Business of Media
Broadcasters ABC & CBC in creative and commercial collaboration
At the Banff World Media Festival, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) this week announced a creative and commercial collaboration.
The two national public broadcasters have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to co-develop English-language drama, comedy, factual, children’s and podcast content to maximize the value of their public funding for audiences. The three-year MOU will also provide further opportunities for co-financing and format sales of drama and children’s content.
“At a time when public broadcasters are competing with the best content in the world, partnerships like this will ensure we can nurture and develop more distinct storytelling and co-finance ambitious projects with greater global reach,” said Catherine Tait, President & CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada. “This agreement will offer new opportunities for producers in Canada and Australia, and bring our top creators, talent and stories to broader audiences at home and around the world.”
“In a world of global media giants, the outstanding and accessible content produced by like-minded public broadcasters is more important than ever,” said David Anderson, Managing Director, ABC. “This collaboration between the ABC and CBC will drive our limited resources further, leveraging our strengths to create and share distinctive local content that connects with audiences at home and overseas.”
The MOU will enhance cooperation and collaboration between the ABC and CBC through initiatives such as:
• Children’s content: Co-development of children’s programs across television, audio and digital services, including two new proposed TV projects for 2 to 6-year-olds and 8 to 14-year-olds, and ABC’s acquisition of CBC Kids’ original commission Big Blue as well as CBC co-productions Kiri and Lou and the upcoming Sinking Ship sci-fi epic Endlings.
• Drama, comedy and factual content: Collaboration on comedy, drama and factual programs through co-development, finance or acquisitions that promote the core values of the public broadcasters.
• Educational content: Co-development of a media literacy initiative to equip schools and educators across both countries with the analytical skills and tools to combat misinformation and disinformation.
• Audio content: Expansion of radio program exchanges between ABC RN and CBC Radio, plus the sharing of creative ideas and expertise between ABC Audio Studios and CBC Podcasts to create new podcasts.
• News content: Sharing of technology and tools to improve tracking and verification of the accuracy of news content.
• Local and regional communities: Collaboration on initiatives to better serve local and rural communities, including local journalism projects.
• Employee exchange: To ensure the success of such initiatives, the ABC and CBC will facilitate employee exchanges where appropriate and feasible.
The MOU will build on an existing relationship that includes CBC’s acquisition of the broadcast rights to ABC programs Ronny Chieng: International Student, Mustangs FC, Hannah Gadsby’s Nakedy Nudes, Hannah Gadsby’s Oz and the format rights to the ABC’s original series You Can’t Ask That. CBC’s Canadian version of the award-winning format launches on the CBC Gem streaming service in June.
The broadcasters also have a strong history of sharing audio content such as CBC Podcasts Alone: A Love Story and Someone Knows Something and ABC podcasts Trace and Ladies, We Need To Talk, plus ABC RN programs All in the Mind and Off Track and CBC Radio’s Ideas and Out In The Open.
News Brands
Digital News Report: Australians are fact-checking to combat fake news
High levels of concern about fake news have led to fact-checking by Australian news consumers, according to a new report from the University of Canberra.
The Digital News Report: Australia 2019 finds 62% of Australian news consumers say they are worried about what is real or fake on the internet, which is much higher than the global average (55%).
The report shows news consumers are beginning to take more action to counter their concern about fake news:
36% say they checked several different sources to check the accuracy of a story
26% say they have started to use more reliable sources of news
22% say they have stopped using unreliable sources
22% say the decided not to share a story they were unsure about
20% say they stopped paying attention to a story shared by someone they didn’t trust.
The Digital News Report: Australia 2019 also finds:
Australians would rather pay for Netflix than news: Australian news consumers would rather subscribe to a video streaming service, such as Netflix (34%), than pay for online news (9%).
News performance: Australians have given the news media a mixed report card. 66% think the news media does a good job keeping them up to date and 57% think they do a good job explaining events. However, less than half (45%) think they are holding the powerful to account; 44% say it is often too negative; and only 25% say the stories are relevant to their lives.
News avoidance and fatigue: The proportion of Australians avoiding news has increased from 57% in 2017 to 62% in 2019, and 28% say they are worn out by the volume of news. Eighty-eight per cent of those who are worn out by news, also avoid it.
Interest in news and politics: The proportion of Australians who say they are interested in news has dropped from 64% in 2016 to 58% in 2019; and 65% of Australians say they have a low interest in politics.
The Daily Telegraph question’s judge’s ‘tone’ in Geoffrey Rush appeal
The tone a Federal Court judge used during proceedings in the Geoffrey Rush defamation case will be used by Nationwide News as part of an argument as it appeals the decision, reports ABC News’ Jamie McKinnell.
Nationwide News is appealing the decision on several grounds including that Justice Michael Wigney could have appeared biased.
In amended appeal documents referred to in the Federal Court, Nationwide News added references to some of Justice Wigney’s comments throughout the proceedings “and the tone” in which they were delivered.
The Telegraph has flagged using a key ruling about damages and a cap on parts of defamation payouts in the case between Rebel Wilson and Bauer Media during its appeal.
Television
Screen Australia and VidCon Australia announce pitching competition
Screen Australia and VidCon Australia have today announced a new pitching competition – Pitcher Perfect.
The competition presents an opportunity for online narrative creators to apply for the chance to pitch their project live on stage to a panel of industry experts at VidCon Australia (19-22 September 2019). The team with the best pitch will be awarded $30,000 in funding for script development and to make a proof of concept.
Applications are now open and up to five teams will be selected to pitch their project at VidCon Australia. Teams will need to be able to present an engaging pitch that gets the panel excited about their narrative concept, summarises who the project is for, how an audience will access it, and why that audience will want to watch it.
Successful finalists will participate in a closed workshop on 19 September in Melbourne to help them prepare for the live pitch the next day. Each finalist team will also receive two complimentary Creator Track passes to VidCon Australia.
Applicant teams need to have a minimum of two people covering the roles of producer, writer and director. Larger teams can apply, but only two people from each team will take part in the live pitch at VidCon Australia.
To apply, teams need to submit a video pitch up to three minutes in length. Finalists who are not based in Melbourne will receive flights and accommodation for two team members. For more information on eligibility and application guidelines click here.
Applications close Friday 19 July.
MTV Australia’s announces launch date of WTFN’s Teen Mom
MTV has announced that Teen Mom Australia will world premiere Sunday, July 7 at 6pm AEST on MTV on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Fetch.
The series will explore the lives of Ammi, Sita and Georgie as they try to find the right balance between childcare, relationships and teenage life.
Episode One introduces the three mothers and their families as they open the door to a life filled with nappies, tears, tantrums and the complexities of being a teenager. Sita faces the possibility of moving out of her family home, Georgie deals with the challenges of life as a single mum and Ammi takes us on her pregnancy journey with baby number two.
The 10-part reality series is the latest addition to the growing list of local productions by MTV Australia. Other recent premieres include MTV Unplugged Melbourne, MTV TRL and MTV Cribs, and the recently green lit reality series Jess & Lisa: The Veronicas (working title) will premiere later this year.
Teen Mom Australia is produced by WTFN.
Radio
Take 5 magazine searchers for radio’s hottest hunk: Top 20 revealed
Take 5 magazine’s nationwide search to find Australia’s hottest radio hunk is on again.
The Bauer Media brand is asking radio listeners all over Australia to vote on who turns their dial up to the max.
So far 3,486 readers and radio listeners have taken part and the top 20 so far are listed below in alphabetical order. But the magazine said is still time to nominate your wireless wonderboy.
The current title holder of Take 5 Radio Hunk is, Brendan “Jonesy” Jones, 51, from WSFM – and he’s back in the top 20 together with talkback king Ray Hadley, 64, funnyman Dave Hughes, 48, and 2Day FM co-host Ed Kavalee, 39.
Shock jock legend Kyle Sandilands, 47, also gets a look-in.
To place a vote, email [email protected] or visit the Take 5 Facebook page.
2CH puts the CH in Charity with The Wayside Chapel Winter Appeal
Classic Hits 2CH is committed to helping Sydney’s homeless and raising much needed funds for all the current winter appeals.
2CH is putting the CH into Charity and are actively raising funds and awareness with the launch of its first ever charity on air campaign for The Wayside Chapel Winter Appeal hoping to raise $1.2 million in June.
The Appeal is being lead by the 2CH breakfast team Indira and Trevor.
Trevor Sinclair said: “Currently with 20,000 Sydneysiders sleeping in their cars and rough on the streets, its outstanding that a huge percentage is now young women.”
Indira Naidoo said: “We are needing to raise $1.2 million by the end of June, so we really can make a difference.”
“We at 2CH have committed to making a difference to Sydney’s Homeless. Our first major commitment is to support The Wayside Chapel Winter Appeal. Indira Naidoo is an ambassador for The Wayside Chapel and leading the charge. 2CH putting the CH into Charity with Care and Help”, said Cherie Romaro, general manager.
Sports Media
Facebook signs Australian content deals with AFL, NRL and cricket
Facebook has secured key content deals with the NRL, AFL and Cricket Australia in a move that will increase speculation the social media giant could bid for more significant sports rights in the future, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jennifer Duke.
The newly signed agreement between the sporting codes and Facebook Australia means video highlights of the sports will be shown on the social media platform, with extra content placed on video streaming platform Facebook Watch. The content includes live original programs, some matches, women’s and men’s game highlights and weekly wrap up shows.
Facebook Australia head of sports partnerships Joyee Biswas said it was “too early to say” whether the social media giant might move into the live streaming of traditionally broadcasted sport in the future.
Facebook Australia managing director Will Easton said in a statement that sports fans on the platform are “one of the most highly engaged communities”.
“Each month 16 million Australians come together on the platform to connect and share with family and friends, and key sporting moments are regularly a focus of conversation,” Easton said.
Indigenous leader slams AFL leadership during Adam Goodes racism row
A senior indigenous leader says Gillon McLachlan should be removed as AFL boss because of his failings in the Adam Goodes racism row, reports News Corp’s Michael Warner.
Mick Gooda, who led an AFL contingent invited to address the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011, said last week’s belated apology to the dual Brownlow medallist “isn’t enough”.
“I had a friend on the AFL commission who told me at the time that people were blaming Adam for it – that he had brought it on himself,” Gooda told the Herald Sun.
“They were saying exactly what the rednecks were saying.
“The AFL lost me.”
Gooda, who led the Royal Commission into the protection and detention of children in the Northern Territory, said the league commission and its senior executive failed the leadership test when Goodes was booed out of the game in 2015.
How Southeast Queensland could host the 2032 Olympic Games
Southeast Queensland could be named as host of the 2032 Olympic Games as early as next year, reports News Corp’s Daryl Passmore.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates will today tell politicians and tourism leaders that the greatest event in global sport is theirs to grab if they want it badly enough.
It comes as new research reveals the rest of the country is throwing its weight behind an SEQ bid, with two-thirds of Australians saying they would consider coming to the Sunshine State to attend events.
In today’s keynote speech to The Courier-Mail’s Future Tourism campaign lunch, Coates will reveal that changes to International Olympic Committee rules, expected to be passed within a fortnight, open the door to the 2032 Games host being named at an IOC session, just days before the Tokyo Olympics next July.
Coates reinforced a pledge that the 2032 Games would pay for itself.