Business of Media
News Corp, gambling entrepreneur Tripp ready to punt on new bookie
Gambling entrepreneur Matthew Tripp has confirmed plans to launch his highly anticipated News Corp Australia-backed bookmaker ahead of the Everest Carnival and the Caulfield Cup in an attempt to attract young punters and grow rapidly in a highly competitive market, reports Nine Publishing’s Zoe Samios.
In his first interview about his new venture, betr, Tripp laid out its ambitions to become the leading force in Australian wagering and signalled he may seek out further investment from other media companies and strategic partners, as he tries to secure key wagering licences across the country.
Betr, which was first discussed by News Corp Australia and Tripp four years ago, remains in advanced talks with the WA TAB and is in early discussions with the Victorian government about its wagering licence, as it tries to scale up in a highly regulated and competitive wagering market.
“We think [WA TAB] is a must for us as a start-up,” Tripp said. “We haven’t re-entered this market to play second fiddle to anyone. We want to grow sensibly through M&A and organically with the partnerships that we forged with everyone. We believe we will be – certainly a tier one operator very quickly – but in time the most prominent brand in the country.”
Australia’s media watchdog chairman Nerida O’Loughlin to serve until 2024
Australia’s media watchdog chairman Nerida O’Loughlin will serve for another two years as the federal government progresses with its review of the way the commercial television and radio sector are regulated, reports Nine Publishing’s Zoe Samios.
The federal government has reappointed O’Loughlin as chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) until 2024, an extension of her five-year term, which was set to expire next week.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said O’Loughlin had made a significant contribution to the sector in her five-year term, particularly with handling misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms and protecting Australians from scams.
“Her work to support media and communications organisations during the pandemic was invaluable,” Rowland said. “O’Loughlin is a professional of great experience and is trusted both within government and industry, and I look forward to working collaboratively with her in her capacity as ACMA chair.”
With ad-tier launches, Netflix and Disney+ wade further into Big Data’s streaming hazards
There’s an adage dating back to TV advertising in the 1970s: “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.” And while Netflix and Disney+ advertising tiers will not quite be free, viewers will be able to subscribe to the services at discounted price points as long as they can tolerate a few ads, report The Hollywood Reporter’s Winston Cho and Alex Weprin.
The launches arrive as the digital ad industry is mid-evolution. Europe and California have passed data privacy laws. Apple has cracked down on the harvesting of user data on their products. Browsers, including Safari and Firefox, have barred the installation of third-party trackers that follow a user’s every move, with Google Chrome in 2024 following suit. Advertisers are searching for new options.
Third-party data, the information users indirectly give to companies by granting permission to track what they’re viewing across the internet (i.e., “Do you accept these website cookies?”), has been the backbone of the online ad ecosystem since the turn of the millennium, but it’s under fire as big tech responds to regulatory scrutiny around data privacy.
Amid the shifting tides, one thing has become clear: Hollywood giants, including Netflix and Disney+, will look to profit off the more reliable troves of personal information that they can directly collect from subscribers, also known as first-party data, with their new streaming tiers (services without ads still collect data, but are far less likely to share that data outside their own platforms without a clear need to do so).
News Brands
“Unacceptable”: A Current Affair broadcasts private phone call
Nine Queensland has breached a condition of its licence after A Current Affair broadcast a private telephone conversation, reports TV Tonight.
The conversation, which was recorded in Queensland, was between an employee of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and a member of the public who had suffered an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination. An Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation found the conversation was published without the consent of the TGA employee.
ACMA found that in airing the conversation Nine breached Queensland privacy laws and therefore was also in breach of its broadcasting licence condition that it will not use its service to offend against a law of a state or territory.
Doreen Lawrence, Prince Harry and others launch legal action against Daily Mail publisher
Doreen Lawrence and Prince Harry are among a list of famous figures launching legal action against the publisher of the UK’s Daily Mail over the alleged misuse of their private information, including an accusation relating to the placing of listening devices in private homes, report The Guardian’s Jim Waterson and Vikram Dodd.
Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost have also issued claims. Their lawyers issued a statement claiming they have “compelling and highly distressing evidence” they have been the “victims of abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy” by Associated Newspapers.
The group claimed this could be the “tip of the iceberg” and there may be many more alleged victims after the legal papers were filed at the high court in London on Thursday.
The group’s allegations of illegal activity involving the publisher of the Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline include:
• The hiring of private investigators to secretly place listening devices inside people’s cars and homes.
• The commissioning of individuals to surreptitiously listen in to, and record, people’s live, private telephone calls while they were taking place.
• The payment of police officials, with allegedly corrupt links to private investigators, for sensitive inside information.
• The impersonation of individuals to obtain medical information from private hospitals, clinics, and treatment centres by deception.
• The accessing of bank accounts, credit histories and financial transactions through illicit means and manipulation.
Radio
Brands review advertising with KIIS FM after Sandilands’ on-air comments
Two major Australian brands are reviewing their advertising spend on KIIS FM in an effort to distance themselves from Sydney’s FM king Kyle Sandilands and his foul mouth, reports News Corp’s Mikaela Wilkes.
Millions of dollars hang in the balance for executives at KIIS FM parent company ARN, who were last night in crisis talks over the increasing pressure on the station to apologise for offensive comments made by the breakfast shock jock.
“We value diversity in all its forms and in no way endorse or support comments that spread hate or fear,” a spokesman for major KIIS advertiser TPG Telecom (parent company of Vodafone) told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.
“We will review Mr Sandilands’ comments and amend our advertising schedule accordingly.”
A growing chorus of names have spoken out against the 51-year-old, who a week ago labelled his bosses and colleagues “spazzes”; “losers”; “flops” and “absolute a…holes”.
See Also: “Sack the lot of them” Q: How much does reporting of radio ratings matter?
Television
From Neighbours to Heartbreak High: What makes Aussie TV successful overseas?
Heartbreak High is a hit – and not just with Australians. The teen drama is currently one of the most-watched Netflix series in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iceland, Guadeloupe and 37 other countries. This week it’s the fifth most popular English-language show on the platform globally, boasting more hours viewed than The Crown and Stranger Things, reports Nine Publishing’s Meg Watson.
This is a big win for the local arm of the global streaming behemoth. Heartbreak High is certainly the most successful local Netflix original to date. But its success is also part of a broader story about how the local industry is shifting to compete in the global market.
Australia isn’t known for one or two big suburban soaps anymore. In fact, Neighbours isn’t even on air. These days our most popular shows overseas are a diverse bunch of well-crafted offerings, often targeted to a very specific audience.
Amanda Keller announces The Living Room to take a year off
Amanda Keller revealed 10’s The Living Room won’t be returning in 2023 in an unexpected announcement live on air, reports News Corp’s Bronte Coy.
Speaking on radio show, WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda, Keller explained that the program was going to take a break – but insisted it would be back in 2024.
“Well, I’ve said I’ve got a big announcement … it’s about The Living Room. It’s going to be rested next year,” she told Brendan “Jonesy” Jones.
“It’s felt that it’s time to take a breath. We’ve been on air for 11 years, 30 [episodes] a year is a lot to produce. So we’re going to take a breath … and take next year off.”
Seven confirms Kath & Kim special
A two-part Kath & Kim 20th anniversary special is now confirmed to screen on Seven in 2022, reports TV Tonight.
The special will feature never-before seen moments and appearances from familiar faces and special guests.
Executive Producer Rick McKenna said: “It’s fascinating and delightful to see audiences around the world still loving Kath & Kim after 20 years.
“It was great fun getting the team back together, plenty of laughs all around, which we look forward to sharing very soon.”
Sports Media
Former AFL footballer Wayne Carey farewells his media career after white powder incident
AFL great Wayne Carey has parted ways with Channel Seven and The Age newspaper and will not take part in any media commitments in 2023, reports News Corp’s Sophie Elsworth.
Channel Seven announced on Thursday that the former North Melbourne champion would no longer be part of their commentary team after WA Police said no charges would be laid following an incident that took place at a Perth casino.
The former premiership footballer came under intense scrutiny after a bag of crushed-up white powder fell from his pocket onto a gaming table at Crown Perth on September 1.
Seven Melbourne’s managing director and head of network sport, Lewis Martin, said that Carey would not be returning to the network to be part of the station’s AFL commentary team next season.
“We have been in regular dialogue with Wayne Carey as the WA Police investigation was conducted,” Martin said in a statement.