Friday May 24, 2019

Lovatts Media launches Mindful Magazines subscription store

Lovatts Media has launched a new online destination for readers to shop all their mindful magazines – LovattsMagazines.com.au.

The print and digital publisher, which is still lucky enough to be based on the NSW Central Coast, started life as a crossword and magazine publisher. Over the years its has expanded its product offering and it now is one of Australia’s largest indie publishers with print and digital brands.

Lovatts still boasts about 20 regular crossword and puzzle titles, plus lifestyle brands Breathe and Nourish, and lifestyle and puzzling hybrid Audrey Daybook. It is also building audiences and revenues via the digital brands Creative Bug, Natural Health and The Guild.

“In 2016, Lovatts Media launched its lifestyle arm with Breathe Magazine which proved to be a great success in inspiring mindful living and wellbeing, just as a more conscious way of life began to gain momentum in the wider community,” said Lovatts Media CEO, Rachael Northey.

“Since then, Lovatts Media has remained at the forefront of the mindfulness category with the continuous expansion of our lifestyle magazine portfolio. Our vision as a business is to lead the way in enabling the whole community to adopt a more conscious approach to living by delivering premium bespoke content and inspiration,” Northey added.

LovattsMagazines.com.au brings all Lovatts Media’s lifestyle magazines together in one destination so their readers can browse, shop or gift a magazine or subscription at anytime, anywhere and with any device.

LovattsMagazines.com.au offers readers savings by subscribing to mindful magazines direct from the publisher and exclusive pre-order access to new issues.

Readers can also access previous single issues.

“Our ultimate goal with launching LovattsMagazines.com.au has been to create a single destination for our readers and greater community to conveniently discover a source of mindful inspiration that is relevant to their interests and needs,” said group marketing manager, Kirrilee Taylor.

Northey continued: “We identified a gap in the market for premium mindful living publishing. We’re thrilled to have launched this website and unique offering to consumers. As we continue to expand our mindful brands and titles, our readers can be confident of discovering relevant mindful inspiration sourced from one destination to continue on their journey to living their best life.”

New board elected at OMA’s AGM: Parry-Okeden confirmed as chair

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA), following its Annual General Meeting, 21 May 2019, has announced the official appointment of industry veteran Charles Parry-Okeden as the independent chairman of the OMA and MOVE.

Parry-Okeden takes over from Steve O’Connor, chief executive officer of JCDecaux who is stepping down as chairman after a five-year tenure.

“It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Steve, who has led the industry in a period of unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, the industry has increased annual revenue from $602 million to $927 million. Steve has led a unified industry and worked on a variety of joint industry initiatives including plans to build a new audience metric, the OMA’s recent industry campaign LOOK UP, as well as the soon to be launched CORE, the industry automated briefing and proposal tool. The industry owes him a debt of gratitude,” said OMA and MOVE chief executive officer Charmaine Moldrich.

O’Connor will remain on the OMA board.

Incoming chairman Parry-Okeden is the co-founder and global chief executive officer of Executive Channel Holdings (ECH) which owns Executive Channel Europe, Executive Channel Deutschland and Australian Media Channel (Media-i).

See also:
After out of home sector consolidation & growth, a new OMA chairman
Charles Parry-Okeden ready to help navigate sector challenges

The following members were elected to the Board:

• Brendon Cook, Chief Executive Officer, oOh!media
• Noel Cook, Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, oOh!media
• Kirsty Dollisson, Managing Director, TorchMedia
• Andrew Hines, Chief Operating Officer, JCDecaux
• Steve O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer, JCDecaux
• John O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, QMS Media
• Andrew Tyquin, Managing Director, Outdoor Systems
• Chris Tyquin, Joint Managing Director, goa

The MOVE Board appointed the following members in accordance to its Shareholder Agreement:

• Brendon Cook, Chief Executive Officer, oOh!media
• Max Eburne, Chief Commercial Officer, JCDecaux
• Charmaine Moldrich, Chief Executive Officer, OMA and MOVE
• Steve O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer, JCDecaux
• John O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, QMS Media
• David Scribner, Chief Customer Officer, oOh!media
• Chris Tyquin, Joint Managing Director, goa

Moldrich added, “As we celebrate our 80th year as an association, we are lucky to be working with these outstanding industry leaders. The changing media landscape mandates that we harness the talent of our membership to keep growing the industry. This will come in the form of new technology, as well as new solutions for media planners and advertisers.”

News.com.au still leader of the pack, but news audiences drop

April was a month full of holidays with Easter and Anzac Day close together tempting many people to add extra days to take an extended break in the latter half of the month.

That is the explainer behind why, across the board, audiences for news publishers were down.

In March the market leader, news.com.au, recorded a Nielsen Digital Content Ratings audience of 10.63m. However in April that dipped to 9.63m – exactly the loss of 1m.

The audience data was released earlier this week.

All publishers in the top 10 saw their audiences decline.

There was no change in the rankings of the top eight publishers month-on-month.

The only change in the top 10 was the Fairfax Digital Regional Network exiting the top 10 to be replaced by the Herald Sun with a unique audience of 2.03m.

Mercado on TV: Biopics from BoRhap to Rocketman to Fosse/Verdon

After the phenomenal success of Bohemian Rhapsody, big things are expected for Rocketman next week in cinemas.

By Andrew Mercado

BoRhap was a biopic like most of the Aussie TV ones (Hawke, Hoges, Olivia etc) we see, in that the story is told in a linear fashion from childhood to stardom. Rocketman is less traditional given its frequent fantasy sequences and this is also how Fosse/Verdon tells its story (Sunday on FoxShowcase).

We first meet choreographer/director Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) and Broadway legend Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams) at the height of their fame, when they are in love and working together on the set of Shirley MacLaine movie Sweet Charity. In episode two, it’s Cabaret with Liza Minnelli and with a soundtrack like that, this series re-imagines the musical numbers to advance the drama behind the scenes.

Biopics that mix things up like this often do it very well. The Assassination of Gianni Versace told its story in reverse and The Crown bounces all over the place timewise. Fosse/Verdon is so audacious, it even includes graphics about how long each character has left to live. By its fifth episode, it is so assured of itself, the entire hour takes places over just one weekend at a beach house.

Bob Fosse’s “working style” with his female dancers wouldn’t pass muster in today’s #metoo environment and nor should it. But at least it’s not sugar coated here, especially given it is co-executive produced by the couple’s real life daughter Nicole Fosse, alongside Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Wentworth (Tuesday on FoxShowcase) and The Letdown (Wednesday on ABC) are two other shows that tell it like it is. Wentworth looks like it will have a cracking seventh season, especially given it was originally written to be the final one. It’s great to see TV Week featuring three of the characters on their cover with the headline “Who Dies” even though the victim is not on the front of the mag, nor are they featured inside. No plot spoilers here, and no pic spoilers either (but keep an eye out for some lovely tango dancing in the second episode).

The Letdown is one of those comedies that can be frustrating, but when it scores, it kicks a goal. Audrey (Alison Bell) is still very annoying, but there is a fantastic supporting cast that changes from week to week. It’s great to see Patrick Brammall back, now playing a reformed drug dealer, and the fourth episode in Adelaide is a standout. More Noni Hazlehurst though, please.

TV Ratings Analysis: May 23

• MasterChef gets its man: Blake the first bloke eliminated
• The Front Bar over half a million with Michael Long BOG
• Blanche d’Alpuget interview with Leigh Sales a 7.30 highlight

 

Thursday Week 21 2019

By James Manning 

• Seven News 995,000/953,000
• Nine News 928,000/883,000
• A Current Affair 697,000
• ABC News 653,000
• 7.30 502,000
• The Project 268,000/488,000
• 10 News First 389,000
• The Drum 181,000
• SBS World News 127,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 268,000
• Today 205,000

Seven

The triple play of Home And Away episodes after 7pm helped the channel win another Thursday with over 600,000 across the 90 minutes.

The Front Bar then went to air in southern markets first with an audience of 512,000 – its best ever. The Melbourne audience was 339,000, up from 278,000 last week. Seven is trying to build the Sydney audience, but it was just 18,000 again. The key attraction last night was the wonderful Essendon great Michael Long who is now a true legend on and off the field. He has as many good lines as the program’s hosts. Santo Cilauro was also a great guest.

Britain’s Got Talent aired at different times too with 451,000 after 358,000 last week.

Nine

A Current Affair dipped just under 700,000 with a report on the “Mercedes mum”.

The NRL did 388,000 watching the Panthers win – 237,00 in Sydney and 124,000 in Brisbane.

Other markets saw RBT and Paramedics.

10

MasterChef Australia finally got its man! Contestant Blake became the first bloke eliminated in a cook-off overseen by Ottolenghi on the last night of Legends Week. The audience was 680,000, which was better than Nigella’s last appearance a week ago with 638,000.

Ambulance Australia then did 400,000.

Earlier in the night The Project 7pm was on 488,000.

ABC

A Blanche d’Alpuget interview with Leigh Sales was the highlight on 7.30 with 502,000 watching.

Escape From The City visited the Sunshine Coast with 411,000 after 405,000 a week ago.

The UK drama Press then did 208,000 for its FTA premiere.

SBS

Walking Britain’s Lost Railways did 168,000.

SBS News (127,000) and Mastermind (117,000) were the channel’s next best.

The miniseries Chimerica launched with a double episode with an average audience of 94,000.

Week 21 TV: Thursday
 THURSDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC10.3%721.2%919.6%10 14.0%SBS One3.8%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.9%7TWO4.1%GO!2.6%10 Bold3.8%VICELAND0.9%
ABC ME0.6%7mate4.1%GEM1.8%10 Peach2.1%Food Net0.9%
ABC NEWS1.6%7flix2.3%9Life2.0%  NITV0.4%
  7Food0.8%      
TOTAL15.4% 32.6% 26.0% 19.9% 6.0%

 

THURSDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC9.8%719.7%917.2%WIN10.9%SBS One3.7%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY3.3%7TWO5.3%GO!2.7%WIN Bold4.1%VICELAND1.0%
ABC ME1.4%7mate5.8%GEM3.2%WIN Peach2.3%Food Net0.8%
ABC NEWS1.4%7flix (Excl. Tas/WA)2.8%9Life2.0%Sky News  on WIN1.7%NITV0.4%
  7food (QLD only)0.7%      
TOTAL15.9% 34.2% 25.0% 19.0% 5.9%

 

THURSDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
84.7%15.3%
THURSDAY FTA
  1. Seven News Seven 995,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 953,000
  3. Nine News Nine 928,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 883,000
  5. A Current Affair Nine 697,000
  6. Masterchef Australia 10 680,000
  7. ABC News ABC 653,000
  8. Home And Away Seven 611,000
  9. The Chase Australia Seven 589,000
  10. Hot Seat Nine 550,000
  11. The Front Bar Seven 512,000
  12. 7.30 ABC 502,000
  13. The Project 7pm 10 488,000
  14. Britain’s Got Talent Seven 451,000
  15. Escape From The City ABC 411,000
  16. Ambulance Australia 10 400,000
  17. 10 News First 10 389,000
  18. The Chase Australia-5pm Seven 387,000
  19. Thursday Night NRL Live Nine 360,000
  20. Hot Seat -5pm Nine 327,000
Demo Top 5

16-39 Top Five

  1. Masterchef Australia 10 198,000
  2. Ambulance Australia 10 119,000
  3. Home And Away Seven 118,000
  4. The Front Bar Seven 118,000
  5. The Project 7pm 10 117,000

 

18-49 Top Five

  1. Masterchef Australia 10 315,000
  2. The Project 7pm 10 226,000
  3. Nine News Nine 225,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 218,000
  5. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 207,000

 

25-54 Top Five

  1. Masterchef Australia 10 345,000
  2. Nine News Nine 279,000
  3. Nine News 6:30 Nine 276,000
  4. The Project 7pm 10 262,000
  5. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 252,000
THURSDAY Multichannel
  1. Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 182,000
  2. Bluey ABCKIDS/COMEDY 169,000
  3. Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 165,000
  4. Father Brown PM 7TWO 163,000
  5. Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
  6. NCIS (R) 10 Bold 152,000
  7. School Of Roars PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000
  8. Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  9. Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  10. Rusty Rivets ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  11. PJ Masks AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  12. Dino Dana ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  13. M- The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen 7Mate 141,000
  14. Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 135,000
  15. Molly And Mack PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 134,000
  16. A Touch Of Frost PM 7TWO 133,000
  17. Fireman Sam PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 131,000
  18. Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 129,000
  19. Spicks And Specks ABCKIDS/COMEDY 120,000
  20. Hey Duggee AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 117,000
THURSDAY STV
  1. Live: NRL Eels V Panthers FOX LEAGUE 241,000
  2. Live: The Late Show With Matty Johns FOX LEAGUE 97,000
  3. Live: NRL Thursday Night League FOX LEAGUE 73,000
  4. Selling Houses Australia Lifestyle Channel 72,000
  5. Aussie Gold Hunters Discovery Channel 69,000
  6. The Bolt Report Sky News Live 67,000
  7. Credlin Sky News Live 64,000
  8. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 58,000
  9. Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 49,000
  10. The Simpsons FOX8 41,000
  11. PML Later Sky News Live 41,000
  12. Family Guy FOX8 41,000
  13. Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail Discovery Channel 40,000
  14. The Simpsons FOX8 40,000
  15. NCIS TVH!TS 38,000
  16. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation TVH!TS 37,000
  17. George Clarke’s Old House New Home Lifestyle Channel 36,000
  18. Family Guy FOX8 36,000
  19. Speers Sky News Live 36,000
  20. Blue Bloods TVH!TS 34,000

Shares all people, 6pm-midnight, Overnight (Live and AsLive), Audience numbers FTA metro, Sub TV national
Source: OzTAM and Regional TAM 2018. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM

Media News Roundup

Business of Media

Spotify gets new Aust MD to replace to London-bound Jane Huxley

Karen Lawson, chief of corporate-sponsored start-up accelerator Slingshot, will replace Jane Huxley as managing director of Spotify Australia & New Zealand. Huxley left in February to run the music streamer’s European business from London, reports The AFR’s Michael Bailey.

Lawson will have a remit to grow the $24.9 million in revenue, which Spotify ANZ made from ads on its free tier in calendar 2018, up only slightly from $24.3 million in 2017, according to documents lodged with the corporate regulator.

Lawson, who will start at Spotify ANZ on June 24, previously ran jobs board CareerOne and business development for Yahoo!7. She will report to Spotify’s global head of markets Cecilia Qvist.

[Read the original]

QMS chief executive Barclay Nettlefold on growth beyond out-of-home

Speaking at the AGM yesterday, QMS chief executive Barclay Nettlefold was upbeat about continued growth of the business as it expands beyond out-of-home.

“The past six months has seen the business evolve to take advantage of exciting growth opportunities and to ensure that we have the right structure in place for sustained long-term shareholder value creation,” Nettlefold told shareholders.

Barclay Nettlefold

“Whilst our business has evolved, our fundamental focus remains on providing premium quality assets that drive financial and operational performance.

“During the six months to 31 December 2018, our diversified quality portfolio continued to deliver solid revenue growth.”

• Statutory Group Revenue was up 9% to $107.6 million,
• Gross profit up 11% to $53.3 million,
• Gross profit margin was 49.5% compared to 48.6% for the prior corresponding period,
• An underlying EBITDA of $22.7 million; and
• Net profit after tax and amortisation was up 9% to $13.5 million.

Nettlefold continued: “Delivering on our strategic plan across our three business segments, underpinned by our quality digital portfolio and proprietary data and analytics platform, we continue to build an industry leading portfolio for growth.

“Taking a more detailed look at each of our three business segments; QMS Australia is thriving, and continues to grow its reputation in the market, characterised by its asset quality, strength of sales team and deep customer relationships.

“In December, we announced a transformational strategic development for QMS New Zealand with its proposed merger with MediaWorks, creating the leading multi-media provider across four platforms: out-of- home, radio, TV and digital. This strategic opportunity will result in a very powerful media combination, providing what we believe will be an unrivalled destination for advertisers to not only build brands, but maximise audience reach throughout New Zealand.

“Reconfirming the terms of the deal, QMS will hold a 40% shareholding in the expanded MediaWorks business. MediaWorks yesterday released its results for FY18 and reported growth in group revenue of approximately $5 million to $305 million and an increase in Group EBITDA of 14.8% to $24.8 million, up $3.2 million on FY17.

“Their targeted strategy to attract the desirable 25-54 year old audience is working;

• Channel 3 is now the number one TV channel for this audience across peak viewing, overtaking TVNZ1 and TVNZ2; and
• Radio represents the top 6 music stations by share for 25-54 year olds.

“This is a positive result in a challenged and disrupted media landscape. Our focus now remains on successfully completing the merger and realising the full growth and potential that the combined capabilities will deliver for the Group.

“QMS Sport’s revenue was $13.1 million for the six months to 31 December 2018, with an underlying EBITDA loss of $(0.3) million. This result reflects the investment made in sport technology and rights during the period, ahead of the strong revenue and earnings contribution expected this year and beyond.

“Our three defined business segments of QMS Australia, QMS New Zealand and QMS Sport – sets us apart from our peers and differentiates us given our attractive growth opportunities.

“The out of home industry continues to be a leading growth sector within the media landscape and our strong business in QMS Australia, is well positioned for continued growth.”

News Brands

As Sky News loses it’s biggest star, the ABC’s week just gets better

Last Saturday night ABC News was the #1 destination for Australians following the fortunes of the political parties following the closure of the polling booths. The ABC TV coverage was hosted by Leigh Sales and featured an all-star team of ABC contributors.

That team of broadcasters looks like it will be even stronger come the next state or federal election the broadcaster covers with news that Sky News political editor David Speers is leaving Sky News and heading to the ABC where one of his duties will be taking over hosting duties on Insiders, replacing Barrie Cassidy who steps down next month.

David Speers

When reports of Speers’ appointment surfaced in a report from Amanda Meade at Guardian Australia on Thursday, new colleagues of the next host of Insiders were quick to congratulate and welcome Speers to the broadcaster.

Cassidy said of his replacement: “Real coup for the ABC.” He later added it was still speculation ahead of official ABC confirmation.

Nine’s Chris Uhlmann said: “I hear my friend and professional rival David Speers is joining the ABC. He is, without doubt, one of the best in the business. The national broadcaster is lucky to have him and I look forward to many years of good-spirited competition. Congratulations mate.”

ABC Breakfast co-presenter Michael Rowland said: “This is a superb appointment. David Speers will comfortably fill Barrie Cassidy’s big shoes. A true class act! Welcome aboard, mate.”

Cassidy had a segment on ABC News Breakfast this morning. He referenced he only had a handful of programs left to host, and was then asked about his replacement. Cassidy and the hosts praised the journalism of Amanda Meade and then Cassidy confirmed the appointment of Speers: “He’ll be there…eventually.”

Geoffrey Rush v Telegraph: Actor’s defamation payout hits $2.9m

Actor Geoffrey Rush has been awarded almost $2 million in lost earnings, bringing the total payout from his defamation battle with The Daily Telegraph to almost $2.9 million, reports The AFR’s Michael Pelly.

Federal Court judge Michael Wigney approved an agreement between the parties on Thursday, when it was revealed the Pirates of the Caribbean star had initially offered to settle the case for $50,000 and a front-page apology.

Rush will receive $1.98 million for economic loss, which tops up the $850,000 in non-economic loss that Justice Wigney ordered the paper to pay on April 11 for publishing allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a fellow actor in 2015-16. He was also awarded more than $42,000 in interest on that sum.

While the Telegraph will now proceed with it appeal against the judgment, the $1.98 million agreement will not be challenged. It avoids the Rebel Wilson scenario, under which the actress lost all but $600,000 of her $4.75 million judgment on appeal because there was insufficient evidence of lost earnings.

[Read the original]

Michaela Whitbourn in The Sydney Morning Herald:

While the latest figure was reached by agreement, Nationwide News has launched an appeal against Justice Wigney’s decision rejecting their defence of truth and delivering a comprehensive victory to Rush.

It wants an appeal bench to enter judgment in its favour – which would mean the total damages figure would be overturned – or order that there be a retrial before a new judge.

[Read the original]

Pressing the pause button: No more political polling at SMH & The Age

In the wash-up from last Saturday’s federal election questions are rightly being asked about how all the major public polling companies failed to predict the Morrison government’s victory, writes Tory Maguire, the national editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

The Herald/Age’s pollster Ipsos consistently predicted a Labor win – with the final poll published last Friday showing a national two party vote of 51-49 in favour of Labor.

Many months before the election, so therefore not influenced by the polls’ failure, we agreed that we would reassess our arrangements after May 18. From this week we have no ongoing contract with Ipsos or any other polling company.

This is not to say we will never poll again. As chief political correspondent David Crowe says, accurate polling can be an invaluable reality check when journalists are faced with relentless spinning by political parties, interest groups and think tanks.

However, we have a responsibility to put our finite reporting resources into journalism that best serves our readers.

If we do decide to continue publishing polls in the future perhaps we should reconsider the way we report them. After all, polls are even at their very best just a snapshot of a small section of voters at a specific time and place, not a crystal ball.

It will take months for us to work out what we’re going to do at the Herald and The Age. And our decision will take into account what explanation the pollsters can deliver as they work out where they went wrong.

[Read the original]

Television

Noni Hazlehurst uncovers family secrets in SBS documentary series

In a new SBS documentary series Every Family Has A Secret, six Australians discover the truth about their family’s past, confronting the secrets that have shaped them. Dark pasts, lies and half-truths are revealed, and lives are changed forever. Whether it is the ill deeds of parents or revelations of unexpected family members, Every Family has a Secret shocks, surprises and delights.

Over three episodes, celebrated actor Noni Hazlehurst will meet six Australians who are grappling with a family secret. Participants will travel around the world uncovering powerful truths about themselves, their families and Australia.

SBS director of TV and online content Marshall Heald said: “Every Family Has A Secret explores the family relationships and secrets that divide a household, introducing us to a diverse group of Australians who are seeking closure on their past. The series is full of shocks and surprises, but it’s also heartfelt and heart-warming. Noni Hazlehurst is one of Australia’s most iconic personalities, and in her role as presenter she brings her trademark elegance and warmth to the show. We are thrilled to be bringing this series to our audiences.”

From Taiwan to Romania and beyond, six Australians will discover the truth behind a gripping family secret.

Intimate secrets are unearthed, estranged family members are reunited and lives are forever changed in the emotional and confronting new series.

The three-part series is produced by Artemis Media for SBS, with funding from Screen Australia and Screenwest.

Every Family Has A Secret premieres at 7.30pm Tuesday 25 June, and will air over three weeks.

The universal appeal of Troy Dalton’s novel secures TV deal

It is a long trip from suburban Brisbane to Los Angeles and London, but that’s the road Trent Dalton is on after striking a deal to turn his debut novel Boy Swallows Universe into a global television drama, reports The Australian’s Stephen Romei.

Fittingly, Dalton will have beside him another Australian who has already made the same journey. Born in Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, award-winning actor, writer and director Joel Edgerton has signed on as a producer.

Edgerton will be joined by Kerry Kohansky-Roberts from American film production giant Anonymous Content, Sophie Gardiner from Anonymous’s new British offshoot Chapter One and Troy Lum from Australia’s Hopscotch Features.

Dalton, a feature writer on The Australian, will be executive producer. His involvement with the script has yet to be decided. “That’s the next step: talking to writers, including me,’’ he said.

[Read the original]

Sports Media

Cricket returns to Nine with One Day World Cup and Ashes Tour

Cricket is returning to Nine next week, with the World Cup and then The Ashes hosted by Wide World of Sports on Nine, 9GEM, and available for streaming on 9Now.

Starting on Thursday, May 30 on 9GEM, Nine will deliver 53 nights of prime-time action: the ICC One Day International World Cup, the Women’s Ashes Series, and the Men’s Ashes Series, all broadcast live from the UK.

Nine’s World Cup coverage will be hosted by Rebecca Maddern, former Australian captains Mark Taylor and Lisa Sthalekar and Australian great Ian Healy.

The commentary team will include heavyweights of world cricket such as influential Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly, two-time women’s World Cup winner Melanie Jones, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, experienced Nine broadcaster Mark Nicholas, all-time great fast bowler Wasim Akram, and former Australian and New Zealand captains Michael Clarke and Brendon McCullum.

The Women’s Ashes series commences on July 2 when the reigning champions, Australia, led by superstars Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, head into enemy territory as the number one team in the world. This innovative series will include one test match, three ODIs, and three T20 contests to decide the ultimate victor.

Following this, the Australian men’s cricket team defend the iconic urn against England in the five-Test Ashes Series that begins on August 1, live from the UK.

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