While most were enjoying holiday leftovers and gearing up for the new year, Elon Musk was engaging in a heated online exchange with The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). The tech billionaire, known for his outspoken nature, took aim at the Nine-owned publication following an opinion piece predicting a dramatic shift in his career by 2025.
This is a big reason why I stay on 𝕏
I will continue to support Elon Musk and Tesla with my writing and videos, as the legacy press sadly spreads lies and hate 24/7 https://t.co/Bn2IJgFPK1
— Gail Alfar (@GailAlfarATX) December 29, 2024
The article, penned by SMH technology editor David Swan, speculated that Musk would step back from his Tesla leadership to join Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Swan suggested that Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would head a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with trimming billions from government spending.
“To juggle X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, The Boring Company, and Neuralink is already unsustainable,” Swan wrote. “Now, with Musk entrenched in Trump’s circle, something has to give.”
The piece went on to claim that Musk’s alleged political ambitions and frequent controversies would force him to relinquish control of Tesla—a company Swan reminded readers Musk “did not actually found.”
It didn’t take long for Musk to respond. Writing to his 209 million followers on his social media platform, X, Musk delivered his own 2025 prediction: “I predict that The Sydney Morning Herald will continue to lose readership in 2025 for relentlessly lying to their audience and boring them to death.”
Musk’s comments, unsurprisingly, ignited a wave of support from his online following. Many rallied to his defense, calling out traditional media as “propaganda” and accusing the SMH of sensationalism. Some pointed to Nine Entertainment’s declining stock price, with Musk amplifying the sentiment by agreeing that “legacy media is in a doom spiral.”
Swan seemed unperturbed by the billionaire’s critique. Taking to X, he shared Musk’s comment with a simple response: “Damn, roasted.”
Australian media has been following the LA wildfires with rolling coverage of the devastation that has so far killed five people, injured many more, destroyed untold homes and displaced thousands of people.
Coverage of the fires began on Thursday 9 January, and channels Nine, Ten, Seven, and Sky News have been providing their audiences with continuous updates across their platforms.
Here’s a breakdown of the coverage and how to watch.
Nine has reporters Jonathan Kearsley and Lauren Tomasi on the ground in LA, covering the wildfires with camera operators Rich Moran and Jimmy Philips.
The team has been providing live coverage to the Today show, morning news, afternoon news and 6pm bulletins nationally, as well as comprehensive packages and multiple explainers/backgrounders of the fires and the LA geography.
Nine Radio has also been using reports from Kearsley and Tomasi. They are supported by the foreign desk and a team of producers and reporters back in Australia. 9News also has the ability to tap into its resources of US affiliate CNN.
9news.com.au has been running live coverage on its homepages across the country.
Alex Cullen, Jayne Azzopardi with Jonathan Kearsley and Lauren Tomasi
Nine’s metro mastheads also have a live national blog running which is being staffed around the clock from newsroom journalists. They also have interactive and visual stories running and video content from 9News.
Kearsley and Tomasi
Martin White, Network 10’s VP Broadcast News, told Mediaweek: “In response to the unfolding crisis, 10 News First is harnessing our established partnership with CBS News, whose journalists are already deeply embedded on the ground and positioned at the epicentre of this emergency.
“We’ve dispatched our US Correspondent Katherine Firkin to provide additional coverage from LA, while our team here in Australia is reaching out to Aussies impacted by this unfolding situation.
“Our weather team is conducting a comprehensive breakdown of how these conditions developed and the potentially severe implications if California’s wildfire season begins to overlap with our bushfire season.
“This situation demands a coordinated, international response in both our coverage and understanding of these intensifying climate events,” White added.
Katherine Firkin
10 News First is also providing coverage to audiences on its 5pm bulletin on 10 and 10 Play, as well as continuous updates on its social media channels Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube.
Yesterday, newsreader Narelda Jacobs and meteorologist Josh Holt provided audiences with the latest update and reports from local authorities and Australians living in Los Angeles.
Narelda Jacobs and Josh Holt
7NEWS has brought Australians the latest breaking news from the California fire catastrophe with an extended edition of Sunrise on Thursday, followed by live coverage across the day, supported by local reporters and partners at CNN and NBC.
The network has continued its extensive live coverage in its 6pm local bulletins with U.S correspondent Isabelle Mullen on the ground in Los Angeles providing updates to 7NEWS and Sunrise.
Seven is also keeping its audiences informed with updates and breaking news on 7NEWS.com.au.
Monique Wright and Michael Usher with Isabelle Mullen
Sky News has provided extensive rolling coverage of the LA wildfires through its US affiliates.
Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne has been providing expert insight, and our Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen is covering the political fallout from Washington DC.
Alison Osborne
McDonald’s has launched its new ‘Squad Down Under’ campaign, encouraging Australians to get in the car with mates for a cheeky Macca’s run.
To celebrate this summer’s road trip season, Macca and DDB Sydney are bringing feel-good vibes with the launch of the new campaign and bundle-for-four meal.
Building on the brand’s 24/25 summer platform, “Macca’s run?”, the ad features four iconic McDonaldland characters getting together one summer arvo for an epic Macca’s run.
The 60, 30, 15 and six-second spots will run across TV and online video, along with supporting social and in-restaurant communications, promoting a new limited-time only ‘Squad Down Under Bundle for 4’ meal, which features two McOz burgers, two classic burgers, four medium Vegemite Shaker Fries, four medium drinks and a bonus bucket hat with every purchase.
Set to the iconic Run DMC track ‘It’s Like That’, the ads mirror the behaviour of a group of Aussie mates, who arrange a Macca’s run via a group chat thread and cruise on down to their local Macca’s restaurant.
Set to the iconic Run DMC track ‘It’s Like That’, the ads mirror the behaviour of a group of Aussie mates, who arrange a Macca’s run via a group chat thread and cruise on down to their local Macca’s restaurant. But unlike a regular group, it just so happens to be Birdie, Hamburglar, Office Big Mac and Grimace.
“There’s so much love and nostalgia out there for the OG McDonaldland characters. This campaign taps into that love and includes an exciting meal that groups of friends can enjoy together this summer. Plus, it includes a bonus bucket hat – what’s not to love?” Amanda Nakad, McDonald’s marketing director, said.
Matt Chandler, DDB Sydney chief creative officer, said: “We had a lot of fun making this, with a pretty awesome squad of people who brought it all to life. And who knew Grimace could hoop?!”
The campaign will run until February 11, alongside the ‘Macca’s run?’ summer phase two campaign.
Building on the brand’s 24/25 summer platform, “Macca’s run?”, the ad features four iconic McDonaldland characters getting together one summer arvo for an epic Macca’s run.
Credits
Client: McDonald’s Australia
Creative Agency: DDB Sydney
Media Agency: OMD
Production Company: Division Global
Post-Production: The Editors
Music Supervision: Anton Trailer
Audio Production: Massive Music
The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday is thundering down the track this Saturday, 11 January, promising a day of high-stakes racing and glamour. With $14.5 million in prizemoney across 10 races, this flagship event of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival is set to leave fans on the edge of their seats.
Broadcast live and free on Seven and 7plus, it’s a must-watch event for anyone who loves the thrill of a close finish or the elegance of Gold Coast trackside fashion.
The spotlight will be on the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, where some of Australia’s best young thoroughbreds are ready to make their mark. In the 2YO Classic, stars like Invincible Woman and Icarian Dream are tipped to lead the charge, while the 3YO Guineas sees favourites like Snitzanova vying for the winner’s circle.
With fields packed tighter than the barriers at the starting gate, these races promise more drama than a last-stride photo finish.
Leading the broadcast is Seven’s racing dream team, featuring Hamish McLachlan, Emma Freedman, and Jason Richardson, ensuring no stride or gallop goes unnoticed. Kate Waterhouse will add flair to the day, covering trackside fashion and celebrity sightings.
From the pre-race paddock buzz to the roar of the crowd at the finish line, Seven’s coverage will keep viewers glued to the action.
The Magic Millions isn’t just about the raceday. The past week has seen record-breaking yearling sales and unforgettable moments at the Gold Raceday, which drew over 1.35 million viewers in its first live telecast. Now, the attention turns to the Gold Coast Turf Club, where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Catch all the action from 1.00pm AEDT this Saturday on Seven, 7two, and 7plus. Whether you’re here for the racing drama or the glamour of Gold Coast style, the Magic Millions promises a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a sizzling summer of love as Love Island UK All Stars returns for its highly anticipated second season. Launching exclusively on 9Now on Wednesday, January 15, at 6.00pm AEDT, fans can expect daily episodes packed with drama, romance, and all the iconic Love Island twists.
This time, 12 fan-favourite Islanders from the past decade are ready to revisit their journeys for love, stepping into a luxurious villa in South Africa. Hosted by the stunning Maya Jama, with the ever-witty Iain Stirling narrating, this season promises to deliver the perfect mix of nostalgia and surprises.
The new season brings together a stellar lineup of Islanders who left a mark on their original series. Will they find the spark they missed the first time around, or will their past connections and rivalries ignite fireworks?
Catherine, 24 (Series 10)
Catherine Love Island UK.
Olivia, 29 (Series 9)
Olivia Love Island UK.
Elma, 32 (Series 5)
Elma Love Island UK.
Kaz, 29 (Series 4)
Kaz Love Island UK.
Gabby, 32 (Series 3)
Gabby Love Island UK.
India, 34 (Series 5)
India Love Island UK.
Curtis, 28 (Series 5)
Curtis Love Island UK
Ronnie, 28 (Series 11)
Ronnie Love Island UK
Luca, 25 (Series 8)
Luca Love Island UK.
Scott, 36 (Series 2)
Scott Love Island UK.
Nas, 28 (Series 6)
Nas Love Island UK.
Marcel, 39 (Series 3)
Marcel Love Island UK.
With new Bombshells waiting to disrupt blossoming connections, heart-stopping eliminations, and the ultimate prize of being crowned winners by the viewers, the stakes have never been higher. From rekindled romances to shocking betrayals, every episode is set to deliver a rollercoaster of emotions.
Fans of the show will also get to experience the drama in a brand-new setting. The South African villa provides a stunning backdrop for all the action, ensuring every sunset and cocktail moment is Instagram-worthy.
Catch the premiere of Love Island UK All Stars Season Two on 9Now on Wednesday, 15 January, at 6.00pm AEDT, with new episodes dropping daily. Whether you’re a loyal Islander fan or just tuning in for the first time, this season promises to be one you won’t want to miss.
ARN has been named the official audio partner of the Australian Open 2025. The network’s brands – KIIS, GOLD, iHeart and CADA – will broadcast specially curated content across the Grand Slam.
ARN will also be the top seed for on-air giveaways, with the most tickets to be won on-air from now until the finals across some of the network’s most listened-to shows, including The Kyle & Jackie O Show, The Christian O’Connell Show and Will & Woody.
On 24 January, The Christian O’Connell Show will host Knock It into the Park. The game is brought to audiences by Racquet World and will see listeners test their tennis skills by trying to hit a tennis ball from the AO precinct up and over into Kia Arena.
The winner will get ultimate bragging rights but will take home a VIP package, including tickets to the women’s and men’s final.
That afternoon, KIIS Network’s Will & Woody will serve up the fun by bringing their national drive show to the AO, thanks to show sponsor and AO broadcast partner Stan Sport. The duo will broadcast live from the Courtside Bar on Court Six alongside some exciting guests, to be announced soon. AO fans on the ground can swing by and enjoy the live broadcast, while radio listeners will have the chance to win a free Stan subscription.
Throughout the Australian Open, iHeart and CADA will be smashing it on the main stage with their AUX COURT BATTLE powered by CADA, which will be part of the AO’s new Gen Z Topcourt zone. Hosted by CADA Breakfast presenter Sophie Nathan, every day, two bold contestants who think their playlist is an absolute ace will battle it out on stage.
The crowd will then decide who’s crowned the ultimate playlist champion. iHeart will collate all the top songs to create the Topcourt Playlist, plus one lucky entrant will be walking away with tickets for them and five friends to the Men’s Semi Final Singles Match, all thanks to Emirates and CADA.
Also popping up at Topcourt will be Australia’s finance podcast She’s On The Money, which is a part of the iHeart Podcast Network, bringing to life a live show on 17 January all about setting budgets and getting rich in 2025.
ARN’s iHeart will also be turning up the speakers as the entertainment partner of the Riverside Social and Courtside Bar, as well as hosting the Grand Slam’s dedicated radio station, ‘AO Radio,’ which offers live ball-by-ball match commentary and regular news updates from Melbourne Park. Fans can stream AO Radio and the official Australian Open podcast, ‘The Tennis,’ through the free iHeart app.
On their plans for the 2025 Australian Open, Claire Murphy, ARN national head of partnerships and promotions, said: “We are always so proud to activate our brands during the Australian Open, which has undoubtedly established itself as one of the country’s most premium and exciting events.
“ARN is dedicated to continuing to build on our partnership year-on-year and we are looking forward to bringing The KIIS Network, GOLD Network, CADA and iHeart to life for our listeners in what is set to be a fun summer in Melbourne.”
ARN’s partnership with the Australian Open officially kicked off on the 6 January and runs to 26 January 2025 and can be heard on The KIIS Network, GOLD Network, CADA and the free iHeart app.
LinkedIn boasts over 67 million businesses and over 1 billion people on the platform, which Later has dubbed a “goldmine for brand growth” that provides access to nearly every kind of buyer.
The social media and influencer marketing platform revealed the five key trends to success and how brands can take advantage of developing growth on the social media network for professionals.
This comes as LinkedIn reported 75% of buyers say thought leadership content on the platform and other networks influences shortlisting decisions for vendor, making it a “powerful place for business-to-business (B2B) sales.”
Later said that video is growing in popularity on LinkedIn, with uploads rising by 34% year-over-year and video posts seeing 1.4x more engagement than other content on the platform.
The platform noted prioritising connection and engagement as the top way to make content stand out. This can be done by showcasing expertise, filming vertically, producing short clips, accompanying the video with a strong caption and addressing the camera as if you were speaking to a single viewer.
Laughter, authenticity and satire helps make people pay attention and break through the noise by creating a genuine and relatable connection.
Later said that by bringing humour into posts engages your audience and creates a genuine and relatable connection that resonates with people personally and professionally.
Storytelling is a key trend to cultivating a professional image this year.
Databox revealed 64% of people believe personal and employee-led posts drive brand engagement. The Brand Box said 92% of consumers want story-focused ads, with 68% saying brand stories influence their buying choices.
Later suggested being brave to show the reality of your life and added: “This can be positive, neutral, or negative—the key is to tell the truth.”
Getting employees to advocate your brand’s message across LinkedIn, was highlighted as a trend on the platform in 2025.
Later noted that 86% of Databox survey respondents say their company has an advocacy program, but it’s only mandatory in 38.5% of cases.
Some tips to consider when getting employees to advocate your brand is growing their own personal brands, providing a variety of posts they can share that works for them, and allowing them to edit their posts to match their voice and style.
Rounded out Later’s top trends is encouraging your team to engage and respond to comments on LinkedIn.
This can be done by providing tips on comments and offer do’s and don’ts. However, Later also noted the importance of knowing when not to comment, particularly when it comes to a “highly nuance subject”.
Seven News topped Total People on Thursday, with a national Total TV reach of 1.94 million and a BVOD audience of 61,000.
Nine’s 9News recorded a total TV national reach of 1.82 million, a total TV national audience of 1.15 million and a BVOD audience of 91,000.
Seven News and 9News experienced a significant viewership boost, driven by high interest in updates on the Californian fires and the backlash from Meta’s fact-checker policy.
Nine’s A Current Affair recorded a total TV national reach of 1.41 million, a total TV national audience of 970,000, and a BVOD audience of 70,000.
Coming in second overall, was the BBL cricket match between Sydney vs Hobart, that recorded a total TV reach of 1.87 million, a total national audience of 237,000, and aBVOD audience of 17,000.
Total People – 8 January 2025 [click to expand]
Seven’s Cricket BBL Sydney vs Hobart:
• Total TV nation reach: 590,000
• National Audience: 82,000
• BVOD Audience: 9,000
Nine’s 9News:
• Total TV nation reach: 516,000
• National Audience: 282,000
• BVOD Audience: 44,000
Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 507,000
• National Audience: 303,000
• BVOD Audience: 31,000
Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV nation reach: 369,000
• National Audience: 226,000
• BVOD Audience: 34,000
People 25-54s – 8 January 2025 [click to expand]
Seven’s Cricket BBL Sydney vs Hobart:
• Total TV nation reach: 195,000
• National Audience: 38,000
• BVOD Audience: 5,000
9News:
• Total TV nation reach: 194,000
• National Audience: 104,000
• BVOD Audience: 21,000
Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 177,000
• National Audience: 98,000
• BVOD Audience: 15,000
Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV nation reach: 161,000
• National Audience: 103,000
• BVOD Audience: 17,000
People 16-39s – 8 January 2025 [click to expand]
Seven News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1.53 million
• National Audience: 101 million
• BVOD Audience: 49,000
Seven’s BBL – Sydney v Hobart:
• Total TV nation reach: 1.46 million
• National Audience: 182,000
• BVOD Audience: 13,000
Nine’s 9News:
• Total TV nation reach: 1.45 million
• National Audience: 895,000
• BVOD Audience: 73,000
Nine’s A Current Affair:
• Total TV nation reach: 1.12 million
• National Audience: 774,000
• BVOD Audience: 57,000
Grocery Shoppers – 8 January 2025 [click to expand]
Data © OzTAM and Regional TAM 2024. Not to be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) in whole or in part, without prior written consent of OzTAM and Regional TAM.
The new role is likely to report directly to Nine’s acting chief executive Matt Stanton and would have oversight over the ASX-listed company’s free-to-air television and radio divisions, and the Stan streaming platform.
Ms Laing’s appointment would mark her return to the media giant where she was managing director until 2017. If Ms Laing is appointed, she would only take up the job later in the year once her non-compete obligations to Foxtel expire, according to two people briefed on the matter who were not authorised to comment publicly.
Now 22, Grace is carving out her own path in the world of sport. “All of the iconic sporting cricket grounds were kind of my playground growing up, so it was all I ever knew,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “Sport is everything that I’ve known my whole life.”
Reflecting on her father’s illustrious career, she added, “Now that I am working in sport and cricket, I realise just how amazing my dad was—still is—but was at his craft, and I just didn’t appreciate that when I was little. Now I look back at videos and see he was amazing.”
From veterans like Gael Monfils and Novak Djokovic to emerging stars like Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz, the stage is set for an exciting fortnight of tennis at Melbourne Park. Read more for a closer look at the key matches to watch and the players who could make a deep run.
Jill Clark, known to her 144,000 TikTok followers, shared a five-minute video calling out Mecca’s ‘50-Cent Face’ campaign as a “shame job.”
The campaign, launched in November, promotes Mecca Max’s affordability, claiming customers can achieve a full face of makeup for under 50 cents per day based on cost-per-wear calculations.
Clark questioned how Mecca determined its “daily recommended usage” for the products, revealing she had used ChatGPT to run her own calculations, which she says expose significant flaws in the campaign’s claims.
Haugen, who exposed Facebook and Instagram’s safety issues in 2021, interpreted Zuckerberg’s decision to drop third-party fact-checkers in the US and make other moderation changes as a response to Trump’s views.
“The announcement from Mark is him basically saying: ‘Hey, I heard the message. We will not intervene in the United States,’” Haugen said.
In his statement, Zuckerberg emphasised his intention to “work with President Trump” to resist government censorship globally, citing concerns about online safety laws in regions like Europe, China, and Latin America.
The 10-time Australian Open champion was held at the Park Hotel in Carlton after his visa was cancelled over his unvaccinated status and Australia’s COVID-19 entry rules.
In a recent interview with GQ, Djokovic, now 37, revealed he became unwell on his way home, linking it to food he consumed while detained.
“I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” Djokovic said, adding that medical tests in Serbia showed high levels of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. When asked if he believed the food was the cause, he responded, “that’s the only way.”
Leading Australia’s largest arts project, Sedgwick oversees the $1.7 billion transformation of Southbank’s arts precinct, which includes the new NGV Contemporary, an Arts Centre Melbourne expansion, and a sprawling public garden.
Despite pandemic-related budget increases, she’s steering a diverse team of politicians, architects, and arts administrators to bring the ambitious project to life.
ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said The ABC is for all Australians, and I is incredibly proud that its broad range of Australian content has connected with the readers of TV Tonight.
He highlighted the network’s standout year, commissioning over 100 programs, including Total Control, Austin, Return to Paradise, Fisk, and global phenomenon Bluey.
The awards celebrate excellence across the industry, with a full list of winners detailed in the article.