Business of Media
Nine’s Olympic staff attacked in Paris during attempted robbery; police investigate alleged gang rape
Two members of Nine’s Olympics broadcast team have escaped serious injury after they were attacked during an attempted robbery on the outskirts of Paris on Monday, report Nine Publishing’s Marta Pascual Juanola, Jordan Baker and Chip Le Grand.
The pair were walking to their accommodation in the municipality of Le Bourget, north-east of Paris, when a group of people attempted to snatch one of their backpacks late on Monday afternoon, Paris time.
The tech workers were allegedly assaulted in the scuffle that ensued but managed to pull themselves to safety. The alleged attack has been reported to the police.
Nine boss Mike Sneesby cops heat over Olympic torch
The nation’s biggest media union has lashed Nine Entertainment boss Mike Sneesby over his decision to travel to the Paris Olympics at a time when the company is beset by internal rancour over pay negotiations, reports The Australian’s James Madden.
On Monday, Sneesby carried the Olympic torch through an urban French town, as news was breaking that the 17 staff from Nine’s publishing division who had travelled to France to cover the Games would potentially be walking off the job on Friday for five days in solidarity with their colleagues back home.
“Rather than enjoying himself carrying the Olympic torch in France, Nine boss Mike Sneesby should be in Australia to sort out a new EBA for journalists in the company’s publishing division,” the union posted on X on Tuesday morning.
See also: Nine Publishing journalists vote to strike on Olympic Games opening weekend
Spotify keeps the profit tune humming
Can a streaming company that owns little of its own content actually make good money? Spotify is finally showing consistently that it can, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Dan Gallagher.
Spotify’s second-quarter results, posted Tuesday morning, featured record gross margins and operating profit. Management also projected a similar trend continuing in the third quarter, with the quarterly gross margin expected to exceed the 30% mark for the first time in the company’s history.
Radio
Aussie radio star Ali Clarke breaks down over cancer diagnosis
An Adelaide radio host broke down in tears on Tuesday morning as she announced to listeners that she had been diagnosed with cancer, reports News Corp’s Andrew Bucklow.
Speaking on her Mix 102.3 breakfast show, Ali Clarke said, “I’m genuinely not even sure how to say it so I’ll just blurt it out, a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with bloody breast cancer.”
Clarke said that if everything goes well it’s unlikely she will need chemo, but said radiotherapy is still a possibility.
Brutal fallout after Jase and Lauren were axed from KIIS FM
In the space of seven months, Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips have pulled off one of the biggest “f**k yous” in recent radio history. Late last year they were “broken” and were close to fleeing the country after being sacked by KIIS FM, reports News Corp’s Andrew Bucklow.
Now, they’re broadcasting on Nova and are the most-listened to breakfast radio show in Melbourne.
The pair opened up about their incredible change of fortune in an exclusive interview with news.com.au.
Television
Made In Chelsea Bondi spin-off cast announced – who made the cut?
It is one of Sydney’s worst kept secrets – who will appear in the Bondi spin-off of Made in Chelsea, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
The core cast of Made In Bondi has finally been revealed, showing a bunch of fresh reality television faces set to premiere on the show next month.
There is no doubt be plenty of drama in store with this troupe of colourful characters that includes models Isabella Cicero, Lawson Mahoney, and Lachy McLean.
Making a name in the film industry isn’t easy, but this Queensland animation duo is going from strength to strength
While the madcap adventures of loveable blue heeler Bluey has turned the Queensland cartoon character into a global superstar, another home-grown animation powerhouse is also taking Hollywood by storm, reports the ABC’s Lexy Hamilton-Smith.
“Creative hurricanes” Kristen Souvlis and Nadine Bates have built the only female-led and owned animation studio in the country, with every frame carefully crafted in Brisbane.
They are rubbing shoulders with the likes of Disney, Sesame Street and Universal Studios, and have graced the cover of the US-based trade bible, Screen Magazine.
Sports Media
NRLW a ‘value driver’ for next NRL broadcast deal, says Abdo
The NRLW competition will be a key selling point for the National Rugby League’s next media rights deal, according to chief executive Andrew Abdo, following the success of the 2024 women’s State of Origin series which drew more than three million viewers across the three games, reports Nine Publishing’s Billie Eder.
The NRL is set to go to market for its next broadcast deal before the end of the year, despite its current $400 million a season deal with Foxtel, Nine Entertainment, Sky New Zealand and other partners not due to expire until 2027.
With the NRLW set to expand to 12 teams in 2025 with the introduction of the Warriors and Bulldogs, Abdo said the growth of women’s competition would be an appealing and profitable part of negotiations.