Radio
Kyle Sandilands reveals urgent brain surgery after shock diagnosis
Kyle Sandilands has revealed he’s facing urgent brain surgery, telling KIIS FM listeners doctors discovered a brain aneurysm after weeks of intense headaches.
Missing from Friday’s show due to illness, the radio heavyweight returned with the bombshell diagnosis, joking darkly about his fate: “If that bursts, I die instantly.”
As Jessica McSweeny reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, the 53-year-old even shared brain scan images with stunned colleagues live on air.
Hamish McLennan on Kyle and Jackie O: Big deal, slow start
ARN Media chairman Hamish McLennan has weighed in on Kyle and Jackie O’s blockbuster deal and their sluggish start in Melbourne, admitting the market remains a tough nut to crack.
As Sarah Patterson reports on Radio Today, McLennan gave an interview to ABC Radio National’s MediaLand, and didn’t shy away from the duo’s controversial content, confessing even he winces at times.
“I apologise if it goes too far now and then, but compared to the junk on social media, it’s mild,” he said.
Retail
Coles slashes product range in profit play
Coles is trimming its product range by at least 10%, a move set to boost margins but squeeze suppliers.
As Carrie LaFrenz reports in The Australian Financial Review, The supermarket giant has been quietly working with Bain & Co. for months, betting that fewer choices will drive higher sales per product.
The shake-up comes amid rising supplier tensions and political scrutiny, with both Labor and the Coalition blaming major supermarkets for soaring prices. Meanwhile, Coles and Woolworths have pointed the finger at suppliers.
Activewear giant Lorna Jane enjoys profits boom
Brisbane-born activewear brand Lorna Jane has doubled its annual profit to $21.3 million, capitalising on the sustained demand for stylish, functional fitness wear.
As Simon Evans reports in The Australian Financial Review, newly filed accounts reveal a sharp jump from $11.6 million the previous year, aligning with strong performances from global heavyweights Lululemon and Adidas.
For founder Lorna Jane Clarkson, it’s another victory. She sold 40% of the business to CHAMP Ventures in 2010, only to buy it back with husband Bill Clarkson in 2020 – right before the athleisure boom took off.
Television
Nine’s new rugby deal ties cash to Wallabies wins
Rugby Australia is set for a $210 million payday, with Nine Entertainment on the brink of locking in a five-year broadcast deal covering the Wallabies, Wallaroos, and Super Rugby.
As Zoe Samios reports in The Australian Financial Review, there’s a twist – sources say the deal includes performance-based bonuses, meaning Rugby Australia could score an extra $30 million if the struggling Wallabies and Super Rugby clubs start winning more games.
Nine’s previous $150 million agreement blended cash and free advertising, but this time, the stakes are higher. The incentive structure is a clear sign broadcasters want results on the field – and ratings off it.
Social
Anthony Albanese joins TikTok
In a blink and you’ll miss it moment, the Prime Minister is now on the short-form video platform.
His account, @alboMP, actually launched in mid-December with a clip promoting Labor’s childcare policy, but traction has been slow. As it stands, he’s got fewer than 9,000 followers, and lags well behind Peter Dutton, who joined in October and has already pulled 26,000.
As Cam Wilson and Anton Nilsson report in Crikey, the Prime Minister’s officer has confirmed the account is official, saying it allows the PM to engage “directly with Australians”.
Publishing
Forbes unveils its world rich list for February
Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person, according to Forbes, holding an eye-watering $421 billion – a milestone no other billionaire has hit in nearly 40 years of tracking.
The month’s biggest mover? Mark Zuckerberg, who leapfrogged Larry Ellison to claim the No. 3 spot with $238 billion. A 16% surge in Meta shares sent his fortune soaring by $35 billion.
Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan were front and centre at Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration, alongside Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez, and a few fellow billionaires—including Sergey Brin(No. 7) and Bernard Arnault(No. 5).
Pictured: Kyle Sandilands