Thursday June 14, 2018

Mediaweek
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Mediaweek TV: 2.30pm today on Sky News Business

Joining Nadine Blayney and James Manning on Mediaweek TV today is the CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network ANZ, Simon Ryan. 

 

The group of over 20 integrated media brands places about 25% of all media spend in Australia, and about 30% of all digital advertising.

Corina Cosma GM, Melbourne at dentsu X; James Hawkins – MD APAC, dentsu X; Simon Ryan – CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network ANZ

The PwC Entertainment & Media Outlook, released yesterday, painted a picture of growth for SVOD and internet ad growth, and Ryan will talk about if this is in line with that Dentsu sees in the short term future.

WhichCar Network: Bauer Media’s push into the motoring market

Bauer Trader Media has unified its automotive offerings under one digital umbrella called the WhichCar Network in an effort to become more competitive in Australia. It brings together brands like Wheels, 4×4 Australia, Unique Cars and Street Machine.

By Kruti Joshi

WhichCar was originally launched as a digital stand-alone title just under five years ago.

The person leading this change is Bauer Trader Media general manager Terry Williams-King (pictured): “We want to be everything motoring for Bauer.”

Williams-King came to Australia in early 2017 from New Zealand: “I used to run the largest classified-only automotive site in the country, Autotrader.”

The Kiwi automotive market failed to recognise the power of women when it comes to making purchasing decisions. Therefore, much of the content was male-focused. This is an issue that Williams-King noticed in the Australian market too.

Content on the WhichCar Network “won’t just be about how blokes view cars – it will also be about how females see cars,” he said.

This is an excerpt from the full article, which appears on Mediaweek Premium. Read the full article hereor subscribe to Mediaweek Premium here.

Comcast CEO's letter to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch

Comcast overnight delivered a letter to the board of directors of 21st Century Fox setting forth the terms of a superior proposal by Comcast to acquire the businesses that 21CF has agreed to sell to The Walt Disney Company for US$35.00 per share in cash.

The proposal represents a premium of approximately 19% to the value of Disney’s all-stock offer as of 12 noon (US Eastern Time) on June 13, 2018. The structure and other terms of Comcast’s proposal, including with respect to the spinoff of New Fox and the regulatory risk provisions and related termination fee, are at least as favourable to 21CF shareholders as the Disney offer.

The following is a copy of the letter that Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts wrote to the Board of Directors of 21CF:

Dear Rupert, Lachlan and James,

We have long admired what the Murdoch family has built at Twenty-First Century Fox. After our meetings last year, we came away convinced that the 21CF businesses to be sold are highly complementary to ours, and that our company would be the right strategic home for them.

So, we were disappointed when 21CF decided to enter into a transaction with The Walt Disney Company, even though we had offered a meaningfully higher price. We have reviewed the publicly available terms of the proposed Disney transaction, as well as the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC describing the reasons for the 21CF Board of Directors’ decision. In light of yesterday’s decision in the AT&T/Time Warner case, the limited time prior to your shareholders’ meeting, and our strong continued interest, we are pleased to present a new, all-cash proposal that fully addresses the Board’s stated concerns with our prior proposal.

Our new proposal offers 21CF shareholders $35.00 per share in cash and 100% of the shares of New Fox after giving effect to its proposed spinoff, providing superior and more certain value as compared to Disney’s all-stock offer. Our proposal represents a premium of approximately 19% to the value of Disney’s offer as of noon today. We are highly confident in our ability to finance the transaction, and our offer includes no financing-related conditions.

We are also highly confident that our proposed transaction will obtain all necessary regulatory approvals in a timely manner and that our transaction is as or more likely to receive regulatory approval than the Disney transaction. Accordingly, we are offering the same regulatory commitments as the ones 21CF has already obtained from Disney, including the same $2.5 billion reverse termination fee agreed to by Disney. To further evidence our commitment, we also are offering to reimburse the $1.525 billion break-up fee to be paid by you to Disney, for a total cost to Comcast of $4.025 billion, in the highly unlikely scenario that our transaction does not close because we fail to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the regulatory issues presented by each deal. We note that there should not be any meaningful difference in the timing of the US antitrust review between a Comcast and Disney transaction. We have made our HSR filing today, which formally begins our regulatory review at the DOJ. In addition, we have already submitted a large volume of documents and data to the DOJ in connection with its review of the Disney transaction. This information largely overlaps with the information that the DOJ will need to review a Comcast transaction. As a result, our transaction should be reviewable by the DOJ in the same cycle as Disney’s transaction. We similarly expect that our transaction should be reviewable by international regulators in as timely a manner as the Disney transaction, and should be as or more likely to receive international approvals, given our relatively small presence outside the US.

Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved this proposal, and no Comcast shareholder vote will be required for this transaction.

Because of your decision to schedule the vote on the Disney merger proposal for July 10, time is of the essence for your consideration of our proposal. We are available to meet at any time to answer questions of the Board, management or your advisors, so that you are in a position to validate the superiority of our offer, and negotiate and enter into a merger agreement, as soon as possible thereafter. Given the very short timeframe, today we are filing a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC in opposition to the Disney merger proposal, as we have been advised this is necessary to be in a position to be able to communicate with your shareholders directly regarding the votes they are being asked to cast on July 10. We hope this is precautionary only, as we expect to work together to reach an agreement over the next several days.

I look forward to our discussions and working with you toward completing this exciting transaction for the Fox shareholders.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Brian L. Roberts

Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and CEO

App fever! SBS and Optus release 2018 FIFA World Cup app, first ever World Cup VR app

SBS and Optus, the exclusive Australian broadcasters of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, have launched the 2018 FIFA World Cup app, alongside the first ever FIFA World Cup Virtual Reality (VR) app for the world’s most watched sports tournament.

Both of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 apps have been developed jointly by Optus Sport and SBS, working closely with FIFA, and are now available to download in preparation for tournament kick-off on June 14.

The apps give Australians free access to 25 matches live and on demand in HD with multilingual commentary to both SBS and Optus Sport users, with the remaining 39 games available exclusively to Optus Sport Premium subscribers for $15 per month or at no extra cost on eligible Optus plans.

2018 FIFA World Cup App

The 2018 FIFA World Cup app will be a one-stop shop offering matches live and on-demand as well as breaking news alerts, expert analysis and opinion, video highlights, live scores, statistics, fixtures, group standings, and team information.

Users can access an exclusive Full HD MatchCast experience which provides five different pitch angles, including a Cable Cam and new mosaic stream and allows users to follow teams and players for an even closer look. Users can also access multi-angle content from over 35 cameras surrounding the pitch to watch replays and highlights from every angle including super slow-motion options.

Users can personalise their experience by choosing their favourite team and also watch short-form videos produced by Optus Sport, SBS and FIFA.

NB: Optus Sport Premium subscription required to access Optus Sport’s short-form videos.

FIFA World Cup VR App

The virtual reality (VR) app will offer Australians a FIFA World Cup first, enabling fans to enter their own VIP stadium suite and watch live matches in immersive virtual reality.

The app incorporates dedicated VR match content created at the venues, inviting viewers to experience the action from various positions inside the stadium, change between camera angles during live matches, re-watch games and interact with data and statistics.

For the first time, users can watch matches with 180 degree and 210 degree super wide angle views. A 360 degree video will be available on-demand once matches conclude.

SBS director of Sport Ken Shipp said: “FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 is set to be the most connected World Cup ever and with the addition of these two custom-built apps, developed with our partners at Optus Sport and FIFA, football fans will be able to immerse themselves in the world game like never before.

“With over 30 years in the business of football, SBS is proud to continue embracing new technologies to give Australia’s diverse communities more ways to come together and experience the passion and emotion of the biggest sporting event on Earth.”

Continued at mediaweek.com.au.

Adshel transforms national reach with launch of Metro Trains Melbourne

Adshel has been in the news lately with speculations about acquisition bids from APN Outdoor and oOh!media. However, today the news focuses on what Adshel offers advertisers.

Having completed the transformation of the Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) network, Adshel today announces the launch of its full rail offering in Australia, reaching 1 in 3 Australians each week.

Coupling Metro Trains with the existing Sydney Trains offering, Adshel Rail now dominates 90 stations in Australia’s two busiest urban centres.

Coinciding with the announcement is the launch of Beem It.

Adshel head of marketing and communications, Andrew Campbell said: “We’re excited to launch Beem It, an instant payments app that allows anyone to pay, request and split a bill with friends and family, across Adshel’s Rail network in Melbourne. This is the first campaign for us in out of home – and this solution helps us drive awareness through high-impact placements.”

By combining Melbourne and Sydney rail networks into packages, Adshel offers advertisers the platform to use dynamic, fully animated and video content to achieve cut-through and to extend their multiscreen strategy out of home. This allows them to connect and engage with 15 million commuter journeys each week.

Specifically in Melbourne, Adshel Rail delivers a tier-one commuter media platform across 38 stations, providing access to an affluent, highly educated, big spending audience. The deployment of more than 150 digital displays promises best-in-class high-definition 86” portrait screens complemented by the largest eye-level digital screens in Australia, The Wonder Wall at Melbourne’s busiest station Flinders Street, measuring 21m2 and the WOW Wall at Melbourne Central measuring 14m2.

Adshel CEO Mike Tyquin said of the launch, “Adshel’s commitment to engaging key audiences at scale is front and centre with the rollout of MTM. We’ve completely overhauled the offering, reflecting the value of the rail audience and importance of the Melbourne market. The inclusion of MTM to Adshel’s product offering further complements our strategy to become the most impactful out-of-home business in Australia.”

Adshel’s Rail offering in Melbourne sees it claiming to be Melbourne’s #1 commuter media solution, reaching 96% of Melburnians every fortnight.

News websites: Nielsen US study finds that news is not bad for brands

News websites help drive sales for brands and create value for advertisers through quality journalism, according to a new Nielsen study commissioned by News Corp.

The global publisher has detailed that a 2018 Nielsen Media Lab survey and white paper highlights the power of news websites to positively impact consumer behaviour and brand perception. Key findings include:

• News sites drive a significantly higher increase in both purchase intent and recommendation than other publishing categories such as sports, travel, food, and entertainment.

• News content helps increase positive brand perception and brand affinity.

• Negative or political news content is no more likely to adversely impact consumer attitude towards a brand than any other publisher category.

“Authenticity and actuality are precious qualities in an age of the artificial and the asinine. It is important that advertisers have adjacencies to reporting of the utmost integrity and verified veracity, and not have the brands tarnished by exposure in unsafe spaces and polluted places. Gilt by association is far preferable to guilt by association,” said Robert Thomson, chief executive of News Corp. “This significant survey underscores the lasting power of news to engage, inform and enhance.”

The survey also showed that respondents were 42% more likely to recommend a brand to a friend when viewing content on news publisher sites, nearly 10% higher than the combined average of the other publisher sites.

TV Ratings Analysis: Wednesday June 13

• Nine’s narrow midweek win: #1 primary and combined channel share
• Multichannels: Cricket on Gem and Love Island on GO! help Nine win

• Midweek MasterChef challenge in Barossa Valley sees TEN again #1 25-54
• Gruen unmasks Rob the dentist after a hair loss advertising masterclass
• The Weekly: Launceston hits back at Tom Gleeson after Go Away episode

By James Manning

Seven

Home And Away has hovered just above 700,000 all week with 703,000 last night.

If it’s Wednesday on House Rules the focus is on bickering teams with the serious work on the Perth reno for Chiara and David under way. After a midweek audience of 676,000 last week (split over two nights because of Origin), House Rules was on 732,000 last night.

Two episodes of Modern Family did 332,000 and then 252,000 despite some good work from the promo department in the lead-up.

The launch of the US comedy Splitting Up Together then did 167,000.

Jenna Fischer, Geoff Pierson, Lindsay Price, Bobby Lee, Oliver Hudson in Splitting Up Together

Nine

Almost four years after the disappearance of William Tyrrell, A Current Affair host and TV Week Gold Logie nominee Tracy Grimshaw was interviewing police who have returned to the scene looking for forensic clues. The episode did 731,000. (Pictured above)

Two episodes of Young Sheldon had audiences of 631,000 and then 590,000.

Britain’s Got Talent screened next in Sydney and Brisbane with 228,000.

The AFL Footy Show went to air a day early with Thursday Night Football tonight and for the next few weeks. The audience in Melbourne was 181,000.

The first cricket One Day International between England and Australia screened on Gem with a 10pm start and 161,000 watched the first session with plenty of Australian batsmen crumbling early.

GO! also performed well for Nine with Love Island now securing over 200,000, plus many, many more watching online.

TEN

Sony Music Australian artist Conrad Sewell was a guest on The Project with a discussion about changing his lifestyle to save his career. A very different Meshel Laurie – “I’ve been blow waving” – was a guest on the desk with 570,000 watching.

MasterChef featured another midweek team challenge with blue team the victors, meaning red team front up to an elimination challenge and pressure test tonight. The episode did 860,000 which again dominated the timeslot.

Instinct then did 498,000 followed by Madam Secretary on 209,000.

ABC

Home Delivery had Julia Zemiro visiting the former Coburg home of champion athlete Raelene Boyle with 591,000.

The episode of Gruen this week seemed to be almost totally devoted to hair loss – except for The Pitch and an item about Warnie advertising for eBay, oh and a new ad campaign for Amazon Australia. The episode did 745,000, winning its timeslot and at the very ended unveiled the face, for the first time, of Rob the dentist.

The Weekly featured Charlie Pickering with Roy and HG and then Hard Chat featured the new face of Fox Cricket, Adam Gilchrist. There was also a response from the good citizens of Launceston to Tom Gleeson’s Go Away report a week prior. The episode did 640,000.

SBS

The Truth About Slim People managed to hold down the channel’s key timeslot with 189,000 watching.

Behind The Blue Line was a repeat episode of Untold Australia and told the story about WA’s Multicultural Unit. The show did 173,000.

Week 24 TV: Wednesday
WEDNESDAY METRO
ABCSevenNineTenSBS
ABC13.2%717.1%917.2%TEN14.6%SBS One4.9%
ABC 23.0%7TWO3.9%GO!4.1%ONE2.7%VICELAND0.8%
ABC ME0.6%7mate3.5%GEM4.7%ELEVEN2.6%Food Net0.9%
ABC NEWS1.3%7flix2.9%9Life1.8%NITV0.3%
TOTAL18.1%27.4%27.8%19.9%6.8%
WEDNESDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine AffiliatesTen AffiliatesSBS
ABC12.4%719.0%916.2%WIN11.4%SBS One4.3%
ABC 23.2%7TWO6.0%GO!4.0%ONE3.0%VICELAND1.2%
ABC ME1.0%7mate3.5%GEM5.3%ELEVEN2.8%Food Net0.9%
ABC NEWS1.3%7flix2.9%9Life1.7%NITV0.1%
TOTAL17.9%31.4%27.2%17.2%6.5%
WEDNESDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
85.8%14.2%
Wednesday FTA
  1. Seven News Seven 1,061,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 1,009,000
  3. Nine News Nine 977,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 921,000
  5. MasterChef Australia Ten 860,000
  6. Gruen ABC 745,000
  7. House Rules Seven 732,000
  8. A Current Affair Nine 731,000
  9. ABC News ABC 704,000
  10. Home And Away Seven 703,000
  11. The Weekly With Charlie Pickering ABC 640,000
  12. Young Sheldon Nine 631,000
  13. The Chase Australia Seven 609,000
  14. Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery ABC 591,000
  15. Young Sheldon E2 Nine 590,000
  16. The Project 7pm Ten 570,000
  17. Hot Seat Nine 545,000
  18. 7.30 ABC 530,000
  19. Instinct Ten 498,000
  20. Ten Eyewitness News First At Five Ten 467,000
Demo Top Fives

16-39 Top 5

  1. MasterChef Australia Ten 255,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 163,000
  3. The Project 7pm Ten 158,000
  4. House Rules Seven 158,000
  5. Seven News Seven 156,000

 

18-49 Top 5

  1. MasterChef Australia Ten 414,000
  2. House Rules Seven 283,000
  3. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 272,000
  4. Seven News Seven 266,000
  5. The Project 7pm Ten 262,000

 

25-54 Top 5

  1. MasterChef Australia Ten 451,000
  2. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 319,000
  3. Seven News Seven 318,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 318,000
  5. House Rules Seven 317,000
Wednesday Multichannel
  1. Love Island Australia 9GO! 214,000
  2. Pie In The Sky-PM 7TWO 174,000
  3. One Day Cricket – England v Australia Game 1 – Pre match 9GO! 167,000
  4. Peppa Pig-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 165,000
  5. Peppa Pig-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 164,000
  6. Fireman Sam-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 162,000
  7. One Day Cricket – England v Australia Game 1 Session 1 9GO! 161,000
  8. Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 157,000
  9. Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 156,000
  10. Kazoops!-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 152,000
  11. Neighbours ELEVEN 152,000
  12. Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 151,000
  13. Hey Duggee-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 150,000
  14. Teacup Travels-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 147,000
  15. PJ Masks-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  16. Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 145,000
  17. Dinosaur Train ABCKIDS/COMEDY 139,000
  18. Go Jetters-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 139,000
  19. Luo Bao Bei-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 137,000
  20. Play School-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 129,000
Wednesday Subscription TV
  1. Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 97,000
  2. Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 78,000
  3. Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 62,000
  4. The Bolt Report SKY NEWS LIVE 59,000
  5. Paul Murray Live SKY NEWS LIVE 50,000
  6. Family Guy FOX8 46,000
  7. Family Guy FOX8 46,000
  8. Grand Designs Australia LifeStyle Channel 43,000
  9. American Assassin Foxtel Movies Premiere 42,000
  10. Curious George Nick Jr. 42,000
  11. Criminal Minds TVH!TS 41,000
  12. Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 40,000
  13. NCIS TVH!TS 40,000
  14. The Simpsons FOX8 39,000
  15. Bones TVH!TS 39,000
  16. Credlin SKY NEWS LIVE 38,000
  17. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation TVH!TS 36,000
  18. Richo SKY NEWS LIVE 34,000
  19. Criminal Minds TVH!TS 34,000
  20. Deadliest Catch Discovery Channel 33,000

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

Rick Lenarcic leaving Southern Cross Austereo after metro & regional units merge

Southern Cross Austereo has announced that from July 1 the company will fully integrate its metro and regional business units in order to optimise performance and growth into the future.

Under the new operating model, both regional and metropolitan arms will be aligned under a national structure, supporting improvements to internal processes, communications and corporate decision making.

The new structure will see Rick Lenarcic, head of regional media, leave SCA after a short transitional period.

“Rick has made an enormous contribution to our regional business over the past 25 years and as a member of the group’s senior leadership team. On behalf of all of us at SCA, I wish Rick the very best in his next venture,” said SCA CEO Grant Blackley.

“The new national structure will unify SCA’s sales, content, operations, finance, corporate affairs and technology functions, allowing all facets of our business to work more collaboratively, which is one of our key values,” added Blackley.

“I firmly believe this operating model will truly integrate our entire business, further improving and streamlining processes, communication flows and decision-making, and making us a more efficient company overall.”

Under the new structure, head of technology Stephen Haddad will be promoted to chief technology officer. In this new role, Haddad will provide leadership and direction to SCA’s technology, audio, digital, engineering, project management and procurement teams, while also joining SCA’s senior leadership team.

“Stephen joined SCA in 2016. Over the past two years, he has led substantial improvements in performance and governance of the group’s technology assets. I am delighted to welcome him into our senior leadership team,” said Blackley.

Nielsen acquires media analysis and software company Landsberry & James

Global measurement company Nielsen has acquired Sydney-based Landsberry & James (L&J), a media analysis and software company based in Sydney.

L&J designs, develops and markets software across the entire media analytics, planning, buying and post-analysis process for television, digital, radio, advertising expenditure and advertising creatives.

Toni Petra, Nielsen’s international watch executive vice president, said, “The acquisition provides the opportunity to combine the best of our two organisations from a measurement and software perspective. The result will be our ability to provide the media and advertising industry around the world with the most robust advertising information available and using the most advanced reporting tools.”

Nielsen Australia’s media managing director Monique Perry added, “Landsberry & James has long-standing relationships with Nielsen clients in Australia for software that drives powerful insights into our advertising intelligence and digital data sets. We have worked closely with Landsberry & James for many years and we warmly welcome its incredibly innovative and agile team to the Nielsen family.”

Justin Sargent, Nielsen’s Pacific CEO, added, “We regularly review our product portfolio to ensure we have the right mix of capabilities and services to address the needs of our clients today and in the future. Other recent acquisitions, such as Gracenote and Repucom (now called Nielsen Sports and Entertainment), demonstrate our ability to successfully bring across new businesses, bolster our great teams and ultimately offer our clients powerful benefits.”

David Landsberry, Landsberry & James CEO, added, “For over 25 years, the Landsberry & James Group has been driven by an unwavering focus and big-picture vision to bring our clients the very latest in technology combined with the most responsive service the industry has to offer. Now, as we stride forward into the future with Nielsen, this is the dawn of an exciting new era in which we will deliver our clients an unparalleled edge in products and services, worldwide.”

“We look forward to welcoming the L&J team into the Nielsen business and working closely together to enhance, enrich and cohesively deliver our media solutions to clients,” added Petra.

L&J is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and holds a client base of 80+ customers including major media agencies, advertisers and broadcasters all throughout the world.

Comcast makes offer worth US$65b for the bulk of 21st Century Fox’s businesses

Comcast announced an offer worth $65 billion for the bulk of 21st Century Fox’s businesses on Wednesday, setting up a showdown with the Walt Disney Company for Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, reports The New York Times.

The all-cash bid by Comcast, the largest cable company in the United States, came a day after a federal judge approved a merger between AT&T and Time Warner. Comcast executives had awaited the decision in that case before mounting their bid for 21st Century Fox.

In December, Disney struck a $52.4 billion, all-stock deal for Fox’s assets. Comcast, whose roughly $60 billion offer for the Fox assets was rebuffed last year, is now including contractual assurances such as a reverse breakup fee – worth about $2.5 billion – in the event a transaction is blocked by the government.

Comcast’s new offer is about 19% higher than Disney’s proposal, according to its statement.

[Read the original]

Read Comcast CEO Brian Roberts’s letter to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch above.

New York Times CEO Mark Thompson on news in age of platform monopoly

The chief executive of The New York Times, Mark Thompson, has been speaking about the challenges the internet poses for publishers. Below are some highlights from his speech entitled Breaking The News: Free Speech & Democracy In The Age Of Platform Monopoly:

credit: Osugi / Shutterstock

Like many media executives, I’ve spent time with the leaders of Google, Facebook and Apple and I’ve seen no evidence that they want to destroy journalism, or are unaware of the crisis in the economics of news, or unwilling to explore ways of improving the ecosystem.

Google, in particular, has taken a series of tangible steps to help news organisations build digital subscriptions, for instance allowing publishers to deploy their subscription business rules on the Google platform rather than imposing Google’s own rules on them.

Facebook has to date been less responsive, focusing largely on its own ideas rather than developing solutions jointly with publishers.

Here too, though, there has at least been a willingness to listen.

When it comes to news, Facebook still doesn’t get it. In its efforts to clear up one bad mess, it seems set on joining those who want blur the line between reality-based journalism and propaganda. But the underlying danger – of the agency of editors and public alike being usurped by centralised algorithmic control – is present with every digital platform where we do not fully understand how the processes of editorial selection and prioritisation take place. Which right now means all of them. Thus the urgent need for transparency.

Find his complete presentation here.

News Brands

Melbourne Opera and Herald Sun Aria in new partnership for classical music prize

Ninety-four years young, the Herald Sun Aria is entering “a whole new era” as Melbourne Opera signs on as an official partner for the next five years, reports the Melbourne news brand.

Penny Fowler and Lady Potter discuss the new relationship between the Herald Sun Aria and Melbourne Opera

The historic partnership, announced on Wednesday by philanthropist Lady Potter and Herald & Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler, will see the Melbourne Opera Orchestra perform at the Aria final and valuable new prizes commemorating the lives of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and maestro Richard Divall.

The Herald Sun Aria is such a part of Melbourne’s cultural fabric and I think it’s fair to say, Melbourne Opera is now part of that as well,” Melbourne Opera patron-in-chief Lady Potter said.

Wagner brothers to break down the $4.8m in damages in battle with Alan Jones

Toowoomba’s Wagner brothers have been asked to break down the $4.8 million in damages they are seeking in their defamation battle over broadcasts by radio host Alan Jones, reports The Australian’s Mark Schliebs.

During closing submissions in the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday, judge Peter Flanagan made the request to see how much was being sought from each of the four defendants.

He said he was concerned because, while Jones was being sued over 32 broadcasts, journalist Nick Cater was a defendant because of one radio show. Brisbane radio station 4BC is a defendant because of two broadcasts, and Harbour Radio is being sued for 30 broadcasts.

The submissions continue today.

[Read the original]

Rebel Wilson loses massive chunk of the record $4.5m defamation payout

Rebel Wilson has lost a massive chunk of the record $4.5 million defamation payout, reports the Herald Sun.

Wilson originally was awarded a record $650,000 in general damages and $3,917,472 in special damages that prompted an immediate appeal from Bauer Media.

The Herald Sun reports The Court of Appeal has reduced the general damages payout to $600,000 and set aside the special damages amount finding it had been wrongly awarded.

During a two-day appeal hearing in Melbourne in April, Bauer’s barrister Michael Wheelahan QC argued the level of damages was “manifestly excessive”.

He said Justice John Dixon made an error when he ordered Wilson be compensated for losing film roles.

[Read the original]

Before the judgement was released this morning, the actress took to Twitter on Wednesday to point out that despite the Court of Appeal being due to hand down its decision on the magazine publisher’s damages appeal on Thursday, she has “already won the case”, reports Fairfax Media’s Genevieve Rota.

“I’m away on location in Europe filming right now,” she tweeted on Wednesday night. “The Court of Appeal in Australia will be handing down its decision in the morning re my defamation case against @bauermedia.

“As I’ve said before, I have already won the case and this is unchallenged!”

[Read the original]

Radio

Hit Network hits Vegas for special Backstreet Boys World Famous Rooftop

The Hit Network will be taking some of its listeners to Vegas in August 2018 for a special World Famous Rooftop performance from The Backstreet Boys.

The Backstreet Boys

The radio network is billing this as an “Australian exclusive”. National 3pm program hosts Tommy Little and Carrie Bickmore will host the event.

Tickets to the Backstreet Boys live in Las Vegas can only be won by listening to the Hit Network: Fox FM in Melbourne, 2Day FM in Sydney, Hit105 in Brisbane, Hit107 in Adelaide Hit92.9 in Perth, Oldskool Hits on Digital radio, as well as the Hit Network’s 37 stations across regional Australia.

The World Famous Rooftop performance from the Backstreet Boys follows the release their newest single Don’t Go Breaking My Heart in May 2018. The American boyband recently marked its 25th anniversary.

In 2017, the World Famous Rooftop hosted artists such as P!nk, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran.

Hit Network’s head of content Gemma Fordham said: “The WFR has hosted a swagger of amazing artists over the years and it only continues to get better with these superstars – the Backstreet Boys! My 14-year- old self is screaming with excitement!”

smoothfm an official media partner for 2018 Women’s Health Week in September

smoothfm has partnered with Jean Hailes for Women’s Health as an official media partner for 2018 Women’s Health Week.

The national campaign, run by not-for-profit organisation Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, is held in the first week of September (3-7) and encourages women to make time to focus on their own health and wellbeing.

smoothfm will provide on-air, online and social media support for Women’s Health Week in Sydney (smoothfm 95.3) and Melbourne (smoothfm 91.5).

“We are thrilled to have the support of smoothfm,” says Janet Michelmore, executive director of Jean Hailes. “We want to get the message out to all women that it’s time they put themselves first and start making those changes that will have long-term positive benefits for their health.”

smoothfm’s brand and promotions director Polly Goodchild said: “We are proud to be partnering with Women’s Health Week this year. It’s a great opportunity to align our brand with a cause that will really resonate with our listeners and champion the importance of maintaining good physical and emotional health.”

Television

Dr Chris Brown goes global with Vet Gone Wild on Animal Planet

Bondi’s favourite vet Dr Chris Brown is heading on a global adventure to help save and treat animals in need in new Animal Planet series Vet Gone Wild.

The series launched in the US over the weekend and will be airing on Animal Planet Australia in the coming months.

Brown is plugged into a global network of animal advocates requesting his expertise to give care to an incredibly diverse range of species. From operating on endangered rhinos in Africa, saving sick wombats in Tasmania, freeing fur seals trapped in fishing line on Phillip Island, rescuing dogs from the meat trade in Southeast Asia and helping orphaned sloths in Costa Rica, there is no animal too big or too small that he won’t help.

Fairfax Media’s Karl Quinn and Craig Mathieson on the success of Mystery Road

Mystery Road (ABC, Sunday 8.30pm) is like the supergroup of indigenous television drama – pretty much everybody is in it. Unlike most supergroups, however, it’s actually rather good, reports Fairfax Media’s Karl Quinn.

The talent here is on both sides of the camera. On screen there are Ernie Dingo, Wayne Blair, Deborah Mailman, Aaron Pedersen, Tasma Walton – some of the best-known Aboriginal actors in the game. There’s Madeleine Madden, a young actress rapidly establishing herself as one of the key talents of the next generation, and now Tasia Zalar adds her name to that list too.

Off screen, Rachel Perkins, one of the most significant makers of film and television in the country, directs the entire series. It’s produced by Bunya Productions, a team that includes Ivan Sen, who created the character of Jay Swan (Pedersen) for the 2013 film Mystery Road and its 2016 sequel Goldstone. The ABC’s Sally Riley, who has done so much to bring indigenous drama to the small screen, is an executive producer.

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Fairfax Media’s Craig Mathieson also writes about Mystery Road:

A spinoff from writer/director Ivan Sen’s excellent pair of feature films – 2013’s Mystery Road and 2016’s Goldstone – about Aboriginal police detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen), the six-part series is the best local production the ABC has debuted in the flagship Sunday timeslot since the first season of national security thriller The Code. That was September 2014, which in the rural parlance of Mystery Road is what’s known as a long dry spell.

The show is solid, which is a welcome outcome for the ABC, and a relief for anyone who sat through the long-form versions of Wolf Creek and Romper Stomper. Sen is an executive producer, but Mystery Road has been shaped by producers David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin, a sizeable writers’ room, and director Rachel Perkins (Redfern Now, the feature film Jasper Jones). What they’ve done emphasises the differences in format between a movie and a series.

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Show us the money: Viewers questions the budget on Nine’s new Buying Blind

Two episodes into its debut season, one aspect of Nine’s much-hyped new home show Buying Blind has some viewers seeing red, reports news.com.au’s Nick Bond.

The reality show sees prospective homebuyers who’ve been priced out of the market handing over their life savings to a panel of experts and trusting them to do what they’ve been unable to: Buy them their dream home.

While the family loved their new – extensively renovated – home once it was revealed, viewers were less impressed, slamming Nine for the “completely unrealistic” budget and calling for transparency about how much the renos had cost.

We approached the Nine Network asking for information about how much the renovations to the property had cost, and whether those costs fell outside the couple’s budget.

They provided us with this statement, attributed to an Endemol Shine spokesperson:

“Along with each couple’s renovation budget and their own personal belongings, Buying Blind’s experts used their considerable industry contacts to deliver extra value to the buyers in order to make each house a home to be enjoyed for many years to come.”

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Sports Media

World Cup coverage on Fox Sports News, Sky News and Foxsports.com.au

With the action starting later tonight, Fox Sports News has reporter Daniel Garb in Russia to cover all the World Cup 2018 action.

Daniel Garb en route to Russia

This week Garb has been bringing Fox Sports News viewers live updates throughout the day, plus a special Russia Tonight report each night at 6pm on Sports Nation PM featuring the latest breaking football news, highlights and results.

Garb is also providing live updates across Sky News Live (Foxtel channels 103 and 600).

Foxsports.com.au is going all in on the 2018 World Cup with round-the-clock coverage of all group and knockout matches, all on a dedicated World Cup landing page.

A dedicated team of journalists and editors will live blog every group stage and knockout match through to the World Cup final. In addition, the Foxsports.com.au football team will bring readers news stories, video highlights, analysis and colour throughout the duration of the world’s most watched tournament.

The website will include the World Cup Sweep Generator to organise an office sweep for the tournament. Each sweep can accommodate up to 32 players, with the group able to set the value of the prize money. The generator will randomly allocate teams and calculate the first, second and third prizes.

Football fans will also be able to choose their favourite starting 11 and compare their team with Fox Sports experts including Robbie Slater, Simon Hill, Adam Peacock and Daniel Garb. World Cup Fantasy will be on offer, plus fans can tip against their mates in the World Cup Predicator.

The Fox Sports app will also cater to fans looking for their World Cup fix, with fixtures, live scores, stats, news and videos all available within the app.

Former AFL Footy Show host reveals how he campaigned for complete refresh

Former The Footy Show host Garry Lyon says he campaigned for “three or four years” to freshen up the struggling Nine program, reports the Herald Sun.

“I always felt that the show, in its 24th year, having had basically the same format as it had when it started in 1995, needed freshening up,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“In fact, changing dramatically.”

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