Thursday June 28, 2018
Mediaweek TV: 2.30pm today on Sky News Business
Over the past few weeks in Sydney, Nine has opened a retail outlet in Oxford Street. However it hasn’t been for the public. This was a pop-up store aimed at giving marketers and agencies a sense of “behind the storefront” of Nine and showcasing 9Powered, its client solutions division.
Mediaweek Podcasts
Mediaweek’s Andrew Mercado and James Manning talk about the TV Week Logies and look at a special 60 Years Of Logies magazine from TV Week.
Other TV talking points this episode include Optus and the World Cup, Pose, America’s Next Top Model, The Staircase, Jack Irish 2, The Affair, Poldark, The Bold & The Beautiful, Wentworth, Australian Survivor and Foxtel’s forthcoming HBO series Sharp Objects.
Listen here or subscribe here.
Other recent podcasts include:
Seven News Sydney’s Mark Ferguson
New Nine/News Corp Your Money channel likely to launch September
By James Manning
If we rule out July because it is only days away, and possibly August as well, that leaves September as the likely launch period.
• Goodbye, Sky News Business: Pioneering channel to relaunch
Merritt said the investment from News Corp and Nine will mean there will be some similarities with the existing Sky News Business, but only during certain times of the day.
“The out-of-home audience who are watching Your Money will see an improved product with more content and more coverage,” Merritt told Mediaweek.
“We will be making a fairly significant investment in the channel to allow us to have more journalists. The market coverage from 10am until 4pm will remain for people. Your Money will be the go-to channel for Australian market information during the trading day.”
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This is an excerpt from the full article, which appears on Mediaweek Premium. Read the full article here, or subscribe to Mediaweek Premium here.
Outdoor campaign: News.com.au & QMS deliver the news in colour
• Bright colours and simple messaging: News.com.au and Bohemia reunite for brand campaign
In collaboration with Bohemia Group, News.com.au’s outdoor campaign sees pop culture and news colourfully collide across QMS’s iconic large format digitals in a series of contrasting stories that echo the current news cycle.
Brett Dawson, CEO of Bohemia, commented on the importance of digital outdoor immediacy saying, “This campaign success hinges on the agility of the Bohemia team working with News.com.au to deliver the news in colour, fast. In some instances already, we are under 12 hours from news breaking to a live billboard nationally. The story breaks, we crack creative concept with contrasting news story, design and dispatch. Digital outdoor allows us to connect with culture at scale.”
Steve Bovey, general manager of operations at QMS, echoed Dawson saying: “News.com.au has the unique ability to cleverly communicate key headlines in a tactical and relevant way in accordance with the news cycle. The immediate and fast-paced scheduling of their creative is a direct reflection of the way in which the site operates to break news as it happens.”
The tongue-in-cheek concept forms part of a larger campaign for News.com.au, with TVCs and digital assets being updated in correlation with the outdoor campaign to highlight that the latest news stories can be found at News.com.au.
Doritos and Daily Mail Australia create a roar-some partnership
Daily Mail Australia was selected as Doritos’ media partner to ensure that the Doritos Jurassic World launch became an integral part of the news agenda throughout the week-long campaign period.
The partnership was launched last month with a flash mob of 30 Doritos Colossal Dinosaurs invading Martin Place, Sydney, from 8am, much to the surprised amusement of local commuters.
Ahead of the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom film release, the Doritos Colossal Dinosaurs were spotted all around Sydney from the early hours of the morning before congregating in Martin Place for the flash stampede.
To amplify the activation Daily Mail Australia created a sponsored content breaking-news story around the stampede and produced a video in conjunction with Crater that covered the Doritos Colossal Dinosaurs’ movements throughout the day and which sat in the article.
The article, which went live straight after the flash mob, was placed in a prime position on the Daily Mail Australia homepage to ensure those who weren’t able to see the activation in person were aware of the activity.
A branded video player showed the stampede across Daily Mail Australia in a breaking-news style to reach those who didn’t engage with the article.
Daily Mail Australia posted the content across social media to its audience of 1.2million Facebook followers as well as towards a paid push targeting P16-39 across Australia. In addition it amplified the news story as an editorial imitation takeover on Snapchat to reach 321k subscribers.
The co-branded imitation editorial takeover was a media first for Daily Mail Australia where additional video content was made specifically with Snapchat’s 18-24yo audience in mind.
The second part of the activation was held on Friday June 22, 2018 and that portion of the week-long event encouraged Sydneysiders to find the Doritos Colossal Dinosaurs in the city, give them a hug, and win $20 cash on the spot.
The activation was promoted in the days leading up to the event using a sponsored content article, which was also pushed out across Daily Mail Australia’s social media, as well as streaming MRECS.
Mari Steptoe, Daily Mail Australia’s project director, said, “We absolutely jumped at the chance to partner with Doritos and PHD to implement the activations and quickly create content our users would love. This campaign shows how we can execute large-scale activations while remaining true to our brand as a breaking news site.”
PHD Media’s executive group director Stephanie Douglas Neale said, “Doritos is a brand that thrives on bold outlandish advertising to make its mark in the snacks category. Together Daily Mail Australia and PHD Content have launched the new Doritos Colossal steak flavour via a stunt that’s helped create the type of content that appeals to Doritos’ young and hungry audience. Since launching, this campaign has produced outstanding results and reactions from consumers.”
CJZ and Universal Pictures announce Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy doco
Below is the release from CJZ:
Jimmy Barnes occupies a unique place in Australian hearts and minds. But long before Khe Sanh and Working Class Man, and long before Barnesy, there was the boy – James Dixon Swan.
Now his big story is brought to the big screen. Production house CJZ and acclaimed director Mark Joffe (Jack Irish, House Of Hancock, The Man Who Sued God) have crafted an unflinching, powerful and transcendent documentary – Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy.
As the man himself explains near the start of the film, “I was born James Dixon Swan. This is the story of how I became Jimmy Barnes.”
Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy joins Jimmy as he retraces his earliest steps through the hard streets of Glasgow. It walks with him as he revisits childhood ghosts in South Australia, reflecting on the domestic violence, poverty and alcoholism that would fuel his life.
The film sets this raw and sometimes darkly funny story against a backdrop of archival footage and interviews with family and friends. Jimmy’s honesty and inimitable sense of humour create an emotional and compelling film of a damaged childhood, a broken family, a search for love and, finally, a genuine redemption.
The documentary also features some captivating musical moments. Elegantly filmed, Jimmy performs both solo and with Cold Chisel. He duets with his children, Mahalia Barnes and David Campbell, plus his brother- in-law, Diesel. An unforgettable new collaboration with Richard Tognetti’s Australian Chamber Orchestra is another highlight.
This landmark feature documentary is based on Jimmy’s acclaimed memoir, Working Class Boy. His self-penned book won the 2017 ABIA Award as Australia’s Biography of The Year and spent a staggering 16 weeks at #1. It has sold over 250,000 copies, making it one of the biggest autobiographies in our country’s history.
Jimmy’s musical career is nothing short of remarkable: 15 #1 albums in Australia – more than even the Beatles achieved; over 10,000 gigs across his lifetime; inducted into the ARIA Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame… twice. But none of these achievements eclipses the power and bravery of Working Class Boy. In telling this bare and brilliant original story on film, he has shown that it’s never too late to make new beginnings.
Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy is produced by CJZ with principal funding from Screen Australia and the assistance of Create NSW.
It releases nationally in cinemas from Thursday August 23 for a limited release through Universal Pictures.
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Top photo: Jimmy Barnes in Glasgow (credit: Andrew Farrell)
Minister Fifield announces Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund
Delivered through a competitive selection process, up to $16 million in grants is available per year over the next three financial years. The grants will help eligible publishers and content providers to compete in the evolving media environment.
Grants from the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund can be used for innovative and transformative projects that support the provision of public interest journalism with an Australian perspective.
Grants will not be available for projects that represent “business as usual” activities, with little or no change in the way the applicant produces journalistic content, or the way that it reaches its audience.
Grants for the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund will be capped at a maximum of $1 million per year for any applicant (including related bodies corporate). Grants will be provided on a per project basis in three tiers:
Small grants (up to $20,000)
Small grants are intended to support early stage projects to develop and plan new ways of producing and disseminating journalistic content. A small project, for example, might be the first step in a phased program of work that the applicant intends building and extending over time (at their own cost). Other examples of small grants might be to support small-scale IT upgrades.
Medium grants (from $20,001 to $250,000)
Medium grants are intended to support the pilot or trial of initiatives to improve the way a news media business develops and publishes public interest journalism. Such projects may test or demonstrate the commercial and audience potential of new applications or initiatives.
Large grants (from $250,001 to $1 million)
Large grants are intended to support projects that will have a significant impact on the provision and availability of public interest journalism. Large grants would be allocated for transformative projects, overhauling the way a news publisher operates in the digital media environment. These projects will improve the availability of public interest journalism for existing audiences, with genuine potential to increase that audience. Large grants will require significantly more detail against the assessment criteria when applying.
All the information needed to apply, including the application form and the grant opportunity guidelines, can be found on the GrantConnect website, www.grants.gov.au.
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Top photo: Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield launching the fund yesterday with SA member of parliament Tony Pasin
Newcomer iwonder ready to launch standalone SVOD service in Australia
Singapore-based documentary and current affairs streaming platform iwonder will launch a dedicated branded channel on iflix, an entertainment service provider in emerging markets. The new channel, featuring premium documentary and current affairs content, will be available to iflix’s more than 12 million users in 28 markets globally.
iwonder’s partnership with iflix is its first step towards a wider international rollout of its stand-alone subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service later this year. It will launch direct to consumers initially in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
iwonder CEO James Bridges
The iwonder channel’s offering on iflix will grow in the coming weeks to offer feature films, TV series and current affairs programming.
Some of the title available at launch will are: Biggie and Tupac, Deep Web, Hooligan Sparrow, Hoop Dreams, Janis, Jesus Camp, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Kurt and Courtney, Revenge of the Electric Car, The Farthest, The Internet’s Own Boy and You’ve Been Trumped.
iwonder will also soon announce partnerships with other global news organisations to provide up-to-the-minute current affairs programming.
iwonder co-founder and CEO, James Bridges, attending the Sunny Side of the Doc marketplace in La Rochelle, France, said, “Documentaries now represent more than half of all feature films made and, along with current-affairs programming, make up a quarter of viewership across film and TV. Despite a growing supply, these categories suffer from limited marketing, so consumers never hear of some of the amazing documentaries made every year. iwonder’s mission is to personalise the discovery experience and connect audiences of all ages to great stories that both inform and entertain. Our partnership with iflix is the launch pad for this goal.”
iflix co-founder and group CEO, Mark Britt, said, “iflix is dedicated to offering our audiences the broadest range of world-class content available. We are in the golden age of content, where entertainment and culture create brilliant, compelling stories both in both fact and fiction. iwonder supports our data-driven strategies and brings an exceptional slate of factual content to our platform.”
Facebook launches national campaign to reassure users about data privacy
It aims to reaffirm the social media giant’s purpose of connecting people and communities, and pass on the message that it is committed to continuously improve its service for users. The campaign will highlight the organisation’s work towards eliminating fake accounts and news and misuse of data.
As part of the campaign, Facebook has launched a new page dedicated to providing a comprehensive list of changes coming to the platform. Users can find this information at fb.me/changesAU. The Here Together campaign, which was launched on June 27, will run across TV, digital, cinema and OOH.
Facebook is changing. We're doing more to put you in control and help protect your privacy; and showing you more from the people you care about the most.To find out more, visit: fb.me/changesAU
Posted by Facebook app on Monday, 25 June 2018
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Top photo: Facebook (credit: Shutterstock)
TV Ratings Analysis: Wednesday June 27
By James Manning
Seven
Home and Away has held over 700,000 for the third consecutive night with 724,000 on Wednesday.
The final episode of House Rules for the week did 763,000 after 806,000 on Wednesday last week.
The Front Bar followed in AFL markets with 277,000 – 195,000 in Melbourne. That again puts it well ahead of the AFL Footy Show in that market, which did 143,000.
Nine
On A Current Affair Leila McKinnon was reporting on Tania Zaetta and her move from Bollywood to motherhood. The episode did 815,000 after two nights on 847,000.
Two episodes of Young Sheldon then did 582,000 and 535,000.
The AFL Footy Show did 143,000 in Melbourne while a repeat of Britain’s Got Talent did 131,000 in Sydney.
Young Sheldon
TEN
The Project featured an interview with Dani Venn with an update on the scam that has been resolved and then NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama joined the team on the desk ahead of his appearance at the TV Week Logies on Sunday night. The audience of 533,000 also saw a great Tommy Little report on the Goornong police force, who were also in the audience for the show in Melbourne last night.
The midweek MasterChef challenge took over two Melbourne restaurants – Coda and Tonka. The red team were winners, meaning the blue team will face an elimination challenge tonight. The episode did 847,000 after 810,000 on Wednesday last week.
ABC
Hoodoo Gurus member Dave Faulkner was the guest on Home Delivery with 490,000 watching.
Gruen then did 727,000 with Suncorp marketing examined early in the program.
Grant Denyer was the big winner on The Weekly last night as, during his spot on Hard Chat, Tom Gleeson – and subsequently much of the ABC it seems – launched and supported a #denyer4gold campaign. The audience of 630,000 might have headed to the TV Week polling booths.
SBS
Robson Green’s Australian Adventure did 296,000 at 7.30pm.
The World’s Most Dangerous Border then did 161,000 at 8.30pm.
The World Cup numbers were as follows:
Korea v Germany 131,000 (midnight)
Nigeria v Argentina 66,000 (4am Wednesday)
Week 26 TV: Wednesday
| WEDNESDAY METRO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven Affiliates | Nine Affiliates | Ten Affiliates | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 12.8% | 7 | 19.0% | 9 | 17.4% | WIN | 14.4% | SBS One | 6.4% |
| ABC 2 | 2.6% | 7TWO | 3.8% | GO! | 4.1% | ONE | 2.7% | VICELAND | 0.9% |
| ABC ME | 0.6% | 7mate | 3.1% | GEM | 2.1% | ELEVEN | 2.8% | Food Net | 0.8% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.3% | 7flix | 2.7% | 9Life | 2.1% | NITV | 0.3% | ||
| TOTAL | 17.2% | 28.7% | 25.7% | 20.0% | 8.4% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY REGIONAL | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Seven | Nine | Ten | SBS | |||||
| ABC | 11.4% | 7 | 20.0% | 9 | 16.4% | TEN | 11.5% | SBS One | 5.5% |
| ABC 2 | 3.3% | 7TWO | 5.5% | GO! | 4.4% | ONE | 2.9% | VICELAND | 0.5% |
| ABC ME | 1.2% | 7mate | 4.2% | GEM | 3.4% | ELEVEN | 2.7% | Food Net | 0.8% |
| ABC NEWS | 1.4% | 7flix | 2.7% | 9Life | 2.2% | NITV | 0.1% | ||
| TOTAL | 17.3% | 32.4% | 26.4% | 17.1% | 6.9% | ||||
| WEDNESDAY METRO ALL TV | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA | STV | ||||||||
| 85.4% | 14.6% | ||||||||
Wednesday TV
- Seven News Seven 1,053,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 1,024,000
- Nine News Nine 974,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 943,000
- MasterChef Australia Ten 847,000
- A Current Affair Nine 815,000
- House Rules Seven 763,000
- Gruen ABC 727,000
- Home And Away Seven 724,000
- The Chase Australia Seven 692,000
- ABC News ABC 687,000
- The Weekly With Charlie Pickering ABC 630,000
- Young Sheldon E1 Nine 582,000
- Hot Seat Nine 572,000
- Young Sheldon E2 Nine 535,000
- The Project 7pm Ten 533,000
- 7.30 ABC 522,000
- Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery ABC 490,000
- Instinct Ten 462,000
- The Chase Australia-5pm Seven 430,000
Demo Top Fives
16-39 Top 5
- MasterChef Australia Ten 286,000
- House Rules Seven 178,000
- The Project 7pm Ten 158,000
- Home And Away Seven 145,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 141,000
18-49 Top 5
- MasterChef Australia Ten 438,000
- House Rules Seven 318,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 258,000
- Nine News Nine 252,000
- The Project 7pm Ten 245,000
25-54 Top 5
- MasterChef Australia Ten 447,000
- House Rules Seven 341,000
- Nine News Nine 307,000
- Nine News 6:30 Nine 306,000
- Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 298,000
Wednesday Multichannel
- PJ Masks-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 204,000
- Peppa Pig-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 201,000
- Love Island Australia 9GO! 195,000
- Floogals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 178,000
- Andy’s Baby Animals ABCKIDS/COMEDY 173,000
- Pie In The Sky-PM 7TWO 170,000
- Teacup Travels-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 168,000
- Dinosaur Train ABCKIDS/COMEDY 166,000
- Peter Rabbit ABCKIDS/COMEDY 164,000
- Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 163,000
- Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 161,000
- Kazoops!-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 158,000
- Shaun The Sheep ABCKIDS/COMEDY 155,000
- Go Jetters-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 149,000
- Luo Bao Bei-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 149,000
- Sarah & Duck-PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 146,000
- Peppa Pig-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 143,000
- Hey Duggee-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 137,000
- Pawn Stars-PM 7mate 135,000
- Dot.-AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 134,000
Wednesday Subscription TV
- Live: AFL 360 FOX FOOTY 83,000
- Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 70,000
- The Bolt Report SKY NEWS LIVE 56,000
- Wentworth showcase 56,000
- Criminal Minds TVH!TS 55,000
- Deadliest Catch Discovery Channel 51,000
- Family Guy FOX8 49,000
- Live: NRL 360 FOX LEAGUE 48,000
- Amazing Spaces: Snow Special 2017 LifeStyle Channel 47,000
- Credlin SKY NEWS LIVE 45,000
- Bones TVH!TS 44,000
- Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 44,000
- Selling Houses Australia LifeStyle Channel 44,000
- Paul Murray Live SKY NEWS LIVE 43,000
- Family Guy FOX8 42,000
- The Simpsons FOX8 41,000
- The Simpsons FOX8 41,000
- American Dad! FOX8 40,000
- American Dad! FOX8 38,000
- Jeopardy! FOX Classics 35,000
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
US merger: Walt Disney another step closer to acquiring 21st Century Fox
(credit: JpegPhotographer / Shutterstock)
The DOJ has entered into a consent decree with Disney and 21st Century Fox that allows the acquisition to proceed, while requiring the sale of the Fox Sports Regional Networks.
Under the consent decree, Disney will have at least 90 days from the date of closing the transaction to complete this sale, with the possibility that the DOJ can grant extensions of time up to another 90 days. The decree is subject to the normal court approval process.
Last week, Disney and Fox announced an amended acquisition agreement pursuant to which Disney will acquire Fox for US$38 per share in cash and stock, immediately following the spinoff of the businesses comprising “New Fox” as previously announced.
Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of non-United States merger and other regulatory reviews, and other customary closing conditions, as well as approval of shareholders of both companies.
Reporting on the court’s decision, The New York Times commented:
The regional sports networks are one of Fox’s most valuable businesses and are expected to generate more than $2 billion in profit this year. Adding those channels to Disney’s portfolio could be seen as stifling competition since Disney also controls ESPN, the dominant cable sports channel in the United States. The sports networks could also be problematic for Comcast, which already controls nine regional sports networks.
Google merging its DoubleClick ads platform with Google Analytics 360 Suite
It is also merging DoubleClick for Publishers and DoubleClick Ad Exchange to form Google Ad Manager to help publishers manage their businesses more simply and efficiently.
A Google spokesman confirmed to Campaign that these moves would retire the DoubleClick brand, but that it would “continue to operate as a media agnostic enterprise platform”.
“Customers have been asking for us to bring our ads and analytics technology together, so they can get a better understanding of their customers and drive better business results. Google Marketing Platform builds on existing integrations between the Google Analytics 360 Suite and DoubleClick Digital Marketing and makes it easier for marketers plan, buy, measure and optimise digital media and customer experiences in one place,” the spokesman explained.
Federal Court judge has taken a swipe at the ABC and Fairfax Media
Chau Chak Wing is suing the national broadcaster, the Fairfax newspaper group and journalist Nick McKenzie over a joint investigation broadcast in June 2017.
Barrister Bruce McClintock SC told the court the ABC’s Four Corners program and its online story had cast Chau as a spy who “betrayed his country” to “further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party”.
Judge Steven Rares said the media companies’ attempt to rely on a parliamentary speech as a defence in a defamation action was “an extraordinary pleading”.
ACCC launching inquiry into JCDecaux’s $1.2b takeover of APN Outdoor
Last year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission blocked APN’s bid to buy oOh!media.
The market got more concentrated this week when oOh!media acquired Adshel for $570 million, which would give the company a 35% share of the market.
JCDecaux controls 28% with APN under its control.
If takeover completes APN Outdoor’s James Warburton to be rewarded
Frenchman Jean-Francois Decaux’s recommended $6.70-a-share offer for the local outdoor advertising outfit is likely to make Warburton, 48, a much richer man.
At APN’s annual meeting in Sydney in April, kind shareholders approved the granting of 133,038 performance rights to Warburton as part of APN’s long-term incentive plan.
A new owner means his performance rights can vest pro-rata from the time that he’s been in the top job to when JCDecaux actually take the reins.
Rebel Wilson saga: Court confirms star will have to pay some court costs
In a seemingly never-ending drama Victoria’s Court of Appeal ordered Wilson pay 80% of the costs incurred by Bauer Media to run its successful appeal against her record $4.5 million defamation compensation payout.
Yesterday the court ordered Wilson repay $4m in special damages paid to her, plus a further $60,000 in interest.
In the wake of Bauer’s victory Wilson slammed the Court of Appeal and flagged a potential appeal of its decision to the High Court.
“I was hoping the Court of Appeal in Australia would deliver a reasonable judgment today… ummmmm seeing as that HAS CLEARLY NOT happened I look forward to appealing!
There’s some really bizarre things in there guys that are so obviously challengeable!” she posted on Twitter.
Publishing
Coles discount query: Call for newsagents to boycott Inside Out magazine
Newsagents should request News Life Media and Gordon and Gotch not supply them Inside Out magazine.
For years, News Corp’s News Life Media has supplied Inside Out to Coles with a price of $6.00 while small business newsagents have a price of $8.20.
The Coles retail price is less than our cost price.
I think we need to match this disrespect by refusing to stock the title. It makes us looks expensive. That is what News and Coles want. Shame on them.
Television
Ten confirms Endemol Shine for Australian version of quiz show Pointless
• Endemol Shine casting for Aussie version of game show Pointless for Ten
Premiering on TEN and WIN Network soon, Pointless will be co-hosted by Dr Andrew Rochford and comedian and writer Mark Humphries and sees three teams of two contestants each compete for a jackpot by finding the most obscure answers they can across a variety of topics.
The show marks the return of Rochford to TEN, while Humphries joins TEN after recently farewelling the SBS show The Feed.
The aim of Pointless is to score as few points as possible. The contestants with the highest scores after each round are eliminated.
Dr Andrew Rochford said; “I’m very lucky to be forming a team with a talent like Mark and genuinely excited to be back at TEN but I’m even more excited about the fact my dressing room has a couch and Mark’s doesn’t.”
Mark Humphries said; “Who said Twitter is a waste of time! After an extensive social media campaign (two tweets) TEN had no choice but to give me the dream role as host of Pointless.”
Network Ten chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “We are delighted to commission such a successful and entertaining game show as Pointless. This is fantastic entertainment for the whole family, as contestants try to find the most pointless answers.
“And we are absolutely thrilled to have Andrew and Mark co-host the show. They are smart, funny, and engaging and will make a brilliant duo.”
Produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network Ten, Pointless has been a standout success since its launch in the UK in 2009. It has been adapted internationally for broadcasters in 11 other territories including Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland.
The UK edition of the series has been screening on ABC TV.
Network Ten executive producer Rick Maier said: “Pointless is funny, challenging, defies all traditional quiz logic and completely gets you in. Even if you don’t know the answer, it’s impossible not to play along.”
Endemol Shine Australia CEO Mark Fennessy said: “Pointless is a rare piece of TV inspiration. Universally loved and an international smash hit for over 10 years, it’s brilliantly inventive, highly entertaining, humorous and stupidly addictive.”
Gold Logie nominee Jessica Marais withdraws from TV Week Logies event
The Love Child and Wrong Girl star was expected to attend the 60th anniversary event after being nominated for Gold as Australia’s most popular personality and Silver for best actress.
A statement supplied by her management said: “It is with much disappointment that we advise Jessica Marais is unable to attend the TV Week Logie Awards due to her health.”
Night moves: Seven considering commissioning late night panel show
That is the mail from insiders who say Seven bosses want to boost post-10pm figures as part of a move to maintain the network’s number one ratings crown.
Word is that Andrew Denton was part of early discussions but wants to concentrate his efforts on his Interview show.
Seven reportedly sees the success of The Front Bar, which has triumphed over The Footy Show as evidence that a simple inexpensive format can resonate with viewers.
Foxtel music channel V making Splendour in the Grass special
For Adalita Srsen, the frontwoman of Geelong rock band Magic Dirt and solo songwriter, the hosting role with V will be an opportunity to avoid some of the mistakes she has witnessed others make. “Coming unprepared and getting names or any information wrong is a definite no-no,” Srsen said. “That can make things quite awkward and stilted.”
Recording backstage interviews for V – an offshoot of the long-running pay-TV music channel formerly known as Channel V, which closed in 2016 – will offer Tkay Maidza a licence to soak up a little wisdom from some of the bigger names in electronic pop and hip hop, the two genres she successfully blended on her 2016 debut album Tkay.
Sports Media
Optus ready to offer World Cup round of 16 games: App & streaming free
• SBS to air all World Cup group matches, Optus Sport now free to all
The under-fire telco told news.com.au the problem with its streaming service affected less than a quarter of those watching the World Cup games online and that the complaints had almost ceased.
News.com.au was invited to the Optus Sport broadcast studio in Sydney this week to watch the highly anticipated Australia v Peru match.
Optus head of TV and content Corin Dimopoulos used the opportunity to stress that the problem had almost been fixed.
“It’s frustrating for us because it’s such a small thing and it just gets in the way of the work we are doing,” Dimopoulos said. “But we are not going to make the same mistake again.”
One staff member in the control room told news.com.au the problems had stemmed from Optus’s operations at Macquarie Park in Sydney’s northwest, while the production side of the network’s coverage had been close to seamless.
The Optus app and sport streaming services will remain free and open to everyone in Australia for the remainder of the World Cup and through to August 31.
The telco said Australians who had already paid for the service would receive full refunds. Football fans will also get the opening few weeks of the 2018-19 English Premier League season free through Optus because of the fallout from the streaming issues.
New Magazines This Week
