Business of Media
Lionsgate draws in 18M global Starz streaming subscribers as revenue drops to $888M
Lionsgate brought in 18 million global subscribers through its Starz streaming service as revenue for the quarter dropped to $887.8 million, down from the previous quarter’s $901.2 million, the Hollywood Reporter’s J. Clara Chan.
Operating income hit $29.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, while quarterly income for shareholders was $7.5 million.
“Starz drove growth of 1.3 million global streaming subscribers with the strong premieres of three new series in the quarter, our Television Group launched six new series and renewed six current shows, and our Motion Picture Group added to an already robust pipeline with the production starts of nine new films,” Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said.
Entertainment
Theatre icon John Bell turns to the Bard once more for this year’s Boyer Lectures
“I was pretty thunderstruck, actually.” So says actor and theatre director John Bell about receiving “a cold call from Ita” – as in Buttrose – asking if he would be interested in giving this year’s Boyer Lectures, reports News Corp’s Caroline Overington.
“I was immensely flattered,” says Bell, in a measured, patrician tone. “They have a wonderful tradition. I was a bit daunted, but as it happened during lockdown, I could not say I had too much on, and happily accepted.”
Bell says Buttrose told him he could talk about “anything you like”.
News Brands
Seven could face hefty legal bill after wrongfully identifying man over Cleo abduction
A man wrongfully identified by a Seven West media platform as the suspect in custody over the abduction of Cleo Smith could sue the conglomerate for more than $400,000, according to defamation lawyers, reports SMH’s Lauren Pilat, Holly Thompson and Cassandra Morgan.
Around midday on Wednesday, 7News.com.au published an article online with two images of a person they wrongfully identified as the 36-year-old Carnarvon man West Australian Police had taken into custody hours earlier.
The Kerry Stokes-owned platform had taken images from the man’s Facebook page and published his name in the captions.
Skyfall: Alan Jones’ number was up because his numbers were down
Alan Jones is leaving Sky After Dark, effective immediately. Some people fall from grace, others are pushed, and despite an offer for a minor new role it is clear he was given a blindfold, a revolver and left alone in the drawing room to contemplate his future. Some will sob, while others will quietly open the champagne, writes SMH’s Toby Ralph.
His number was up because his numbers were down. When he started at Sky he had 109,000 viewers, but that tobogganed down to lows around 30,000, and the harsh arithmetic of media made his continuing a continuing problem.
There were some own goals that didn’t help. Calling NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant a village idiot was one. Attacking a target as large and easy as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews by misrepresenting research was another. These and other things increasingly gave him the aspect of a polar bear on an ice floe, waiting to see if climate change is real.
Alan Jones turns off television and could resort to social media
Alan Jones was once too big to cancel. For three decades, the shock jock dominated Sydney’s media landscape, and was feared and courted by prime ministers and premiers who knew his words could swing votes, reports SMH‘s Anne Hyland.
But it would appear the controversial 80-year-old’s career has reached the end of the road, at least in the mainstream media. In the past 17 months, Jones has departed three media organisations, including Sky News Australia on Thursday.
There is speculation in media circles that Jones may yet find his voice again on social media, via YouTube or perhaps a podcast. He is already posting columns on Facebook, where he has a loyal following.
Radio
Imogen Anthony reveals real reason behind Kyle Sandilands split
Big Brother VIP contestant, Imogen Anthony, has revealed the real reason behind her split from KIIS radio host Kyle Sandilands two years ago, reports News Corp’s Mibengé Nsenduluka.
The pair ended their relationship in 2019 after eight years together and during Wednesday night’s episode, Anthony, 31, revealed that she wanted children and Sandilands, 50, couldn’t give her what she wanted.
“He was just working so much. It was just work, work, work, work, work. You know, and I want to have kids and we just kind of grew apart,” she said on the Channel 7 show.
“Just didn’t expect everything to happen the way it did afterwards and then he’s confused, and he doesn’t know what he wants.
“I’m thinking what other choice do I have, this is the person I’ve been with for so long of course I’m going to hang on a whim and then maybe … do we get back together? And then all of a sudden, things were just too undeniable, and I was like, ‘What are you doing?’.”
Television
Tracey Vieira appointed President of Screen Producers Australia
Former Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira has been appointed President of Screen Producers Australia, reports TV Tonight.
Vieira, who became Chief Content Officer at Hoodlum Productions in 2019, replaces producer Michael Tear after 5 years in the role.
“I would like to thank the outgoing Council, and provide particular acknowledgement to Michael Tear who has served as President since 2016 and I look forward to working with the incoming council to be led by Tracey Vieira and Suzanne Ryan in their newly elected roles as President and Vice-President respectively,” said SPA CEO, Matthew Deaner.
Tracey Vieira said, “I am delighted to be elected President of Screen Producers Australia and am pleased at the opportunity to work closely with the incredible producers who are members of SPA as well as with Matt and the incredible team behind the scenes. In a rapidly evolving production environment, SPA’s role is critical and it is a great privilege to be able to contribute to the industrial and government policy work that the organisation delivers to help ensure local production remains strong and buoyant now and in the future.”