Business of Media
‘Feeding frenzy’ of laws unfairly hit Foxtel, Delany says
The government’s suite of media reforms are a “feeding frenzy” that will hit Foxtel hard while protecting the interests of free-to-air networks says Patrick Delany, the boss of the News Corp-controlled pay television business, reports Nine Publishing’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.
In his most aggressive comments to date, Delany said Australians would be angry at some of the proposed reforms. He has commissioned research to show a lack of support from Australians for the government’s push to legislate “prominence” for local network apps, for example.
“For 28 years, we’ve been the most regulated media company in Australia. No one’s regulated across sport, drama, and then all of the standard regulations in terms of what you can and can’t put to air,” he said.
Rupert Murdoch’s payday hits US$23M in final full year atop Fox Corp., Lachlan Murdoch scores $21.7M
Rupert Murdoch and son Lachlan received $22.9 million and $21.7 million in compensation packages from Fox Corp. in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, the parent company of Fox News has revealed, report The Hollywood Reporter’s Georg Szalai and Alex Weprin.
It will be the final full year in which Rupert Murdoch led the company as chairman, as he will step down and become chairman emeritus effective Nov. 17, the day of the company’s annual meeting.
Rupert Murdoch, Fox’s chairman, received a compensation package worth $22.9 million in the latest fiscal year, compared with $18.4 million in the year before and $31.1 million two years ago.
See Also: Rupert Murdoch steps down from News Corp & Fox, Lachlan sole chair of both
Rupert Murdoch’s exit may reset Fox’s relationship with Donald Trump
Rupert Murdoch’s decision to stand aside from the media empire he spent decades building sent shockwaves through the US political landscape and received praise and condemnation from across the globe, reports Nine Publishing’s Farrah Tomazin.
But there was one person who was conspicuously silent in the immediate aftermath: Donald Trump.
The lack of acknowledgment underpins the on-again, off-again relationship between Trump and Murdoch. Yet arguably no two figures in the right-wing world have gained as much from each other as the unlikely duo.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott set to join Fox Corporation board
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has been nominated to the board of Fox Corporation, reports The Australian’s Perry Williams.
Shareholders will vote on the proposed appointment of Abbott along with a second new director, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Johnson, at Fox’s annual meeting later this year.
Existing directors Jac Nasser and Anne Dias will step down from the board following the annual meeting.
Radio
All four Nine Radio stations under scrutiny by media regulator amid Jacqui Felgate sponsorships saga
Nine Radio’s four major stations – 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR – are all under scrutiny by the media regulator for failing to disclose partnerships held by numerous broadcasters, with some deals dating back several years, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.
This is following revelations that 12 paid deals held by newly-appointed 3AW drive host Jacqui Felgate were not disclosed by the station, despite Felgate filling in as a program host since June last year.
It has since been revealed that 4BC host Sofie Formica, who took over as Brisbane’s afternoons host in 2021, has a commercial deal with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
In Sydney, 2GB host Ben Fordham is also under investigation by the regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, over an August segment where he revealed he had started Uber driving to earn extra money: however the arrangement was disclosed on the station’s website.
Television
Amazon Prime will slap ads in movies and shows – unless you pay extra
Amazon Prime Video will include advertising during shows and movies starting early next year, joining other streaming services that have added different tiers of subscriptions, reports Nine Publishing’s Michelle Chapman.
Members of Amazon Prime can pay $US2.99 per month in the US to keep their service ad-free, the company said Friday.
Ads in Prime Video content will start in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada in early 2024, followed by France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia later in the year.
The Block 2024: Phillip Island a possible location after Daylesford drop
Could The Block be trading a tree change for a sea change after its false start in Daylesford? The mystery of where The Block will put down stumps for its all important 20th season remains unsolved with rumours abounding as to where the show’s location pivot may take it, reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne.
The Melbourne CBD and various inner Melbourne suburbs such as Carlton and South Yarra have been mentioned, however as a significant anniversary season perhaps it needs a more iconic, spectacular and picturesque location.
Daylesford was well-known Australia-wide as a tourist destination and so using that lens maybe the famed tourism haven of Phillip Island could be in the sights of the show.
Steve Martin backs new CJZ project
US comedian / actor / writer Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), who is an avid collector of Indigenous art, has invested in a new feature film, Honey Ant Dreamers, being produced by CJZ (Gruen, Con Girl, Bondi Rescue), reports TV Tonight.
The film, to shoot in the Northern Territory next year portrays the rich Aboriginal culture of Central Australia and reveals the inspiring story behind the birth of the Western Desert Art Movement.
This project, a decade in the making, is expected to inject $1.92 million directly into the local economy, creating jobs and boosting the sale of goods and services.
Sports Media
Usher to headline 2024 Super Bowl halftime show
Usher will headline the halftime show for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas next winter, the National Football League said Sunday, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Ginger Adams Otis.
The Confessions singer will perform at the NFL’s annual championship game on Feb. 11, 2024, in what is typically one of the most watched and discussed musical performances anywhere each year.
“I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” the eight-time Grammy Award winner said in a statement.