 2022, building on the unprecedented experience set to be delivered during Tokyo 2020.

Coming off one of the most remarkable seasons ever in 2020, 7AFL’s coverage of the 2021 AFL Premiership Season promises to be captivating viewing from the first bounce in March through to the final siren of the 2021 AFL Grand Final on the last Saturday in September.

7CRICKET returns in 2020-21 for its third summer of cricket, live, free and in HD on Seven. It’s set to be a sizzling summer as India return to Australian shores to face a full-strength Australian Test team for the first time since 2014-15, with Steve Smith, David Warner and all of Australia’s superstars set to feature. The BBL and WBBL will deliver another great season of domestic cricket competition.

7RACING will again have Australia’s very best thoroughbred horse racing covered in 2021. From the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast in January through to the iconic Spring Racing Carnival, Seven’s world-leading commentary team, led by Bruce McAvaney and Hamish McLachlan, will bring fans the most prestigious meetings throughout Australia right across the year.

Next year will also see the long-awaited return of Supercars to Seven. From 2021, Supercars will form a key part of Seven’s leading sports coverage into the future, with six Supercars races broadcast live and free on Seven, including the iconic Bathurst 1000, plus the Bathurst 12 Hour race. Highlights from other races of the Supercars Championship will be replayed on Seven and 7plus the same day of the race delivering a comprehensive and unbeatable experience for fans, for free.

Seven’s sport coverage in 2021 goes beyond the end of play. Having established itself as Australia’s undisputed No. 1 footy show, The Front Bar, featuring Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher, returns bigger and funnier than ever to cover the 2021 AFL season. Armchair Experts, Seven’s innovate social sports show, continues in 2021 with its AFL and NFL editions.

Seven has also quickly recommissioned SAS Australia after just two episodes so far. 

BIG BROTHER

Host Sonia Kruger

A new Big Brother returned to our screens this year and Australian audiences couldn’t get enough with each episode averaging 1.34 million viewers (average incl. broadcast and 7plus). The master game player returns in 2021, welcoming a new group of Housemates who will live together for over two months, cut off from the outside world in a custom-built house fitted with cameras and microphones recording every inch of the house and their every move, 24 hours a day. Since farewelling this year’s house guests, Big Brother has been busy and has some surprises for next year’s Housemates. Expect epic challenges, twists and turns and a house full of secrets. Hosted by Sonia Kruger.

BIG BROTHER is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for the Seven Network.

FARMER WANTS A WIFE

Australians fell in love with Seven’s reimagining of Farmer Wants a Wife in 2020. Five farmers wearing their hearts on their sleeves and sharing their love for #farmlife reached six million Aussies nationally. The road to love on the upcoming season – hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski – will be even more romantic with dream overnight dates, luxury country getaways and spectacular group get togethers setting the stage for more life changing love stories. In 2021, five new hard-working Farmers – Sam, Andrew, Matt, Will and Rob – will be on the search for real love. With 99 marriages and 225 beautiful farmer babies worldwide, Farmer Wants A Wife is the most successful dating show on the planet. In Australia alone, the series has resulted in nine marriages and 20 babies.

FARMER WANTS A WIFE is a Fremantle and Eureka co-production for the Seven Network.

SAS AUSTRALIA

With its premiere episode recruiting 1.2 million viewers nationally, the No. 1 entertainment show for the night and No. 1 for 25-54s nationally, SAS Australia returns for its second season in 2021. This smash hit series sees celebrities take on one of the toughest challenges of their lives, as they attempt to conquer a series of physical and psychological tests set by an elite team of ex-Special Forces soldiers. These star recruits will be cut off from the outside world at a secret base in harsh but spectacular terrain, where they will eat, sleep and train together in punishing conditions, with no allowances made for their celebrity status, age or gender. As they’re subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing, these men and women will be pushed beyond their limits. Most recruits will reach breaking point and withdraw. Who has what it takes to tough it out to the end?

SAS AUSTRALIA is produced by Screentime, a Banijay Group company, based on a Minnow Films format, for the Seven Network.

AUSTRALIA’S GOT TALENT

Australia’s Got Talent is back bigger than ever before! In 2021, nothing’s going to stop us bringing you the world’s No. 1 entertainment format. Some of the best acts in the country will take on the greatest “Got Talent” champions from around the planet. This is a world-class entertainment event, with a healthy dose of those weird and surprising AGT moments we all love. Superstar judges. Incredible talent. With a national average audience reach of 8.6 million in 2019, get set for this global phenomenon in 2021!

AUSTRALIA’S GOT TALENT is a Fremantle production for the Seven Network.

THE ALL NEW MONTY

The All New Monty returns with more unforgettable, feel-good, smash hit specials, featuring some of Australia’s favourite celebrities who dare to bare all whilst kickstarting lifesaving conversations about men’s and women’s cancers and the importance of early detection. Over the past three years, nearly 40 Australian celebrities have stepped up to strip to raise awareness for breast, prostate and testicular cancer. The Real Full Monty, The All New Monty, The All New Monty: Ladies’ Night and The All New Monty: Guys & Gals were all ratings winners, with over four million people nationally tuning in to see the nervous novices perform an iconic striptease. Which famous Aussies will reveal all in 2021?

HOME AND AWAY

It’s the No. 1 drama that’s embedded in Australia’s DNA and in 2021, award-winning Home and Away will explore stories of new beginnings, second chances, love, betrayal and revenge. A ghost from the past will threaten to derail one of the Bay’s favourite couples; a familiar face returns to right some wrongs; and when love becomes twisted and trust is misplaced, the community will be torn apart. Plus a special wedding we’ve all been waiting for – all set against the beautiful backdrop of sunny Summer Bay.

HOME AND AWAY is a Seven Production.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

Delivering exciting and new content that audiences love, Better Homes and Gardens returns in 2021 with more tips and life hacks across technology, health, fitness and motoring, along with all the ideas and inspiration Aussies have come to expect from Johanna Griggs and the team from the country’s No. 1 lifestyle show.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS is a Seven Production.

7NEWS SPOTLIGHT IVAN MILAT: BURIED SECRETS

In 2021, 7NEWS Spotlight presents Ivan Milat: Buried Secrets a ground-breaking true crime series revealing new evidence that Australia’s most notorious serial killer, Ivan Milat, was responsible for many other murders that have remained unsolved for decades. The country’s leading crime professionals, forensic anthropologist and criminologist Dr Xanthé Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro, re-open the Milat file uncovering potential new victims and new crimes in this gripping series.

IVAN MILAT: BURIED SECRETS is produced by EQ Media, in association with Bannaby Productions for the Seven Network.

HIGHWAY PATROL

Australia’s blockbusting cop show Highway Patrol rides shotgun with Victorian police officers who strive to keep our roads safe. Join us for the crashes and smashes, the unrestrained and untrained, the over-extended and the up-ended! It’s always an interesting day riding along with the officers of the Victoria Police.

HIGHWAY PATROL is produced by Greenstone TV with the cooperation of Victoria Police.

BORDER SECURITY: AUSTRALIA’S FRONTLINE

Border Security is back with more action from the daily lives of the people who devote their working life to keeping Australia safe. The stars of Border Security remain the officers of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Quarantine and Inspection Service and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. While most of Border Security is filmed at Australia’s busy airports and features tourists and people seeking a new life in Australia, some remarkable stories are also coming out of international mail centres, in the field with immigration officials and on Customs vessels and aircraft in the waters of Northern Australia.

BORDER SECURITY: AUSTRALIA’S FRONTLINE is a Seven Production.

The biggest show in the world and famous for unearthing top-selling music artists, Australian Idol will return to Australian screens after 12 years as part of Seven’s 2022 prime time line-up.

Broadcast in over 150 countries and with 55 adaptations in local markets, Idol is the most widely watched television franchise in the world, with a global audience of over three billion viewers.

Its place in Seven’s 2022 line-up further demonstrates Seven’s commitment to broadcasting and growing the biggest shows and the biggest stars.

Angus Ross, Seven’s director of programming, said: “Idol is the granddaddy of them all! The biggest show in the world comes to Seven in 2022, and we know Australians are going to love it. We can’t wait to bring Idol back to Australian audiences in 2022, putting our primetime content line-up even further ahead of the competition.

“We’re home to the biggest franchises in television at Seven, and Idol is the biggest of them all. Bring on 2022!”

Fremantle Asia Pacific chief executive officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said: “Idol is renowned for launching global music artists. That’s what we’ve done here in Australia and across the world. We can’t wait to break the next superstar Idols on Seven in 2022.”

Australian Idol launched the careers of stellar Aussie artists including Guy Sebastian; Jessica Mauboy; Ricki-Lee; Shannon Noll; Casey Donovan; Anthony Callea; Matt Corby; Rob Mills; Wes Carr; Stan Walker; Paulini and Damien Leith.

Australian Idol is a Fremantle and Eureka co-production for the Seven Network and will premiere across the screens of Seven in 2022.

Seven will offer Australians a comprehensive, multi-platform experience for Beijing 2022, building on the experience set to be delivered during Tokyo 2020, in July 2021.

This announcement builds on Seven’s long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee and will mark the third Olympic Games in a row hosted in a favourable time zone for Australia, after PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

James Warburton, Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this continuation of our partnership with the International Olympic Committee, to be the home of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Games are part of our DNA at Seven, so we can’t wait to work with our partners at the IOC to deliver another incredible experience for Australian audiences.”

Kurt Burnette, Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer and Director of Olympics, said: “Today’s announcement solidifies Seven as the destination for the biggest events. In the space of seven months, we will be the exclusive broadcaster of Tokyo 2020 and now Beijing 2022. Both events are set to deliver unparalleled audiences, amplified by Beijing 2022 being the third consecutive Olympic Games we’ve broadcast in a favourable time zone for Australian audiences, just two hours’ difference from Australia’s east coast.

“PyeongChang 2018 broke records on broadcast and digital, and we know Beijing 2022 will set new records again.”

Seven’s coverage of Beijing 2022 will be comprehensive, building off the extensive multi- platform coverage that will be delivered just seven months prior during Tokyo 2020. Spanning Seven’s broadcast channels, market leading BVOD platform 7plus and other digital properties including 7NEWS.com.au, Seven will take audiences closer to the action than ever before.

Lewis Martin, Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Network Head of Sport, said: “In July next year, we’ll bring Australian audiences Tokyo 2020 with a level of coverage never before available for free in Australia for an Olympic Games. Multiple broadcast channels, dozens of digital streams on 7plus, all available on any device a viewer might chose – it’s going to be an exceptional experience.

“Just seven months later, we’ll build on that coverage with Beijing 2022, giving Australian audiences a new level of coverage for an Olympic Winter Games. We can’t wait.”

Beijing 2022 will also represent an opportunity for brands to connect with audiences at scale, leveraging the massive audiences generated by the Olympic Winter Games to reach niche audiences, at scale.

During the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, 16 million broadcast viewers were reached across the screens of Seven. Both the Seven Network and Channel 7 were number one in every market and every key demographic for every day of the Games. And with 103.5 million minutes live streamed on 7plus and 4.5 million people reached across social media during PyeongChang 2018, digital platforms will deliver huge growth to complement the already massive broadcast audience.

Burnette added: “With Tokyo 2020 we’re delivering not just massive audiences, but niche audiences at a scale never before achievable. We’ll do exactly that again just seven months after Tokyo 2020 with Beijing 2022, offering brands a series of opportunities to reach exactly their targets in ways never previously possible. Plus, it’ll enable brands to start their 2022 in a big way with what will be the biggest cultural and sporting event of the year across broadcast and digital. It’s an unbeatable opportunity.”

There has been a station broadcasting on 1170 on the AM band in Sydney for 95 years. Today 2CH is vacating that frequency and moving to DAB+ as Craig Hutchison’s sports brand SEN takes over.

Parent company SEN will start a marketing campaign with ads across the Seven Network and News Corp Australia’s digital properties. SEN co-founder Hutchison was listening from lockup in Melbourne and he told Mediaweek that the first ratings for the new station will be released in GfK Survey 1, 2021. Ratings for 2CH will from now on be available in the DAB+ data released each survey day.

Advertisers wanting to get involved will need to make sure their SEN rep keeps them up-to-date with the SEN app listener figures. SEN has been at the forefront of app development, and an updated version is available today with the full range of SEN listening opportunities including the new Sydney station.

Breakfast host Andrew Voss took to the airwaves at 6am with his theme song Shine, from Shannon Noll. And shine he did with one of the more polished program launches you could expect to hear. If the same standard is maintained across the station it could perform better than the pundits who predicted gloom after former sports formats have failed to, well, shine.

Voss packed his first program with perhaps too many guests, but it made for compelling listening. The guest list included an NRL Grand Final coach and player – Panthers’ Ian Cleary and Storm’s Dale Finucane, the afore-mentioned PM and a handful of sports and news journalists including Fox Sports’ Matt Russell, The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield and Seven’s Jason Morrison. The latter will be a regular daily guest bringing listeners up-to-date with general news. Morning host Matt White said this morning that he will feature The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster regularly.

Voss thanked sponsors who shared SEN’s vision and have invested so far, including breakfast show sponsor Brydens Lawyers and breakfast supporter McDonald Jones Homes.

Voss had plenty of callers and texters too after noting early that the most important element on his show will be listener involvement.

Voss is helped out by NRLW player-turned-reporter Katie Brown across the three hours. During his first show he helped promote other timeslots with interviews with morning host Matt White and drive co-host Bryan Fletcher.

Matty Johns makes his radio comeback on the station tomorrow with Morning Glory which will surely be another historic moment for Sydney radio!

1170 Sydney schedule
• Breakfast with Andrew Voss, Monday – Friday, 6-9am – to be joined by Katie Brown for sports updates each morning
• Mornings with Matt White, Monday – Thursday, 9am-noon
• Morning Glory with Matty Johns, Fridays 9am-noon
• Whateley, Monday – Thursday, 12-1pm with Gerard Whateley
• Jimmy Smith, Monday – Friday, 1-3pm
• Drive with Joel and Fletch, Monday – Friday, 3-6pm – Joel Caine and Bryan
Fletcher
• Evenings with Jimmy Smith, Monday – Friday, 6-7pm
• Trailblazers with Stephanie Brantz Mondays 8pm

With its smart voice recognition technology, customers can simply push the microphone button and speak a command to the Foxtel Voice Remote, enabling them to:

• Search for a specific show, sporting team, actor, director, character or even use a famous movie quote from a film.
For example, “Good Will Hunting” will return the movie, while saying a famous movie quote like “may the force be with you” will show Star Wars movies, with over 500 movie quotes currently available.
Combination search commands are also available such as “action movies” and
“just the ones with Tom Cruise”. The Voice Remote understands the local lingo navigating with ease to sporting team nicknames like “Rabbitohs” or “Magpies” and recognising 10 major Australian accents.

• Browse specific themes, genres and moods of content. For example, “show me Christmas movies”, “show me romantic comedy movies”, “show me air crash investigation shows” or “show me home renovation shows” will return a list of content.

• Adjust volume, play, pause, rewind, skip ahead, channel change and schedule recordings.
Patrick Delany, Foxtel Group chief executive officer, said: “Foxtel is known for its breadth and depth of content across movies, entertainment, lifestyle, documentaries and sport. We have more than 40,000 individual titles available including full season stacks, and we’ve had massive increases in titles available on demand.
“It means we have great shows for every family member however with so much choice, finding it for the big screen hasn’t always been simple – try typing in a search for the multi-award winning ‘Chernobyl’.
“With the launch of our new user interface last year and now the Voice control, we are continuing to invest in innovation to reimagine people’s experience of Foxtel and ensure we provide a premium experience of the best of TV and on-demand, all in one place.”
The Foxtel Voice Remote is only active when the microphone button is pushed, rather than always being in listen mode waiting to be activated by a speech command, ensuring users can feel confident about the privacy within their home.
The update enabling the Voice control is already underway and will be completed during October and November. Over a quarter of a million Foxtel customers already have the Foxtel Voice Remote, while for customers wanting to purchase the new remote Foxtel has introduced a lower price of $29.

Primetime News
Seven News 943,000/906,000
Nine News 872,000/845,000
ABC News 670,000
10 News First 300,000/192,000
SBS World News 174,000

Daily current affairs
A Current Affair 731,000
7.30 555,000
The Project 275,000/457,000

Breakfast TV
Sunrise 234,000
Today 207,000
News Breakfast 189,000

Late night news
Nine News Late 141,000
ABC News Late 137,000
SBS World News Late 44,000

Wednesday TV

Seven: Home and Away was just below 550,000 after previous nights of 585,000 and 557,000 this week.

Highway Patrol’s two repeat episodes had audiences of 430,000 and 392,000 with Seven confirming yesterday new episodes would be part of the channel’s 2021 schedule.

The midweek movie had 167,000 watching the 2015 superhero fest Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Nine: A Current Affair stayed above 700,000 for a third consecutive night.

The Block chronicled how the Blockheads were dealing with the toughest week of the season with the results to be revealed on Monday with the NRL Grand Final on Sunday night. The Wednesday episode was on 809,000, up from 744,000 a week ago.

Australian Crime Stories has passed the halfway mark with episode six of 10 revisiting the attack on Melbourne’s Russel Street police HQ in 1986. The episode had an audience of 376,000, close to last week’s 383,000.

Footy Classified then did 126,000 in AFL markets with 92,000 in Melbourne.

10: The Project featured Carrie Bickmore sitting down with Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey via video. After audiences above and below 500,000 so far this week, the Wednesday episode was on 457,000 after 7pm.

The Bachelorette featured Elly and Becky holding a fancy-dress group date at the mansion. There were 464,000 watching after 468,000 a week ago.

The Masked Singer USA was then on 196,000.

ABC: Hard Quiz contestants this week included specialists on Australian hip-hop and The Office. The audience was 671,000 after 757,000 a week ago.

Gruen spent a long time looking at an NRMA ad that went too far trying to ask people to make their properties bushfire safe on the first Saturday of every month. Meanwhile The Pitch questioned whether news should be free or behind a paywall. The huge crowd of 934,000 last week thinned a little to 738,000. That was enough to still rank as the #2 entertainment show for the night.

Utopia featured a cameo from Hamish Blake after bad news for the department was delivered at the Christmas party with 401,000 watching.

Planet America was the second last episode before the US polls close. Mary Trump was a special guest for the 402,000 watching. Chas and John then spruiked their election night two-hour special coming in two weeks.

SBS: Walking Britain’s Roman Roads headed north from York to meet Hadrian’s Wall. The episode was the channel’s most-watched show with 225,000.

The second episode of Australia Come Fly with Me did 199,000 after the launch episode was on 230,000 a week ago.