Seven
Home and Away returned at 7pm and there was plenty of drama with Ziggy and Brody getting steamy while missing Maggie was washed ashore. The series has returned with an audience of 796,000, which is at the upper end of what it has been doing at the end of 2017.

My Kitchen Rules season nine “real people, real food” is under way and Seven didn’t waste any time promoting the forthcoming upheaval when two contestants are sent home. Sydney brothers Josh and Nic kicked off the competition with an Italian menu where the dessert was the most successful dish for both judges. There are some intriguing contestants in this first group, in particular Jess and Emma. The first episode of the new season ranked #1 for the night on 1.18m. Yet that was down on the 1.30m watching the 2017 season launch.

Seven dangled another new episode of The Good Doctor in front of audiences before survey starts – how times have changed! The audience turned out again with 1.09m watching, which continues its good numbers from the end of 2017.

Seven screened the 2018 Grammy Awards yesterday – the live coverage from 11.30am did 141,000 while the 10pm encore screening did 168,000.

Nine
Tracy Grimshaw returned to A Current Affair after a summer break. The show had some of its A team working including Martin King and Grimshaw conducted a studio interview. The show also carried a shortish plug for Married At First Sight. The first ep of the week did 900,000 to win the slot.

Married At First Sight was in the preliminary rounds with will she or won’t she expectations about one of the contestants and when she would reveal she had a daughter. The series launched with 912,000, up year-on-year from 826,000. Later during its first week last year the series managed a peak average audience of 934,000 for the Tuesday episode.

Also returning on Nine was Travel Guides with the Fren family visiting Italy, which had an opening night audience of 614,000.

TEN
After the excitement around the arrival of Lisa Wilkinson last night, The Project started the work-day week with the regular team led by Carrie and Waleed with Pete and Steve Price. Highlights included Carrie Bickmore with Bernard Tomic prior his departure to South Africa and then two segments with Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters in the Melbourne studio one day prior to their Melbourne show tonight. The Project started on 433,000 against the Seven and Nine News, while after 7pm the crowd increased to 708,000.

It was billed as Mundine Monday – the arrival of Anthony Mundine in the camp on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here. However, most of the interest was around Bernard Tomic and how he buckled after a challenge, threatening to quit already. The second ep did 858,000, which is down year-on-year from 959,000.

Law & Order: SVU returned with a new episode and then a repeat. The new ep was on 245,000 and the repeat did 187,000.

ABC
The season final of Back Roads with Heather Ewart saw her visiting Violet Town in Victoria with 677,000 watching.

The final of Foreign Correspondent at 8.30pm Monday then did 561,000.

A repeat of David Stratton‘s Stories Of Australian Cinema had him recalling giving The Castle one and a half stars. “If I saw The Castle today I would probably give it four stars,” he admitted. The episode did 376,000.

SBS
The broadcaster is getting good mileage our of River Cottage Australia at 7.30pm with 169,000.

The numbers then climbed to a repeat of Trust Me I’m A Doctor on 210,000 and then 24 Hours In Emergency did 179,000.

The Lachlan Murdoch-backed startup has raised more than $60 million in just two years, including a $30.7 million round last May led by Malaysia-based telecommunications group Axiata, and has now renewed crucial global deals with Sprint-owned Boost Mobile in the US and Tesco Mobile in Britain.

Unlockd co-founder and chief executive Matt Berriman told The Australian Financial Review that the company’s revenue grew 28% in the final quarter of last year, with December its best month ever, up 53% on 2016.

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Ellis will report directly to Ben Richardson, GM of VIMN Australia and New Zealand, and will be based in Darlinghurst.

Ellis has more than 20 years of experience in the media industry. Most recently, he was a partner in the digital innovation consulting firm Blue Road Group. He previously has worked on projects with Bauer Media and the ABC, and also co-founded cloud-management software firm GorillaStack. He has also worked at Trinity Mirror in the UK, IGN Entertainment, MySpace and AOL.

Campbell has more than 15 years of experience in programming sales. She previously represented the ABC and BBC Worldwide. As part of her new role at VIMN, Campbell will manage all program sales to third party broadcasters across Australia and New Zealand and report to Ellis and Lauren Marriott, VIMN’s UK-based vice president of international program sales.

Read more at mediaweek.com.au.

Melissa Hoyer has been in Los Angeles covering the G’Day USA event for vogue.com.au:

Hosts Rachel Griffiths and Jonathan LaPaglia honoured prominent Australians Margot Robbie, Bruna Papandrea, the late Heath Ledger and John Farrar for their individual contributions to the US-Australia relationship at the 2018 G’Day USA Los Angeles Gala, held at the Wilshire Grand Ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel Downtown.

Guests walked into a mega ballroom full of big round tables to all things Australian – including wine and food created by chef Curtis Stone.

While the ‘gala’ is the ‘celebrity’ part of the trade initiative, the red carpet is an A team fest with the likes of Rebel Wilson, Margot Robbie, Dan MacPherson, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta all making their way down the ruby rug.

Other presenters, guests or performers included Colin Farrell – who gave a posthumous award to his friend, the late Heath Ledger – while other names who swanned onto the stage included Isla Fisher, Amy Adams, Curtis Stone, Rebel Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ruby Rose, Emilie de Ravin, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Jacki Weaver, Luke Hemsworth, Buzz Aldrin, Human Nature, Daniel MacPherson, Phillip Noyce and Paul Hogan.

[Read more at vogue.com.au]

The magazine publisher’s lobby group that represents Bauer, Pacific and NewsLifeMedia is getting a major overhaul.

The organisation’s executive director Mary Ann Azer is leaving the organisation this week.

Her last day is Wednesday.

She commented today: “The publishers – Pacific, Bauer Media and NewsLifeMedia – have made the decision to take active control of and leadership of the body to push it forward in a unified manner, and I am excited about its ongoing growth.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for MN and all that we have achieved, and am looking forward to my next challenge.

Gereurd Roberts, CEO, Pacific and chairman of Magazine Networks, commented:

“There has been amazing evolution and innovation across all of the Magazine Networks publishers over the past two years, and it is time for us to step up, take ownership and do a better job of communicating that. It is incumbent on us.

“In that event we’ve made the decision to come together and take a more active, collaborative role in the future running and direction of Magazine Networks.

“I look forward to working more closely with Paul [Dykzeul, Bauer CEO] and Nicole [Sheffield, News Corp Aust chief digital officer] as we tell the story of how, more than ever, our brands are leveraging their intimate relationships with audiences beyond the traditional printed form and ultimately offering trusted, targeted and contextually relevant environments for our partners.

“We would also like to thank Mary Ann for her warmth, insight and passion during her time with Magazine Networks, and wish her well in her next chapter.”

Commercial Radio Australia has appointed Jaime Chaux head of digital.

Chaux will be tasked to develop the industry’s approach and strategy across the digital space including responsibility for the all-of-industry RadioApp, podcasting strategy and policy, social media, DAB+ content and other emerging areas of multiplatform innovation.

Chaux will also support CRA’s DAB+ digital radio team, led by head of strategic development Kath Brown, with a specific focus on DAB+ content initiatives for metropolitan and regional members.

Chaux has held a variety of senior roles in radio and is currently content director of Southern Cross Austereo’s on-demand audio digital network, PodcastOne Australia. He previously worked on secondment with CRA on the development of RadioApp, which launched in late 2016.

Chaux takes up the new role in March.

Since The Guardian began asking American readers to voluntarily contribute in September 2016, it has received more than 230,000 one-time contributions from the US. In addition, it has secured 73,000 recurring paying relationships in the US, including members, recurring contributors, and digital subscribers.

Guardian Media Group is in the second year of its three-year plan to break even at operating level by April 2019.

Meanwhile, Guardian Australia has launched its first fundraising campaign with the aim to collect $50,000 in reader contributions over the next three months. The funds will be used to support its new editorial series called Our Wide Brown Land, which focuses on Australia’s environment issues.

The fundraising campaign from Guardian Australia comes after its counterpart in the US ran three successful fundraising campaigns to support its editorial series This Land is Your Land, Break the Cycle and The Mother Load.

Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor said: “We know our readers care deeply about the state of Australia’s environment. We commissioned this in-depth series of investigations according to what scientists and conservationists advised us were the environmental issues in most urgent need of attention. We would very much like to continue this reporting.”

The Our Wide Brown Land series launches today with a story on the erosion of environmental protections. The series will run until the end of May. It is being produced by Guardian Australia’s editorial partnerships editor Alexandra Spring.

Spring said: “The threats to Australia’s environment are real and imminent, yet they frequently do not get the attention they deserve. With the support of Guardian Australia readers, our environment reporters will investigate the issues and what more can be done to protect our natural spaces.”

More about the campaign here.

A key part of the partnership included participation in the 23rd annual Midsumma Pride March, which took place on January 28.

ARN’s chief marketing officer Anthony Xydis said: “KIIS 101.1 reflects Melbourne in all its diversity and this iconic celebration of equality and inclusiveness is what this city is all about, whether it’s great music, art or just embracing a fun time with friends.”

Read more at mediaweek.com.au.

From March 1, Discovery Channel will be available in the Fetch Knowledge Pack (17 channels for $6/month) and TLC in the Fetch Variety Pack (10 channels for $6/month). Both channels will also be available in the Fetch Ultimate Pack (49 channels for $20/month).

Also on March 1, Nat Geo People will cease broadcast in Australia and will be removed from the Fetch Knowledge and Ultimate Packs. National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild will remain as part of the Fetch channel lineup.

Read more at mediaweek.com.au.

Photo: Aussie Gold Hunters

Bernard Tomic isn’t coping with jungle life, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran from South Africa. The controversial tennis player has threatened to quit I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! just a couple of days into the fourth season of the popular reality show.

“I don’t think I can do it,” Tomic said.

“This is not the real world. This is the jungle. This is so different, not what I expected.”

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Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia says he’s unsure how the new format of the upcoming series will work, reports Sydney Confidential.

Branded Champions v Contenders, it will pit “champions of public life” against “everyday Aussies” in a battle for $500,000.

“I’m about to have a discussion with the producer this week so I’ll know more then,” LaPaglia said.

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Shopper Media Group CEO Ben Walker says the new retail signings illustrate the growing demand from shopping centres for 100% digital media solutions, and best-in-class data collection and analytics.

Since its launch in 2015, Shopper Media Group has focused on expanding reach in grocery-centric hubs.

Shopper Media Group digital solutions include Smartlite® advertising panels, advanced Wi-Fi and virtual beacon technology that tracks shopper behaviour in realtime.

Recent significant centre group signings for Shopper Media Group include:

• Woolworths-owned shopping centres across Australia
• PPI Group portfolio of centres across South Australia, NSW and Queensland
• Rockworth Capital Partners, Singapore-based investment firm, in metro locations across NSW, Queensland and WA
• Lancini Group portfolio of centres across Australia.

Underwood has been part of the ABC Grandstand commentary team for more than a decade and is the first woman to call AFL football on television and radio.

She will continue to call AFL games for Grandstand in 2018.

She is also an Australian Open tennis commentator and for eight years led the Trans-Tasman netball competition broadcasts.

She joined Offsiders five years ago as a panellist.

Underwood also co-hosts The Back Page with Tony Squires for Fox Sports.

Seven commences covering the 2018 AFL Women’s competition live across Channel 7, 7mate and the 7plus app starting this Friday February 2.

After last year’s blockbuster lockout, the season opener of AFLW will again see two of Australia’s oldest clubs, Collingwood and Carlton, go head to head at Ikon Park.

Following that on Saturday night, it will be the Grand Final rematch as the Lions seek to avenge their 2017 loss to inaugural premiers Adelaide. Then Seven will broadcast an AFLW match nationally every Saturday night during the season

Sam Lane will take up field commentary for both games, bringing stories and insights from the coaches and players. Bulldogs veteran Nicole Callinan will deliver expert comments on Friday night, while Carlton star Lauren Arnell is the expert on Saturday night.

Jason Bennett calls both matches, with Nigel Carmody on Friday night and Mark Soderstrom on Saturday night.

Seven will also broadcast the AFLW Grand Final live and exclusive.

AFL champions Chris Judd, Dane Swan and Brendan Fevola are joining Nine’s AFL Footy Show, reports News Corp’s Nui Te Koha.

The champion trio will feature alongside co-hosts Eddie McGuire, Rebecca Maddern, Sam Newman, and regulars Billy Brownless and Shane Crawford on the panel, and in new segments.

McGuire described their appointment as “the biggest names in football on the biggest show in television”.

He added: “Chris Judd is the most fascinating to have played the game in the last 20 years. He’s a superstar on the ground, a guy with a unique business presence, a director of the Carlton Football Club, and someone who was in the whole West Coast experience. He has a unique perspective and says it as he sees it.”

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There had been some expectation that Chris Judd would also be the new team member on Nine’s Monday night AFL show Footy Classified where he guested alongside Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson last year.

Former North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw is set to return to calling primetime footy in 2018.

Brayshaw is expected to make a return to Channel Seven, where he began his television career.

AFL.com.au understands Brayshaw is most likely to join Seven’s Saturday Night Football lineup alongside Luke Darcy, Cameron Ling and Matthew Richardson.

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The AFR’s Joe Aston completes a weekend of people-watching at the Australian Open, with a roundup of the corporate attendees at the Men’s Final on Sunday night:

The tennis finals are like a Hindi wedding festival – hot as a furnace, go for days, only way home is a rickshaw.

We know this little milieu is aging like Chung Hyeon‘s socks, but Sunday night being a ludicrously high-powered affair (and that was just the front two rows of the crowd), humour us a moment. Or three.

The usual minted sociopaths were in their usual gilded seats – so let’s agree on that as given, and here goes a ropey summation of the vaguely more exotic juxtapositions.

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