This Month
Todd Woodbridge and the jackpot quiz thwarting Seven’s news offensive
The former tennis star and Nine presenter is upending the 6pm news ratings battle because of the unlikely success of the game show he hosts at 5pm.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
June
What restructure? Church and state blur over at national broadsheet
The bar for what’s newsworthy in media is sometimes difficult to gauge. News Corp’s massive restructure, and the high-profile exits that followed, was not.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Rupert Murdoch hosts secret wedding as he eyes trip home
Rupert Murdoch tied the knot for a fifth time on Sunday. He could be visiting Australia as soon as next month.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
May
Showtime! Media CEOs’ last stand with Foxtel over future of TV
Years of lobbying by free-to-air networks and Foxtel have come down to this week, when two crucial pieces of legislation are set to go before the Senate.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Ad giant Dentsu’s epic losses no big deal for Japanese parent
Dentsu spends more than $1 billion every year in Australia on behalf of its clients, including Woolworths. It has lost $170 million over the past three years.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
April
News Corp restructure ‘savings’ soar as editors talk strategy
After a lacklustre advertising market struck media companies in 2024, a proposed restructure at News Corp will now aim to save $50 million instead of $15 million.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Seven CEO James Warburton exits with $6.6m in shares
Who needs a non-disparagement clause when there are 33 million shares riding on talking up the Kerry Stokes-controlled broadcaster?
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Digital publishers fear Meta is already preparing for news ban
Online publishers say they’re now considered “news media” to Meta, much to their horror; Bruce McWilliam pushes back against photo claims.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Seven’s cost cuts claim the US ‘job’ of former Sunrise boss
The focus has firmly been on the network’s Spotlight program (and its incredible expense bill). But it seems savings are being made elsewhere.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
March
Scene of Lehrmann Thai massage snafu uncomfortably close for Murdochs
Rupert Murdoch’s eldest daughter Prudence MacLeod has been trying to buy a new home in Sydney; Southern Cross Austereo’s bankers ask for a stay of execution.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
The ABC loses more in the Meta v media and government standoff
The more decisive the Albanese government is in its war with Meta, the more the ABC will lose in its Meta deal; Tentative open season for AI at News Corp.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Two halves of the Seven empire are at war over The Nightly
If the Anthony De Ceglie-led digital newspaper The Nightly falters, prepare for a long slow death. If it succeeds, Seven’s power shifts west.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian considers moving with The Times in new radio play
A proposal to expand The Australian’s daily podcast The Front is going upstairs at News Corp; Barrenjoey’s two-sided Southern Cross deals.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
February
Barnaby Joyce to be diagnosed with a sleep disorder on live TV
The former Nationals leader has insomnia and sleep apnoea; plus: former Oz editor Chris Dore’s first target; Tabcorp open to its own free-to-air TV channel.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
The executives making the NRL Vegas trip for a schmoozefest
Nine sends one executive to the NRL’s US venture, but Foxtel sends a crowd; John Singleton drops into SPASM’s home; Allan Gray’s letter to Southern Cross.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Rupert Murdoch’s secret hours on camera interviewed by Sky News chief
Paul Whittaker has for months been quietly interviewing the media magnate on camera.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
As billionaires vie for Paramount, a Network 10 sale looks more likely
What happens to Ten as David Ellison, media mogul Byron Allen and PE firm Apollo look at wresting control of Paramount from Shari Redstone?
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
January
A short history of nearly everything Kim Williams has said on the ABC
It’d take a book to compile incoming ABC chair Kim Williams’ thoughts on the ABC – luckily he did that; Kerry Stokes’ The Nightly poaches from News Corp
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
December 2023
ABC chairman shortlist takes shape as clock ticks on Buttrose’s tenure
It is among the hardest jobs in Australian media. Here are some of the people tipped to oversee the public broadcaster’s board from next year.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Seven Network’s Spotlight goes all in with Bruce Lehrmann
It’s hard to find a good hairdresser today. So it was match made in heaven when one of the broadcaster’s exclusive interviewees, Anthony Koletti, met another.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones