August 2024
Paul Keating’s prediction about Nine-Fairfax goes both ways
Also, the secondary effects of a strike at Nine Publishing land as others seek meetings; and who Seven West Media has hired to manage its crisis PR.
July 2024
Kerry Stokes hires from Twiggy to replace Bruce McWilliam at Seven
Can you ever really replace someone like Kerry Stokes’ top legal lieutenant Bruce McWilliam? Probably not – but maybe that’s a good thing.
The TV networks’ big annual parties aren’t a good look this year
Cost-conscious broadcasters are set to overhaul their new season show reveals – champagne-fuelled events known as upfronts.
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.
June 2024
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.
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.
May 2024
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.
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.
April 2024
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.
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?
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.
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.
March 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
February 2024
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.
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.
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.
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?