Tuesday March 5, 2019

Captain Snooze: Matty Johns on the good life after breakfast radio

After retiring from Rugby League in 2002, featuring stints with the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Matthew Johns has made a considerable name for himself in the media.

By Trent Thomas

He first had contracts with Nine, and then Seven, before picking up the breakfast radio mic and joining Triple M Sydney’s The Grill Team in 2011. The move was a success for both him and the station as they moved deeper into NRL and sports coverage, which became a cornerstone for their content.

Johns wrapped up his work with The Grill Team late last year as he focuses his attention on his gig with Fox Sports, which he has done in parallel since joining the broadcaster 2012.

When asked about his departure from radio, Johns told Mediaweek why he thought it was time: “I did eight years on the radio and I don’t miss it yet. I loved Andrew Denton and before I took the job at Triple M I asked him what it was like and he said, ‘Mate, it’s a lot of fun, but there is something weird about getting up at those hours and trying to be creative.’ He said if you can get five years out of it you’ve done well, and we did eight and by last year I knew I was done.”

After Johns’ departure, Triple M announced that Lawrence Mooney would be joining the Sydney breakfast team to head up the Moonman in the Morning show, after considerable success on Triple M Brisbane’s The Big Breakfast. When asked about his thoughts on the new show, Johns admitted he hasn’t heard it yet.

“I haven’t listened to it yet, I heard a little bit this morning but as my old cohort Gus Worland rang me and asked how I thought the show sounded, I explained I didn’t quit the show to get up in the morning and listen to it.”

Johns will have an increased role on Fox League in 2019. Matty will return as host of The Late Show with Matty Johns and Sunday Night with Matty Johns and will also feature on Fox League pre and post-game coverage as well as live game commentary.

He said that while he has done Fox Sports for over seven years now there will be a major difference.

“I’ve been doing Fox League for a while now, but this the first time I’ve done it without having to do the radio. They are used to me coming in off three hours of sleep. Now I’m sleeping in, and back to the good old days when I was on the dole after I first left school and getting up at 11:30…it is fantastic.”

Johns can’t sleep too late though. As Fox Sports’ Steve Crawley told Mediaweek yesterday, Johns will also be increasing his workload with content for News Corp news brands.

He has also hinted he might be involved with the return of TV icon Reg Reagan.

With the new NRL season less than two weeks away, Johns, one of the most respected pundits in the game, predicted an unpredictable season!

“We are going to see the emergence of a number of young sides. I think the Broncos will be a top four side, the Panthers are a good young side on the up, and I do believe my Knights will make the finals, maybe even be a top four side.”

You can catch Johns on Fox Sports on Sundays at 6 pm, and 9:30 pm on Thursdays for the duration of the NRL season.

Fox Sports reports record ratings for Adelaide 500 Supercars weekend

With every race available live on Foxtel in 2019, the five-day broadcast from Adelaide flew off the start line with Fox Sports reporting significant audience increases on each day of the coverage:

Starting on Wednesday with an 85% year-on-year lift for episode 1 of magazine show Supercars Trackside, the shift of Practice 1 to Thursday afternoon provided a 97% average audience increase YOY, the twilight Qualifying session on Friday was 25% up YOY, Top 10 shootout on Saturday up 48% YOY and Scott McLaughlin’s win in the Ford Mustang on Sunday earned a 20% increase YOY with an average audience of 231,000 on Foxtel.

Head of Fox Sports, Peter Campbell, said: “What a fantastic way to start the season with an action-packed weekend of racing on the streets of Adelaide. The Adelaide street circuit always lends itself to great racing and great drama, and we had plenty of both across all days of racing.

“I’d like to commend Craig Lowndes in his first appearance as a presenter alongside Mark Skaife and Jess Yates – who fitted in seamlessly to our commentary line-up as well as the broadcast team that bring the series to life.

“We look forward to the next championship round at the Australian Grand Prix when Supercars and the inaugural Formula 1 race of 2019 light up our screens together all on the one weekend.”

Fox Sports on Foxtel will broadcast every race of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship live and ad break free in 2019, along with the Formula 1 and MotoGP World Championships.


Top Photo: Jess Yates and her Fox Sports colleagues at Adelaide 500 with weekend champ Scott McLaughlin

Daniel Gawned on Hit Network’s Central Coast ratings champ Sea FM

• Careful what you wish for – Gawndy & Ash want more than one survey a year

By James Manning

The two hosts rely on their own relatable stories for much of the program, which must put some pressure on the duo, but it makes their seem very personal for the audience.

We listened recently to a Monday show where at least the hosts had two days of stories to help fill their four hours on air. That’s right – an early start for their Central Coast commuter audience. But host Gawndy told Mediaweek Mondays can be hard. “You are coming off two days of rest and sometimes it works better for me when I am working on back-to-back shows.”

Gawndy and Ash

When I bring up some of the talk topics they covered – including one about happy endings when getting a rub and tug! – Gawndy admitted to some minor embellishments. “Sometimes I throw in something extra to get a reaction out of Ash. There is a little bit of theatre, but quite a bit of truth as well.

The duo have been hosting Sea FM breakfast since the start of 2018. It can take some time for hosts to get to know each other well on air. “We are at the point now where we are quite comfortable with each other,” he said.

Hearing a duo building their relationship on air is fun for the listeners, and Gawndy says that is still happening to some degree.

Gawndy came to Sea FM four years ago by way of Nova Brisbane under content director Jay Walkerden where he did weekend breakfast with Jonathan Brown before the former AFL star went to Nova Melbourne. Gawndy also worked on air with Bree Tomasel who is now on air in New Zealand on ZM’s Bree & Clint drive show.

Bree and Gawndy originally made the move south to Sea FM together, but Bree headed to New Zealand after their first two years.

Gawndy also spent time with Fitzy & Wippa for five years as panel operator and occasional contributor. It proved to be a good grounding on how a breakfast show works.

He also worked with Hughesy and Kate as breakfast anchor after Ed Kavalee left their Nova breakfast show.

Sea FM can be heard all the way from the NSW capital to further north. “Our ratings audience is around 400,000, but we often get calls from people outside that market in Sydney and Newcastle.”

Central Coast advocates love their part of the world and Gawndy is no exception. Sydney is just an hour away without the hassles of city life. “This is a pretty sweet spot,” he said.

Another plus is the number of surveys every year. Or is it? “We only get one a year,” he said. “I would love more. This is my fourth year in the market and we have been #1 every survey.

He noted it is a competitive market too with Sea FM’s main rival Nova-owned Star with Rabbit and Julie Goodwin hosting breakfast. Also operating on the Central Coast is SCA sister station 2GO, now part of the Triple M Network.

One survey a year is great if you win. It is also stressful. I don’t get any sleep the night before a survey result because it is the judgement on your whole year. I would rather eight surveys like metro markets. At least if you have a bad one you can bounce back again in two month’s time.”

Pollard came to Sea FM after guest stints on radio associated with her time on My Kitchen Rules. In fact the market is something of a battle of the cooks with Pollard at SCA and MasterChef Australia winner Julie Goodwin at Nova Entertainment.

Gawndy said Pollard is great at telling a story and she has strong opinions. “Over the past 18 months she has developed strong radio sensibility,” said Gawndy.

Helping out on breakfast is producer Matt Lucas who is also formerly of Nova Brisbane.

Looking after regional content in NSW for SCA is Peter Yiamarelos.

Being super local with their content works well for the show. “Because we are so close to Sydney people can listen to Kyle and Jackie O or Grant, Ed and Ash if they want to. They choose to listen to us for our news and information about the coast.”

The show walks the tightrope between talking about everything happening locally and just those topics that listeners feel they need to know.


Top Photo: Gawndy

Four weeks to vote: Polls open for 2019 TV Week Logie Awards

The voting period for the 61st TV Week Logie Awards is now open! Fans can cast their vote through the official website – tvweeklogieawards.com.au – until the close of voting on Sunday, March 31.

This is the public’s chance to vote in the Most Popular categories, which include Most Popular Actor, Most Popular Actress – and the big one: the TV Week Gold Logie Award For Most Popular Personality On Australian TV.

The 61st TV Week Logie Awards will take place on Sunday, June 30, at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland. All the action from the red-carpet arrivals and awards-show celebrations will be telecast on the Nine Network and 9Now.

“It has been another huge year for Australian TV, so I can’t wait to see who makes the shortlist this year,” TV Week editor Thomas Woodgate says. “Viewers are so passionate about their favourite stars and shows, but they need to make their voices heard, so I’m urging everyone to ensure their favourites get their vote!”

The shortlist of nominees for the 2019 TV Week Logie Awards will be announced on Sunday, May 26.

And after a successful launch in 2018, Live Voting returns again this year, with voting for the selected nominees opening on Monday, June 24, through to the end of the TV Week Logie Awards red-carpet telecast on June 30. During this time, fans will have one more chance to cast their vote in 11 Most Popular categories.

The TV Week Logies is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, worth $800 million to the state’s economy in 2019.

Box Office Report: Oscar winners the bright spot as weekend slips under $9m

Movies that triumphed at the Academy Awards ceremony seven days ago have been a highlight in a week that otherwise offered few memorable movie moments.

By James Manning

We tempted fate last week when we suggested it would be good if the box office gross didn’t swing much lower than last week’s $9.04m. Of course it did just that – takings dipped 4% with the top 20 movies making $8.65m across the four day weekend.

Three new releases opened wide with two making the top five and only one managing to gross more than $1m.

#1 Alita: Battle Angel $1.46m

A solid third week on top with screens showing the movie down 58 to 365 with a screen average of $4,021. Total earn so far is $9.46m.

 

#2 A Dog’s Way Home $1.27m

The strongest performer of the three major new releases opened on 269 screens with the best screen average of the week – $4,729. The family adventure about a cute puppy stars Ashley Judd and Edward James Olmos.

 

#3 Green Book $1.22m

It’s almost in the chart veteran class after six weeks. Takings were up 34% as the Oscar-winner held on just over 300 screens with a screen average of $3,949 as total earn climbs to $10.58m.

 

#4 What Men Want $700,000

The third weekend for the fantasy comedy was steady on close to 260 screens giving it a screen average of $2,715, down 40% on the previous weekend, as its total box office gets oh-so-close to $5m.

 

#5 King Of Thieves $648,000

Despite the presence of Michael Caine and some other fine British actors, the movie only attracted middling reviews. Paramount trusted it to 245 screens with a screen average of $2,649.

Also new this weekend was Neil Jordan’s Greta with Isabelle Huppert in the title role. The movie opened on 195 screens and took $648,000, ranking it #6 and just missing a top five spot.

The other Oscar winners:

Bohemian Rhapsody holds at #10 again this week with $307,000 which was actually down 4% as its total now sits just over $54m after 18 weeks of release.

A Star Is Born popped back into the top 20 at #12 with takings up 156% on last week to $172,000 pushing its total to $36.17m.

On Demand TV Charts: Jailhouse drama back in demand as series wraps

• Explained: Why Netflix’s Dirty John has yet to chart

By James Manning

Netflix jailhouse drama Orange Is The New Black slipped back into the Digital Originals top 10 this week. There were no new episodes or even information about when the sixth and final season of the show will go to air. However there was news from the set where cast and crew were celebrating the final days of filming.

Also returning to the charts this week was Keeping Up With The Kardashians – this time on the Overall TV Charts in Australia and New Zealand. The buzz surrounding this reality giant came from a trailer for the 16th season, which surfaced last week.

Otherwise it was pretty much business as usual on both charts with The Umbrella Academy #1 for another week on the Digital Charts in both markets, and Game Of Thrones sitting on top of the Overall TV charts in both markets.

And finally, we should answer a couple of questions we had as to why Eric Bana’s outstanding performance as the creepy John Meehan in Netflix’s Dirty John has yet to show up on either of the charts from Parrot Analytics.

Because Dirty John was screened on cable channel Bravo in the US, it doesn’t qualify as a Digital Original. Meanwhile the chatter surrounding the series has not been quite strong enough to crack the Overall TV top 10.

Top Photo: Creepy John Meehan as portrayed by Eric Bana in Dirty John

TV Ratings Analysis: March 4

• MAFS grooms homestays episode another TV hit with 1.29m
• My Kitchen Rules heads to Bondi Beach for pop-up restaurant
• Denise Scott farewelled on Dancing With The Stars
• ABC’s Big Monday combo: Willesee remembered, Pell investigation

Monday: Week 10 2019

By James Manning 

FTA TV news/current affairs

• Seven News 969,000/968,000
• Nine News 945,000/987,000
• A Current Affair 847,000
• ABC News 763,000
• 7.30 637,000
• The Project 263,000/464,000
• 10 News First 384,000
• SBS World News 122,000

Breakfast TV

• Sunrise 299,000
• Today 191,000

Seven

The channel has started the week with two primary channel shares of 17.7%.

My Kitchen Rules visited Bondi Beach for a pop-up restaurant with Pete Evans and Colin Fassnidge in charge last night. Special guest was the man behind the Bondi Harvest brand, Guy Turland. The Monday audience was just over 700,000 after 764,000 a week ago.

Instant Hotel then did 288,000 after 276,000 a week ago.

Nine

On MAFS the brides headed to the grooms hometowns. It can also be labelled nude calendar night. The couple count is down to eight after the Sunday exit. The Monday episode was on 1.293m, so close to 1.298m on that night last week.

Bad Mothers followed on 542,000 after 573,000 last week and 642,000 a fortnight ago. Overnight drama numbers are always going to slide when viewers have the choice of watching on BVOD at a time that suits them.

10

Share edged back into double figures for the third time in the past 11 nights.

Driving the change was Dancing With The Stars, which featured the last appearance of Denise Scott until she returns for the grand final. The elimination portion of the episode did 496,000 and the regular episode was on 492,000. A week ago the elimination did 578,000 with the regular episode on 505,000. The series launched with 615,000 a fortnight ago.

The Project featured Ronny Chieng during a trip back to Australia for shows along the east coast. He was happier plugging the whole Melbourne Comedy Festival than his own comedy shows. The episode was on 464,000 after 7pm.

ABC

The channel had its biggest share since New Year’s Eve with a night of programming that will be hard to match in terms of quality. The channel was well ahead of 10 and outrated Seven in Melbourne.

Australian Story repeated the great recent Mike Willesee episode with 634,000 watching.

Four Corners then featured the much-anticipated Louise Milligan investigation into Cardinal George Pell with 794,000 watching.

That audience was good news for Media Watch, which also included drama surrounding the Pell verdict with 749,000 watching.

Q&A also looked at the drama surrounding the Catholic church with one of its biggest audiences of recent times – 548,000.

SBS

The 7.30pm doco The Kennedys did 155,000.

Audiences warmed much more to Michael Mosley: Trust Me I’m A Doctor with an investigation of “exercise snacking” which did 196,000.

A 24 Hours In Emergency repeat at 9.30pm also had a bigger audience than at 7.30 – 141,000.

Week 10 TV: Monday
MONDAY METRO
ABCSevenNine10SBS
ABC17.1%717.7%924.4%10 10.7%SBS One4.2%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.1%7TWO3.1%GO!3.7%10 Bold2.8%VICELAND0.8%
ABC ME0.6%7mate4.4%GEM1.8%10 Peach1.9%Food Net0.8%
ABC NEWS1.0%7flix1.3%9Life1.2%  NITV0.0%
  7Food0.4%      
TOTAL20.9% 26.8% 31.0% 15.5% 5.8%

 

MONDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine Affiliates10 AffiliatesSBS
ABC15.4%720.4%918.6%WIN9.2%SBS One3.9%
ABC KIDS/ ABC COMEDY2.5%7TWO5.3%GO!5.1%WIN Bold3.0%VICELAND1.4%
ABC ME0.7%7mate4.0%GEM3.4%WIN Peach2.0%Food Net0.8%
ABC NEWS1.0%7flix1.2%9Life1.2%Sky News  on WIN1.0%NITV0.1%
TOTAL19.6% 30.9% 28.3% 15.2% 6.2%

 

MONDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
88.1%11.9%
Monday FTA
  1. Married At First Sight Nine 1,293,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 987,000
  3. Seven News Seven 969,000
  4. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 968,000
  5. Nine News Nine 945,000
  6. A Current Affair Nine 847,000
  7. Four Corners ABC 794,000
  8. ABC News ABC 763,000
  9. Media Watch ABC 749,000
  10. My Kitchen Rules Seven 708,000
  11. Australian Story ABC 634,000
  12. 7.30 ABC 627,000
  13. Home And Away Seven 611,000
  14. Q&A-Le ABC 548,000
  15. Bad Mothers Nine 542,000
  16. The Chase Australia Seven 514,000
  17. Dancing With The Stars Elimination 10 496,000
  18. Dancing With The Stars 10 492,000
  19. The Project 7pm 10 464,000
  20. Hot Seat Nine 463,000
Demo Top 5

16-39 Top Five

  1. Married At First Sight Nine 406,000
  2. Bad Mothers Nine 148,000
  3. My Kitchen Rules Seven 143,000
  4. A Current Affair Nine 133,000
  5. The Project 7pm 10 131,000

 

18-49 Top Five

  1. Married At First Sight Nine 646,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 269,000
  3. My Kitchen Rules Seven 261,000
  4. Bad Mothers Nine 259,000
  5. A Current Affair Nine 257,000

 

25-54 Top Five

  1. Married At First Sight Nine 718,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 339,000
  3. A Current Affair Nine 331,000
  4. My Kitchen Rules Seven 305,000
  5. Bad Mothers Nine 299,000
Monday Multichannel
  1. Peppa Pig PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 183,000
  2. Kazoops! PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 174,000
  3. M- Taken 3 PM 7mate 173,000
  4. Pj Masks PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 171,000
  5. Wanda And The Alien PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 168,000
  6. The Big Bang Theory Tx3 9GO! 168,000
  7. Rusty Rivets ABCKIDS/COMEDY 163,000
  8. Noddy Toyland Detective PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 156,000
  9. The Big Bang Theory Tx2 9GO! 154,000
  10. Thomas And Friends PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 142,000
  11. The Big Bang Theory Tx1 9GO! 137,000
  12. Octonauts ABCKIDS/COMEDY 124,000
  13. Neighbours 10 Peach 123,000
  14. Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABCKIDS/COMEDY 123,000
  15. Ready, Jet, Go! PM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 122,000
  16. The Big Bang Theory 9GO! 121,000
  17. Lewis PM 7TWO 119,000
  18. Dot. AM ABCKIDS/COMEDY 119,000
  19. Doc Martin PM 7TWO 118,000
  20. Rambo Iii 9GO! 118,000
Monday STV
  1. Live: JLT Series: Frev Coll FOX FOOTY 76,000
  2. The Bolt Report Sky News Live 52,000
  3. Paul Murray Live Sky News Live 44,000
  4. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver COMEDY CHANNEL 43,000
  5. Bones TVH!TS 41,000
  6. Kelly’s Heroes FOX Classics 39,000
  7. The Walking Dead FOX SHOWCASE 38,000
  8. NCIS TVH!TS 38,000
  9. Credlin Sky News Live 34,000
  10. Top Wing Nick Jr. 34,000
  11. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 34,000
  12. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 33,000
  13. PML Overtime Sky News Live 33,000
  14. Butterbean’s Cafe Nick Jr. 30,000
  15. Death In Paradise BBC First 29,000
  16. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 29,000
  17. Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 29,000
  18. Secret City FOX SHOWCASE 28,000
  19. Peppa Pig Nick Jr. 28,000
  20. The Big Bang Theory COMEDY CHANNEL 28,000

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

Revealed: ABC paid Michelle Guthrie $500,000 to drop lawsuit

The ABC agreed last week to pay former managing director Michelle Guthrie almost half a million dollars to drop an unfair dismissal law suit in the hope it could resolve the dispute before the appointment of new chairman Ita Buttrose, reports The AFR’s Aaron Patrick.

But last-minute legal hitches delayed completion of the deal until Friday, after it had already been revealed that Prime Minister Scott Morrison had chosen Buttrose, a family friend, to lead the national broadcaster, sources said.

Investment banker Simon Mordant, a former ABC director, helped negotiate a payment of around $500,000 for Guthrie in addition to the $800,000 she was paid when she was fired in September, they said.

[Read the original]

Media hard line on tech titans: Digital Platforms Inquiry

Nine Entertainment has backed calls for the ACCC to patrol digital giants Google and Facebook, as well as new rules for Australian media businesses to retain control of their own content, report The Australian’s David Swan, Lilly Vitorovich and Zoe Samios.

The company, which now owns all of the media properties formerly owned by Fairfax including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, said the market dominance of Google and Facebook meant regulatory intervention was required to ensure publications and their journalists are adequately paid for content.

“Content commercialisation is at the core of our concerns with the digital platforms,” Nine said in its submission to the ACCC obtained by The Australian. “On conservative estimates Google’s YouTube and Facebook attract a CPM [cost per thousand impressions] that is 50 per cent to 80 per cent lower than what can be achieved on our owned and operated platform of 9Now.

Google said in its submission that it does not support additional regulatory oversight of news ranking, while fellow tech giant Twitter said it also could be trusted to self-regulate.

[Read the original]

The AFR reported on its owner’s submission to the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry yesterday:

The competition regulator should have the power to make sure broadcasters and publishers have a chance to be properly paid for their high-quality content on Google and Facebook, Nine argues.

[Read the original]

Telstra Plus: Telco set to launch ramped-up loyalty program

Telstra is about to launch a ramped-up loyalty program, tipped to be called Telstra Plus, as a key pillar of the telecommunications giant’s T22 makeover that seeks to focus on customers in the hyper-competitive market, reports The AFR’s Max Mason.

The move comes as telecommunications providers battle to capture new customers in the form of Australian households choosing their NBN provider. Alongside the NBN land-grab, telcos are also in fierce competition to hold onto mobile customers.

Telstra applied on January 25 to register the name Telstra Plus with IP Australia, the government body that looks after trademarks and intellectual property.

[Read the original]

Magnificent journey: Andrew Mulready announces Foxtel departure

Foxtel’s executive director of television Brian Walsh has confirmed long time general manager of advertising sales and brand partnerships, Andrew Mulready, will bring his tenure at Foxtel to a close at the end of the month.

“Andrew has spearheaded our Advertising Sales and Brand Partnerships division for the past 10 years and, in that time, has delivered record revenues and sales integration across our suite of Foxtel Networks Australia channels.

“An outstanding and loyal executive and company advocate, he has led by example and played a key role in mentoring many careers and nurturing rising talent across the whole division. The next opportunity now awaits and wherever he lands, I know Andrew will embrace the new frontier with the same vigour and commitment he has given Foxtel.”

Andrew Mulready said: “Foxtel is a company I have huge passion and love for. I leave with a sense of pride and gratitude and am excited about future opportunities and what lies ahead in the next stage of my career.

“I’m immensely proud of the growth and commercial outcomes my team and I have achieved across the last 10 years. Premium revenues are now more than 10 times what they were at the outset and we have forged many successful and enduring brand partnerships across this period.

“Quite simply, it’s been a magnificent journey and I am exceptionally proud of my time at Foxtel, as I am of the results my team and I have achieved together.”

Big stars & paid subscriptions: The Netflix of podcasts announces launch

A US podcast start-up called Luminary has emerged from stealth mode to unveil nearly $100 million in funding and a subscription-based business model that it hopes will push the medium into a new phase of growth, reports The New York Times.

“We want to become synonymous with podcasting in the same way Netflix has become synonymous with streaming,” Matt Sacks, Luminary’s co-founder and chief executive, said in an interview. “I know how ambitious that sounds. We think it can be done, and some of the top creators in the space agree.”

Sacks, 28, was referring to Guy Raz, known for “How I Built This” and other hit podcasts; Leon Neyfakh, the “Slow Burn” creator and host; and Adam Davidson, a force behind “Planet Money,” the award-winning NPR podcast. All three men have signed on with Luminary for their next shows, which will roll out exclusively on the company’s app in the coming months.

[Read the original]

TV Week Logie Awards

TV Week reveals nominations for first ever TV Commercial Logie

Bauer Media has announced the finalists in the Most Popular Television Commercial category at the 61st annual TV Week Logie Awards, to be held on the Gold Coast later this year.

Twelve of Australia’s best advertisements are eligible for the new Logie Award.

Thomas Woodgate, Editor TV Week said: “We had an overwhelming response to this campaign in its very first year and we are thrilled to be submitting some of Australia’s finest creative for the consumer vote.

“It’s been really pleasing to see how the industry has embraced this award. It was our intention to showcase the creativity within the advertising industry and the level of submissions was superb.

“Some of the best creative is being produced right here in Australia and the commercials this year proved that. We were looking for ads that really captured the diverse nature of our country and there were plenty.

“Judging was an extremely tough process, so thank you to all that submitted for making our jobs so difficult! It’ll be over to the public to decide the final winner, so I wish all entrants the very best of luck.”

The top 12 commercials shortlisted for 2019 are:

• Australian Santa crashes Christmas – Aldi, created by BMF
• Dundee: Australia’s Tourism Ad in Disguise – Tourism Australia, created by UM and Droga5
• First Dance – Apple, created by TBWA Sydney, MAL Sydney, MA LA and MA Singapore
• Frank – Westpac, created by DOB Sydney
• I am the Captain of my Soul – The Invictus Games, created by Edge
• It’s a Mystery – Budget Direct, created by 303 MullenLowe
• Join the Queendom – Bonds, created by Leo Burnett Melbourne
• Lamb Side Story – Meat Livestock Australia, created by The Monkeys
• Making My Christmas – Myer, created by Ikon Communications
• Naked Wrestling – KFC, created by Ogilvy Australia
• Serena Project: I Touch Myself by Berlei J. Walter Thompson Sydney
• Tastes like Australia – Vegemite, created by Thinkerbell

Television

Network 10 unveils new-look news set inside Sydney HQ

Network 10 has unveiled a new set for its 10 News First in Sydney. Based in the atrium of 10’s Sydney headquarters, the set stretches 36m and features a 9m x 2.4m screen with a 1.5mm pixel pitch, the largest of its kind in the country.

The new set will be home to 10 News First plus Studio 10 and Sports Tonight and used by other 10 assets such as The Loop, RPM and 10 Daily.

Network 10’s director of news content Ross Dagan said: “Delivering first-class news, information and discussion to audiences when and how they want it continues to be our most important focus. Our new set gives us the tools to do that in far more dynamic and contemporary ways.

“We have some of the best journalists, presenters and graphic designers here at 10. Now, coupled with our new news set, we can connect and engage with audiences more directly than ever before. From sitting behind a desk, to a couch discussion, to a panel setting to a stand-up introduction, the new set is flexible. We are able to instantly transform program segments and can deliver news and information in any scenario easily, depending on the need and topic.

“With the biggest news LED screen of this resolution, we’re also able to present higher-impact visuals and graphics to better tell the stories audiences care about.”

The set’s perimeter also includes five visual stripes, including a high-resolution ticker-type screen that can be fed with pictures and graphics to instantly change the theme or pass on breaking news information.

The new news set follows the rebrand of 10’s evening news program from Ten Eyewitness News to 10 News First, and the appointment of key journalists into key roles including Kerri-Anne Kennerley as Studio 10 presenter, Peter van Onselen as network political editor, Hugh Riminton as national affairs editor and Chris Bath as weekend news presenter.

 

10’s news assets have also seen audience increases:

• 10 News First has increased its commercial share by 0.5 points since its rebrand on 31 October.
• 10 News First in Perth has lifted its weekend audience by 13% since the launch of a special Perth bulletin.
• Studio 10 has lifted its audience by 10% since its fifth birthday on 8 November, 2018.
• 10 Daily experienced its biggest month ever in January 2019.

Dagan added: “We’ve had some incredible momentum with our news assets over the last few months, which is really encouraging. The new set is an important milestone in our long term strategy and I’m really excited to be part of a team changing the way we deliver news and information to audiences.”

The new set was designed in partnership with the 10’s graphics team, led by David Bernstein and The Exposure Group’s Vi Hermens. The software driving the screens is Vizrt’s Multiplay.

The news sets in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will also be re-built reflecting the design of the new Sydney set.

Seven’s Andrew O'Keefe in scuffle with photographer outside court

Television presenter Andrew O’Keefe has had a dramatic appearance at a Sydney court, in which he appeared to use a folder to hit a photographer on the head, after he pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered car, reports The Sydney Morning Herald’s Georgina Mitchell.

O’Keefe, 47, the host of Seven’s The Chase, gave a peace sign to television cameras as he left Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, before he swore at a photographer for wire service AAP, and blocked the camera lens with a brown folder and his outstretched hand.

He was given a court attendance notice for using an unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on a road, which carries a fine of $673, and entered a plea of guilty.

On Monday, magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim did not record a conviction and sentenced O’Keefe to a conditional release order for a period of 12 months. Under the order, O’Keefe must not commit any further offence.

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Australian Idol contestant Kate Cook dead at 36

Country singer Kate Cook, who gained national attention in 2009 after appearing on Australian Idol, has been found dead.

The 36-year-old’s body was found in bushland near her Lowood, Queensland, home on Monday morning by police, after her friends became concerned for her whereabouts on Sunday evening.

Cook’s death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.

Cook, who worked at an abattoir when she auditioned for the show, won over audiences quickly with her down-to-earth nature and sense of humour. She placed sixth in the season that was won by Stan Walker.

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Luke Perry, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale Star, dies aged 52

Luke Perry, the Riverdale star and actor best known for his role as Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, has died, his rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. He was 52.

Perry had suffered a massive stroke, his rep Arnold Robinson told THR. “He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother Ann Bennett, step-father Steve Bennett, brother Tom Perry, sister Amy Coder, and other close family and friends,” said Robinson. “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers that have been extended to Luke from around the world, and respectfully request privacy in this time of great mourning. No further details will be released at this time.”

The actor was hospitalised after suffering a stroke on Feb. 27 and had been under observation.

The 52-year-old actor currently stars on The CW’s comic book adaptation Riverdale, which films in Vancouver.

Perry was also set to appear Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which is currently in post-production, as actor Wayne Maunder.

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