Television
ABC bleeds viewers but costs Aussies more than Netflix
The ABC is costing Aussie households more than a Netflix subscription, yet 40% of the country doesn’t engage with it at all.
As Stephen Drill reports in The Daily Telegraph, new data shows the national broadcaster shed a million viewers and listeners in a year, with TV and radio numbers in freefall.
Adding to the headache? A $100 million long-service leave liability.
Seven’s AFL promo shines bright – but where’s Caroline Wilson?
Seven’s AFL promo is everywhere, but one star recruit is missing – Caroline Wilson.
As Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman report in The Age, the high-profile journo made headlines jumping from Nine to Seven last year, yet she’s absent from promos, media releases, and next week’s AFL launch.
Meanwhile, Seven’s sport boss Chris Jones will spotlight new signings like Kane Cornes and Nick Riewoldt as the network gears up for its seven-year broadcast deal on Seven and 7Plus.
ABC boss fought for Lattouf – but higher-ups pulled the plug
ABC Radio’s Elizabeth Green told Antoinette Lattouf she fought to keep her, but higher-ups had decided – three days in, she was out.
As Joana Panagopoulos reports in The Australian, Lattouf’s lawyers argue she was treated unfairly, while ABC stars like Patricia Karvelas and Laura Tingle voice opinions without backlash.
Green and two senior execs testified in her unfair dismissal case, revealing a key meeting where Lattouf was pulled off-air over a Human Rights Watch post.
Tech
Musk’s $155b OpenAI bid comes with a catch
Elon Musk’s consortium will yank its massive $155 billion bid for OpenAI’s non-profit arm – if the AI giant scraps its for-profit plans.
As The Australian Financial Review reports, the billionaire, who co-founded OpenAI before walking away, is fighting to keep it mission-driven. His court filing makes it clear: drop the commercial pivot, and the bid disappears.
But if OpenAI pushes ahead, Musk insists the non-profit must be fairly compensated – calling his offer a “serious” play to uphold its original purpose.
Foxconn eyes Nissan after Honda talks stall
Fresh off unveiling its EV concepts, iPhone maker Foxconn is shifting gears – reportedly eyeing a collaboration with Nissan after the carmaker’s merger talks with Honda fell apart.
But, as Jordan Hickey reports in Drive, don’t expect a takeover. “Buying shares isn’t the goal – partnership is,” Foxconn chairman Young Liu told media in Taipei.
Celebrities slams AI deepfake over Kanye video
Scarlett Johansson has sounded the alarm on AI’s “imminent dangers” after a viral deepfake video falsely showed her and other Jewish celebrities condemning Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks.
As Nadia Khomami reports in The Guardian, The AI-generated clip featured Johansson, Drake, Jerry Seinfeld, and more, opening with a fake Johansson wearing a T-shirt mocking West. Set to an electronic remix of Hava Nagila, it ended with the slogan: “Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism.”
Johansson joins growing concerns over AI misuse, calling for urgent action.
Brands
Temple & Webster defies retail slump with $314m sales surge
Temple & Webster has shaken off the retail slowdown, posting a 24% sales jump in six months – beating forecasts with a $313.7 million haul.
As Carrie LaFrenz reports in The Australian Financial Review, sofas and bathroom fixtures led the charge as Australia’s biggest online furniture retailer rebounded from a softer start to the financial year.
Analysts had tipped $310.2 million, but the e-commerce giant outperformed.