Business of Media
Nine and WIN inch closer together with sales team integration
Nine Entertainment and its regional affiliate, WIN Corp, are inching closer together with the Bruce Gordon-owned regional media player’s national sales team integrating into the Nine sales structure, reports AFR‘s Miranda Ward.
The integration gives Nine a much closer relationship with its affiliate partner than ever before without any official merger or acquisition.
Gordon is Nine’s largest shareholder, with a stake of about 15 per cent held in investment vehicle Birketu.
That deal means WIN gives Nine about 50 per cent of revenue made from regional advertising in exchange for programming, while also giving Nine airtime to promote its other assets including radio stations 2GB and 3AW, subscription streamer Stan and its newspaper brands, including The Australian Financial Review.
It will help Nine push its “total television” strategy even further with the advertising industry, giving media buyers a one-stop shop to buy audiences across metro and regional markets on traditional free-to-air television as well as broadcast video-on demand.
Telstra reaps the rewards as Foxtel riches stream in
Telstra is continuing to reap the benefits of its 35 per cent stake in Foxtel, as the subscription streaming service builds on the “exponential evolution” of its sports and entertainment arms, Kayo and Binge, reports News Corp’s James Madden.
Telstra CEO Andy Penn is likely to field questions about the telco’s ongoing investment in Foxtel during Thursday’s annual investor call, which will be webcast to Telstra’s shareholders. Despite recent speculation that Foxtel (which is 65 per cent-owned by News Corp, publisher of The Australian) is considering an initial public offering, Morningstar analyst Brian Han said Telstra would be content to maintain its significant investment in the pay-TV company.
BuzzFeed Australia secures four sponsors for new content vertical
BuzzFeed Australia is launching a womxn focused vertical Bloom, with four major sponsors – Samsung, Showpo, McCormick and Australian Pork. BuzzFeed is calling Bloom an “authentic, relatable and hilarious content space where BuzzFeed creators explore modern day womxnhood.”
BuzzFeed Australia claims an audience of 6.5 million womxn every month, with a focus on Gen-Z and Millennials. This is the first time the brand has launched a vertical specifically targeted at them.
BuzzFeed’s Sydney-based head of region, APAC, Nicki Williams said: “This has been something the team has wanted to do for so long, having seen a gap in the market, and we’re so pleased we have a product that will speak to so many, in such an intimate and friendly way. Each of our four launch partners are incredibly valuable to us and we’re excited to help them speak to new audiences.”
BuzzFeed Bloom will release a new video on the BuzzFeed Oz YouTube channel every Sunday, and will also produce an advice column across their website and TikTok.
Content producer Hameda Nafiz will be at the helm of this new self-help column, ‘Help Me Hameda’. The fortnightly column is aimed at young, Aussie womxn, and will cover topics around identity, sexual wellness, mental health and relationships.
Bloom will also explore key topics around financial wellness, female gaming, as well as launch a new womxn-led podcast series.
YouTube Is “neck-and-neck with Netflix on revenue,” says exec
Don’t ignore YouTube when looking at streaming video success stories, such as Netflix, a top executive of the Alphabet-owned giant told a media and entertainment industry conference in Cambridge, England on Wednesday, reports The Hollywood Reporter‘s Georg Szalai.
Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s chief business officer, shared some data and stats about the video streamer during the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention, saying it has become a diversified platform after starting with “grainy home videos” and the like. “Now, media companies present about 25 percent of YouTube watch time globally, another 25 percent is music, and 50 percent is YouTube creators,” he explained.
Corporate communications firm Newgate Australia adopts new global brand
Australia’s strategic communications giant Newgate Australia will undergo a minor rebrand as SEC Newgate Australia, aligning it with the parent SEC Newgate group in key markets.
Deputy CEO of SEC Newgate S.p.A. and Managing Partner of SEC Newgate Australia, Brian Tyson, said the Australian business had grown significantly since its inception eight years ago and was integral to the global group’s success.
“We have evolved from a fledgeling start-up to a national firm of more than 90 consultants, advising more than 150 clients, drawing on the full spectrum of our offering from financial and corporate communications to public affairs, stakeholder and community engagement, digital communication and social and market research.
“We have some of the country’s most experienced communications and research practitioners who have been trusted for decades to advise on some of Australia’s most complex and challenging corporate and government transactions and projects. We are very grateful to our clients who value and trust our counsel on these high-stakes briefs.”
Tyson said there was growing demand for strategic communications counsel as businesses and governments grappled with increasingly complex issues with reputational impact.
“It is an extraordinary time in the world with governments and corporations everywhere dealing with the triple challenges of COVID-19, climate change and geopolitical shifts impacting trade and business,” he said.
SEC Newgate S.p.A. is headquartered in Milan and operates from 38 offices in 15 countries across the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Greater China, Singapore, and the Americas. The Australian division works for 150+ clients.
The company recently reported growing global revenues and profit so far in calendar 2021.
James Packer lists superyacht IJE, with its own nightclub, for sale for $283m
Billionaire James Packer has listed his Italian-built superyacht IJE for sale for $283m, nearly three times the cost of Australia’s most expensive house, reports News Corp’s Stephen Nicholls.
Being a floating palace, naturally there are extensive water views — just like the Point Piper mansion snapped up by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes for $100m in 2018.
But IJE has something Cannon-Brookes’s mansion doesn’t have — it’s very own nightclub.
The casino mogul, 54, bought the yacht, named after his three children, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle, in 2019 for about $200m.
Television
Mixed reactions to George Calombaris’ appearance on The Masked Singer
Social media lit up with anger as former MasterChef judge and celebrity chef George Calombaris was unmasked as The Duster on The Masked Singer Australia on Tuesday night, reports News Corp’s Lisa Woolford.
While panellists Dannii Minogue, Dave Hughes, Jackie O and Urzila Carlson were excited as the exuberant chef was revealed, outraged fans took to social media lambasting Channel 10 for putting Calombaris back on the network after he was fined $200,000 in 2019 for underpaying 515 staff between 2011 and 2017.
One tweeted “Just out of curiosity how much did george calombaris get paid to do #themaskedsingerAU? I’m asking for his workers”
“The scooby gang unmasks their biggest villain yet: The multi million wage thief george calombaris” yet another tweeted.
“It’s time for chapter two of George”
Former MasterChef judge George Calombaris is looking ahead to new projects after his return to the small screen last night, reports TV Tonight.
Calombaris was revealed as the singing “duster” on The Masked Singer -none of the guessing panel had tipped him.
After a controversy around his restaurants under-paying staff, this morning he told Studio 10 he was looking ahead.
“It’s time for chapter two of George. It’s been a tough time over the last couple of years but we’re only looking forward now. Number two, I’ve got a soft spot for Channel 10. You guys know that. I love the network. I love everything that they believe in and the joy that every show puts into people’s hearts and minds. You know what… I’m going to stick to cooking.”
Sunrise host David Koch left red-faced after impotence segment
Sunrise co-host David Koch was left red-faced on Wednesday morning after an eyebrow-raising double entendre, reports News Corp’s Mibengé Nsenduluka.
Pregnant news presenter Edwina Bartholomew was discussing rapper Nicki Minaj’s bizarre claim that the Covid vaccine made her cousin’s friend impotent and things took an awkward turn when Koch weighed in.
“I feel really sorry for the cousin’s friend in Trinidad who clearly has swollen balls and a cancelled wedding and it has nothing to do with Covid,” Bartholomew said.
Koch replied, “I’m uncomfortable with you using the term balls [inaudible]…coming out of your mouth.”
His comments drew gasps and laughter from the panel, including co-host Natalie Barr and sports presenter Mark Beretta.
“Just have a think about what you just said,” Bartholomew giggled while covering her face.
Visibly embarrassed, Koch quickly tried to clarify what he meant saying, “The word, the WORD coming out of her mouth. God, come on!”
Axed: Amazing Grace
Nine yesterday confirmed Amazing Grace would not be returning for a second season.
The Playmaker Media drama starring Kate Jenkinson, Sigrid Thornton & Alex Dimitriades, centered around a midwife working at a birthing centre whose previously-adopted daughter turns up as a patient, reports TV Tonight.
A Nine spokesperson told TV Tonight, “Amazing Grace performed strongly for Channel 9 but we have made the decision that it won’t return next year, our sincere thanks to the extremely talented cast and crew who delivered a show that we are very proud of.
“Today we announced two new Australian dramas, Underbelly: Vanishing Act and After The Verdict that will commence production later this year, continuing our commitment to invest in Australian drama”.
This marks the third recent drama to have one season on Nine, following Seachange and Halifax: Retribution (Nine is yet to formally axe either).
Radio
Former Fox FM host Byron Cooke to make run for Senate
Broadcaster Byron Cooke has announced he is running for a Senate seat in federal parliament, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.
Cooke said he intended to make a difference in the community by standing as a member of The Sensible Centre party.
“If you don’t strictly identify as a leftie or a conservative, if you want to see everyone in this country do well — not just those in government, big business, big media — I’m confident that this party and many of its policies will make sense to you and I’d be honoured to represent you in Canberra,’’ Cooke said.
“Politics is really broken now. It’s just a blame game between two very polarised groups, right and left. I’ve always found that the best ideas lie somewhere in the middle, where you can learn from people on either side.”
Sports Media
Supercars moving Bathurst 1000 to December as final event of the season
This year’s Repco Bathurst 1000 will run over six days at Mount Panorama as the final event of the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship.
The Bathurst Regional Council, Repco, Supercars and ARG have joined forces to combine Australasia’s leading categories for the biggest motorsport event ever staged in Australia.
The Seven Network and Fox Sports will broadcast the race from Mount Panorama as part of the biggest motorsport event ever held in Australia, culminating in the famous race, the Bathurst 1000, on the new date of Sunday, 5 December.
Mount Panorama will host six-days of on-track entertainment and racing between Tuesday November 30 and Sunday December 5.
Supercars and ARG will be working closely with NSW health authorities around COVID-safe measures and Public Health Order requirements to ensure the safety of all staff and patrons attending the event.
The six-day Bathurst event will also feature the Dunlop Super 2 Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series, TCR Australia, Touring Car Masters, S5000, GT World Challenge Australia, V8 SuperUtes and Trans Am.
Managing director Seven Melbourne and head of network sport Lewis Martin said: “We congratulate Supercars, ARG and all their teams on delivering a remarkable season to date in a very challenging year.
“It’s been an incredible 2021 of motorsport on Seven with Supercars ratings up 47% year on year, and fans can now strap themselves in for one of the year’s biggest sporting events – an unparalleled festival of motor racing at Mount Panorama highlighted by the big one, Australia’s greatest race, the Bathurst 1000.
“All around the nation, Aussies will gather around their screens to witness all the drama, thrills and spills of this epic event – live and free on your home of sport, Seven.”
Lewis added Seven will announce details of its Bathurst 1000 broadcast and other upcoming Supercars coverage in coming weeks.