Business of Media
Government ‘concerned’ about Amazon plans to take 30pc cut of ads
The Albanese government says that it is “concerned” about plans detailed by Amazon to demand a 30 per cent cut of advertising when major broadcasters provide programming through its Fire TV streaming device, reports Nine Publishing’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.
The Australian Financial Review last week reported that Amazon had given the major broadcasters three weeks’ notice of the change, with television networks accusing the tech giant of a “cash grab” and “rent-seeking”.
The global policy was published in June, but the Seven Network, Nine Network, Network Ten and SBS were only told of the change in the past two weeks. Amazon did not dispute that its policy applied to the major media companies, and said it needed the revenue to improve its devices.
Tumbalong Park to be transformed into free SXSW stage
South by Southwest has today announced that Tumbalong Park will be a part of the week-long festival that Sydneysiders can access for free, reports News Corp’s Mikaela Wilkes.
The Daily Telegraph has also been announced as the presenting partner of the Tumbalong Park Stage, which will offer the public a taster of the broader festivities taking place across the Harbour City, including technology demos, live music and radio broadcasts, and conference speakers.
“At The Daily Telegraph we’re for a vibrant and exciting Sydney. And that’s exactly what SXSW Sydney will create for a week in October,” Editor Ben English said.
Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse
Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse over a seven-year period at the height of his fame, report The Guardian’s Kevin Rawlinson and Nadeem Badshah.
The allegations between 2006 and 2013 were the result of a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. Brand denies the allegations.
Five alleged victims, four of them anonymous, were interviewed in the Dispatches documentary aired on Saturday night.
Radio
Radio broadcasters at Nine warned to declare commercial partnerships following Jacqui Felgate sponsorships saga
Two of Nine Entertainment’s top radio stations are being scrutinised by the media regulator after failing to disclose broadcasters’ lucrative commercial deals, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.
The development occurred just days after it was revealed newly appointed Melbourne 3AW drive host Jacqui Felgate’s 12 paid partnerships had not been declared.
The media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has confirmed to The Australian that it is seeking “further information” about Brisbane station 4BC’s compliance with the broadcasting standard after multiple deals only appeared on the station’s website last week.
Television
Free-to-air TV call to extend anti-siphoning protection to digital sports rights
Australia’s free-to-air networks are urging the government to extend its anti-siphoning protections to digital sports rights, in a bid to prevent streaming services and pay-TV providers from putting major events behind a paywall, reports Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan.
Majority Rupert Murdoch-owned Foxtel Group, which operates the sports streaming service Kayo, says broadcast rules are outdated, and relaxing regulation would create more competition and innovation in sports broadcasting and unlock extra funding for grassroots sport.
Conversely, Free TV, the body which acts on behalf of Nine (owner of this masthead), Seven and 10, argues the business model of local TV centres around mass reach, driving grassroots engagement in sport, ensuring the long-term viability of the sporting codes themselves.
The Block Australia loses one fifth of its viewership
The Block Australia is back, but ratings are sliding substantially amid viewer complaints the show has become “one big ad”. Channel Nine’s flagship show, now in its 19th season, has traditionally been in a league of its own in the TV ratings department, leaving Channel Seven and Channel 10 to grapple over second place, reports News Corp’s Mikaela Wilkes.
Now more than six episodes in, The Block’s ratings are down 20 per cent year-on year, in a dramatic fall for Australia’s long time favourite reality program.
On Friday, Seven’s My Kitchen Rules comfortably widened its lead on number one, scoring 622,000 five-city metro viewers, according to OzTAM figures.
Drew Barrymore halts new season until writers strike is resolved
Television host Drew Barrymore, who faced backlash for taping new episodes of her daytime show amid a monthslong writers’ strike, said Sunday that she would pause the show’s premiere, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Ginger Adams Otis and Joe Flint.
The show was set to return to the air Monday. Barrymore said she would now wait until the industry’s labor issues with the Writers Guild of America are resolved.
“I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today,” Barrymore wrote on Instagram. “We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon.”
Sports Media
Penrith Panthers grand final triumph could damage Betr after it offered gamblers 100-1 odds on win
The finances of News Corp-backed gambling company Betr’ could take a big hit if the Penrith Panthers win the NRL grand final, due to a generous inducement that attracted a record fine and criticism from a regulator, reports The Guardian’s Henry Belot.
When the gambling company launched in late 2022, it offered 100-1 odds on the Penrith Panthers winning a third consecutive grand final with bets capped at $10. A Penrith victory is now short odds and a likely outcome according to most analysts.
The bookmaker offered similar inducements for the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate and AFL markets in a bid to lure customers away from established gambling companies.