Business of Media
The government should not get involved in picking TV apps for consumers, research says
Australian consumers overwhelmingly want the federal government to stay out of selecting where content apps are placed on their smart televisions, new research shows, while leading media consultant Colin Smith says the idea of the government getting involved in the space doesn’t “pass the logic test’’, reports The Australian’s Cameron England.
The peak body representing the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), whose members include Disney, BBC, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros and Foxtel – which is majority owned by The Australian’s parent company News Corp – are urging consumers to contact their local members of parliament to voice their opposition to proposed “prominence” legislation, which could dictate the layout of content apps on smart televisions.
Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin misses mark inside the Singtel briefing
Given the competing interests, it’s always a challenge for chief executives to hone a consistent message that wins over both investors as well customers, reports The Australian’s Eric Johnstone.
And coming off the back of the worst network outage in Australia’s modern telco history, Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin certainly struggled to get the right line across.
In a closed briefing to global investors of Optus parent Singapore Telecommunications that came just a day after the network crash, Bayer Rosmarin was clearly trying to downplay the fundamental brand damage to the Australian telco.
YouTube to crack down on AI-generated deepfakes and sound-alikes, as it sets guardrails on tech
As the video platform YouTube is rolling out generative AI technology to its creators, it is also placing new guardrails on the technology’s use, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin.
The company on Tuesday set new rules on content created with the help of generative AI, including rules that crack down on videos that use someone else’s likeness, and giving music labels the ability to remove videos that feature the voice or a well-known musician or performer created without their permission.
More TikTok users turning to the app for news, Pew study shows
The percentage of TikTok users who regularly access news via the app rose to 43% in 2023 from 22% a year earlier, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center, which found half of U.S. adults get at least some news from social media, reports Reuters’ Helen Coster.
News organizations are competing with TikTok and other social media platforms for consumers’ attention and advertisers’ budgets, with many seeking ways to engage TikTok’s large and coveted Gen Z audience.
Nike names new CMO in executive shuffle
Nike said it has named former company executive Nicole Hubbard Graham to be its next chief marketing officer, succeeding Dirk-Jan “DJ” van Hameren, who will retire, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Katie Deighton.
The appointment is part of a wider executive shake-up designed to speed up innovation at the sneaker giant, which recently began facing up to stiffer competition in the running and lifestyle categories.
Graham previously worked for the Portland, Ore-based sportswear giant for 18 years, leaving in early 2021 to set up a brand and creative marketing agency. Her return to lead Nike’s global brand marketing team, overseeing all aspects of its marketing practice, will take effect Jan. 2, 2024, the company said in a statement.
News Brands
ABC to rebrand multichannels in 2024
ABC is looking to rebrand and restructure multichannels in 2024 to offer local audiences more original content, reports TV Tonight.
Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor told TV Tonight, “We are reviewing our multi channels and looking to make some announcements in the first quarter of 2024. We hope to be commissioning original Australian content for those channels.”
The rethink follows an internal restructure of ABC Kids commissioning to Children’s and Family under exec Libbie Doherty.
Entertainment
Aussie superstar Nicole Kidman funds award for late Foxtel boss Brian Walsh
Nicole Kidman is honouring the man who helped launch her stellar career, the late Brian Walsh, by sponsoring an award for emerging actors, reports News Corp’s Anthony Anderson.
The international superstar has instigated and funded the award, which will be presented at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA).
Walsh, a legend in the Australian entertainment industry and Foxtel executive director, died in March aged 68.
Television
Fboy Island season two gets green light with Abbie Chatfield returning as host
Australia’s most controversial reality dating show is back, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
FBoy Island Australia will return to the small screen on BINGE in 2024 with Abbie Chatfield back as host of the show that sees three women faced with finding a partner.
“FBoy Island is the perfect combination of easy to watch dating show, genuine love stories, it’s high stakes in terms of relationships and monetary prizes but it also isn’t afraid to make fun of itself and its contestants,” Chatfield told The Daily Telegraph.