Tuesday January 23, 2018

Box Office Report
  • Maze Runner #3 takes top spot, New Kylie movie takes $500,000

Weekend takings slipped below $20m (but only just) for the first time in 2018.

The weekend box office was down 11% from the previous weekend as the chart featured only the second new #1 for the year.

#1 Maze Runner: The Death Cure $3.40m

The final instalment in the Maze Runner series, The Death Cure, has taken the top spot at the box office over the weekend with $3.4m. The movie opened on 257 screens, which is actually fewer screens than any other movie in the top five. The screen average was a healthy $13,230.

#2 Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle $2.78m

After three weeks at #1 the movie hit of the summer was down 41% this week but still remains on over 400 screens despite shedding 48. Screen average dropped below $10,000 for the first time to $6,676. The box office to-date has now passed $40m and it’s the second-best performing movie still in cinemas behind The Last Jedi, which currently sits at $56.12m.

#3 The Greatest Showman $2.05m

The Hugh Jackman project continues to perform well with its total now just over $20m. It dropped just seven screens this week to 351 with a screen average of $5,843.

#4 Pitch Perfect 3 $1.34m

Takings were down 50% last weekend for the movie’s third week on the chart. The film remains on 320 screens (down 68) with a screen average of $4,212. Total take is close to busting past $20m.

#5 The Post $1.13m

Second week of release and ticket sales dropped 39% with a screen average marginally higher than Pitch Perfect’s – $4,354.

Outside the top 5:

#6 The Commuter: Just missed a top five spot with an opening weekend of $1.11m on 210 screens.

#9 Star Wars: The Last Jedi is now just short of $1m from overtaking Titanic as #3 on all-time box office list in Australia.

#15 Swinging SafariKylie and her colleagues opened on 170 screens with a weekend gross of $523,000 and a screen average of $3,077.

How nextmedia is investing in women’s sports

Nextmedia has expanded its digital Inside Sport network with the acquisition of The Women’s Game website. It will sit alongside football publication FourFourTwo.

Following the acquisition, the The Women’s Game will cover Australian women’s sport across multiple disciplines including football, netball, cricket, AFL and rugby. Originally, the site was largely focused on covering football. It was started by legal professional and football fan Ann Odong in 2008, when she found there was lack of coverage in mainstream media about the W-League and Matildas.

“I am expecting more people will get involved with this massive project – it’s a first of its kind in Australia,” online editor AngelaBacic (pictured) told Mediaweek. She will be looking after the website’s operation with founder Odong departing. The latter is taking up a key role with Football Federation Australia’s bid for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The team behind The Women’s Game will continue to work on the website following the change in ownership. It currently has a team of 12 correspondents and writers, along with a graphic designer and three photographers.

Kevin Airs, the digital head of sports at nextmedia, resisted revealing the financial details about the acquisition, but told Mediaweek it was a “significant investment” for the company.

Airs said he’d been wanting to invest in the coverage of women’s sports for a few years now.

“There has been a huge rise in the professionalisation of women’s team sport, which has corresponded with an equal increase in the standard played, generating far more interest among fans and inspiring more people to get involved themselves. We want to be a part of that and be part of raising the profile of women’s sport, as well as the standard of reporting it.

“The huge current success of the Matildas, women’s cricket at BBL and the Ashes, the women’s Rugby Sevens in 2016 and the interest in netball and AFLW really need to be a part of the mainstream conversation about sport. Linking up The Women’s Game with our Inside Sport network is one way to do that. We will have experts in their fields reporting on their sports. We can push that out to devoted fans, recent converts, and proselytise to the rest.”

While The Women’s Game might be one of the few websites locally to focus solely on women’s sport, it has some tough competition coming from News Corp’s WHIMN.com.au and Mamamia, which publishers have invested in covering women’s sports and personalities as a part of their digital offering.

Continued at mediaweek.com.au.

Week 4 TV, 2018: Monday
MONDAY METRO
ABCSevenNineTenSBS
ABC9.5%724.7%917.8%TEN13.6%SBS One4.8%
ABC 23.3%7TWO3.7%GO!3.6%ONE3.9%VICELAND1.8%
ABC ME0.7%7mate3.2%GEM1.3%ELEVEN2.3%Food Net1.1%
NEWS 241.0%7flix1.1%9Life2.5%NITV0.1%
TOTAL14.5%32.7%25.2%19.8%7.8%
MONDAY REGIONAL
ABCSeven AffiliatesNine AffiliatesTen AffiliatesSBS
ABC8.9%721.2%917.6%WIN13.4%SBS One3.8%
ABC 23.5%7TWO4.9%GO!4.3%ONE4.3%VICELAND2.1%
ABC ME1.4%7mate3.5%GEM2.0%ELEVEN3.2%Food Net0.7%
NEWS 241.1%7flix1.7%9Life2.1%NITV0.2%
TOTAL14.9%31.3%26.0%20.9%6.8%
MONDAY METRO ALL TV
FTASTV
87.5%12.5%

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

Monday fta
  1. Seven News Seven 1,001,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 995,000
  3. Nine News Nine 994,000
  4. Seven News / Today Tonight Seven 925,000
  5. A Current Affair Nine 839,000
  6. Seven’s Tennis: 2018 Australian Open-Night 8 Seven 830,000
  7. ABC News ABC 646,000
  8. Back Roads S3 ABC 608,000
  9. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 2 Ten 605,000
  10. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 1 Ten 604,000
  11. 7.30 ABC 563,000
  12. Hot Seat Nine 522,000
  13. RBT (R) Nine 516,000
  14. The Project 7pm Ten 479,000
  15. Ten Eyewitness News First At Five Ten 463,000
  16. Jack Reacher Nine 412,000
  17. Foreign Correspondent ABC 376,000
  18. Seven’s Tennis: 2018 Australian Open-Day 8 Seven 337,000
  19. The Project 6.30pm Ten 324,000
  20. Hot Seat -5pm Nine 314,000
Demo top fives

16-39 Top 5

  1. Seven’s Tennis: 2018 Australian Open-Night 8 Seven 213,000
  2. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 2 Ten 165,000
  3. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 1 Ten 157,000
  4. Nine News 6:30 Nine 148,000
  5. Nine News Nine 130,000

18-49 Top 5

  1. Seven’s Tennis: 2018 Australian Open-Night 8 Seven 309,000
  2. Nine News 6:30 Nine 282,000
  3. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 2 Ten 276,000
  4. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 1 Ten 256,000
  5. Nine News Nine 249,000

25-54 Top 5

  1. Nine News 6:30 Nine 346,000
  2. Seven’s Tennis: 2018 Australian Open-Night 8 Seven 326,000
  3. Nine News Nine 323,000
  4. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 2 Ten 308,000
  5. Cricket: BBL Game 35 – Session 1 Ten 289,000
Monday multichannel
  1. Octonauts ABC2 208,000
  2. Hey Duggee-PM ABC2 207,000
  3. Peter Rabbit ABC2 206,000
  4. Peppa Pig-PM ABC2 200,000
  5. Floogals-PM ABC2 194,000
  6. Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures ABC2 189,000
  7. Kazoops!-PM ABC2 187,000
  8. Dot. ABC2 186,000
  9. Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom ABC2 182,000
  10. Go Jetters ABC2 177,000
  11. Shaun The Sheep ABC2 166,000
  12. Fireman Sam-PM ABC2 161,000
  13. American Ninja Warrior 9GO! 160,000
  14. The Justine Clarke Show!-AM ABC2 159,000
  15. Rosemary & Thyme-PM 7TWO 156,000
  16. Peg + Cat-AM ABC2 155,000
  17. Inspector Morse-PM 7TWO 153,000
  18. Peppa Pig-AM ABC2 152,000
  19. Noddy Toyland Detective-AM ABC2 151,000
  20. Play School-AM ABC2 150,000
Monday subscription tv
  1. Britannia showcase 81,000
  2. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 57,000
  3. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 48,000
  4. Family Guy FOX8 47,000
  5. Gone UNIVERSAL 44,000
  6. Little Charmers Nick Jr. 44,000
  7. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Foxtel Movies Premiere 41,000
  8. Shimmer And Shine Nick Jr. 41,000
  9. Play Along With Sam Nick Jr. 40,000
  10. Paul Murray Live SKY NEWS LIVE 38,000
  11. The Simpsons FOX8 38,000
  12. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 38,000
  13. Alvinnn!!! And The Chipmunks Nick Jr. 38,000
  14. Blaze And The Monster Machines Nick Jr. 37,000
  15. Paw Patrol Nick Jr. 36,000
  16. NCIS TVH!TS 36,000
  17. Play Along With Sam Nick Jr. 35,000
  18. Keeping Up With The Kardashians E! 35,000
  19. Long Lost Family LifeStyle Channel 34,000
  20. American Dad! FOX8 33,000

Media News Roundup TUESDAY

Investment

The commercial radio industry has released Deloitte figures showing advertising revenue improved in the December 2017 half.

Radio ad revenue for metropolitan markets rose by 1.69% year on year to $401.985 million in the six months ending December, reversing a 1.59% decline in the June half, according to data compiled by Deloitte and released by industry body Commercial Radio Australia.

“We ended the year on a positive note, and with consumer confidence and other economic indicators moving higher in recent weeks, we are optimistic that commercial radio can push on in 2018,” said CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner.

The Deloitte figures report actual revenue received by metropolitan commercial radio stations and include all metropolitan agency and direct revenue.

• Sydney was the strongest market over the December 2017 half, with ad revenue up 3.48% year on year to $126.160 million.

• Melbourne rose 2.73% to $125.135m.

• Adelaide was up 1.30% to $35.594m.

• Brisbane dropped slightly by 1.08% to $61.655m.

• Perth declined 1.27% to $53.441m.

Nervous investors wiped more than half a billion dollars off real estate business Domain and key shareholder Fairfax Media’s market value after the shock resignation of chief executive Antony Catalano just two months after the company listed, reports The Australian’s Darren Davidson.

With no succession plan in place, Domain chairman Nick Falloon’s explanation for Cata­lano’s sudden exit – “he had decided to put his family first” – raised more questions than it answered.

Catalano has told friends he is not retiring and wants to be back in business after a 12-month non-compete clause expires.

[Read the original]

Fairfax Media could turn the shock resignation of its second-most important executive, Domain Group Australia chief executive Antony Catalano, into a win by hiring Greg Ellis, who played a central role in the success of rival company REA Group, shareholders believe, report The AFR’s Aaron Patrick and James Thomson.

[Read the original]

The solution to the mess created by the shock resignation of Antony Catalano as chief executive of Fairfax Media-controlled Domain Holdings must seem tantalisingly close for chairman Nick Falloon, reports The AFR’s James Thomson.

Stunned shareholders would like nothing more than for Falloon to simply wander down the board table and tap non-executive director Greg Ellis for the top job at the real estate classifieds group.

But prising Ellis out of Germany would not be easy. And there are 35 million-odd reasons why.

Scout24, which was floated by Hellman & Friedman in October 2015 (yes, the same Hellman & Friedman that examined a bid for Fairfax last year), has provided Ellis with an extremely generous package of share-based incentives that have made him a wealthy man.

[Read the original]

Antony Catalano is said to have flown to Los Angeles in December where he dined at an up-market restaurant with a top executive from TPG Capital, reports The Australian’s Bridget Carter.

The meeting adds fuel to the theory that TPG could be reviving attempts to embark on a takeover of the Fairfax-backed online real estate company Domain, potentially with the help of Catalano.

[Read the original]

Fairfax chair Nick Falloon’s hopes of spinning off Domain as a growth vehicle lay in tatters today after the shock resignation of superstar chief executive Antony Catalano, reports The Australian’s John Durie.

The explanation given for his departure – putting his family first – beggars belief, raising even more questions about just what is going on at Domain and just why Catalano quit.

He resigned just days after the company detailed a big swag of options heading his way, based on performance.

The company now says these options will lapse and there will be no termination payment.

[Read the original]

Radio

Nova’s Kate, Tim & Marty, which has earned the bragging rights to call itself “Australia’s number one national drive show”, is going bush with a syndication deal for 48 regional stations starting this week.

Kate RitchieTim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold yesterday returned to the Nova Network for a fifth year and can now also be heard on Grant Broadcasters, Ace, Super Radio Network, Redwave and Snow FM.

Their first show back revealed a new TGIM for listeners with the team revealing they were “happy” to be back at work.

Tim said Kate went to the Disneyland for poor people – Hong Kong. Marty said he had a great six weeks off. As to where the show might travel to in 2018, a trip to New York or maybe the royal wedding in London are possibilities!

Luke Minto, Nova Entertainment’s Sydney General Manager, said, “This is a brilliant opportunity to share the content and the great listening experience that Kate, Tim & Marty offer listeners on their drive home, a truly unique show that will now welcome a few million more listeners to the many in-jokes.”

Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa has been syndicated for four years with the duo heard across 38 regional stations on Grant Broadcasters, Ace, Redwave and Snow FM around Australia.

The Chaser started back on radio at Triple M Sydney in the “early drive” slot of 3pm-4pm this week after a successful stint last year in Sydney for two hours daily from 11am.

On air across the week listeners will be able to hear Charles FirthDom KnightAndrew HansenCraig ReucasselChas Licciardello and Chris Taylor.

The show is the lead-in to Triple M’s new drive show hosted by Jane Kennedy and Mick Molloy, which went national for the first time this week after launching in Melbourne only late last year.

Other programming news from Triple M includes Mark Geyer (pictured) swapping AM for PM on the FM in Sydney.

MG is back and ready to speak before he thinks!

Along with Liam Flanagan, The Rush Hour with MG will keep listeners across the latest stories, biggest trends and anything else that matters from the world of sport.

The Rush Hour with MG, weeknights 6pm-7pm on Sydney’s 104.9 Triple M.

Meanwhile, in Adelaide, Triple M Dead Set Legends will welcome one of the city’s favourite sporting sons to the team in 2018 – former Test cricketer Greg Blewett.

He will join existing Dead Set Legends co-hosts Ken “KG” Cunningham and Andrew Jarman each Saturday morning, 9am-midday on Triple M 104.7 to share their passion and inside knowledge of what has been happening on and off the sporting field.

Representing Australia and the SA Redbacks throughout the 90s and early noughties, Blewett is now a part of the Redbacks and Adelaide Strikers coaching staff.

KG and Jars have hosted Dead Set Legends six years now bringing a mix of sport, opinion and fun to Saturday mornings. KG is SA broadcasting royalty with over 40 years on Adelaide radio. Jars is a Crows legend, who also co-hosts Triple M’s Rush Hour with Jars & Louie on weekdays. He wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks!

The Dead Set Legends with KG, Jars and Greg Blewett launches Saturday January 27, 9am-12pm on 104.7 Triple M Adelaide.

Hugh Riminton (pictured) joins ABC RN as Sunday Extra host. He takes up the radio role while continuing his work as a presenter/journalist at Network Ten.

Sunday Extra offers a mix of heavy-hitting and light-hearted stories. Featured segments include the week’s best from Background Briefing, Correspondents Report and Ockham’s Razor.

Also new to Sunday Extra in 2018 is The Roundtable segment – an extended panel discussion that gets behind the headlines, bringing thoughtful analysis, fresh perspectives and new insights on major stories and current events.

Sunday Extra hosted by Hugh Riminton commences 7am on 28 January 2018. The Roundtable is repeated stand alone on Mondays at 1.30pm and Wednesdays at 12.30am.

Television

Following the breakout success of The Good Doctor last year, Seven has acquired the rights to another new US medical drama called The Resident.

The Resident focuses on a young doctor’s final years of training that rips back the curtain to reveal the truth of what really happens, both good and bad, in hospitals across the US.

The series – set to premiere down under following the Winter Olympics – stars Emily VanCamp (Revenge), Matt Czuchry (The Good Wife), Manish Dayal (Halt and Catch Fire), Moran Atias (24: Legacy), Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Billions), Melina Kanakaredes (CSI: NY, Providence) and Bruce Greenwood (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime StoryMad Men).

It premiered last Sunday night in the US attracting close to 9 million viewers, making it one of the season’s top-rated drama debuts.

Seven’s Director of Programming Angus Ross said: “The Resident is one of the most talked-about shows from the LA screenings and we are thrilled to have secured this hotly anticipated medical drama.”

The Resident is produced by 20th Century Fox Television.

More at mediaweek.com.au.

Nine will be airing a new branded content program from Seek called Dream Job starting on January 27. The eight-part series is produced by WTFN Productions and showcases real life stories of career change. The show comes on the back of Seek’s 2017 brand campaign, Why Settle?.

WTFN Director of Content Steve Oemcke said: “Dream Job is the first TV show of its kind in Australia tackling career change. The opportunity to partner with SEEK and show that career change is achievable for everyone is something we wanted to be involved with. We hope that through Dream Job it demystifies some of the journey in changing career paths by showing the brave, real and often heartwarming stories of everyday Australians.”

According to a research from Seek, 60% of Australians feel like they’ve settled or are stuck in their current careers. The employment company will be launching an integrated campaign in conjunction with the Dream Job series. The campaign will run online and on social.

Media People

IPG Mediabrands Australia has appointed Dr Grace Liu as the incoming CEO of Reprise, Mediabrands’ digital experience agency. Liu is most recently CEO of Isobar China and will be joining Reprise Australia at a date to be fixed in the near term.

Liu has led Isobar China’s development of highly advanced, full-service digital marketing programs that encompass digital and social media, content, e-commerce, customer experience and digital creativity.

“Grace’s acceptance of our offer to be CEO of Reprise Australia represents a step-change in our digital leadership and vision for the Reprise business, its clients and the broader Mediabrands group,” said IPG Mediabrands Australia CEO Danny Bass. “She has some of the strongest credentials I have seen as a driver of engagement across digital channels and her skills will further energise our very successful Reprise business.”

At Isobar, Liu was chief executive officer of Kantar TNS China, where her focus was across cultural integration, implementation of new communications practices, corporate repositioning and business transformation focused on technology, social, mobile and big data programs.

Dr Liu has a Doctor of Philosophy (Economics) from the Imperial College of London that focused on corporate entrepreneurship, innovation and new technology.

She will take the leadership of Reprise Australia after the departure of Ale Vendramin, who left the business in December 2017.

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