Business of Media
Facebook snubs SBS, The Conversation on media deals
Social media giant Facebook has shot down requests to negotiate content deals with multicultural broadcaster SBS and not-for-profit online publication The Conversation without providing any specific reasons for its refusal, reports SMH’s Zoe Samios.
Both organisations have been trying to secure payment for the use of their content on the US$1.1 trillion online platform for months, but were told several weeks ago that no negotiations would take place, and no deals would be done.
“SBS is surprised and disappointed that Facebook has declined to enter negotiations to seek a commercial agreement with SBS in relation to its news content,” an SBS spokesperson said.
Netflix acquires works of Roald Dahl as it escalates streaming wars
Netflix has acquired the works of Roald Dahl, the author of children’s classics including the BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox and the Witches, in the streaming company’s biggest content deal to date, reports The Guardian’s Mark Sweney.
The agreement struck by Netflix, which already has a deal in place with the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) to license 16 titles, will help it build its content arsenal in the streaming wars against rivals including Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max.
Netflix’s total production budget under the existing licensing deal is $1bn and includes the Jojo Rabbit director, Taika Waititi, creating a TV series based on the world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and an adaptation of Matilda the Musical.
News Brands
SBS uncovers the power of the personal
The healthy appetite for non-fiction stories has been one of the notable developments on subscription TV. On the streaming services over the past 18 months, everything from The Last Dance and Tiger King to Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich and The Test have been enthusiastically embraced. This month, Foxtel has been promoting the range of riches on its newly launched Fox Docos channel, reports SMH’s Debi Enker.
On free TV, it’s a different story, more akin to a desert that has proved particularly hostile for local documentary makers. The commercial channels are almost exclusively interested in true-crime stories. The 2019 screening on Channel 10 of The Final Quarter, a feature-length documentary about AFL champion Adam Goodes, represented a striking exception.
Until recently, while also resisting movie-length productions, SBS has been a stalwart in the documentary area, commissioning an array of local productions. Among others, there’s been See What You Made Me Do, a three-part study of domestic abuse, Every Family Has A Secret, about genealogy discoveries, and Untold Australia, which focused on unique communities: Lebanese beauty queens, outback rabbis, undertakers. Presented by “Australia’s third favourite Asian-Australian comic”, Michael Hing, Where Are You Really From? looked at the history and culture of a number of migrant communities.
Radio
Kyle Sandilands among stars making money on Cameo
Reality stars, actors, singers and sports men and women have turned to online video app Cameo at a time when the entertainment industry has been crippled by the global pandemic, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
From just a few dollars at the bottom of the rung to thousands for the likes of radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands, it is up to individuals to set their price on what they charge for personal video messages to fans.
KIIS FM breakfast host Sandilands has spoken about using the site, bragging about his high asking price of $1000 for a short message.
“You can get me or Caitlyn Jenner if you want,” he said on his radio show. “I think I’m the dearest on there. I did it on purpose so I don’t have to do it.”
Television
I’m a Celebrity crew member charged
A crew member from I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! has been charged over multiple alleged COVID-19 breaches on a trip to northern NSW, reports TV Tonight.
The crew member had been granted an exemption to travel to the Tweed-Byron Bay area for work-related reasons only.
Police allege a 31-year-old woman visited several businesses and venues in Byron Bay and Kingscliff over the weekend, breaching her exemption. She allegedly also failed to check in at those locations with QR codes.
The woman was issued with a court attendance notice on five counts of failing to comply with an electronic registration device.
Love Island in doubt as reality bites Byron Bay
Love Island’s cupid is under a cloud rather than on it as Byron Shire Council threatens to revoke permission for the series to shoot in the region after a COVID case linked to another reality show, reports SMH’s Karl Quinn.
The dating show was due to air in two weeks and pulling permission so close to broadcast would derail the multimillion-dollar production, which the council had claimed would pump about $5 million into the local economy.
Construction on the set – a mansion in the hinterland area of Federal – has been underway for around three weeks, with filming due to start on the weekend before the first near-live episode airs on October 4. Finding a new location and negotiating for permission to film there in the narrow timeframe left would be almost impossible.
Gogglebox favourites isolating as close contacts
Much-loved Melbourne Gogglebox stars Keith & Lee have been forced to skip this week’s episode, reports TV Tonight.
Narrator Jo Van Es told Foxtel viewers last night, “This week Lee & Keith can’t be with us as they’re identified as close contacts. They’ve tested negative and we look forward to seeing them back on the couch soon.”
Making it Australia star Dan reveals early onset Parkinson’s diagnosis
A contestant from Channel 10’s wholesome new reality show Making it Australia has made a heartbreaking revelation to the judges, sharing he’s been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s at age 38, reports News Corp’s Bella Fowler.
‘Maker’ Dan, from SA, shared his diagnosis during the “happy place” challenge, with the plumber opting to produce a daybed in which he can “slow down” and relax with his beloved wife Kai.
“I’m seeing a neurologist because I have been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.
“Thanks to medication I can make, the really really unfortunate part is, I don’t know how long for,” he said as the judges comforted him.
SAS Australia: Isabelle Cornish reveals eating disorder battle
Actor Isabelle Cornish likes to tell people her poison became her passion, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
Detailing the eating disorder she’s battled on-and-off for many years, the 27-year-old SAS Australia contestant has spoken up in the hope of helping others.
“It definitely affects your whole life, eating disorders are a serious mental health issue and they affect every single part of your life,” Cornish, younger sister of Hollywood star Abbie Cornish, told The Daily Telegraph.
“Being in the media or just being a young woman or anyone growing up in this modern world, we can be very influenced about our external image so I suffered a lot with body image. I had periods where I suffered from an eating disorder on and off. I didn’t know how to deal with my emotions and all the stress and everything so an eating disorder was kind of my coping mechanism.”