Business of Media
‘Unclear’ how much Meta makes from Australian users: ACCC
The competition watchdog says it does not know exactly how much Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, earns from Australian users – but says it is a lot more than it tells the corporate regulator, reports Nine Publishing’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it was “often unclear” how much large companies like Meta earn from Australia, but it was certain that Australian revenue was being “recorded offshore”.
Meta earned more than half of its reported revenue in 2022 in Ireland – a country with a population of 5 million and, crucially, a lower company tax rate of 12.5 per cent. In Australia, the company tax rate is 30 per cent for big businesses.
Talk mounts of deal between Southern Cross Media, Paramount’s Network Ten
Southern Cross Media Group could have changed tack with respect to corporate activity, as chatter emerges in the market it may be about to sell its television unit to the Paramount Global-owned Network Ten, reports The Australian’s Bridget Carter.
Merger talks were afoot between Southern Cross Media and radio broadcaster ARN Media earlier this year.
ARN Media partnered with Anchorage Capital Partners to buy Southern Cross Media, with the private equity firm Anchorage in the frame to take the assets that ARN Media could not own under the Australian media laws.
The secret battle for the future of the Murdoch empire
Rupert Murdoch is locked in a secret legal battle against three of his children over the future of the family’s media empire, as he moves to preserve it as a conservative political force after his death, according to a sealed court document obtained by The New York Times, Jim Rutenberg and Jonathan Mahler report for the publication.
Murdoch, 93, set the drama in motion late last year, when he made a surprise move to change the terms of the Murdochs’ irrevocable family trust to ensure that his eldest son and chosen successor, Lachlan, would remain in charge of his vast collection of television networks and newspapers.
Universal Music Group CEO on protecting artists from AI: “We recognize potential threats early”
Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grange says his major music label goes both on offense and defense to protect the intellectual property rights of its artists and songwriters, led by Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, from illegal generative artificial intelligence infringements, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Etan Vlessing.
“We recognize potential threats early and defend against them. I suppose it’s akin to carrying a stick when we consistently take industry-leading action to advance our artists’ interests and create new creative and commercial opportunities,” Grainge told an analyst call after the release of his company’s second quarter financial results.
Prince Harry says fight with British media ‘central piece’ in family breakdown
Prince Harry, speaking in clips published on Wednesday from a new documentary, said his legal battles with Britain’s tabloid press have contributed to the breakdown of his relationship with the royal family, reports Reuters’ Sam Tobin.
“It’s certainly a central piece to it,” Harry told broadcaster ITV in the documentary Tabloids on Trial.
He is currently suing Rupert Murdoch’s UK newspaper arm, News Group Newspapers, and the publisher of the Daily Mail in two separate lawsuits, alleging unlawful activities by journalists and private investigators over several years.
Radio
Who’s in the running to fill in for Ali at Mix after shock diagnosis
Following Mix 102.3 breakfast presenter Ali Clarke’s on-air revelation that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer the 47-year-old has been inundated with messages of support, reports News Corp’s Anna Vlach.
The mum of three is having a mastectomy later this week and taking extended leave from Max & Ali in the Morning. The search has been on for Max Burford’s temporary co-host or co-hosts, who will be revealed on Friday.
Television
ITV Studios: Australia is “the most competitive market probably in the world”
Australia’s success in producing formats makes it one of the best markets in the world for reworking television shows, according to Lisa Perrin, Managing Director, International Production, ITV Studios, reports TV Tonight.
But the competition between broadcasters is so aggressive that networks can sometimes over-commission and kill off shows too soon.
Perrin, visiting Australia last week, oversees 17 labels spanning scripted / non-scripted in 12 countries including Europe, the Nordics and Australia. The two local labels are ITV Studios Australia and its drama production house Lingo Pictures.
Sports Media
NBA unveils $77 billion TV and streaming deals with NBC, ESPN and Amazon
The National Basketball Association said it has signed landmark media-rights deals worth $77 billion with Disney’s ESPN, Amazon.com, and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, turning away a last-minute bid from current rights holder Warner Bros. Discovery, reports The Wall Street Journal’s Isabella Simonetti and Joe Flint.
The new 11-year deals, which go into effect following the 2024-2025 season, will more than double the fees the NBA receives each season.
Disney has agreed to pay an average fee of $2.6 billion a year to keep NBA games on ESPN and ABC, up from $1.5 billion a year under the current deal. NBCUniversal agreed to pay $2.5 billion a year to air games on NBC and its Peacock streaming service, while Amazon Prime Video has offered $1.9 billion a year for a streaming package.