Talking Points

Sky turns to politics for 2010

Sky News CEO Angelos Frangopolos has announced plans for expanded politics programming across the main new channel and its sister ‘public affairs’ network A-PAC. In a bid to capitalise on the network’s existing politics coverage, A-PAC would become a “24-hour all-election channel” once an election was called, airing announcements, speeches,… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Politics, Subscription Television, Talking Points, Television December 13th 2009 — 11:52 pm

Media Spy Awards 2009: Nine not welcoming anyone home, and all things Mike Retter

The 2009 Media Spy Awards have revealed that Channel Nine has officially lost us – with almost a clean sweep in all negative categories.

Their downfall was lead by Nine News, crowned Worst News Bulletin – and their coverage of the Asylum Seekers, handing Nine the award for WorstContinue Reading >>

Awards, Media Spy, Talking Points December 13th 2009 — 10:13 am

Victorian radio stations to give bushfire warnings

The Victorian Government has reached an agreement with 30 regional and metropolitan Victorian commercial radio stations to provide official emergency warnings in case of bushfire danger for this coming summer.

Stations such as Melbourne-based Triple M, 3AW and Fox FM will join regional broadcasters from all parts of the state… Continue Reading >>

Industry, Press Releases, Radio, Talking Points October 27th 2009 — 1:43 pm

Far-right leader sparks protest outside BBC

Up to 1,000 protestors have gathered outside the BBC’s studios in London to protest the appearance of far-right political leader Nick Griffin on the flagship current affairs show Question Time. The announcement of the British National Party head’s appearance was met with opposition when it was announced in September, including claims the public… Continue Reading >>

International Media, New Media, Talking Points, Television, Television Programmes October 23rd 2009 — 9:08 am

Seven files for trademarks: ‘Channel Mate’?

As Seven gears up to launch its long awaited second digital channel, the network has applied for five trademarks which may provide clues in relation to the branding of the new channel.

The Spy Report has learned that the Seven Network filed trademark applications on Tuesday to register five… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Talking Points, Television October 15th 2009 — 6:50 pm

Murdoch, News ‘an empire in decline’: Scott

Mark Scott, the managing director of the ABC has tonight used an address to blast plans by media companies to put online content behind paywalls, hailing the decline of traditional media barons.

The speech, delivered at the University of Melbourne this evening and entitled The Fall of Rome: Media AfterContinue Reading >>

Industry, Journalism, New Media, Online, Talking Points October 14th 2009 — 7:32 pm

Murdoch, AP hit out at online ‘kleptomaniacs’

Two of the most vigorous international supporters of paid media content have used the opening of a major media conference to go on the offensive, ripping into the “kleptomaniacs” and “plagiarists” who distributed content for free.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and the Associated Press (AP) have in recent times taken… Continue Reading >>

Industry, International Media, Journalism, Online, Talking Points October 10th 2009 — 8:50 am

Packer unrepentant over vitriolic outburst

James Packer has indicated that he has no regrets over an outburst against David Leckie, after launching a vigorous, expletive-filled verbal barrage against the Seven chief executive yesterday. The exchange between the pair took place at a lunch to celebrate the birthday of former Nine chief Sam Chisholm.

Several witnesses… Continue Reading >>

Celebrities / Personalities, Talking Points, Television October 9th 2009 — 1:34 pm

Seven’s new channel: 22 November?

Seven is set to launch its new digital channel on 22 November, with the network informing OzTAM of its intention to have ratings data collected.

The Australian reports that the letter was sent by chief executive David Leckie last week, and that the new signal would – as speculated –… Continue Reading >>

Digital Television, Industry, Talking Points, Television September 29th 2009 — 9:51 am

Sandilands suspended and counselled, but not sacked

Shock-jock Kyle Sandilands has been officially suspended for four weeks by radio station 2DAY FM, and will be asked to undergo counselling.

This suspension follows the latest in a number of controversial on-air events involving Sandilands, where he suggested that television personality and comedian Magda Szubanski could lose weight by… Continue Reading >>

Celebrities / Personalities, Radio, Talking Points September 17th 2009 — 1:57 pm

Fairfax launches National Times opinion site

Fairfax opened National Times, its new online opinion website, overnight. The opinion site, described as “a must-read destination for those seeking the most authoritative and insightful views on politics, current affairs, and social trends.” It will launch officially tomorrow.

The new site will draw upon the company’s resources, including TheContinue Reading >>

Industry, Online, Print, Talking Points September 13th 2009 — 11:01 am

BBC Chairman favours licence fee cut rather than sharing

Given the choice between a reduction in the yearly cost of a TV licence and boosting regional news services on commercial broadcasters, the BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons wrote in an open letter to the British public that he believes the public will chose the reduction in cost.

“That… Continue Reading >>

Industry, International Media, Talking Points September 11th 2009 — 9:30 pm

Sandilands headed for the chop?

In the latest turn in the Kyle Sandilands saga, the Herald Sun reports that Austereo executives are preparing to sack the controversial presenter on Monday. Optus, a major sponsor of the program, recently withdrew its support for the Kyle and Jackie O Show.

According to the paper, Sandilands has ‘exhausted the… Continue Reading >>

Celebrities / Personalities, Industry, Radio, Talking Points September 11th 2009 — 10:34 am

SMH crowned newspaper of the year

The Sydney Morning Herald was last night named ‘newspaper of the year’ at the awards ceremony of the Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association. The Herald was the first Sydney paper to win the award for publications with a circulation of more than 90,000 in four years.

Editor Peter Fray said it… Continue Reading >>

Awards, Industry, Online, Print, Talking Points September 11th 2009 — 10:25 am

Stokes joins CMH board

Ryan Stokes and Seven Network deputy chairman Peter Gammel have joined the board of Consolidated Media Holdings (CMH), the part-owner of pay-TV network Foxtel and Premier Media Group.

Seven became the second-largest shareholder in CMH after launching a bid for a stake in the company last July.

Seven Executive Chairman, Kerry Stokes,… Continue Reading >>

Industry, Talking Points September 10th 2009 — 8:01 pm