Wednesday December 5, 2018
Mediaweek Industry Awards 2018
The Mediaweek team has selected nominations in some categories, while readers can vote for anything eligible in other categories.
Our nominations have tended to go for major productions or companies. The nominations in the various categories aren’t exhaustive and there are some omissions. In radio we have stayed with commercial radio because that is our focus at Mediaweek. We don’t completely ignore ABC radio, but it is not our speciality.
In TV, ABC programs are eligible because many of them are made by outside companies, whereas ABC Radio is largely an internal operation. We started rather late planning this year. Next year we anticipate there could be more categories depending on reader feedback.
Kylie Merritt on Your Money: Real estate attracting most bids
By James Manning
The Nine and Sky News joint venture business brand Your Money has been on air for two months now since the TV channel and digital destination launched on October 1.
Retaining Ticky and Trading Day from Sky News Business, Your Money has had a major makeover with new morning and evening programming.
The channel has recently made some changes to its schedule, moving its late afternoon and evening programming earlier.
Weeknights at 5.30pm and 8pm is Your Money Live, featuring Brooke Corte and Chris Kohler. At 7.30pm the channel hosts a rotation of programs featuring personal investment, technology, cars, entrepreneurship and business travel, with new programs due to rotate through the schedule in 2019.
Under Your Money chief executive Kylie Merritt, the pace was frantic in the leadup to the launch. Since then she and the team haven’t slowed down.
“When you launch a new media product you never stop. We have a few major plans for early 2019 we are working towards implementing.
“There is potential for more programming in a similar vein to Your Money Live. We are looking forward to developing more content that will appeal to a broader audience.
“We have started to build an audience and we will continue to deliver engaging content to keep them coming back to the brand. We are working at transferring audiences between TV and digital.”
A lot of the channel’s growing audience is coming for the real estate content that is present on all days of the week.
The flagship real estate program is Saturday’s Auction Day hosted by Sophie Hull and James Treble. You can also see them integrated into other programs in addition to the channel’s other real estate specialist contributors.
Sophie Hull and James Treble
“I am not surprised at all that Auction Day has found an audience very quickly on free-to-air,” said Merritt of the marathon six-hour live program. “It is very engaging and many people find it very entertaining. Watching live auctions play out is almost a blood sport, but it is fascinating to watch.
“Most casual TV viewers have at least a passing interest in real estate. But if you are thinking about selling your home or even refinancing your mortgage, our Saturday coverage is very easy to watch and you learn along the way.
“For people about to buy or sell a house at auction it is virtually essential viewing. In one sitting you can see six auctions and start to get a feel for the psychology of them instead of having to visit separate auctions to study what happens.”
Your Money has been attracting a free-to-air audience as part of its dual citizenship as both a subscription TV channel and part of the Nine family.
The new FTA audience has been helping increase audience participation to Trading Day Live in segments where viewers seek share market opinions.
Simon Hopkins leads the Your Money partnerships team. “We are not about selling just 30 second TV commercials, we are looking at bigger partnership plays across all of our platforms,” said Merritt. “We have a relationship with MCN and we are working closely with them on trading inventory.”
See also: News Corp/Nine JV channel Your Money announces executive team
Your Money’s revised programming schedule
1am-8.30am Fox Business
8.30am – 4.30pm Trading Day
4.30pm & 10pm Ticky
5.30pm & 8pm Your Money Live
7.30pm
• Monday – Money Talks with Peter Switzer
• Tuesday – Swipe
• Wednesday – CarAdvice
• Thursday – Entrepreneurs
• Friday – Business Class
And every Thursday of course at 2.30pm, Mediaweek TV with James Manning
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Top Photo: Your Money executive team [L-R]: Glen Caro, David Ash, Kylie Merritt, Simon Hopkins and Nadine Blayney
10 and 10 Play: Angela Pulvirenti’s new At The Cellar series
Pulvirenti chats with celebrities from around the world over a tasting of their favourite wines, which is filmed at Dan Murphy’s Prahran cellar and features live unplugged musical performances.
Guests in the current series include sporting superstars Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Johnathan Thurston, Shane Watson and music artists Angus and Julia Stone, Tina Arena, Kate Miller-Heidke and Chris Isaak.
The musical guests always close the show with a unique live performance.
Angela with Angus and Julia Stone
The episodes are already available on 10 Play ahead of their screening on 10’s primary channel beginning Friday and Saturday December 7 and 8 at 10.30pm.
Pulvirenti also has produced a food and wine special with Adam Liaw and Tobie Puttock.
Pulvirenti created and produced the series independently and attracted a major sponsor to the series in Dan Murphy’s.
Pulvirenti told Mediaweek: “The wine bug caught me about 10 years ago. I became quite enchanted by the whole process of wine making and have since become quite an avid collector.”
Formerly a columnist and feature writer for Sunday magazine and the Herald Sun, Pulvirenti later wrote, produced and hosted the entertainment interview program Backstage Pass for the Nine Network from 2004 to 2007.
She later packaged the sports interview program Inside Edge for ABC News 24 and ABC local radio from 2009 to 2013.
More recently she produced and hosted The Truth About Us for Foxtel’s Bio channel and ABC radio, which featured guests ranging from Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce to Jimmy Barnes and Michael Gudinski.
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Top Photo: Angela Pulvirenti with Johnathan Thurston in At The Cellar
Zenith forecasts ad spend to rise by 3.3% in 2018 to $16.7b
Online video and paid search are driving the growth in global ad spend, as advertisers focus on personalised and targeted communications, according to Zenith’s latest advertising expenditure forecasts.
With advertisers now able to use these channels to target with pinpoint accuracy and serve personalised messages, they are increasing both the efficiency and effectiveness of campaigns.
Between 2018 and 2021, online video advertising will grow globally at an average of 18% a year, twice as fast as other forms of internet display advertising and well ahead of any other channel.
Paid search is not growing as quickly in percentage terms – it will grow at an average of 7% a year over this period – but in dollar terms will contribute even more to global growth than online video.
The application of AI techniques, better location targeting, integration with commerce and the rise of “in the moment” search are all making search more effective for advertisers.
Zenith forecasts that between 2018 and 2021, online video advertising will grow by US$20b, while paid search will grow by US$22b. Between them, those two channels will account for 60% of the extra ad dollars added to the market over this time.
By 2021 Zenith expects television and video to have a combined 48.8% share of global display – a higher share than television ever achieved on its own. Taken together, television and online video are working harder for advertisers than ever before.
E-commerce advertising – advertising that sits alongside and within search results and product listings on e-commerce sites – is well established in China, but is only just starting to get going globally.
Zenith believes it has the potential to transform the way brands convert customers online, and add about US$100b of new money into the global advertising market.
Zenith estimates global advertising expenditure will grow 4.5% by the end of this year, boosted by the Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup and US mid-term elections. Growth will then remain steady and positive for the rest of the forecast period to 2021, at 4.0% in 2019, 4.2% in 2020 and 4.1% in 2021.
In Australia, Zenith anticipates ad spend will increase by 3.3% in 2018, to A$16.72b (US$12.34bn), a stable projection from the September forecast.
All media with the exception of print is likely to be stable to up in 2018 with out-of-home and internet out-performing versus the total media trend.
Zenith Sydney head of investment, Elizabeth Baker (pictured), said: “Out-of-home’s success in 2018 is largely attributable to the increasing digitisation of the sector, with digital panels accounting for close to 50% of revenue. With the recent ACCC approval of both the JCDecaux/APN and oOh!media/Adshel mergers, this should continue to see the sector thrive. Operating cost efficiencies gained from the merger will undoubtedly unlock greater investment in technology, infrastructure and digitisation, and the greater depth of assets should result in better product offerings for advertisers. Of course, the increase in digitisation naturally increases revenue at site level as well.
“Driving online sector growth is the increase in ad spend across video and mobile. According to the latest IAB report released for FY2018, video expenditure has increased by 44.6% from FY2017, accounting for 42% of display.
“Radio is also performing well from ad spend perspective. Listener retention on the core broadcast platform – which accounts for 90% of total listening – means the medium remains efficient. This, coupled with new revenue opportunities across other audio channels such as podcasting, streaming, radio-branded social media and online, has been positive for the radio sector.
“TV remains stable, buoyed by events, finance sector investment following the Royal Commission into the banking and financial services industry as well as Government spending, although for the back quarter, increases in Government spend are likely to stabilise as Same Sex Marriage campaigning kicked off in October 2017. The Federal Election in 2019 will ensure that Government investment remains strong. The industry body, ThinkTV, which launched in 2016, has also helped stabilise the flow of money into digital with studies around ROI and effectiveness,” Baker said.
Box Office: Creed II punches up a storm, four movies all $2m+
The top spots were taken by newcomers Creed II and The Grinch both carrying on the legacy of iconic franchises and characters. They were joined by fellow newcomer 2.0 in the top five – the only non-English speaking film in the top 10 this weekend.
The theme of change continued with A Star is Born finally dropping out of the top five but it still brought home $818,541. The other films to drop out of the top five were Robin Hood and Widows.
Overall the box office made $14 million this weekend, which is almost directly on par with last weekend.
#1 Creed II $2.98m
The sequel to Creed and the second spinoff to the famed Rocky franchise, Creed II continued the impressive legacy with a strong opening week total as it fought off its competition to top spot. It achieved this from a total of 328 screens.
#2 The Grinch $2.75m
An animated remake of the 2001 live action classic starring Jim Carey now sees Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role. Based on the 1957 children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, this early result proves the character still resonates with audiences despite the 61 years since the original book.
#3 Bohemian Rhapsody $2.49m
While its musical smash hit running mate A Star is Born finally dropped off, the Queen biopic showed no sign of dropping off, once again cracking the two million dollar mark.
#4 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald $2.1m
Despite making over two million dollars in its third week of release, this didn’t prevent a back slide of three spots from first to fourth.
#5 2.0 $939,413
The Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film is a sequel to the 2010 hit Enthiran, and performed well in its first week making it into the top five.
Year on Twitter: 2018 in Australia from C word to 5SOS
The Golden Tweet
This year’s “Golden Tweet” in Australia came from @thomas_violence, with a comment on the tragic gun violence that rocked the US in 2018. The conversation-starting tweet was retweeted nearly 170,000 times.
Trends
Taking out top spot for the fifth year in a row, #auspol retained its position as the most-tweeted hashtag of the year. Countless Aussies used the hashtag to join the political conversation, share their thoughts on the political landscape, and campaign for the causes that matter most to them. Aussies took to Twitter to discuss social movements such as #Nauru, #climatechange and #ChangeTheRules.
On the less serious side of the spectrum, gaming was bigger than ever on Twitter. Ever heard of a little game called Fortnite? The gaming sensation of the year #Fortnite was the tenth most-tweeted hashtag in Australia.
We also saw sports feature twice in the list of the most popular hashtags of 2018 with #WorldCup and #AusOpen both making the top 10.
Just like last year, Australian Twitter can’t get enough of K-pop with beloved Korean boy band, @BTS_twt growing in influence this year. In fact #BTS, was the second most-popular hashtag in Australia, moving up seven spots from last year.
Here are the 10 most-tweeted hashtags in Australia for 2018
The top 10 most-tweeted-about musicians in Australia
Most-tweeted entertainment hashtags in Australia
Most-tweeted-about Australian sports teams
Most-followed Australians
TV Ratings Analysis: December 4
By James Manning
Seven
The channel launched the US version of Little Big Shots last night with 486,000 watching at 7.30pm.
The Good Doctor then followed at 8.30pm for its final episode this year with 599,000.
Nine
Family Food Fight is getting close to the end with 432,000 after 456,000 on Monday.
Two Big Bang Theory episodes then did 395,000 and 362,000.
10
Rose McGowan was the star attraction on The Project explaining her support for #WalkoutOz. In an episode with several strong messages, there was also talk about climate change and Meshel Laurie urged young people joining the workforce to take advantage of what union membership can offer them The episode did 410,000 after 7pm.
Ambulance Australia was the channel’s star attraction, pushing share higher as the ob doc won its slot and the night in key demos. It also posted its best ever under 50 audience.
ABC
The second episode of My Family And The Galapagos did 322,000.
It was followed by the doco Roll With It on the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team The Rollers with 122,000 watching.
SBS
The second week of a new season of Great American Railroad Journeys did 294,000. The series was the channel’s best last week with 302,000.
The premiere of Is Australia Sexist? hosted by Yumi Stynes then did 225,000.
Week 49 TV: Tuesday
| TUESDAY METRO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven | Nine | 10 | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 9.6% | 7 | 19.4% | 9 | 18.2% | 10 | 12.7% | SBS One | 6.4% |
| ABC 2 | 2.9% | 7TWO | 3.2% | GO! | 5.1% | 10 Boss | 3.6% | VICELAND | 1.6% |
| ABC ME | 0.8% | 7mate | 3.1% | GEM | 2.7% | 10 Peach | 2.3% | Food Net | 1.4% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.9% | 7flix | 1.8% | 9Life | 2.6% | NITV | 0.1% | ||
| 7Food | 0.6 | ||||||||
| TOTAL | 15.2% | 28.1% | 28.6% | 18.6% | 9.5% | ||||
| TUESDAY REGIONAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven Affiliates | Nine Affiliates | 10 Affiliates | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 8.7% | 7 | 21.8% | 9 | 13.3% | WIN | 12.7% | SBS One | 4.5% |
| ABC 2 | 3.2% | 7TWO | 4.9% | GO! | 5.2% | WIN Boss | 3.1% | VICELAND | 2.0% |
| ABC ME | 0.9% | 7mate | 4.0% | GEM | 4.6% | WIN Peach | 2.8% | Food Net | 1.6% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.8% | 7flix | 1.0% | 9Life | 2.5% | Sky News on WIN | 1.2% | NITV | 0.1% |
| TOTAL | 14.6% | 31.7% | 25.6% | 19.8% | 8.2% | ||||
| TUESDAY METRO ALL TV | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | STV | ||||||||
| 83.8% | 16.2% | ||||||||
TUESDAY FTA
- Seven News Seven 931,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 888,000
- Nine News Nine 883,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 873,000
- A Current Affair Nine 767,000
- ABC News ABC 655,000
- Ambulance Australia 10 652,000
- The Good Doctor Seven 599,000
- Home And Away Seven 576,000
- The Chase Australia Seven 543,000
- 7.30 ABC 540,000
- Little Big Shots U.S. Seven 486,000
- Hot Seat Nine 443,000
- Family Food Fight – Nine 432,000
- The Project 7pm 10 410,000
- The Big Bang Theory Nine 395,000
- The Big Bang Theory – (R) Nine 362,000
- 10 News First 10 361,000
- The Chase Australia-5pm Seven 325,000
- My Family And The Galapagos ABC 322,000
Demo Top 5
16-39 Top Five
- Ambulance Australia 10 183,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 107,000
- A Current Affair Nine 97,000
- The Project 7pm 10 97,000
- The Good Doctor Seven 94,000
18-49 Top Five
- Ambulance Australia 10 285,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 209,000
- A Current Affair Nine 188,000
- Nine News Nine 184,000
- The Big Bang Theory Nine 176,000
25-54 Top Five
- Ambulance Australia 10 305,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 265,000
- A Current Affair Nine 243,000
- Nine News Nine 239,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 235,000
TUESDAY MULTICHANNEL
- The Big Bang Theory Tx2 9GO! 223,000
- The Big Bang Theory Tx1 9GO! 194,000
- Luo Bao Bei ABCKIDS/COMEDY 159,000
- Peppa Pig AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
- Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 153,000
- Bluey AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 152,000
- Constantine 9GO! 148,000
- Shaun The Sheep ABCKIDS/COMEDY 147,000
- Dino Dana ABCKIDS/COMEDY 144,000
- Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
- Fireman Sam AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
- Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
- Floogals AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
- Neighbours 10 Peach 141,000
- Andy’s Wild Adventures ABCKIDS/COMEDY 138,000
- Bondi Rescue Ep 2 (R) 10 Boss 136,000
- Wanda And The Alien PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 135,000
- New Tricks 9Gem 135,000
- Becca’s Bunch PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 133,000
- Spicks And Specks ABCKIDS/COMEDY 133,000
TUESDAY STV
- The Bolt Report Sky News Live 64,000
- Jones & Co Sky News Live 56,000
- The Simpsons FOX8 55,000
- The Simpsons FOX8 51,000
- Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 51,000
- Bones TVH!TS 45,000
- Death Wish Foxtel Movies Premiere 44,000
- Credlin Sky News Live 41,000
- Von Ryan’s Express FOX Classics 41,000
- NCIS TVH!TS 39,000
- Friends 111 39,000
- PML Overtime Sky News Live 36,000
- Seinfeld 111 35,000
- Family Guy FOX8 34,000
- Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 34,000
- NCIS TVH!TS 33,000
- Muppet Babies Disney Junior 32,000
- Keeping Up Appearances FOX Classics 32,000
- Criminal Minds TVH!TS 32,000
- Jeopardy! FOX Classics 31,000
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
On eve of merger, Fairfax announces change to print retail model
At the same time as passing on a modest fee increase for distribution and retail newsagents, Fairfax has signalled a change to its remuneration process. This, in a letter sent to newsagents, reports Fletcher on his industry blog.
He then quotes from the Fairfax letter to retailers:
“Fairfax considers that the current annual fee review process needs to change to reflect the changing newspaper sales and distribution landscape. It is our intention to move to a fee model and review process that is performance based.
“This model will provide for fee increases based on specific performance metrics, and will align with our newsagency contracts which contain provisions for fee penalties for non-compliance, or failure to meet existing performance criteria. Work on this is already under way.”
Fletcher then comments: I think this letter signals plans for a shake out of newspaper distribution and retail businesses, given the focus on compliance and the goal of aligning with provisions in the Fairfax contract.
What Fairfax management does not get is that what they pay is a pittance for a retail presence. Year on year, rent increases by 5%, wages by between 3% and 5% and overheads by 5%. Fairfax has not been keeping up and their forecast new approach will make matters worse I suspect. The result will be fewer retail newsagents selling their products.
Martin Sorrell’s S4 invests in ad firm with Sydney office
MightyHive said it is proud to join forces with S4 Capital. In a statement it said: “The merger will enable MightyHive to meet rapidly growing demand from clients and expand the opportunities that MightyHive can help our clients unlock. We are particularly excited about the impact this news will have on the global brands and agencies we serve and are pleased to communicate the facts below.”
Earlier this year, S4 Capital merged with MediaMonks, a global creative production firm that has produced award-winning creative for clients like Audi, Google, Netflix, and Adidas.
The MightyHive acquisition is the first entry S4 Capital has made into digital media.
As a result of the merger, MightyHive will become a wholly owned subsidiary of S4 Capital. Pete Kim, MightyHive CEO and co-founder, and Christopher S. Martin, MightyHive COO and co-founder, will join the S4 Capital board of directors while also remaining in their roles running the day-to-day operations of MightyHive.
MightyHive was founded in 2012 and pioneered a new category as the original DoubleClick Certified Marketing Partner and is now one of the largest and fastest-growing programmatic buyers in the world.
MightyHive has offices in San Francisco, New York, Sydney, London, Toronto, Stockholm and Singapore.
MightyHive’s managing director APAC is Kenny Griffiths who is responsible for overseeing MightyHive’s sales and operations across Asia and Australia & New Zealand.
Sydney-based Griffiths has over 12 years of experience in advertising and marketing across both tech and publishing, with expertise in the AUNZ market. Prior to joining MightyHive Griffiths co-founded VOLT, a premium video network. When VOLT was acquired two years after founding by a US-based tech company, Griffiths brought his knowledge of video advertising to Facebook AUNZ as head of video.
Nine, John Singleton near $109m Macquarie Radio deal
Nine Entertainment says no negotiations have begun to buy the stake in Macquarie Media that Fairfax does not own because it does not officially secure ownership of the newspaper publisher until Friday.
The Australian understands that talks are already under way, and the offer being made for the owner of Sydney’s 2GB and Melbourne’s 3AW radio stations is $2 per share.
Macquarie Media shares last traded at $1.83, which puts the apparent bid at a premium of about 9% and it values the broadcaster at $342 million and the stake at $109m.
ABC recruiting for new CFO after Louise Higgins resigns
Higgins will leave her post in February next year.
The announcement comes around two months after the departure of both ABC chairman Justin Milne, and managing director, Michelle Guthrie.
In an email to staff following her resignation, ABC acting managing director David Anderson said: “Lou Higgins, chief financial and strategy officer, informed the leadership team a short while ago that she has resigned and will be leaving the ABC in February 2019.”
Previously the chief operating officer for Nova Entertainment, Higgins was also an associate director with Macquarie Bank and spent seven years working at the BBC in London in a variety of senior finance roles.
Thomson Reuters to cut 3,200 jobs in next two years
The news and information provider, which completed the sale of a 55% stake in its Financial & Risk (F&R) unit to private equity firm Blackstone Group, announced the cuts during an investor day in Toronto, in which it outlined its future strategy and growth plans.
The company, which is focusing on its legal and tax businesses following the Blackstone deal, declined to say where the job cuts were being made. However, co-chief operating officer Neil Masterson told investors that staff had already been informed about 90% of the planned cuts.
Shares in Thomson Reuters rose as much as 3.7% on Tuesday, hitting an all-time high.
The company aims to grow annual sales by 3.5% to 4.5% by 2020, excluding the impact of any acquisitions. Chief executive officer Jim Smith said it plans to cross-sell more products to existing customers and to attract new customers. The company will also cut the number of products it sells, he said.
As part of the streamlining, the company said it planned to reduce the number of offices around the world by 30% to 133 locations by 2020.
Reuters News accounts for only 6% of sales but Smith said it remained a key part of the business under Michael Friedenberg, who joined the company on Monday as president of its news and media operations.
Publishing
Pacific appoints Andrew Brain, director of digital sales
Brain joins Pacific following stints also at Adshel and Bauer Media where he held a series of top-level digitally-focused executive roles.
His remit involves the commercialisation of Pacific’s digital assets including the publisher’s programmatic offering and its video strategy.
“The appetite at Pacific for digital is what drew me to the role. The deep investment in building digital assets and audiences can already be seen by the fact we boast Australia’s number one women’s network. I’m excited to educate the market about this and shift the perception once and for all that we are only a magazine publisher,” said Brain.
Nicole Bence, commercial director for Pacific, said: “We’re thrilled to add Andrew to our digital ranks. He joins us at the perfect time as we look to capitalise on our terrific audience numbers across our digital brands and leverage our value as cultural content creators.”
The most recent Nielsen Digital Panel figures for October show Pacific has a total unique audience of 2.206 million.
News Brands
Recently departed Nine News Perth boss changes channels
Network director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson said: “Shaun has one of the sharpest minds in the news business. His energy and quest for excellence will help drive our formidable Seven News Melbourne team to further success.”
Menegola began his career in newspapers before moving to television in 1993. After a successful reporting career, Menegola has held a number of senior positions inside television including news director roles with leading news bulletins.
Menegola will commence his role at Seven News Melbourne in the new year.
Just last week Menegola revealed he was stepping down as Nine Perth news boss. He previously had a long stint at Seven Perth.
Menegola was appointed as Seven Perth News director in December 2000 after previously working for the network as an associate director. He left the company suddenly in 2011 one evening just before the news bulletin went to air after a dispute with then channel management.
See also: Simon Pristel quitting television to launch a comms business
As she leaves ABC Canberra, Louise Maher reflects on 38 years on air
But 38 (and a half) years of radio? Ironically, I never really wanted to be on air.
I wanted to write for a newspaper.
The year I left school, I made it onto the shortlist for a journalism cadetship with The Sydney Morning Herald but lost out in the final round.
Devastated (at the age of 18 I thought my life was over) I reluctantly started a communications degree.
Then, miraculously, six months later, I was offered a job at Radio 2GB by the wonderful journalist and broadcaster Vincent Smith.
Nineteen years ago I started at what’s now ABC Radio Canberra. (Our former name 666 was far more evocative).
I presented the morning show for five years, the drive show for eight and for the past six years have been gathering and making stories as the field and online reporter.
I’ve interviewed my favourite writers (Margaret Atwood twice!), 10 centenarians for a series for Canberra’s 100th birthday, and hundreds of people who’ve shared the most amazing, inspiring stories.
I’ve presented outside broadcasts, MC’d events and chaired public meetings – all the things you do when you’re a face of the much-loved ABC.
My work has taken me from Docker River to Washington, from Montague Island to Berlin.
I’ve had great opportunities and the best adventures.
I’ve gone from reel-to-reel recorders to digital, but when I reflect, it’s the people that matter most of course.
The bosses who put their faith in me, my talented and passionate colleagues, old and young, who’ve taught me everything I know, the producers who pumped out shows day after day, the people who let me ask all those questions and the listeners who let me into their lives.
Not to mention the technicians who wave the magic wand that puts our voices into the air.
I still haven’t worked out how that happens.
It’s hard to leave my ABC family, but then, my ABC family will always be around me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who’s ever held my hand, walked beside me or propped me up.
—
Photo: Broadcaster Louise Maher interviewing author Anita Heiss on ABC Canberra (Source: Louise Maher/ABC)
Television
Reaction: CBS launches 10 All Access in crowded market
“The fact that 10 All Access is owned by CBS comes with the anticipation of success, however it is launching into a competitive market and given their price point will need to offer exclusive and premium content or face real challenges,” Ellis said.
“The current content offering seems to lacks depth and exclusive content, so I expect they will face challenges unless this significantly changes given the price point.
“While people are consuming more video content than ever, they are also demanding premium content matched with a great user experience, all of which needs to be at the right price. Such is the competitive nature of the market we have already seen Presto become a victim in January 2017,” Ellis told The Australian.
Informer 3838: Underbelly drama adaptation a possibility
The scandal gripping Victoria’s legal system doesn’t just have politicians, police officers and lawyers taking stock.
On Monday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a royal commission into one of the state’s biggest legal scandals. At the centre of it all is a female barrister who acted on behalf of underworld figures but who later became a police informant under the codename Informer 3838.
Screentime Australia boss Bob Campbell said the Informer 3838 scandal has the potential to be turned into a television series. But he stopped short of confirming whether or not the project has been given the green light.
“We’re always interested in Underbelly stories,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Sunrise cops criticism over one-sided #MeToo discussion
Sam Armytage and Natalie Barr copped criticism for leading a one-sided discussion with sex therapist and author Bettina Arndt on the program on Tuesday morning.
Armytage said she knew men who were scared in the wake of the women’s empowerment movement around sexual harassment.
Arndt was on the morning show to talk about her new book #MenToo, arguing men’s lives were being destroyed by the women’s movement and that feminism had gone off the rails.
The hosts did not challenge Arndt or interject, with viewers on social media saying they expected tougher questioning.
“The #MeToo movement was meant originally to empower women and give some women the confidence to call out sexism. Has it been derailed a little?” Armytage asked the guest.
Sports Media
Fox Footy wins an AACTA for presentation of Friday night finals clash
The team won for their production of Finals Footy on Fox: Richmond v Collingwood. Ben Roberts accepted the award on behalf of the team, who included Roberts, Zach Larkins, Leigh Carlson and Michael Neill.
The Fox Footy team in action at the MCG
Hosted by Sarah Jones, Jonathan Brown, Jason Dunstall, Nick Riewoldt, Kelli Underwood, Dermott Brereton. 550,000 people tuned in to watch the game of Fox Footy and it was the number one watched show/program/event all year on subscription TV across all channels.
Ben Roberts with Fox Footy’s AACTA Award
New Magazines This Week
