Media Roundup: Costello calls it quits, Kent's new venture, Cousins controversy, Wesfarmer's beauty bet and Mastercard's McLaren play
See the top industry stories trending today.
Television
Seb Costello departs Nine Network
Seb Costello has announced his departure from the Nine Network after 13 years with the broadcaster. Costello’s departure follows an internal review by Nine into an incident involving his pursuit of an interview subject into a women's restroom.
In a statement, Costello said: "After more than a decade at Nine, I have resigned from my role to seek a fresh challenge. I would like to thank Nine and wish the team all the best."
According to Calum Jaspan at The Sydney Morning Herald, Costello confirmed the news to the publication last week.
Cousins joins AFL commentary lineup despite controversy
Seven's decision to recruit Ben Cousins for its 2025 AFL commentary team has sparked debate, with fans questioning whether the former star’s redemption story is enough to justify the high-profile gig. The move signals a bold play by the network, which is banking on his name recognition to drive engagement - despite his troubled past.
As Ben Talintyre reports in The Herald Sun, Cousins, a 2005 Brownlow Medalist and premiership winner, saw his career and reputation unravel due to off-field issues, including drug addiction and legal troubles.
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The latest moves comes after Cousins is made his radio role official, joining Pete Curulli and Kymba Cahill as a regular on Mix94.5 Breakfast in 2025.
Podcasting
Paul Kent on why he's going it solo
Veteran rugby league journalist Paul Kent has launched his own independent podcast venture, capitalising on his established voice and aiming to fill what he perceives as a "hole in the market."
This move comes after a period of significant public attention, including reports of a controversial incident at a Sydney pub, where he was allegedly served 21 schooners.
Now, Kent is launching a new platform to connect directly with his audience and establish an independent voice
Companies
SBS’s western Sydney hub faces delays and budget woes
SBS's long-touted western Sydney production hub is facing fresh uncertainty, with delays casting doubt over the timeline and budget for the multimillion-dollar project. While the broadcaster's expansion was meant to strengthen its local footprint, industry insiders are questioning whether the plan will materialise anytime soon.
As James Manning and James Madden write in The Australian, the hub was pitched as a compromise after the federal government scrapped a full relocation from Artarmon, citing cost concerns.
While several western Sydney councils had vied for a permanent SBS headquarters, they were instead left with a scaled-down proposal - one that now appears stuck in limbo.
Business
Mecca's gender pay gap raises questions for a female-focused brand
Beauty giant Mecca has reported one of the widest gender pay gaps among Australia's largest employers, despite its female-led branding and predominantly female workforce. New data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) shows Mecca’s average total remuneration gap sits at 30%, ranking it behind only Qantas, Virgin, Chandler Macleod, and Mercy Hospitals.
As Angelica Snowden writes in The Australian, while Mecca’s median pay gap has improved to 5.1% from 10.3% last year, the overall disparity remains stark. With 6,772 employees, the figures indicate that men hold a larger share of higher-paying roles, a challenge for brands with a female-focused identity
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