Business of Media
Chris Janz the latest Fairfax chief out Nine’s door
Influential figures from Fairfax Media have now all but disappeared from the ranks of senior management within Nine Entertainment Co, with one of the last executives to have ties with the former publishing company quitting just three years after the merger between the two media giants, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
Chris Janz, the chief digital and publishing officer at Nine, has tendered his resignation, and will leave the media company within a couple of months, The Australian understands.
Janz was understood to be deeply disappointed at missing out on the top job at Nine, and many staff — particularly those who work in the company’s publishing division — were of the view that he was one of the few senior executives at the media group who had industry experience that extended beyond the TV landscape.
One Nine insider told The Australian on Sunday: “Janz quitting is a huge loss for the newspapers, as Chris actually understands real journalism.”
Both the Nine boardroom and the company’s senior management team are now almost entirely made up of people who were attached to the broadcasting arm of Nine when it merged with Fairfax Media in 2018.
Foxtel hires Kate de Brito to lead new streaming service
Pay TV company Foxtel has appointed former news.com.au editor-in-chief Kate de Brito (pictured) to lead a soon-to-launch third streaming service focused on news content, as the company makes a series of structural changes to prepare it for the future, reports SMH’s Zoe Samios.
A Foxtel spokesman confirmed de Brito was working on the “business case” for its new service, NewsFlash. James Law, who currently runs News Corp’s newly formed newswire, has left his role to work with de Brito.
NewsFlash is likely to launch later this year for about $5 a month. It is expected to feature content from Sky News Australia and other news channels currently available on Foxtel. It is not clear if Fox News will be part of the offering.
Foxtel, which implemented a major restructure last year, is bringing 100 call centre roles focused on retaining customers back on local soil, as it sends about more than 10 jobs in scheduling and programming overseas. The News Corporation controlled group’s general manager of Fox Creative, Mat Harrington, and two employees that work in publicity have also left the business.
A Foxtel spokesman said the new call centre jobs would be based across Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Facebook and Google sign $500m in deals with Australian media outlets
The signed content sharing deals between the nation’s major media companies and global tech giants Facebook and Google are worth a total of about $500m, and many more companies are still yet to finalise their agreements, reports News Corp’s Sophie Elsworth.
The Australian understands all of the completed deals – with some spanning up to five years – are worth half a billion dollars, and many more agreements are expected to be completed in the coming months.
Facebook has signed 12 long-form binding agreements to ensure payment is provided for content to nine media outlets – among these are News Corp (publisher of The Australian), Sky News Australia, Nine Entertainment, Seven West Media and Australian Community Media.
In addition, Facebook has four letters of intent outstanding with outlets including the ABC.
The tech giant remains in talks to finalise letters of intent for three deals including two separate arrangements with the Ten Network.
Porter pleads to keep ABC libel defence secret
The Federal Court should not approve a no-publication deal between the ABC and Christian Porter because it would violate the principles of open justice, media outlets argued on Friday, reports AFR‘s Michael Pelly.
Nationwide News and Nine, publisher of The Australian Financial Review, told Justice Jayne Jagot that even though the case has settled, members of the public should be able to see the defence filed by the ABC in response to Porter’s statement of claim.
Barrister Dauid Sibtain said pleadings “would ordinarily be available” to members of the public when a case was discontinued.
To keep the unredacted document off the court file would be “giving special treatment to these proceedings”, Sibtain said.
After the ABC filed its defence, Porter made a confidentiality application under a section of the Federal Court rules dealing with “scandalous material” or material that is “otherwise an abuse of the process of the court”. A hearing had been scheduled to decide the matter, but the case settled in late May.
Roberts-Smith texts, ‘kill site’ pics released
An anonymous letter, intimate texts with a “mistress” and photos of an alleged Afghan murder site have been released by the Federal Court, shedding new light on Ben Roberts-Smith’s so-called trial of the century, reports News Corp’s Perry Duffin.
Roberts-Smith, the nation’s most decorated living soldier, has had his defamation lawsuit against Nine delayed because of Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak.
But late on Friday the Federal Court released a tranche of exhibits including mission plans drawn up for Roberts-Smith’s elite SAS unit in Afghanistan.
News Brands
Barrie Cassidy returns as Insiders celebrates 20 years on Sunday mornings
ABC TV’s Sunday morning political analysis show Insiders celebrated its 20th anniversary on the weekend with a special episode. While most of the episode featured its regular segments, the show allowed a small indulgence near the end when founding host Barrie Cassidy returned as Mike Bower’s guest on a longer instalment of Talking Pictures.
Cassidy remembered how he returned from his role as ABC Brussels’ correspondent to host a show he had wanted the broadcaster to produce. The then head of ABC News Max Uechtritz had long planned the show and Cassidy remembered on Sunday how he received a call confirming the project from Uechtritz who was with a young ABC reporter (now head of news) Gaven Morris and a young photographer Mike Bowers.
Cassidy also fondly remembered regular Insiders’ contributor and friend Matt Price. A reporter with The Australian, Price died in 2007.
The show ended with a tribute from Christopher Pyne. Instead of celebrating with a glass of champagne, Pyne instead ended the anniversary episode being served a gin and tonic by former fellow South Australian politician Amanda Vanstone.
When the guests were asked about their favourite moments over the years, Annabel Crabb mentioned Insiders’ editor Huw Parkinson and his political mashups and Malcolm Farr talked about the Herbie Hancock theme music. Farr was also a guest on Cassidy’s last show as host almost exactly two years ago.
Sydney Covid outbreak delays Kennedy Awards and Sharri Markson Media Club
The organisers of the Kennedy Awards have delayed the presentation event scheduled for August. The annual journalism awards named after Sydney journalist Les Kennedy tries to hold the awards each year close to the anniversary of Kennedy’s passing in August 2011. However this year the organising committee told Mediaweek the impact of an extended Sydney Covid lockdown and the anticipated knock-on effects meant it seemed prudent to delay the event originally scheduled for August 6.
The new date for the 10th Anniversary Gala where the 2021 winners will be revealed is now Friday September 24. The venue stays the same at the Royal Randwick function centre.
The organisation has also rescheduled the Kennedy Foundation’s Sydney Media Club lunch with Sharri Markson, originally planned for July 21, and now set to take place at City Tattersalls Club on September 15.
In the year of the historic 10th Annual Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism, the NRMA continues to provide support to Australia’s media charity, the Kennedy Foundation, maintaining a sponsorship bond forged in 2012.
The NRMA Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism, are named in honour of Sydney crime reporter Les Kennedy who died aged 53 years in 2011. The awards continue to recognise media professionals and those who have put so much back into the industry.
No action from SBS on Chinese TV news services
More than four months after SBS “temporarily suspended” its daily broadcast of Chinese TV news services due to human rights concerns relating to two daily programs, the public broadcaster still has not completed its review into the matter and the bulletins remain off-air, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
On March 5, SBS announced it was suspending the broadcast of China Central Television (CCTV) and China Global Television Network (CGTN) news content while it reviewed a complaint letter it had received from a human rights organisation.
The group behind the letter, Safeguard Defenders, claimed CCTV had broadcast forced confessions of dozens of people from 2013-2020, and by airing the program, SBS breached its charter on the issue of human rights.
Publishing
Switzer Media appoints Jillian Davison creative director for Harper’s Bazaar Australia
Switzer Media & Publishing has announced that Jillian Davison has been appointed creative director of Harper’s Bazaar Australia as the iconic fashion and luxury magazine is set to relaunch across the brand’s print and digital platforms. Davison starts immediately in her new role.
This announcement is the next key editorial appointment following that of Eugenie Kelly as editor-in-chief, and was made today by Maureen Jordan, Switzer Media Publisher, who is leading sales, marketing and brand strategy for the relaunch and positioning of Harper’s Bazaar Australia in collaboration with Hearst Magazines International.
Maureen Jordan explained, “We are excited to have someone of such international standing and experience join us as we forge a new direction for the title and one that will resonate with our most important asset, our readers. Jillian lives and breathes fashion and creativity across a broad spectrum of publishing and we envisage in her role as creative director she will be invaluable in conceptualising the artistic direction of Bazaar with a carefully selected creative team that we are putting in place.”
Jillian Davison has worked extensively in Sydney and New York producing some of the world’s most memorable fashion imagery. Davison spent the early 2000s as fashion editor at US Harper’s Bazaar from which she gained a deep understanding of the DNA of the brand. She has held notable positions such as fashion director of Glamour US, fashion editor of Teen Vogue US and most recently for the past three years as creative director of Vogue Australia.
Davison said: “It is my great honour to help reimagine Harper’s Bazaar for Australian women at this unique moment in time. The new Bazaar will celebrate humanity, diversity and female empowerment, through the lens of modern luxury and style. This is a new direction, that for the reader will mean an intoxicating environment of creativity, artfulness and optimism.
“I am motivated to propel the next generation of exciting creative talent in this country – the fashion designers, photographers, stylists, and hair and makeup artists who will define Australian style. Collaboration will be at the core of everything we do. I believe in pushing the boundaries of visual language by tapping into all art forms and new media.”
Radio
Remembering radio and television presenter Jonathan Coleman
Australian radio and television personality Jonathan “Jono” Coleman has died, after living for four years with prostate cancer, reported ABC News on Saturday.
He was 65.
Coleman had a long and distinguished media career both in Australia and his native Britain, and was most recently a presenter on Studio 10 on Network 10.
In 2015, he was awarded an OAM for his services to the broadcast media industry and to the community.
In a statement, his wife, Margot, said Coleman recently told her he wanted to be remembered “for doing a good deed every day”.
“Jono and I have been soulmates for close to 40 years. We have been fortunate to live a rich and wonderful life and I have been lucky enough to watch up-close someone with enormous talent and the special gift to make people laugh,” she said.
Coleman first burst onto TV screens in 1979 as part of the original line-up of Simon Townsend’s Wonder World.
Two years later he started presenting radio show Off The Record with Ian “Dano” Rogerson. The show quickly gained cult status and ‘Jono and Dano’ were snapped up by Triple M in 1984 to present the night-time show, which they took to number 1.
Coleman was a high-profile radio presenter in England for 16 years and worked for BBC London, Sir Richard Branson‘s Virgin Radio and Heart 106.2.
After returning to Australia, he partnered with presenter Julia Zemiro to present The Jonathan Coleman Experience on WSFM.
His TV credits include the Late Night with Jono and Dano show, Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, Have a Go, as well as London correspondent for Channel 7’s Sunrise.
Most recently, Jonathan presented a weekly show with long-time friend and colleague Jon Vidler on community radio’s Northside Radio 99.3FM (The Two Jons).
The BBC reported on Coleman’s UK career and tributes from colleagues here.
Radio Today UK covered his UK radio career:
He spent 16 years on-air in the UK including famous pairings with Russ Williams from 1993 to 1997 at Virgin and with Harriet Scott from 2002 to 2005 on Heart 106.2 in London.
He started his radio career in 1990 at BBC GLR before joining Virgin to present evenings. He was moved to breakfast in July 1993 with Russ but made way for the arrival of Chris Evans in 1997 by moving to Drive.
Jono joined Heart 106.2 in 1999 and was there for six years before a high-profile exit in 2005. He then worked at LBC for a short time before joining BBC London 94.9, replacing Danny Baker on Breakfast.
In the last few years Jono has been reunited with Russ Williams via a podcast series and programs on Fix Radio [where Phil O’Neil also worked recently prior returning to Australia].
Television
Betting plunge on MasterChef finale apparently based on inside knowledge
The result of Tuesday night’s MasterChef finale on Channel 10 may have been compromised, amid claims of a suspicious betting plunge in May that appears to have been based on inside information about the show’s winner, reports News Corp’s Nick Tabakoff.
The evidence lies in the timing of a remarkable turnaround in betting markets. The Australian understands that the betting plunge occurred almost immediately after the marathon filming of the finale of MasterChef, which production sources have revealed took place on Wednesday May 12 and into the early morning of May 13.
Within a few hours of the end of the filming, youth pastor Justin Narayan, previously one of the outsiders to win, was suddenly backed into a short-priced $1.08 favourite with Tabcorp, and a $1.50 favourite with Sportsbet, to win the competition.
Jonathan Chancellor on Luxe Listings: Auctions are re-enactments
Forget the performances from agents Gavin Rubinstein and D’Leanne Lewis and buyers’ agent Simon Cohen, the real stars of the Luxe Listings show are Sydney’s amazing homes, their views and our lifestyle. Plus the rhinoplasty showcase, writes News Corp property writer Jonathan Chancellor.
The photogenic videography in the six-part Amazon Prime series, that had a reputed $6 million budget, is stunningly fast paced, a bit like the current price momentum.
The storylines look authentic, and most previews have fallen for it, but as a seasoned eye The Sell confirms it’s often fake. The auction price outcomes were true, but are re-enactments with ham acting. Former Number 96 star, turned wealthy producer, Harry Michaels returns to our screens bidding at a $9.6 million Dover Heights auction to amp up the drama.
Sports Media
Know the score: How Nine is dealing with NRL one-sided matches
There is a growing acknowledgment that 2021 will be remembered for blowout scorelines, writes Nine reporter Danny Weidler in The Sun-Herald.
And now we can reveal that TV networks are working on getting ahead of the game.
Channel Nine sports bosses Brent Williams and Simon Fordham know that they are in the entertainment business and changes to the Nine coverage have been noticeable this week.
“With the frequency of blowout matches growing each week we have discussed as a group how we can best prepare for these in the future,” an email to staff from the pair reads.
Future broadcasts are set to include more historical footage, interviews with coaches, players and families, and live Zoom interviews in play.
Phil Rothfield on how 2GB’s Mark “Piggy” Riddell got caught in the middle
The Channel 9 television network and its radio station 2GB pride themselves on breaking news and keeping people informed, reports News Corp’s Phil Rothfield.
Someone needs to explain this to long-time employee Mark “Piggy” Riddell, who works on the weekend Continuous Call team, a show once proudly renowned for keeping fans up to date with all their footy info.
The former NRL player lives directly across the road from Paul Vaughan’s home in Shellharbour, where St George-Illawarra players held their illegal barbecue last weekend that had to be shut down by police.
Riddell has admitted he watched the drama unfold from his home on Saturday night, as two police cars arrived and players either snuck out, ran from the scene, hid under beds or were forced to leave by the cops.
Riddell has since gone out of his way to play down the incident.
Despite a neighbour making a noise complaint to police, Riddell wrote on social media: “When I got home I could not hear a thing.”
Riddell’s behaviour has shocked network heavyweights Ray Hadley and Ben Fordham, who have both slammed the players for their irresponsible actions that could potentially have brought down the entire competition.