News Archive:
Final week (almost) a Seven sweep
It was the last week of ratings for 2008, and the week all the free to air broadcasters bonded (temporarily) for Freeview with 4 of 5 metro CEOs there for the party, Nine scrambled to refinance its loans, an Australian actress was trapped in international terror, Seven sacked a reporter, former Sunday journos won the Gold Walkley, Nine let go another network celebrity, ACMA slapped Nine three times for A Current Affair, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares and Spiderman, TEN dumped 90210 and rearranged its summer schedule again, a gangster’s wife was at …
Seven sacks reporter
The Seven Network has sacked sports reporter Dylan Howard, a day after being cleared by a police inquiry into stolen AFL medical records.
The private medical files were the basis of a Seven Network news story in September last year, which made allegations against several players at an AFL club.
Despite recent public declarations of support from the station, Howard is reported to have been called into a meeting this morning with news director Steve Carey and told the news. He was then told to clear his desk and leave immediately.
Two people …
Melissa for weeknights on Nine
QTQ9 Brisbane has announced that newsreader Heather Foord will be replaced by Melissa Downes on Nine News in the new year.
Downes will move across from the weekend news shift to link with seasoned veteran Bruce Paige, though the Courier Mail says there are many suggesting Paige’s days on the desk could be numbered.
“Being asked to step into Heather’s position is incredibly exciting,” Downes said yesterday. “Heather has been a wonderful mentor and friend to me, and I am thrilled to have her blessing.”
But Downes has her work cut out for her …
No charges against Seven on AFL records
Seven Melbourne sports reporter Dylan Howard has been cleared by a police investigation over the stolen medical records of two AFL players in 2007.
Seven’s News Chief Steve Carey and Howard were interviewed by detectives following the broadcast but have been told charges will not be laid.
Seven’s story including unnamed players’ drug use, which led to a player and viewer backlash and a media snub by the players association. Seven’s Melbourne newsroom was also raided by Victoria Police. Carey later acknowledged the incident had hurt the news during a fierce network …
Ratings logic as easy as ABC
There are more (in)glorious quotes today from network execs to marvel over. It’s nice to see the ABC thrown into the pack for once, too.
ABC TV director Kim Dalton has told The Australian he was particularly pleased that so many hit programs on the ABC this year were Australian-made.
“In 2008, more people watched ABC TV than ever before and that demonstrates the importance of the public broadcaster and the way we connect with all Australians,” Mr Dalton said.
While Seven will win the year in ratings weeks and total viewers, Nine …
You better smile. It’s Nine.
It was the week that the industry took action on piracy against an ISP, news crews were assaulted by angry locals, a regional broadcaster axed its entire news department, a court ruled regional licenses must be sold, a reality host pleaded guilty to welfare fraud, another reality show mucked up correct voting information, Screen Australia’s new CEO signalled a smoother ride for film over television, a daytime soap would be destined for primetime, the axe fell on more US shows and an old sitcom face left for the bus depot in …
On covering Bega
Channel TEN journalist Daniel Sutton was one of the journalists assaulted during the week in an attack by locals. He has given an account of the events which gives a stark insight into how covering such tragedies isn’t pleasant for anybody.
Here are selected excerpts from a more compelling feature as published in the Sunday Telegraph:
I’d like to be blunt about this. Wednesday night’s attack on the media in Bega’s Commercial Hotel was unacceptable. We didn’t antagonize, we didn’t intrude, and we didn’t deserve to be bashed simply because of our profession.
It …
Seven appoints daytime programmer
Seven has appointed a new Programmer for its daytime schedules, in Roosje Scott.
Scott, who joined the network in 2001, has previously been Program Services Manager and has overseen 7HD schedules.
The daytime war, which is fiercely prized by TEN, has seen the addition of The View and Ellen on Nine as a way of building a consistent demographic. Susie has also been dropped from WIN Television in Adelaide and Perth daytime schedules.
Seven’s current daytime schedule from 6am to 6pm includes Sunrise, The Morning Show, movies, plus repeats of Desperate Housewives, Moonlighting, some …
Are we there yet?
It was the week that everybody said they had new toys to unwrap, TEN declared the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Aussie producers gathered on the Gold Coast for their annual gab-fest just as Nine decided not to revisit the only drama set there, TiVo dumped one of its key partners, the last original member of Hi-5 chose to retire, the axe fell on several shows in the US, network programmers tried to defend late amendments, Seven apologised for comments made by one of its stars, Nine was revealed as wanting “no …
The race that tops the nation
It was the week a Pay TV spokesperson called broadcaster feuding “juvenile” while another exec wanted better inclusion at the digital switch table, a TEN programmer conceded it had massive timeslot problems, Nine axed production staff, Sonia Kruger was criticised for an on air joke, a former soap star said he didn’t really enjoy soaps, belated guide amendments left viewers confused, an ABC journo pleads guilty to charges in Singapore, drug charges against a Seven personality were dropped, Seven revisits its C7 case against Pay television, the ABC launches its new …
US election: the figures
So where did Aussie viewers go to get all their US election coverage?
Firstly it’s worth acknowledging that with some telecasts stretching to five hours, the average figure will be necessarily modest, especially during the daytime.
At this stage we also only have preliminary figures, which factors in schedules as they were initially planned. In other words, they don’t yet account for the fact that candidate speeches were after 4pm AEDST, when Seven and Nine had planned to return to normal schedules.
ABC did in fact return to normal programming on cue at …
Packered by the Rafters
It was the week the Packer family parted ways with Nine causing David Gyngell to vow to prove James Packer wrong, TEN announced a new channel, Pay TV launched another three, Minister Stephen Conroy signalled support for increased ABC & SBS funding, commercial networks (briefly) found a conscience but upset David Leckie, WIN sat down at the gambling table, Kath & Kim (US) got a greenlight for a full season, Andrew Denton announced the end of Enough Rope, David Tennant set his exit from his iconic role, Rove visited …