Business of Media
Streamers spend up on Australian content to entice subscribers
The five main streaming services Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Stan and Paramount+ spent around $670 million on Australian and Australian-related programming in fiscal 2022, as part of a push to entice local subscribers and ahead of the government introducing content quotas for the streamers, reports Nine Publishing’s Edmund Tadros.
The figures, detailed in the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s third annual subscription video-on-demand Australian content investment report, show the streaming services spent money on a range of local programming including dramas, documentaries and reality shows.
The five services spent $335 million on 718 commissioned, co-commissioned or acquired “Australian programs” and a further $333 million on acquiring, producing or investing in 16 “Australian-related programs”.
“Australian programs” are those that meet minimum requirements for key creative roles, including producers, directors, writers and cast, while “Australian-related programs” meet some but not all of these criteria.
Disney stock jumps as Wall Street cheers return of Bob Iger
Wall Street analysts and investors welcomed Bob Iger back as the CEO of the Walt Disney Co. after Sunday’s surprise news that the Hollywood conglomerate’s former head would return to replace Bob Chapek. And experts have already started discussing possible strategic changes that he could usher in, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Georg Szalai.
Disney shares, in pre-market trading on Monday, were up 9.3 percent at $100.29 as of 7 a.m. ET. The stock had hit a 52-week low of $86.28 earlier this month. As of Friday’s market close, it had fallen about 40 percent so far this year. Disney shares were up 9.3 percent at $100.35 as of 9:35 a.m. ET on Monday.
“Magic is back,” MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson cheered the return of Iger and upgraded the rating from “market perform” to “outperform,” while raising his stock price target by $20 to $120. “We raise the valuation multiple to reflect our greater confidence in the company’s trajectory under the leadership of returning CEO Bob Iger,” he explained in a Monday report, adding that the company veteran could “help guide the company through this period of massive secular change.” The expert’s conclusion: “We applaud Disney’s board for the courage to make this change.”
See Also: Disney thriller: World’s biggest studio axes current CEO as former chief returns
Radio
Triple M Newcastle’s Steve Grahame stood down amid inappropriate behaviour allegation
Newcastle breakfast host Steve Grahame has been suspended following an alleged incident at the Australian radio industry’s big awards night, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
Grahame and co-host Tanya Wilks, known as Tanya and Steve on Newcastle station Triple M, had picked up Best On-Air Team (Provincial) at the annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) on the night he is accused of inappropriate behaviour.
Triple M parent company Southern Cross Austereo confirmed an investigation was underway.
“SCA is aware of and investigating an issue raised regarding Triple M Newcastle,” a statement read. “Respecting the privacy and wellbeing of our people we will not be commenting any further.”
Television
Tabcorp urges ban on gambling ads on TV
Tabcorp wants restrictions on gambling advertising on television and has called for the creation of a new national gaming regulator, as it tries to fend off a new generation of aggressive betting start-ups, reports Nine Publishing’s Mark Di Stefano.
The ASX-listed company made the recommendations in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling that is examining advertising during live sports and how the industry harms problem gamblers and children.
Among the ideas put forward by Tabcorp’s chief executive, Adam Rytenskild, is an advertising blackout on free-to-air TV between 6.30am and 8.30pm, which would bolster the government’s National Consumer Protection Framework.
“The effectiveness of any future NCPF initiatives is limited without addressing the fact that there is too much gambling advertising,” Rytenskild said.
“There should be further restrictions on when and where gambling advertising occurs.”
Carrie Bickmore and Waleed Aly pay tribute to Lisa Wilkinson as she quits The Project
Carrie Bickmore led tributes to Lisa Wilkinson on The Project on Monday night after the star revealed she was leaving the show after five years, reports news.com.au.
Wilkinson announced her departure on Sunday evening, saying it was “time to reprioritise a few things in my life” after a difficult six months marked by “relentless, targeted toxicity”.
Waleed Aly took a moment on Monday’s program to speak of Wilkinson’s “enormous contribution”.
And fellow co-host Carrie Bickmore – who will also soon leave The Project – spoke of Wilkinson’s “incredible stories and interviews”.
See Also: Lisa Wilkinson to step down from The Project, effective immediately
Was fiery interview Ally’s ‘audition’ for ACA?
A heated interview between Today anchor Allison Langdon and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been described as the journalist’s “audition” to become the new host of Channel 9’s A Current Affair, reports News Corp’s Jessica Wang.
Last Monday, Andrews appeared on the morning show to promote his State Electricity Commission in the lead up to the Victorian state election on November 26.
Instead, Langdon chose to grill the politician on corruption, integrity and transparency in relation to his recent interview with that Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission about his government awarding a $3.4 million contract to a union, known as Operation Daintree.
“I was thinking corruption. Matthew Guy went hard on that one yesterday. Is integrity and transparency important to you or not so much?” she said.
“Well can I just say Ally, I behave appropriately at all times. That’s the oath I swore. I get on everyday and deliver for the people of my great state,” the Premier responded.
However, Langdon continued to grill the Premier, asking him: “Do you deserve another term?”
How can My Mum Your Dad work in second season?
In the first season of My Mum, Your Dad the adult children of the singles hoping to find love had no idea they would be secretly watching their parents via surveillance cameras, reports TV Tonight.
A casting notice recently called for new parents & children, although the show is yet to be formally announced. Now the twist is out, how will producers possibly approach a second season?
“That’s a good question and it’s being worked on at this very moment. It makes it a bit trickier. We’re working on how a second season might work at the moment,” Nine executive producer John Walsh recently told TV Tonight.
“We’re casting in anticipation of a recommission. We want to get a head start. We do that with all of our shows that we do.”