Thursday September 3, 2020
Podcast Week: Nova answers millennial WTF questions, Howie & Rusty
Nova’s millennial help line
Nova this week launched How To…Life, an advice podcast on #adulting, sharing personal experience and practical tips and advice to help muddled up millennials circumnavigate their whole life thing.
Podcast hosts Claudia Coy, Jenna D’Apice and Nikolina Kharoufeh don’t claim to know the answer to every WTF question that comes up but each week they sit down with people who have a little more experience.
Consisting of 10 episodes, How To… Life launches season one with a guest line up including:
• Carlin Sterritt, winner of series five of The Bacheloretteand newly single
•Author of The First Move Emily J. Brooks discusses how to be ballsy and break the dating rules
• Nova newsreader and dad-to-be Matt de Groot chats about why he decided it’s time to trade the Maserati for the minivan
How To… Life is the latest podcast to be released under Nova Entertainment’s suite of original podcasts joining The Babble, Modern Babies and Invisible Heroes.
iHeartPodcast Network partners with The Good Bits creators
ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia has a new partnership with the Australian creators of the erotic podcast, The Good Bits.
The podcast launches with the online adult store wildsecrets.com.au as commercial partner.
The Good Bits features erotic stories from bestselling authors from the United States and Australia. The Good Bits is diverse and sex-positive with each episode telling a different story to inspire desire with fun, flirtation and indulgence.
The Good Bits was co-founded by Carol Battle and Siobhan Fitzgerald. The two Melbourne mums, one a tech executive and the other an advertising creative, saw a need for a high-quality female-focused podcast that sparked the imagination.
Carol Battle said, “We know nearly 40% of women experience a lack of desire at some point during their lives, and The Good Bitswants to help them feel good – without feeling gross. Erotic audio assists in turning off distracting thoughts, a ‘mental framing’ approach 90% of women use to focus on pleasure according to OMGYes and The Kinsey Institute.”
Siobhan Fitzgerald added, “Sex is such an important part of the human experience and there’s no reason it should be sleazy. Our aim has been to present great sex in great style on a platform that can inspire authors, readers, and advertisers alike.”
ARN’s head of commercial audio & podcasts Corey Layton said, “Partnering with The Good Bits is testament to our ongoing commitment to supporting great Australian podcast content. As a result of lockdown measures and isolation, we’ve seen listening in the lifestyle genre increase, and The Good Bits delivers content that’s perfect escapism during these times.”
The Good Bits is produced/directed by Olivia O’Flynn, with title music by Patrick Grigg and sound by BangBang Studios.
The Chaser’s mini milestone: The newest news
After a longish association with SCA’s Triple M brand came to an end earlier this year,The Chaser moved its audio operation to Nova Entertainment where it has been pumping out The Chaser Report going where others news podcasts fear to go with a promise of the newest news.
The most recent episode was hosted by Charles Firth, Nina Oyama and Dom Knight. The Republican Convention was the first topic of conversation and they reckoned it looked a bit Nazi. Nina spoke about the desperate plight of Britney Spears, Dom took a long look at a nudist camp in France and Charles introduced a new quiz: Is it Republican or is it Nazi?
Listen to The Chaser Report here.
Em’s birthday bash
The podcast host wearing Emsolation merch.
Also marking a milestone this week is PodcastOne’s Emsolation. To be fair the podcast is usually in celebration mode, but the past week was extra-special with hosts Em Rusciano and Michael Lucas having an episode 50 special and then turning ep 51 into a 50th tribute that counted down their top 10 moments since launch as selected by listeners. Ranking #2 in the top 10 was the Free Bitney segment while #1 went to Michele Morrone who played Massimo on the movie 365 Days.
Good sports with Erica Bana and Steve Smith
Two PodcastOne sporting podcasts this week both showed off big names. Motor sports specialist Greg Rust had actor Eric Bana on a new Rusty’s Garage episode. Bana told a great story about his first look at the script for The Castle. Bana told Rust he wondered if the producers, Working Dog, were having a laugh at his expense. “My dad was a greyhound racer and I lived near the airport!” Bana played Con Petropoulous, new husband of Tracey Kerrigan (Sophie Lee) in the movie.
Listen to Rusty’s Garage here.
Photo: Steve Smith with Mark Howard
The other big name was former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith who turned up on The Howie Games. Smith was speaking to Howie from his hotel in the UK ahead of the first cricket matches against England this month. The Steve Smith podcast came in three parts so set aside over two hours to get through it all.
Howie also released his first Howie Hotline episode this week with the host answering listeners questions.
Listen to The Howie Games here.
From parliament to 4BC: Scott Emerson on taking drive local
Following the decision from Nine Radio to make the 4BC breakfast and drive slots local again journalist and former MP Scott Emerson was named the new host of 4BC drive program.
Kicking his new show off last month Emerson spoke with Mediaweek about his new role, the importance of local radio in Queensland and the topsy turvy journey he took to 4BC.
“Going from journo to pollie back to journo was like going from poacher to gamekeeper back to poacher again.”
Emerson’s Queensland Journey
Emerson has strong ties to the maroon state having started his career in radio with the ABC where he helped the public broadcaster launch triple j in Queensland and also worked for the AM and PM programs for current affairs in the northern state.
Emerson then spent 10 years in print with The Australian as bureau chief for Queensland and chief of staff for the Olympics.
From 2009-2017 Emerson left journalism and began a new career in state politics winning the seat of Indooroopilly at the 2009 state election. He would go on to win re-election two more times and enjoy a stint as Transport and Main Roads Minister in the Liberal Party.
Taking 4BC Local
Although Emerson described the end to his political career as a more of a one-sided decision he returned to journalism through Sky News before he saw that Nine wanted to take 4BC local again.
“I didn’t leave politics so much as politics left me when I didn’t win the seat I contested.
“I saw when Nine purchased 4BC that it was very keen for the station to become local again and I loved my time in this city so all the stars aligned and it is just wonderful to be here.”
With Nine Radio making the decision to return the breakfast and drive programs back to Brisbane local shows, Emerson said that the Queensland audience has a desire for local content from the weather to big breaking stories.
“I think people really resonate with very good presenters and shows like Ray Hadley’s and Deb Kinght’s programs which are in both NSW and Queensland. With Neil Breen and myself, people also like to have their local programs to talk about what’s happening on the ground in their local area.”
Making drive a news and information show
Always a journalist at heart, it did not take Emerson long to break a few stories at 4BC such as the Queensland ALP cash for access story and allegations of mass cheating at the University of Queensland.
“The programs I am trying to put out are very pacey and news based with strong interviews and we want to break some news.
“We had already broken a couple of stories in our first week and I think people appreciate having local voices bookending the programs.
“I want people to know that when they tune in to 4BC Brisbane that they will hear news like nowhere else and hear everything they need to know about the city that they love.”
Emerson also believes that his experience behind the scenes in politics provides his show with a different perspective.
“I know where the bodies are buried, I know the questions the politicians don’t want to be asked because I have been on both sides.”
Taking the job during a pandemic
Launching a radio show during a pandemic was always going to be a unique experience and Emerson believes that this can lead to change.
“The world is changing at the moment so there isn’t any reason why I shouldn’t be having a bit of a change and joining 4BC.
“People are maybe changing their listening habits at the moment and it’s a great time to be getting out there now as people are open to changing to how they listen and who they listen to and I want to be a part of that change.”
Foxtel Media’s new-look leadership team as Roddick and Clasby depart
Mark Frain said: “We are moving rapidly towards a new future for media. The future for advertising is intelligent video and digitally driven agency-client-media relationships. We are continuing to evolve our operating model as we align with what our clients and their brands need from media partners in today’s environment.”
Annie Griffiths
Key changes on the new look leadership team include:
• Nev Hasan (pictured) has been promoted to the new position of Executive Director of Agency Sales.
• Daniella Serhan, currently Brand Partnerships Director, takes on the expanded role of Entertainment Sales and Partnership Director. Serhan will work alongside long-time sports lead Martin Medcraf, Sport Sales and Partnership Director.
• Annie Griffiths joins Foxtel Media as Senior Strategy Consultant reporting to Foxtel Media’s Toby Dewar, Customer Engagement Director. Griffiths recently returned to Sydney from New York where she was Chief Marketing Officer for PHD USA. She previously held roles at MediaCom, ZenithOptimedia and Universal McCann, leading account management and strategy for clients including Volkswagen, KFC, Lion Nathan and Unilever. Griffith’s role will help re-imagine the ways in which Foxtel Media collaborates and engages with agency partners for the upcoming “Upfronts” season.
Daniella Serhan
As part of the re-structure, CSO David Roddick and Sydney Sales Director Jo Clasby will leave Foxtel Media.
Frain added: “These leadership changes position Foxtel Media for continued success in a fast-changing environment. They strengthen our alignment with the Foxtel Group as it emerges as one of Australia’s most forward-looking media business. We thank David and Jo for their contribution and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.”
The new appointment takes effect on Thursday, 3 September 2020
Hutchy’s SEN radio reaches Queensland with SENTrack launch
The national racing radio network is a Crocmedia initiative under the guidance of chief executive Craig Hutchison.
See also: Hutchy on SENTrack
Crocmedia’s bold plan to establish a national network of racing radio stations is still underway despite the ad revenue hammering media companies, including Crocmedia, have been taking from COVID-19.
Former Australian test cricketer Ian Healy and respected sports journalist Pat Welsh will open the batting with their own breakfast show, weekdays from 6.30am starting Monday, 7 September.
Rugby league legends Gary Belcher and Scott Sattler wrap up the day’s sport for the drive home 5-6pm, Monday – Thursday.
Breakfast with Pat and Heals and Sportsday with Badge and Satts will book-end each day’s racing coverage – which will be packed with previews, analysis, insights and reviews of key races across the country – with plenty of fun and banter for punters.
The station will have a special focus on all the action across Queensland’s vibrant greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing industries – with insights from Queensland form analyst Chris Nelson and others.
If it’s happening in sport or racing SENTrack will take you there with live coverage of NRL – including key finals and all the action of the 2020 State of Origin – through a one-eyed Maroons lens of course!
Group commercial director Kate Parry said the team was thrilled to bring SEN to passionate Queensland sports and racing fans.
“We are excited to launch SENTrack in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and to welcome Ian Healy and Pat Welsh – two of Queensland’s greatest sporting personalities to the team,” Parry said.
“Queensland is a proud and passionate sporting state – with racing a key employer and contributor to the economy. SENTrack will showcase racing in all its forms as well as celebrating the country’s biggest sporting moments – through the eyes of sporting legends across all codes – and of course through the eyes of our passionate listeners who make the discussion all the richer!”
Queensland listeners will be spoilt for choice with the SEN app providing instant access to live and on-demand content across SENTrack plus additional content specific to key sports including AFL Nation and NRL Nation live commentary and access to content from other SEN channels throughout the country – such as Australia’s top radio sports show – Gerard Whateley.
Supporting SEN’s Queensland expansion is the appointment of commercial director Brad Johnson– formerly director sales, Brisbane for Nine Radio.
SENTrack is Australia’s first independent racing, harness and greyhound radio racing service. It launched earlier this year in Melbourne on 1593 AM; Sydney 1539 AM; Perth on 657AM, Wollongong 1575AM, Gosford 801AM, and also in Queensland on Ingham 96.9FM and Atherton 99.1FM. It can also be heard via the SEN app.
ABC appoints Todd Abbott as Head of Comedy
Abbott joins from Guesswork Television after filling the role of creative director, where he produced and developed scripted and non-scripted programs built around comedians. Abbott also worked with ABC shows including Rosehaven, Frayed and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.
Most recently for Guesswork, he produced the Australian Lockdown Comedy Festival on Stan, featuring 25 stand-up comedians filmed, directed and edited remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also produced a series of one-hour comedy specials for comedians including Celia Pacquola, Judith Lucy, Lano & Woodley, Tom Walker and Dilruk Jayasinha for international release on Amazon Prime Video.
Some of his past production credits include The Dream with Roy & H.G. and the ABC series Please Like Me.
In his role as ABC head of comedy, he leads the commissioning and creative execution of the catalogue of narrative and scripted comedy programs across multiple platforms.
Sally Riley, ABC head of drama, entertainment & indigenous content, said: “The ABC prides itself on its strong history of commissioning ground-breaking comedy and innovative storytelling. Todd epitomises these qualities across his work and dedicates himself to stories that resonate with a power of distinction and voice.
“His approach to storytelling is as passionate as ours and he is tireless in supporting local creatives who express humour, honesty and heart in equal measure.”
Abbott said he was thrilled to lead the ABC’s acclaimed comedy team. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime privilege to step into this role,” he said. “The ABC is the rare broadcaster that has consistently nurtured Australian voices in comedy and I’m looking forward to helping to support as many of those voices as I can.”
—
Top Photo: Todd Abbott (right) with Josh Thomas and Please Like Me colleagues after one of their AACTA Award wins
Former Foxtel executive returns to Australia this month in leadership role
He has been appointed chief operating officer to work across Australia Media Houses’ stable of multimedia companies operating under the Australian Production House (APH) banner.
Macionis worked with Matchbox Productions and NBCU Networks in Sydney in 2016/17 in senior legal and business affairs consultant roles. He left Australia in 2017 for a senior legal and executive role with business channel CNBC.
Most recently, he has held the position of vice president, legal & business affairs, Asia at NBCUniversal Media in Singapore.
From 2007, Macionis spent 10 years with Foxtel in Sydney. He served in several roles including legal counsel (production & acquisition) and head of business affairs (production & distribution).
He was actively involved in creating investment models and commercial negotiations for Foxtel local productions including scripted drama series Wentworthand A Place to Call Home.
Louise Schultze, founder and chief executive officer of Australian Production House, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Paul to the senior team. His expertise as a talented media executive and entertainment lawyer will contribute to and build on our industry-leading work.
“His role includes full oversight of all commercial aspects of APH companies building local and overseas strategic partnerships, and maximising asset and business performance.
“Paul will also be a driving force in growing our global profile and create new opportunities for our entire slate and the world first, fully interactive online digital network, Oz Kids Network.”
The newly created role of chief operating officer for the companies is based in Sydney.
Macionis was a member of Asia Video Industry Association and a mentor for student, and graduate lawyers. He is a member of Screen Producers Association of Australia.
Australian Production House is a Melbourne film & television production company.
Ad spend: Digital, TV and radio spend recovering faster than rest of media
The organisation that tracks advertising spend was sounding a little more upbeat than the treasurer this week as the SMI July data release preceded Government details about the havoc Covid-19 had wrought across the Australian economy.
SMI added that the data for August shows advertisers have spent more in August than for the whole of July, with the strongest advertising demand seen in television (so far back just 11.2% with the data extracted with three trading days to go).
All major media again reported large double-digit declines in July ad spend, but there were some stronger sectors with regional radio bookings back just 11.6%; social media ad spend down 13.8% and bookings to video sites back just 13.7%.
The market also reported stronger demand from some key categories, with the largest category of retail delivering more stable bookings (-3.8% in total) as chemists, supermarkets and outdoor/garden retailers all grew their media investment.
But the largest percentage increase among the major product categories came from the toiletries/cosmetics market (+20.7%). Within this market the investment in advertising hair care products almost doubled with most of those extra funds moving to the TV and digital media.
SMI AU/NZ managing director Jane Ractliffe said the SMI data was already showing there will be an even lower level of decline in August with the total (ex digital media) so far back 25.2%.
“It could be that for August the percentage decline reduces into the teens as we’re seeing strong forward bookings for numerous product categories and both the television and digital media are more quickly returning to a pre-COVID state with digital’s July decline of 15.6% the lowest of any major media,” she said.
“For the month of October the value of committed ad spend is now only six percentage points behind where it was at this time last year.”
Given the lower July decline, the trend for the calendar year-to-date also continues to improve with the market now back 24.5% over the past seven month period.
That result was initially driven by the natural disasters at the start of the year but was then exacerbated by COVID with ad spend falling by 43.5% in May.
New line-up announced for ABC 7pm News Western Australia
Medlen is a multi-platform reporter and producer who was born and raised in rural WA. She joined the ABC in 2006 from a background of radio and suburban newspaper reporting.
“The ABC has a team of talented and hard-working journalists reporting the stories that matter to West Australians and, as weekend newsreader for the past 12 years, I’ve always been very proud to present their work to our audience,” Medlen says.
“I’m really pleased that with my new role I will still be able to get out on the road reporting, meeting people and finding out what’s important to them, because our audiences are at the heart of everything we do at the ABC.”
Hamlyn has been a reporter and presenter with ABC NEWS for more than 10 years and is also a regular voice on ABC Radio Perth. She has covered breaking news events across the state, travelled overseas with Foreign Correspondent to follow the journey of voluntary euthanasia advocate David Goodall and recently led the ABC’s TV coverage of the marathon Claremont serial killings trial In Perth.
Hamlyn says: “I grew up watching the ABC news at 7pm with my family and telling people’s stories is my favourite pastime. To be able to share those stories from behind the newsdesk is a thrill and a great privilege.
“We have a team of incredibly hardworking and talented people in WA. At a time when so much is uncertain, I hope our audiences will continue to see ABC news as a trusted constant in their daily lives.”
TV Ratings Wednesday September 3: Week 36, 2020
Seven News 1,010,000/974,000
Nine News 958,000/917,000
ABC News 747,000
A Current Affair 647,000
7.30 596,000
The Project 310,000/514,000
10 News 372,000/239,000
Sunrise 252,000
Today 228,000
News Breakfast 199,000
SBS World News 173,000
The Drum 203,000
Nine News Late Edition 164,000
The Latest 121,000
Seven: Seven had a quiet Wednesday night which saw it air a back to back of Highway patrol in the 7:30 pm slot. The channel’s best performers for the night were The Chase Australia (578,000) and Home and Away (589,000) as Seven had a primary share of 15.1% and a network share of 25.0% which were both #2 for the night.
Nine: Nine won Wednesday night with a primary share of 19.7% and a network share of 26.8%, despite The Block posting the show’s worst ratings in over five years. This capped off a downwards trend throughout the week.
The Block Week 36 Ratings:
• Sunday: 943,000 + 1,016,000 for room winner reveal
• Monday: 744,000
• Tuesday: 692,000
• Wednesday: 651,000
10: The Bachelor had 571,000 after Locky Gilbert sent five girls home last night which was a slight dip on the 582,000 the show had last Tuesday as the series prepares to go into its lockdown episodes. The Bachelor also won all key demos last night. 10 had a primary share of 12.6% and a network share of 20.0%.
ABC: ABC continued its strong Wednesday night performance almost snatching the #2 primary spot off Seven with 14.0% and also a network share of 18.0%. Hard Quiz was the #1 non-news show narrowly beating out The Block. The other top performers where Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell (576,000), 7:30 (596,000) and Utopia (419,000).
SBS: The best performer for SBS was Sydney’s Super Tunnel as the public broadcast had a primary share of 6.0% and a network share of 10.1%.
Week 36 TV: Wednesday
| WEDNESDAY METRO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven | Nine | 10 | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 14.0% | 7 | 15.1% | 9 | 19.7% | 10 | 12.6% | SBS One | 6.0% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 2.1% | 7TWO | 4.2% | GO! | 2.3% | 10 Bold | 5.3% | VICELAND | 1.5% |
| ABC ME | 0.3% | 7mate | 3.8% | GEM | 2.2% | 10 Peach | 2.2% | Food Net | 0.9% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.5% | 7flix | 1.9% | 9Life | 1.7% | NITV | 0.1% | ||
| 9Rush | 1.0% | SBS World Movies | 1.5% | ||||||
| TOTAL | 18.0% | 25.0% | 20.0% | 20.0% | 10.1% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY REGIONAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven Affiliates | Nine Affiliates | 10 Affiliates | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 12.5% | 7 | 18.4% | 9 | 17.0% | WIN | 9.0% | SBS One | 4.9% |
| ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY | 2.0% | 7TWO | 5.4% | GO! | 3.4% | WIN Bold | 6.2% | VICELAND | 2.0% |
| ABC ME | 0.4% | 7mate | 2.7% | GEM | 4.1% | WIN Peach | 2.4% | Food Net | 0.6% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.3% | 7flix (Excl. Tas/WA) | 2.1% | 9Life | 2.2% | Sky News on WIN | 2.9% | NITV | 0.2% |
| SBS Movies | 1.1% | ||||||||
| TOTAL | 16.2% | 28.7% | 26.8% | 20.5% | 8.9% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY METRO ALL TV | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | STV | ||||||||
| 86.4% | 13.6% | ||||||||
Wednesday FTA
- Seven News Seven 1,010,000
- Seven News At 6.30 Seven 974,000
- Nine News Nine 958,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 917,000
- ABC News ABC 747,000
- Hard Quiz S5 ABC 672,000
- The Block Nine 651,000
- A Current Affair Nine 647,000
- 7.30 ABC 596,000
- Home And Away Seven 589,000
- The Chase Australia Seven 578,000
- Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell S12 ABC 576,000
- The Bachelor Australia10 571,000
- The Project 7pm 10 514,000
- Hot Seat Nine 489,000
- Emergency Nine 468,000
- Utopia ABC 419,000
- Highway Patrol (R) Seven 401,000
- Highway Patrol Ep.2 (R) Seven 390,000
- 10 News First 10 372,000
Demo Top 5
16 – 39
- The Bachelor Australia10 188,000
- The Block Nine 156,000
- The Project 7pm 10 132,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 111,000
- Seven News At 6.30 Seven 108,000
18 – 49
- The Bachelor Australia10 307,000
- The Block Nine 277,000
- The Project 7pm 10 239,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 223,000
- Nine News Nine 221,000
25 – 54
- The Bachelor Australia10 321,000
- The Block Nine 313,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 283,000
- The Project 7pm 10 279,000
- Nine News Nine 275,000
Wednesday Multichannel
- NCIS (R) 10 Bold 217,000
- The Coroner PM 7TWO 175,000
- NCIS: Los Angeles (R) 10 Bold 171,000
- Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
- NCIS: Los Angeles Ep 2 (R) 10 Bold 152,000
- Bluey ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
- NCIS: Los Angeles Late (R) 10 Bold 131,000
- Lewis PM 7TWO 129,000
- Fireman Sam AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 127,000
- Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 121,000
- Love Monster ABCKIDS/COMEDY 120,000
- Spicks And Specks ABCKIDS/COMEDY 120,000
- School Of Roars ABCKIDS/COMEDY 116,000
- Neighbours 10 Peach 112,000
- Dog Loves Books AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 109,000
- Bargain Hunt PM 7TWO 107,000
- Noddy Toyland Detective PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 106,000
- Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 106,000
- Bondi Rescue Ep 2 (R) 10 Bold 104,000
- Rusty Rivets ABCKIDS/COMEDY 100,000
Wednesday STV
- Live: AFL Richmond V Fremantle FOX FOOTY 186,000
- Gogglebox Australia Lifestyle Channel 164,000
- Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 81,000
- Alan Jones Sky News Live 81,000
- Live: AFL 360: Post Game FOX FOOTY 71,000
- The Bolt Report Sky News Live 68,000
- PML Later Sky News Live 51,000
- The Windsors: Inside The Royal Dynasty UKTV 51,000
- Credlin Sky News Live 50,000
- Selling Houses Australia Lifestyle Channel 39,000
- Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 37,000
- General: Chewing The Fat FOX FOOTY 35,000
- White House Farm BBC First 34,000
- The Big Bang Theory FOX Funny 29,000
- Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 28,000
- Jeopardy! FOX Classics 28,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 28,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 27,000
- Newsday Sky News Live 26,000
- Deadliest Catch Discovery Channel 25,000
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
IMAA announces Culture in COVID Webinar
This webinar will be held on 9 September and aims to help IMAA member agencies maintain and grow culture during COVID-19 while many people continue to work from home.
Gray will advise members on leadership during Covid, igniting individuals’ purpose in times of crisis, mental wellbeing and embracing a new culture for the future.
Gray has more than 20 years’ experience working in advertising, media and HR and in 2019 established her own HR and executive coaching business called Person. Gray was previously head of talent at IPG Mediabrands, director of people & culture at starcom and has also worked with recruiter ICUR.
“As Australian owned and independent businesses, all our members across the independent media agency sector have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The IMAA is pleased to continue to provide our members with support and guidance from a range of industry experts who have generously given their time. Maintaining and evolving culture, particularly as many are still working from home, is critically important for all our businesses so Lisa’s advice will be invaluable,” the IMAA said.
Gray said: “If you’re hoping things go back to normal within the workplace – be prepared. The way we interact and collaborate with each other prior to COVID-19 is no more. You need to be set up for a new way of thinking – or you could be at risk of falling behind.”
The “Culture in COVID” webinar will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday 9 September.
News Brands
Facebook cannot be trusted, says Peter Costello
“If Facebook doesn’t want to carry reputable Australian news, what is it going to carry? Disreputable Australian news,” Mr Costello said on Wednesday.
“Facebook says they don’t want to carry news from media organisations in Australia where there is fact checking, where people stand behind it, where they can be sued for libel.
“It will become a great repository for people creating fake news out of China, Russia, or Australia, or wherever. You won’t be able to believe anything you read on Facebook.”
The former federal treasurer added that Facebook’s threats on Tuesday laid bare the company’s true colours.
“It was really illustrated to me where Facebook is coming from, much more important than whether the news is reputable or reliable to them, is how much money they make out of it, and that distinguishes it in my view between Facebook and a real news organisation,” he said.
If Facebook carries out its threat, Australia will be awash with even more misinformation
Over one-third of us now get our news predominantly from the platform, misinformation be damned.
And Facebook is profiting from all that eyeball time: it raked in $673.9m in the last calendar year in Australia. It is far more powerful and profitable than any media outlet in this country.
Unlike media outlets, however, Facebook is not held responsible for the content it publishes. It is not subject to the myriad standards of practice, codes of ethics, and the expectation of truth-telling that Australian media outlets must adhere to. This may go some way to explaining why one in eight Australians believe Microsoft founder Bill Gates is implementing a “global microchipping” plan – and that the 5G network is spreading coronavirus, falsehoods that have both gained currency on Facebook.
Cheng Lei: Chinese media boss criticises ‘propaganda failure’
In a rare public critique by a participant in China’s tightly-censored media system, Hu indicated China’s media had been kept in the dark about Lei’s detention without charge, which was revealed by Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Monday night.
“If foreign criminals are arrested in various places in China, (the Chinese state) should inform the media as soon as possible,” wrote Hu on Weibo, a Chinese social media account. “Diplomatic discords should not be hidden from the media.”
The lack of explanation about Lei’s detention without charge has heightened concern within the federal government about the implications for other Australian citizens in China and underlined the deep distrust between the two governments. The Australian government was aware of Lei’s unexplained detention last week as Wang Xining, China’s deputy chief of mission in Canberra, gave what appeared to be a conciliatory speech at the National Press Club
Publishing
ACM expands metro footprint with Northern Beaches Review
Executive Chairman Antony Catalano, said: “It’s fantastic to be launching this publication in what is such an important part of the Sydney market and adds another quality title to the ACM stable.”
Kate Cox
ACM has appointed northern beaches local Kate Cox to lead the new magazine. “Kate brings with her a wealth of journalism experience having been editor of publications such as The Sun-Herald and Sunday Life, but importantly knows how to find the local stories that people want to read through her time as a breaking news reporter covering everything from crime to entertainment to property,” Catalano said.
Kate Cox said: “This is a dream opportunity to help launch a product in the area that is so close to my heart. The ACM team is investing not only in me but in the entire community and I can’t wait to launch this beautiful, relevant, exciting news and lifestyle magazine. It’s so refreshing to see a company committed to local news and, crucially, helping to support local journalism.
“With ‘Love Where You Live’ as our mantra, we are aiming to do things differently to a traditional local newspaper. We’ve taken the learnings from our success of The Weekly Review in Melbourne to combine local news, people and events with lifestyle content and of course the best in local real estate.”
The Northern Beaches Review will have access to the resources of ACM’s 170 titles across the country as well as access to its sales team and a national-wide team of over 600 journalists. The new publication will link to ACM’s 135 websites, which combined with print captures an audience of more than 7.7m viewers per month. It will also enable the publication to access the 1.5m monthly audience created by ACM’s partnership with realestateview.com.au.
ACM and realesateview.com.au chief marketing officer Paul Tyrrell confirmed that “the realesateview.com.au brand will lend itself to both the northern beaches masthead and the property section of the new magazine.
“We feel the time is right to push into the Sydney market with our bundled offer of print, the Today Acquire digital marketing tool and listings on realestateview.com.au. We’ve proven through our regional pilots that by combining these assets we are able to reach buyers at all stages along their path to purchase,” Tyrrell said.
65,000 copies of the Northern Beaches Review will be letterbox-dropped weekly across the Northern Beaches LGA.
Television
Nine's Millionaire Hot Seat relocates to Queensland
The move is due to the Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions which have been imposed on the Victorian capital.
Production will take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The relocation has been supported by the Queensland Government, including Screen Queensland, as well as the City of Gold Coast and The Star.
It is more than $1 million could be potentially given away across the 30 episodes, with all winnings awarded to Queensland residents.
Host of Millionaire Hot Seat, Eddie McGuire, said: “In more than 20 years of making Millionaire, this is the first time we’ve taken the show out of Melbourne. I can’t wait to experience the hospitality that Queenslanders are renowned for. And with the AFL bubble based on the Gold Coast, there’s no better place to be as we approach the pointy end of the season. I’m also looking forward to bringing all the news firsthand from the hub for Footy Classified.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said this was a rare opportunity for Queenslanders to win some cash while having the city showcased across the country.
“We are so blessed here in Queensland and the Gold Coast to be able to welcome TV and film productions as well as sporting teams to our city during this very tough time, he said. “When I got the call, I said immediately, ‘lock it in, Eddie’.”
A total of $81,893,000 has been given away on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Millionaire Hot Seat over the past 21 years.
Sport
'Rugby is a tier one sport': RA boss optimistic as Foxtel talks tough
It comes as Clarke insisted there had been no formal indication from New Zealand they would be happy to accommodate five Australian teams and sign off on a new trans-Tasman competition.
Friday marks RA’s deadline for expressions of interest on a new broadcast package starting next year that it has floated to the open market.
Delany, speaking at a sports conference on Tuesday, failed to specifically mention rugby as one of the major codes Foxtel was happy to continue doing business with.
Delany’s comments were viewed as a back-hander to the other two major football codes in rugby and soccer, but Clarke brushed aside the remarks on Wednesday and is adamant the 15-man game is still in a position to be purchased for a good price when negotiations formally begin.
“As one of the largest global sports, I think rugby is a tier-one sport,” Clarke told the Herald. “I think Patrick was including rugby in his commentary.”
Asked what expressions of interest he expected to receive on Friday for a broadcast package encompassing Test matches and Super Rugby, plus new State of Union and Super Eight concepts, Clarke replied: “We’ve had very good dialogue with a range of broadcasters. As to what comes in in the form of official proposals on Friday, I’ll tell you on Friday.”
Channel 7 wants out of BBL Cricket Australia TV deal
Channel 7 no longer wants the BBL and back in March actively tried to offload the once golden goose of Australian cricket to Channel 10, who didn’t want it either.
COVID-19 might have heightened the BBL’s diminishing value to broadcasters, but it’s a long-running issue that predates the pandemic and prompted Cricket Australia to commission its own independent review into the Bash last summer.
The report compiled by former Channel 10 boss David Barham strongly urged the game to find ways to ensure more top Australian stars could play in the tournament, and stated that the BBL needed to be put on more of a pedestal, rather than always being at the mercy of international scheduling.
Barham reiterated in the report that the BBL must get back to its roots as a ‘made-for-TV’ product, and the broadcasters are both united in feeling they’re not getting bang for their buck and have lawyered up.
The unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 could not have been foreseen, and have made revamping the competition a difficult exercise for CA to pull off this season.
However, the fact the BBL 2.0 reboot that was promised looks unlikely to be delivered this summer is why Channel 7 and Fox Sports believe they’re entitled to a rights reduction for the fallen value of the product they’re paying big money for.
The two networks will meet with Cricket Australia later this week, but as far as Channel 7 is concerned, a rights reduction isn’t all they are after.
Channel 7 is frustrated by the BBL’s poor performance since taking on the rights in 2018 and chief executive James Warburton has stated publicly that the network do not support the coming season.
CA have put Channel 7’s approach over the past week down to posturing and their financial struggles, but there remains a very real chance the network could try and offload the Big Bash. They would rather be rid of it altogether.