Business of Media
Commercial Radio & Audio and PPCA at loggerheads over payments to musicians radio stations airplay
The commercial radio industry has warned of widespread job losses if a proposed increase to artists’ royalties goes ahead, while senior figures from the music industry claim that the current payment system is an outdated hangover from yesteryear, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.
Radio and music executives, as well as artists, were among those to attend a Senate hearing on Thursday to discuss the Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Pay for Radio Play) to help determine if the cap on royalties paid to artists and labels – currently 1 per cent of the station’s gross annual revenue – should be changed.
Ciaran Davis, chair of Commercial Radio & Audio, which represents the nation’s 260 commercial radio stations, told the hearing that “cutbacks will have to be made” if royalties paid to musicians are increased.
See Also: Industry bodies and record labels head to Canberra to back Fair Pay for Radio Play bill
Job losses and potentially ‘dire’ impact on regional media from Meta’s news exit
Meta’s refusal to pay for Australian news content could have a dire impact on Australia’s largest regional publisher, Australian Community Media, says its executive chair, Antony Catalano, reports Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan.
The media boss said on Thursday “absolutely” there would be job losses across the company, which houses The Canberra Times and The Newcastle Herald among other mastheads, if no alternative funding was found – an outcome that should not come as a surprise.
“If people are surprised now, I don’t think they ought to be. They should have always expected this day to come because it’s just the nature of who we’re dealing with,” Catalano said.
ACCC warns Meta woeful in handling scams
The boss of the competition regulator has taken a swing at social media giant Meta over its handling of scams, warning the tech giant was the worst tech giant to deal with when trying to stamp out financial crime, reports The Australian’s David Ross.
Speaking ahead of the launch of its new enforcement priorities, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb warned Meta showed the need for a mandatory codes of conduct.
The ACCC has been lobbying for new mandatory codes of conduct for banks, telcos, and tech giants, as the regulator moves to squeeze scammers.
Facebook ate and then ignored the news industry. It’s hard, but we should leave it be
Facebook owner Meta’s decision to stop paying Australian publishers for news marks a bitter end to a long and often toxic relationship with digital news publishers, reports The Australian’s James Purtill.
It was a hot-and-cold affair that defined over a decade of online publishing and the work experience of a generation of reporters, and has ultimately left the industry a shadow of its former self.
Although it may be tempting for lots of reasons, the Australian government should avoid putting the boot into Meta by enforcing the News Media Bargaining Code as it’s threatened to do.
Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic in Land and Environment Court over house plans
Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine await a Land and Environment Court judgment on the application for their $4.5m Castlecrag home plans, after their recent two-day battle with Willoughby Council, reports News Corp’s Jonathan Chancellor.
Opposing neighbours had a chance to show acting commissioner Louise Byrne the reasons behind their “overdevelopment” concerns at a recent on-site hearing.
“Judgment is now reserved in this matter,” the court advised.
More jobs go in New Zealand television
New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ plans to cut nearly 10 per cent of its staff, a week after news rival Newshub said it was closing altogether, reports TV Tonight.
TVNZ said it planned to axe 68 jobs from a staff of around 700 after posting an operating loss last week of NZD$4.6 million (AUD$4.29 million) for the second half of 2023.
The broadcaster did not identify the jobs to be cut but said a final structure should be in place by early April after “consultations” with employees.
News Brands
Fresh directions, more funds: What new chair Kim Williams wants for the ABC
New ABC chair Kim Williams wants to lead audiences in fresh directions, mindful of the “delicate push and pull” to keep them engaged, as he begins his term in the top job at the national broadcaster on Thursday, reports Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan.
Williams, appointed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January, also made clear he planned to lobby the government for more funding and dismissed claims the broadcaster had lost its way.
As Ita Buttrose exited the role this week with praise for the government’s “more stable and comprehensive funding”, Williams said there was always room for improvement.
Radio
‘The sh***est show in Melbourne’: Kyle Sandilands’ tirade against Jase and Lauren
KIIS king Kyle Sandilands has launched an extraordinary tirade at new Nova100 breakfast hosts Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips describing their yet to launch show as the “sh***est in Melbourne,” reports News Corp’s Fiona Byrne.
Sandilands let fly with his potty mouthed toddler tantrum on his KIIS Sydney breakfast show on Thursday, revealing his grand plan to have the Kyle and Jackie O Show networked not just into Melbourne, but nationally.
He claimed all Melbourne breakfast radio shows were running scared at his pending arrival in the market, but saved his most savage comments for the Jase and Lauren Show, which starts on Friday.
Revealed: Crows, Power players joining Max & Ali on Mix 102.3
This year is turning out to be one of new beginnings for Ivan Soldo. Not only has the ruckman officially started playing for Port Adelaide, but he has also just signed on with Mix 102.3, reports News Corp’s Anna Vlach.
Ivan is going to be a regular contributor on Max & Ali in the Morning, the rebranded Ali Clarke Breakfast Show.
It is the latest change for the program, which has had a shake-up of staff in recent months – executive producer Kate Meade recently left, AFLW legend Erin Phillips didn’t sign on for 2024 (and is now at SAFM) and Shane Lowe got the axe.
Crows ruck Reilly O’Brien is also going to be heard on the show. His signing to Mix is a back-to-back win; he was also part of the on-air talent last year.
Sports Media
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Netflix bets big on live boxing
Netflix is putting on the gloves and getting into the ring, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Nicholas Hatcher.
In its latest foray into the business of live sports, Netflix will livestream a boxing match featuring former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson and YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The fight is one of the company’s most significant moves into live sports streaming. On Sunday, Netflix streamed a one-night tennis exhibition featuring Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz called “The Netflix Slam.”