Business of Media
Labor fires fresh shot in ABC and SBS wars
Labor has accused the Coalition of trying to regulate the ABC and SBS by “stealth”, heralding a fresh pre-election battle over political interference in Australia’s national broadcasters, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
On Monday, the federal government announced the ABC would receive a boost in taxpayer funding to $3.28bn over the next three years, while SBS was awarded $953.7m over the same period – deals warmly welcomed by the respective media organisations.
In letters to the managing directors of the ABC and SBS, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher outlined the funding hikes and attached “statements of expectations” that requested greater transparency over how the ABC and SBS spend their news budgets, staff regional newsrooms and deliver adequate Australian content.
SAS witness ‘doubted’ Ben Roberts-Smith’s bravery medals
An SAS soldier has told a court he has doubts about Ben Roberts-Smith’s bravery commendations, despite not being on the mission that led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross, reports News Corp’s Perry Duffin.
The revelation came as the court heard new claims about a Taliban soldier’s prosthetic leg and ruled the SAS witness would not have to reveal if he was ever a source for journalists.
Roberts-Smith is suing Nine newspapers, claiming they defamed him by accusing him of war crimes in Afghanistan and domestic violence against his “mistress”.
News Brands
How balanced are Q+A studio audiences?
When Q+A returns to air tomorrow night there will be around 30 audience members in the studio as ABC continues to observe COVID-safe protocols, reports TV Tonight.
While that’s well short of the preferred 250+, it’s bigger than some episodes last year which saw as few as 10 people in the audience -not ideal when your show relies on ‘town hall’ questions from the public.
Last year of 43 shows, 15 were without any studio audience, with the show relying on virtual questions.
To register as an audience member, individuals are asked for contact details and their voting preferences.
Executive Producer Erin Vincent said, “You’re not obliged to share that information but you’d be surprised at the number of people that do. Our intention and our processes strive to achieve a quarter of Coalition voters, a quarter of ALP voters, a quarter who declare that they’re Undecided, and a quarter who represent Greens / Other Parties / Independents / Students who are of non-voting age as well.”
Publishing
Newsquest in exclusive talks with Archant to create UK regional newspaper giant
Gannett-owned UK publisher Newsquest is in bilateral discussions about a merger with Archant that would reinforce its status among the UK’s biggest publishers of local news, Sky News UK’s Mark Kleinman reports.
The regional newspaper publisher Newsquest is in exclusive talks with rival Archant about a takeover that would unite the publishers of the North Wales Pioneer and the Eastern Daily Press.
Sky News has learnt that Newsquest, which is itself owned by the US-based publisher Gannett, has seen off competing bidders to secure a period of exclusivity within which to strike a deal.
Archant, which was acquired by the turnaround investor Rcapital in 2020, owns some of Britain’s best-known local newspapers, including London’s Ham & High Express and the Eastern Daily Press.
Consolidation among British newspaper publishers has failed to proceed at the expected rate given financial pressures on the industry.
Entertainment
Funding stoush: The Federal Governments calls on Queensland to disclose its movie incentives
Queensland could lose a blockbuster film over a government funding stoush after the Federal Government demanded the state reveal how much it would spend on production incentives, reports News Corp’s Amy Price
and Paul Weston.
Federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has sent a letter to the Queensland Government seeking the public release of the funding figures, as it prepares to invest millions of dollars into the national location incentive program.
The state was unwilling to disclose the individual deals, arguing it would prejudice future negotiations by making public what the state was willing to pay to lure productions to Queensland.
But it is understood a major studio that was in final negotiations to film a movie in the state got wind of the stoush and has subsequently got cold feet about signing the deal.
Television
Inside story on the the slow death of Australian TV icon, Neighbours
TV soap Neighbours has been dying a painfully slow death for more than a decade so news the show is in trouble after losing its British broadcast partner is not surprising, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
The writing was on the wall when Channel 10 executives made the puzzling decision to relegate the long-running weekday drama to its side channel, Peach (formerly Eleven), in January 2011.
From then, loyal fans had to work hard to watch their favourite show and the ratings have reflected that.
Dr Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) are still in the mix, as is Toadfish (Ryan Moloney) but most people would be hard pressed to name anyone else in the cast. They simply aren’t visible.
Rob Mills calls on Scott Morrison to save iconic Australian TV soap, Neighbours
Former Neighbours star Rob Mills has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to save TV soap Neighbours, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
The actor, singer and musical theatre star has issued an impassioned plea for the Australian Government to step in after British broadcaster Channel 5 cancelled its deal to screen the show in the UK.
“Throw us a bone #Scomo @scottmorrisonmp,” Mills wrote on his official Facebook page.
“As artists we will always find the light. But geez its getting dark in this country. Would love to have a leader who valued #TheArts more in this country. Considering how much everyone has relied on them the last two years.”