Business of Media
The Chaser prepares for legal war against Britain’s ITV Studios
They’re notorious for high-profile stunts and news satire, but the people behind The Chaser are in a fight of their lives to keep their 25-year legacy alive – defending their brand in court against British broadcast giant ITV Studios, reports Nine Publishing’s Sam Buckingham-Jones.
Years after being condemned by prime ministers, breaking through security at APEC dressed as Osama bin Laden, and projecting former broadcaster Alan Jones’ number on the side of the Sydney Opera House, The Chaser has found itself battling the team behind long-running quiz show The Chase Australia.
The Chase Australia launched in 2013. But in late 2020, ITV tried to launch a spinoff, Beat the Chasers, and submitted paperwork to trademark that name. It hit a roadblock: The Chaser team objected, and won. ITV has appealed the decision in a Federal Court.
Kerry Stokes pushes political patronage to the edge
There was something faintly ironic about the official launch of Basil Zempilas′ Liberal party political career, reports Nine Publishing’s Mark Di Stefano.
In the opening seconds Zempilas was caught on a hot mic being matey-matey with the press pack, making an off-hand remark construed as referring to the women’s Australian Open final being a “reserves game”.
A loudmouth who had spent the last three decades being employed, promoted and coddled by Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media – operating in the most concentrated news market in the country – ascending to Lord Mayor of Perth, only to be immediately derailed by a bunch of teens watching online out-of-state. Alanis Morissette could never.
Universal Music Group poised to stop licensing music to TikTok
Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, said it would stop licensing content to TikTok if the firm fails to reach a new contract with the social-media app to pay its musicians, which include Taylor Swift and Drake, report The Wall Street Journal’s Meghan Bobrowsky and Anne Steele.
The current contract is set to expire Wednesday, and no new agreement has been reached, Universal said in an open letter to the artist and songwriter community.
The company alleged that TikTok proposed paying artists and songwriters “at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay” and with a deal that is worth less than the previous deal.
News Brands
David Anderson is under siege. Laura Tingle says ABC staff are why she backs him
ABC board member Laura Tingle has defended her decision to back managing director David Anderson and reject a union-led vote of no confidence in him, arguing it was in the best interests of the public broadcaster’s staff, report Nine Publishing’s Calum Jaspan and Olivia Ireland.
Chief political correspondent for the news organisation’s 7.30 program, Tingle said despite her vote against the union position she understood concerns raised by ABC employees over the way it covers the Israel-Gaza war and the sacking of fill-in radio host Antoinette Lattouf. Tingle joined the ABC’s board as its staff-elected representative in March 2023.
Nine News in dispute with Adobe over doctored image of Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell
Nine News is in dispute with international technology giant Adobe over the doctored image of Victorian Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell which resulted in the politician declaring she was given “enlarged boobs” and a “revealing” outfit in an image that aired on TV, reports The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth.
Nine News Melbourne’s director of news Hugh Nailon is standing by his comments that the image was the result of “automation by Photoshop,” despite Adobe, who owns Photoshop, saying “human intervention and approval” was required.
The Australian has been told the original image of Purcell was used from an article published in the Bendigo Advertiser on October 21 last year and only showed the politician from the top of her waist upwards.
See Also: 9News boss apologises to Victorian MP Georgie Purcell after airing gaffe
Radio
New kingmaker turns up in Southern Cross battle
Spheria Asset Management is shaping up to have influence in ARN Media’s plans to buy Southern Cross Media Group after lifting its interest in the two rival radio broadcasters, reports The Australian’s Bridget Carter.
As of January 18, Spheria increased its holding to 7.01 per cent from 5.01 per cent in Southern Cross after it became a substantial shareholder on January 12. Also on January 18, Spheria emerged with a holding of 5.7 per cent in ARN Media.
It is understood that the institutional investor is backing the companies because it sees strong upside from a merger, where it creates a broadcasting powerhouse that generates strong cashflow.
‘S**t day’: Carrie Bickmore breaks down over on-air surprise
An emotional Carrie Bickmore broke down on-air yesterday, after she was surprised with an in-studio appearance by one of her favourite singers on the HIT Network’s Carrie & Tommy show, reports News Corp’s Nick Bond.
British pop-soul singer Raye, now touring Australia, was in the studio with radio host Tommy Little as he explained that co-host Bickmore is such a fan, “three of her top five” songs on Spotify last year were by the singer.
“[Carrie] had a crap week last week and we thought, instead of telling her that you’re going to be here, we could make it a surprise,” he revealed, as a blindfolded Bickmore was led into the studio.
Television
Free TV appoints Director of Public Policy
Free TV Australia has appointed former SBS exec Michael Coonan to the newly created role of Director of Public Policy, reports TV Tonight.
He previously served as the Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs at SBS, with earlier roles at Foxtel and the ACMA in shaping regulatory frameworks. He is also the Vice President of the Australian Chapter of the International Institute of Communications.
Paramount+ to remove some international originals
Paramount Global‘s streaming service Paramount+ is removing some international original content across its markets and will not debut some planned programming sourced outside the U.S. as part of the entertainment giant’s goal of “managing costs” and “maximizing content with the biggest impact,” including a focus on big U.S. studio franchises and a reduction in local, international originals, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Georg Szalai.
On Wednesday, Paramount+ in foreign markets started removing such international original fare as the film At Midnight, starring Top Gun: Maverick breakout Monica Barbaro, Brazilian series Marcelo, Marmelo, Martelo, and U.K. drama No Escape.
In addition, some international content previously set to debut on the streamer across markets will not launch on it, including German thriller series Turmschatten, Italian series Miss Fallaci, which tells “the true story of one of the most controversial Italian and international journalism icons,” Oriana Fallaci and German anthology series Zeit Verbrechen, starring Sandra Hüller and Lars Eidinger, according to sources familiar with the situation. Other international programming will remain on the platform.