Business of Media
Netflix joins Optus SubHub as a subscription partner
Optus SubHub has announced that streaming giant, Netflix, is the newest subscription partner to join the subscription management platform.
SubHub brings content subscription services together in one platform and offers the option to bundle with other subscription partners for up to a 10 per cent discount on multiple paid subscriptions, all as a single payment via an Optus monthly account.
Upcoming Netflix titles include local productions Byron Baes and Heartbreak High, and the new seasons of Stranger Things and Bridgerton.
Clive Dickens, VP of TV, content & product development at Optus said of the news, “We’re thrilled to welcome Netflix as our latest SubHub partner, with its vast selection of best-in-class entertainment now available to all Optus SubHub customers.”
As part of the launch, Optus has introduced two new NBN plans at standard and fast speed tiers, as well as a 5G internet plan, each with a Standard Netflix subscription included.
Agencies
Koala appoints Mark Khademi as VP of marketing
Koala has announced the appointment of Mark Khademi as VP of marketing.
In the role, Khademi will focus on expanding Koala’s brand and business across Australia and will be responsible for customer acquisition, integrated marketing campaigns and all media channels.
He joins the mattress company after his most recent stint Optus, where he held the title of associate director, marketing and acquisition for just over a year.
Before Optus, he was at Amaysim for five years, during which time he served as head of acquisition (mobile), head of digital marketing and. head of marketing.
Khademi was also the chief marketing officer of Australian electricity startup Mojo Power for just over a year.
He said of his new role: “It’s an exciting time for me to be joining such a well-loved Australian brand.
Radio
Radio host Ben Fordham cops blast over Q+A Russia controversy
Stan Grant has taken a dig at Ben Fordham after the shock jock criticised his decision to eject a pro-Russian audience member from Q&A last week, reports News Corp’s Duncan Murray.
Fordham said Grant “lost control of his own show” when he asked the man to leave.
The veteran journalist backed both himself and his decision on the night, calling Fordham’s jabs “disappointing”.
“I put my journalistic career up against his (Fordham’s) any day,” Grant told The Australian.
“Whenever I’ve met Ben Fordham, he’s always been polite and friendly. I don’t know whether to take that at face value, but it’s disappointing.”
Axed 2SM host Marcus Paul lands new radio gig at Starter FM
Radio broadcaster Marcus Paul has landed a new job after being dismissed from Sydney’s 2SM following an inappropriate on-air segment, reports News Corp’s Jonathon Moran.
Paul launched his new breakfast show on digital station, Starter, on Monday at 7am.
Again, as on 2SM, the show is called Marcus Paul In The Morning and will run for two hours on the iHeart Radio app.
“I was contacted by the owners of Starter FM and after speaking to them thought it was a good fit for me going forward,” Paul told Confidential.
“They are targeting a younger audience and in my experience there are plenty of younger Australians who want to get among talk radio.”
Podcasts
ARN’s podcast Toni & Ryan cracks 5 million downloads in five months
Toni & Ryan, the Aussie podcast winning over audiences worldwide, smashed a major milestone on Friday: five million downloads in five months.
The podcast, which Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon only launched in August last year, enjoyed its biggest month in February with over 1.3 million downloads. That number was likely helped by the pair’s social media following, with almost two million between them.
The podcast has proven a viral hit online too, with their Instagram Reels and TikTok videos featuring best bits from the show surpassing 30 million views in February and more than one billion views since the podcast’s first episode.
Television
Is Bondi Rescue lacking in diversity to be renewed?
Long running factual Bondi Rescue is yet to be renewed for a 17th season, reports TV Tonight.
The show produced by CJZ first screened in 2006, picking up multiple Logie Awards and selling to a string of territories around the world.
But while its ratings have dropped it is yet to be renewed for 2022, at the same time as 10’s parent company has a strict “No Diversity, No Commission,” rule.
Unusually, the cast is employed by Waverley Council, which gives 10 little control over the mix of mostly male lifeguards.
Daniel Monaghan, 10’s Director of Programming recently told TV Tonight, “It hasn’t played into the decision of Bondi Rescue. It’s been on for about 16 years. Diversity is incredibly important to us but it can come in the form of contributors and people who work behind the scenes, not necessarily just the cast.”
But the show’s limbo may also be tied to its natural life, with ratings for new episodes in December at 317,000 (448,000 in Total TV viewers).
AIDC 2022: “None of us understand how tough it has been for you”
Screen Australia yesterday fronted a session at the Australian International Documentary Conference introducing new members of the Documentary / Factual team, reports TV Tonight.
It was AIDC 2020 when COVID was just impacting on Australia.
This conference marks one of the first times so many producers have come face to face in a two year period.
CEO Graeme Mason opened by telling delegates, “I do want to say how amazing it is to see you all and be here in person. It has been such a long time.
“Obviously, I know, it’s been incredibly tough for everybody. And I want to just make sure that we all give ourselves a moment that whilst it’s going back to some sort of normal now, there’s going to be collateral damage for a lot of us for a long time as we work through this.
“So I think the most important thing I really hope that we get out of these days, is literally an experience of just seeing people and beginning to reestablish those bonds and connections to make us work as collaboratively as possible.”