US Election
Biden steps down: Read his statement in full
US President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump. He announced his decision in a letter posted on social media, and in a subsequent post he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be their party’s candidate, reports Reuters‘ Kanishka Singh.
Here is the letter’s full text:
JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR. July 21, 2024
My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today…
Robert De Niro, Clintons and Obamas React to Biden withdrawal: ‘A patriot of the highest order’
Hollywood reacted to Biden’s announcement that he will halt his re-election campaign and endorse Kamala Harris for president on Sunday. Many, including names such as Barbra Streisand, Lee Daniels, the Clintons and the Obamas, celebrated Biden’s decision as a heroic and selfless move for the country. Several politicians, including the Clintons and Elizabeth Warren, also endorsed Harris, reports The Hollywood Reporter‘s Zoe G. Phillips.
Reactions across Hollywood, media and the nation at large began swiftly following the announcement. Robert De Niro told The Hollywood Reporter via a representative, “In an act of shrewd politics and selfless patriotism, Joe Biden is stepping aside to clear the path for another Democrat to become president . . . because there is nothing more important for our country than defeating Donald Trump at the ballot box. With respect, admiration, and affection, thank you Mr. President!”
25 million watched Trump’s speech at the R.N.C. on Thursday
The final night of the Republican National Convention, headlined by former President Donald J. Trump’s first speech since an assassination attempt, drew 25.4 million viewers on Thursday night across more than a dozen cable and broadcast networks, Nielsen said, reports The New York Times‘ John Koblin.
That’s an increase compared with the last night of the R.N.C. in 2020 (23.8 million viewers), but a decline from when Trump gave his acceptance speech on the fourth night of the 2016 convention (32.2 million), according to Nielsen data.
Viewership peaked on Thursday night starting around the 15-minute mark of Trump’s speech, when more than 28 million viewers were tuned in, Nielsen said.
Business of Media
Nine and Seven’s nightly news ratings wars heats up amid job cuts and cost-saving measures
The fierce battle to win the TV ratings has entered turbulent times following cost-cutting and widespread job losses at the major networks, with the focus remaining firmly on the traditional 6pm news bulletins, reports News Corp’s Sophie Elsworth.
News anchors on high salaries nearing the end of their contracts are under immediate threat as executives look at ways to curb expenses and lift audiences.
Controversially, Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie recently opted to add comedy and horoscopes to the hour-long weekday bulletins.
See also: ‘On its deathbed’: The shaky state of games journalism in Australia
Nine CEO urges staff to ‘get into the Olympic spirit’ – but doesn’t mention he will keep the flame burning in Paris
When the Nine Entertainment CEO, Mike Sneesby, called on his troops to embrace the Olympic spirit ahead of the Paris Olympic Games he failed to mention his own starring role, reports The Guardian‘s Amanda Meade.
Nine paid a cool $305m for the rights to the Olympics and the Paralympics through to Brisbane in 2032 and about 200 people from the TV, newspaper and radio arms will travel to Paris to produce the coverage across Channel Nine, 9Now and nine.com.au.
For those left behind, there would be “employee exclusive events” and “athlete talks”, Sneesby said, so “everyone can get into the games spirit”.
Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in Russian prison after wrongful conviction
Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter falsely accused by Russian authorities of spying, was sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony, after a hurried, secret trial that the US government has condemned as a sham, reports News Corp’s Georgi Kantchev.
The court’s verdict – after three days of hearings – was widely viewed as a foregone conclusion, since acquittals in Russian espionage trials are exceedingly rare. Gershkovich was afforded few of the protections normally accorded to defendants in the US and other Western countries.
Russian authorities have produced no public evidence to support their allegations, which Gershkovich, the Journal and the US government have vehemently and repeatedly denied. A court spokeswoman said that Gershkovich “did not admit guilt” during Friday’s proceedings.
The gamer CEO trying to level up dating apps
Match Group chief executive Bernard Kim – “BK” as he’s known to friends and family, and “GamerBK” on social media –once admitted to spending $50,000 in three months in the popular mobile game “Clash of Clans” so he could have “an amazing wall” to protect his virtual village, reports The Wall Street Journal‘s Sara Ashley O’Brien.
Years earlier, Kim’s conversations to take a job as president of a gaming giant kicked off in the chat function of the Scrabble-like Words With Friends app.
The 48-year-old has spent his career in mobile gaming, apps and entertainment. Now he’s trying to convince users that dating apps are effective and that paying more for premium experiences in those apps will help them “win” by finding love. It is a new puzzle for the gamer with a competitive streak: As opposed to most mobile games vying to keep users hooked, dating apps are “designed to be deleted,” as the company’s own Hinge app motto goes.
Sports Media
Niche sports get their time in the Olympic spotlight
With the Olympics nearly here, sports fans will soon be glued to the television to watch favourites such as swimming and athletics. But another grand Aussie tradition is watching Olympic events one would usually never tune in for, so how do the commentators for those less high-profile sports approach covering them and explaining them to unfamiliar but potential new fans?, reports Nine Publishing’s Nicole Elphick.
When Adam Papalia, a sports broadcaster of almost 20 years whose usual beat is at Nine Radio covering the AFL, was asked if he wanted to commentate his first Olympics covering the Japanese martial art of judo he didn’t hesitate – despite never having commentated the sport.
Television
Tom Gleeson: I’ve been meaning to go on Grant Denyer’s show for years
“At the end of the day, it’s a guessing game, I’m just pointing at briefcases. Maybe I’ll point at them really fast and get it done quick. Open them now, open them now!” says Tom Gleeson ahead of his Deal or No Deal: Celebrity Jackpot Special, reports TV Tonight‘s David Knox.
The special marks his first appearance on a Grant Denyer-hosted vehicle, which he views as returning a favour to a showbiz mate.
“I didn’t have to do this. I’m just doing this for fun because it’s Grant. I was supposed to do Celebrity Name Game. But Grant went to Bali and shat himself, got too sick and they had to cancel, so I ended up not being able to do it. I’ve been meaning to go on his show for years. So I finally got asked to do this,” he explains.
Robert and Bindi Irwin appear on The Project
The kids of legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin united for a special spot on The Project on Sunday night, with co-host Robert delivering a heartfelt message of love to his “amazing” sister Bindi, reports News Corp’s Duncan Evans.
Bindi stopped by the popular news and talk show to talk up the release of her new children’s picture book You Are A Wildlife Warrior, which is set for release in February 2025.
With his sister dialling in from Australia Zoo dressed in the iconic khakis made famous by her beloved father, Robert spoke about how she had worked on the book as she struggled through endometriosis, a crippling disease that affects almost one million Australian women.
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Top Image: Former US President Joe Biden and US Vice President Kamala Harris