Media Roundup: Murdoch v Murdoch, Ita fires back, Stanton's CoStar meet, NRL's media revolution and Gascón's Oscars comeback
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Former ABC chair Buttrose fires back over Lattouf evidence
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Nine exec meets CoStar founder ahead of $50b bid
Interim Nine CEO Matt Stanton met with CoStar founder Andy Florance just weeks before a US property titan launched a $50b bid for Nine's prized Domain.
As Sam Buckingham-Jones reports in The Australian Financial Review, in Two insiders confirmed the chat on condition of anonymity.
Murdoch v Murdoch
The drama surrounding the Murdoch family trust is showing no signs of disappearing anytime soon.
As Jordan Baker reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, Prudence Murdoch has now revealed that speaking frankly with her father, Rupert, has never been simple.
Growing up, she realised his influence extended well beyond the dinner table. His opinions, amplified by global newspapers and TV networks, have shaped political discourse at the highest levels.
From print to podcast: NRL's media revolution
Australia’s rugby league was once ruled by print, radio, and TV giants like The Daily Telegraph, SMH, Courier Mail, Nine, and 2GB.
As John Davidson reports on The Guardian, that playbook flipped in 2017 with the launch of Fox League, while digital platforms quietly took over the conversation.
Today, podcasts, social media, and blogs are rewriting how fans connect with "the greatest game."
Television
Nine settles case with former Brisbane news boss
Former Nine Brisbane news chief Amanda Paterson has quietly sealed her unlawful termination claim against the network.
As David Knox reports in TV Tonight, The Fair Work Commission dropped the case after a conciliation earlier this month. Paterson, dismissed last November by Fiona Dear, faced a firing that insiders say was "mild" compared to the recent Intersection revelations.
Nine confirmed the settlement remains confidential, with no further comment expected.
NRL Vegas lineup rocks with Sewell, Stafford Brothers and Savage
NRL's return to Las Vegas just got louder. Multi-ARIA winner Conrad Sewell is set to headline multiple gigs all week, while LA-based Aussie DJs the Stafford Brothers mark their second consecutive Vegas run at Allegiant Stadium.
As Brent Read, Michael Carayannis, Travis Meyn, and David Riccio report in The Australian, Kiwi hip-hop powerhouse Savage rounds out the trio, with all three set to energise both the NRL Fan Fest at Resorts World and the main stage on game day.
The vibrant mix of talent promises a fusion of sport and showbiz that’s set to captivate a diverse crowd.
Retail
Lovisa's global blitz leaves investors on edge
Brett Blundy's jeweller is racing towards its thousandth store, but rapid expansion is ruffling feathers.
As Carrie LaFrenz reports in The Australian Financial Review, in just six months, Lovisa has jumped from 943 outlets as of December 29 to new markets from Africa to Latin America – and now faces pricier terrain in Canada.
With CEO Victor Herrero bowing out, former Smiggle chief John Cheston steps in, tasked with hitting a 30% earnings jump for his bonus, with anything under 18% leaving him empty-handed.
Tech
Deepfake politics as Bollywood stars get an AI remix
AI-generated content is crashing political campaigns.
In a report for SBS, journalist Olivia Di Iorio explores deepfakes featuring Bollywood stars falsely backing political parties have surged on social media.
Pamposh Raina, head of the Deepfakes Analysis Unit, noted that the audio tracks were often overhauled to completely rewrite the stars’ original messages, misleading voters into thinking they were genuine endorsements.
Telegram battles $1m fine over late response
Telegram is challenging a nearly $1m penalty from Australia's eSafety watchdog, labelling the fine "disproportionate and unfair."
As the SBS reports, back in March 2024, commissioner Julie Inman Grant served Telegram alongside WhatsApp, Google, Reddit, and X with transparency notices demanding details on tackling terrorist and extremist content.
Notably, Telegram and Reddit also faced questions on combating child sexual abuse material. While most platforms hit the May deadline, Telegram’s reply lagged by five months, drawing a fine of $957,780.
Streaming
Gascón's Oscars comeback amid Twitter tumult
Spanish star Karla Sofía Gascón, fresh off the success of Emilia Pérez, is set to hit the Oscars this Sunday despite a Twitter backlash over past bigoted tweets.
As Benjamin Lee reports in The Guardian, Initially booted from the awards trail by Netflix, the controversy saw the platform pull her campaign.
Now, Variety reports that Netflix is covering her expenses for the LA trip. As the first out transgender actor nominated for Best Actress, Gascón has been a standout on the awards circuit, making her return all the more notable.
- The GuardianABCNineNews Corp2GBRay HadleyDomainSMHThe Daily TelegraphThe Australian Financial ReviewCourier MailIta ButtroseAcademy AwardsFox LeagueMetaABC Radio SydneyOpenAIAIChatGPTmatt stantonFiona DearAntoinette LattoufAmanda PatersonTelegramThe Fair Work CommissionPrudence MurdochAndy FloranceCoStar
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