The broadcast networks have grown older than ever — if they were a person, they wouldn’t even be a part of TV’s target demo anymore.According to a study released by Magna Global’s Steve Sternberg, the five broadcast nets’ average live median age (in other words, not including delayed DVR viewing)… Continue Reading >>
Television June 30th 2008 — 4:54 pm
For months, there’s been speculation that the American television industry could once again be crippled by strike action, but that possibility has been played down by the actors’ union at the centre of the dispute.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in the US has been in deadlocked negotiations with the… Continue Reading >>
Industry, International Media June 30th 2008 — 3:48 pm
Newsreader Tracey Spicer has relived the night she held a pillow a foot away from her critically ill mother’s face, as she prepared to end her suffering by suffocating her.
With the euthanasia debate dominating headlines in Australia, Ms Spicer, an international anchor with Sky News and previously the face of Channel… Continue Reading >>
Celebrities / Personalities June 30th 2008 — 9:13 am
The BBC are shaping up to compete directly with the ABC, with plans to further establish the BBC brand in Australia accelerating.
Last week, Beeb announced that it would be taking control of their joint venture subscription channel UKTV from Foxtel and would be launching two new channels, BBC Knowledge… Continue Reading >>
Industry, International Media, Print, Subscription Television, Television, Television Programmes June 30th 2008 — 8:10 am
Perth’s community TV station Access 31 lives to survive another week, as members vote to keep the station on the air – for now.
The station’s members were believed to have been told that any possible state or federal government funding has dried up and that the only option for… Continue Reading >>
Television June 28th 2008 — 1:35 pm
Melbourne talkback radio host Derryn Hinch has expressed his relief after allegations of sexual assault made by a former business partner have been dropped:
“It’s the end of one of the worst chapters of my life. At the end of the day, it has been worthwhile. I said at the… Continue Reading >>
Celebrities / Personalities, Radio June 27th 2008 — 10:19 pm
Channel Nine announced today it had ceased production of the 5.30pm game show Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune.
A Channel Nine spokesperson said, “We are disappointed that Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune has not done as well as we had hoped. It is best in these circumstances to make the… Continue Reading >>
Television Programmes June 27th 2008 — 4:38 pm
Wednesday June 25 was a fine day for Sydney, and a fine day for Fairfax Digital, garnering 75% of the meteorological services group The Weather Company along with its commercial online offering www.weatherzone.com.au.
The Weather Company boasts the ABC, Network TEN, Elders and ninemsn amongst its clients and founder Mark… Continue Reading >>
Subscription Television, Television June 26th 2008 — 10:06 am
Sky News Australia revealed yesterday it had done a deal with Reuters.
“We are delighted to now receive the Reuters newswire in its entirety. The Reuters service will be quicker, act as a valuable resource to our journalists and enhance our onscreen coverage for our viewers,” said Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO… Continue Reading >>
Subscription Television June 26th 2008 — 10:02 am
Two further new BBC channels – BBC Knowledge and CBeebies – will be the first BBC channels to launch on FOXTEL when it gains extra cable and satellite capacity in mid 2009, Mediaweek reports.
BBC Knowledge draws on the vast production resource and accumulated library of acclaimed documentary and non-fiction… Continue Reading >>
Subscription Television June 25th 2008 — 10:42 am
Nine Network have announced that they will be shelving plans to exit their Willoughby (Sydney) and Richmond (Melbourne) studio complexes. Nine will instead undertake technological improvements at both sites, including the introduction of digital newsrooms.
Offers on both sites by developer Charter Hall initially valued at $200 million were lowered… Continue Reading >>
Industry June 24th 2008 — 7:49 pm
Downloads of local and international TV shows are now available in Apple’s Australian iTunes store. Around 21 different shows ranging from Desperate Housewives and Lost to segments from Foreign Correspondent and Canal Road are now legally available for download at $2.99 per episode.
At present the Nine Network, Australian… Continue Reading >>
Industry, New Media, Television, Television Programmes June 24th 2008 — 6:58 pm
She got her groove back on the glitter strip of the Gold Coast, now radio babe Bianca Dye has decided to return to the real Sin City.
The former Nova morning show host has confirmed she will not continue beyond her three-week fill-in on Hot Tomato FM,… Continue Reading >>
Radio June 24th 2008 — 10:45 am
The death of Tim Russert earlier this month created the inevitable speculation about who would be his replacement on Meet the Press. Now, NBC has provided an answer: former Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw will assume the position of moderator on the prestigious program through the 2008 US presidential election.… Continue Reading >>
Celebrities / Personalities, International Media June 23rd 2008 — 7:28 pm
Seven’s long-awaited TiVo digital television recorder will go on sale in Australia next month, priced at $700.
Harvey Norman will sell the device exclusively for three months, after which it will be sold via all major electronics chains including JB Hi-Fi and Dick Smith, The Australian Financial Review reported.
Seven… Continue Reading >>
Digital Television, Television June 23rd 2008 — 4:25 pm