Business of Media
The Brag Media, VMD out of Junkee race
The clock is ticking for Jacanda Capital to find a buyer for oOh!Media’s Junkee, and it’s looking like slim pickings, report AFR’s Anthony Macdonald, Yolanda Redrup, and Kanika Sood.
While Street Talk understands there were at least a few bids made for the business, it seems like there’s a gap between seller and buyer price expectations as it gets to the pointy end of the process.
Two of the most obvious contenders for the company, Val Morgan Digital and The Brag Media, are understood to have dropped out of the race.
That leaves the question – who else is interested?
News Brands
Prime CEO says lack of regional media reform left it facing failure
The acquisition of regional broadcaster Prime Media by Seven West Media gives the company its best future, says Prime chief executive Ian Audsley, after it had faced failure because of a lack of media reforms that would have helped regional players compete with the digital platforms, reports AFR’s Miranda Ward.
Speaking at Prime Media’s annual general meeting, Audsley said the proposed acquisition of Prime by Seven West Media was in the best interest of shareholders and stakeholders.
“The evidence is clear that digital disruption wrought by international companies has had an irreversible and negative impact on regional Australia’s traditional media businesses, the level of local content created, and local media job opportunities,” he said.
Television
Married at First Sight groom removed from the show over “hateful TikTok videos”
A FIFO worker who was kicked off the upcoming season of Married At First Sight after his vile TikTok rants against women and gay people resurfaced was able to make it all the way to honeymoon week before being booted from the show, reports The Daily Mail Australia’s Ali Daher.
Simon Blackburn was scrubbed from the program, which is set to premiere on Nine early next year, after the network and producers were made aware of a string of videos in which he used vile homophobic and misogynistic language.
Daily Mail Australia can now reveal it was Blackburn’s on-screen wife who first alerted them to the videos, and that she noticed ‘red flags’ about the divorced father of two within just 24 hours of tying the knot.
“Everyone’s got a connection to those chocolates”
Yvie Jones was in lockdown when she was invited to test as a ‘Food Detective’ for Nine’s new Snackmasters, reports TV Tonight.
But she researched the UK original series on YouTube and sent a self-made audition video.
“I did a special little video of me loving snacks, dyeing my hair and saying, ‘Let me just show you into my pantry…’ and then I was in Coles confectionery aisle. So they knew I was coming with a bit of creativity,” she said.
“The UK version was so good. It’s won 3 BAFTAs or something.”
Magical chance to revisit Harry Potter: 20th anniversary reunion special to stream in Australia
It’s the news Aussie Potterheads have been eagerly anticipating – just where and when the Harry Potter reunion special will stream here, reports News Corp’s Lisa Woolford.
And in wand-erful news, streaming service BINGE has secured the rights to show Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, express from the US at 7.01pm on New Year’s Day.
BINGE also will stream the four-part special event Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, hosted by Helen Mirren, from January 15.
Abbie Chatfield and Konrad Bien-Stephens make relationship ‘Instagram official’
Ex-Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield has confirmed she is dating Bachelorette favourite Konrad Bien-Stephens, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.
The TV presenter says she is “very happy” with her new man after they were recently spotted kissing in Byron Bay and holding hands in Sydney.
She made it “Instagram official” after posting pictures and videos of the loved up couple on Wednesday.
“I’m a bit more nervous to speak about it than he is, he’s just such a sweetheart, I’m very happy,” she said.
Sports Media
BBC drop ex-captain Vaughan from Ashes coverage amid racism allegations
Former England captain Michael Vaughan will play no part in the BBC’s coverage of the upcoming Ashes series after being named in the racism controversy involving former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq, the broadcaster said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.
Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it” before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation.
“While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment,” the BBC said in a statement.
“We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest.”
Vaughan said he was disappointed with the decision but added the problems afflicting the sport were bigger than his plight.