Stan could be the man for Nine’s 60 Minutes

Stan Grant has been in contact with Nine executives about a potential role with 60 Minutes.

Cartoon: Jon Kudelka

As Nine journalists queue up to replace Michael Usher on the network’s flagship current affairs program, 60 Minutes, Diary has come across one of the more interesting possibilities. It is understood Sky News and NITV presenter Stan Grant has been in contact with Nine executives about a potential role with 60 Minutes. While it’s early days, Grant is due to meet with Nine this week, as he considers his next move after winding back his duties with Sky. Nine is undecided on whether it will replace Usher and key executives are understood to be pleased with the program’s recent form, including interviews with PR queen Roxy Jacenko and independent senator Pauline Hanson. If Nine were to draft in Grant it would certainly draw the ire of Today presenter and $3 million man Karl Stefanovic and European correspondent Tom Steinfort, who are believed to be keen to nab a fulltime gig with 60. The franchise is still reeling from a disastrous child-snatching attempt in Lebanon, and Nine is yet to reach a settlement with former 60 producer Stephen Rice, who was the lone casualty of the incident. Asked if 60 needed someone with genuine star power to reinvigorate the program, Nine news and current affairs boss Darren Wick said: “60 Minutes would never put a star ahead of a good journalist.” Grant, a Walkley-award winner, had considered a run at a federal seat earlier this year but decided against it. He told men’s magazine GQ he wasn’t interested in politics for the ego trip — “God, I’ve had enough people blowing smoke up my arse of late” — or the money, since that would “wipe two-thirds off my income”. Unfortunately, if Grant is still after the big bucks, Nine might not be the right employer as it deals with the fallout from Lebanon and a tough year in the ratings.

Marks’ bouncer to CA

Nine Entertainment chief executive Hugh Marks has laid down the gauntlet to Cricket Australia, making it clear the network will not pay a big uptick to retain the broadcast rights to test matches and international one-day matches. But Nine will enter the negotiations without the help of gun-for-hire Jeff “Buckets” Browne who the network’s former chief executive David Gyngell once described as the “best deal closer in the business.” Browne, who stepped down as Nine Network managing director in July 2013, was brought back into the fold on a reported $1m retainer last year. He played a key role in securing Nine’s $625m NRL deal and met with the AFL about the network’s interest in securing one match a round (which did not come to fruition). Marks, considered more cost-focused than his predecessor, told Diary that Nine had not retained Browne’s services. Browne’s deal with Nine expired around July, leaving him as a free agent just as negotiations for the cricket rights are about to ramp up. While Marks has saved cash and has experienced sports rights negotiator Amanda Laing on deck, he has also left the door open for Browne to pursue a role on the other side of the table with Cricket Australia. Browne turned down an offer to negotiate the AFL broadcast rights for the sport as he had already accepted the role with Nine. A tough negotiator, he would be loath to accept anything less than a material bump if was representing CA. Furthermore, Ten and Seven feel Nine is vulnerable and may spark a genuine bidding war. Ten’s Big Bash League is one component of the cricket rights that is sure to surge in value.

Celebrities go boating

Media heavies and celebrities have descended on Hamilton Island for Race Week festivities, most with their meal tickets, white look-the-part sailing jackets and elegant Qualia beachside villas paid for by lavish sponsor Audi. Enjoying champagne and watching the yacht racing from the luxury of Audi-leased super launch Qualia included Channel Seven Brisbane’s general manager and Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts Smith. Other media types basking in the sun and doing some hosting duties included former Sunrise queen and Channel 7 host Melissa Doyle, Nine’s Getaway host Catriona Rowntree and Channel Ten presenter Sandra Sully. Hipster blogger and anti skin cancer campaigner Jimmy Niggles, whose BeardSeason ­Instagram account has 72,000 ­followers, was not so lucky in his sailing ventures: his crucial tool-of-trade iPhone ended up in the marina’s depths before being ­rescued by a willing diver. Last seen packed in a box of rice.

Uber’s email fail

Hacks often wonder what happens to their inquiries once they enter the belly of the corporate beast — and what those tasked with dealing with probing questions really think of the fourth estate. Thanks to the bungling of Uber’s fat-fingered head of policy, Brad Kitschke, all is revealed. On Friday, Oz reporter Ben Butler emailed the former sporting goods salesman — he was the boss of the sector’s peak body between 2010 and 2012 — to ask about a link between Uber and the disappearance of Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski nine weeks ago. The sad tale has captivated the city. On top of daily newspaper coverage, Nine’s A Current Affair ran a segment last week and Seven’s Sunday Night is also sniffing around the yarn. Much focus has fallen on Karen’s husband, Borce — which is where Uber comes in, as he apparently drives for the loss-making gypsy cab operator. Kitschke forwarded the reporter’s email — but sadly neglected to remove him from the list of recipients. Kitschke stressed the “need to be careful”. “We can’t confirm or deny that this guy is an Uber driver,” he said. “Ben Butler is a turd and likes to f. k us.” Tell us what you really think, Brad.

Woolies offload list

Following Woolworths’ agreement to sell its Masters hardware assets last week, attention has turned to what other assets new chief executive Brad Banducci may look to offload. One asset that is understood to be in the sights of the some major media companies is Woolworths’ half share of big data business Quantium, which already counts Foxtel, oOh! Media and Facebook as commercial partners. Woolworths paid $20m for its share in 2013 and would likely be after a big uptick if it were to sell. Asked if the asset was for sale, a Woolworths spokeswoman said the company “does not comment on speculation”. The supermarket giant could also pursue the initial public offering route if it was interested in a sale, with big data a hot industry that would likely garner interest from fund managers. The tricky part would be making sure Woolworths still provided its data via a commercial arrangement if it was not a shareholder, given that shopping habits data is extremely valuable to advertisers.

2GB, 2UE overlooked

While best on-air nominations for FM hosts like Kyle and Jackie O grabbed all the attention in the finalists announced at the 28th annual Australian Commercial Radio Awards, the newsroom category is the talk of the industry. For the first time in as long as anyone can remember, neither 2GB or 2UE have nabbed nominations in the Brian White Memorial Award and Best News Presenter categories. Their exclusion comes a year after these fierce rivals became “one”. After years of dominating the category and being home to some of the best reporters, relentless cost-cutting has taken its toll.

NT’s first lady lies low

The ABC journalist fiancee of new Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner is planning to shun the political limelight. While Kristy O’Brien, who has reported for the ABC since 2007 and moved to the Darwin newsroom at the end of 2009, is no shrinking violet, she does not want to get caught up in the political circus, Diary is informed. Although journalists were surprised to see O’Brien by Gunner’s side on Saturday, wearing a red dress, she will keep a low profile, and will rarely, if ever, be seen ­posing up for photos with him. The NT result was an embarrassment for Malcolm Turnbull, who blamed local issues for the Country Liberal Party’s thrashing at the hands of the Northern Territory Labor leader.