On December 7th the Global Gaming Net casino group was the first Playtech licensee to launch the new Playtech TV Games in two of the group’s leading brands – www.swisscasino.com and www.casinolasvegas.com.
Playtech TV currently features two games – Club Roulette (standard Roulette table) and Roulette Royale (French Roulette table); a third game, Double Action Roulette, which will feature a wagering competition with a €1500 prize awarded every other hour, is scheduled to launch by mid-January 2010.
The Playtech TV Games are mass multi-player interactive games hosted by studio presenters. The new technology behind these games is a combination of pre-recorded live dealers and a real-time game simulation, which enables players to see their virtual chips stack up on the table as they place their bets, and interact with their virtual croupier in real-time. Players can view the in-play data, game activity, their own information and the information of the other players via real-time broadcast streaming. The information shared among players includes personalized nicknames that remain constant throughout all TV Game visits.
The game hosts are real presenters who, in addition to spinning the wheel, also provide commentary on the game and pieces of useful information, including previous game statistics, color odds, high vs. low number odds, and recent winners. Presenters include former Miss Australia Jodie Geddes, veteran British television presenters Lisa-Marie Long, Kay Little and Hannah Peckham, and Matt Odell, who will be familiar to many from the BBC, the National Theatre and the Travel Channel. The TV Games menu options include a daily schedule listing the time slots of each of the presenters, so players can check and see when their favorite presenter is on.
There is no limit to the number of players who may join in on a game. The more players, the busier the table; this allows the real-time experience to provide players with the thrill of a real live table game.
Playtech TV is now available at Casino Las Vegas and Swiss Casino, but will be available in all nine GGN brands in the future. GGN is owned by PartyGaming Plc, which is traded on the London Stock exchange and runs the leading online Poker Room www.partypoker.com
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Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin on ONE HD tonight 8PM EST, Australia
Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin will show on ONE HD tonight at 8PM EST.
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin at Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia tonight - 28th November 2009
Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin featuring Hulk Hogan VS Ric Flair tonight at Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia.
This is almost certainly the last time Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair will wrestle in Australia.
The Hogan VS Flair feud is one of the most memorable in pro wrestling history, and both men are regarded as true living legends. Hogan and Flair have shaped the pro wrestling industry for over 3 decades.
Both long time and new professional wrestling fans can expect to see an exciting and impressive line up of matches. The wrestling card offers the best in both new and more established pro wrestling talent and also showcases world class production.
Tickets available at Ticketek.com.
Media Man will be reporting on the card as results come to hand.
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This is almost certainly the last time Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair will wrestle in Australia.
The Hogan VS Flair feud is one of the most memorable in pro wrestling history, and both men are regarded as true living legends. Hogan and Flair have shaped the pro wrestling industry for over 3 decades.
Both long time and new professional wrestling fans can expect to see an exciting and impressive line up of matches. The wrestling card offers the best in both new and more established pro wrestling talent and also showcases world class production.
Tickets available at Ticketek.com.
Media Man will be reporting on the card as results come to hand.
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
It's the characters behind the cards who draw a full house, by Joe Hachem - 21st November 2009
There is a quote I love which says, "Sports do not build character. They reveal it." Think about what makes a truly great sports star. Is it a perfect record of runs or world record-breaking times? Or, at the end of the day, as with so much else in life, does it come down to personality.
Great talent can make a champion, but great charisma is what truly makes a star. The greatest sporting heroes, those who have won a spot in the hearts and minds of the nation that lasts well beyond their time actively competing, are those who have a charm that extends past the finish line.
Muhammad Ali, Don Bradman, Tiger Woods and my good mate Shane Warne are all personalities that you cannot ignore. Whether it's a quiet calm, a fiery competitive spirit, the larrikin or the all-round good guy, we relate to their public persona, we see them as our friends, our representatives, or if they're playing for the other side, our villains.
These characters are the true stars because they make a sport great to watch as their personality helps to weave the rich tapestry of the sporting stories. Tournament poker is no different: there are great technical players and internet wunderkinds who have won millions and achieved huge success, but the players I love to watch, and play against, are the real characters.
There are the jokers who try to put their opponents off with a comic aside; the brooding, aggressive players who hide behind their hoods and try to get the whole table on tilt; and the old school gentlemen of the sport who can charm their way through any hand.
These characters and their richly varied style of play are what make watching tournament poker exciting and elevate it beyond just a game of cards. I truly believe that to be a success in poker, and to help grow the popularity of the sport, a competitor needs to be a personality, not just a player, which is why my last test for the contestants of The Poker Star was all about finding who had that charisma.
But charisma is a hard thing to test. How do you define character, or map out charm? In the modern sporting world, great personalities are revealed and delivered to every fan's lounge room by the ever growing media machine, so what better way to test how the contestants would perform than by throwing them right into the deep end with a full-on media conference.
I knew putting my final three contestants in front of a media pack with no warning would be overwhelming and intimidating but I also knew it was essential that whoever I chose as The Poker Star could keep their calm and handle themselves in that situation. My memories from the first few days of winning the World Series of Poker are filled with flash bulbs and cameras, as I ran the press and PR trail and had to do my best to represent my own sport.
The Poker Star winner will hopefully one day need to do the same, and I'm proud to say I now know they will handle it with charm and ease. Because the person I've chosen has revealed throughout the show that they are not just a great sportsperson, but a truly great character.
Until next week, pass the sugar! (Credit: Joe Hachem, Fairfax, Google News)
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Great talent can make a champion, but great charisma is what truly makes a star. The greatest sporting heroes, those who have won a spot in the hearts and minds of the nation that lasts well beyond their time actively competing, are those who have a charm that extends past the finish line.
Muhammad Ali, Don Bradman, Tiger Woods and my good mate Shane Warne are all personalities that you cannot ignore. Whether it's a quiet calm, a fiery competitive spirit, the larrikin or the all-round good guy, we relate to their public persona, we see them as our friends, our representatives, or if they're playing for the other side, our villains.
These characters are the true stars because they make a sport great to watch as their personality helps to weave the rich tapestry of the sporting stories. Tournament poker is no different: there are great technical players and internet wunderkinds who have won millions and achieved huge success, but the players I love to watch, and play against, are the real characters.
There are the jokers who try to put their opponents off with a comic aside; the brooding, aggressive players who hide behind their hoods and try to get the whole table on tilt; and the old school gentlemen of the sport who can charm their way through any hand.
These characters and their richly varied style of play are what make watching tournament poker exciting and elevate it beyond just a game of cards. I truly believe that to be a success in poker, and to help grow the popularity of the sport, a competitor needs to be a personality, not just a player, which is why my last test for the contestants of The Poker Star was all about finding who had that charisma.
But charisma is a hard thing to test. How do you define character, or map out charm? In the modern sporting world, great personalities are revealed and delivered to every fan's lounge room by the ever growing media machine, so what better way to test how the contestants would perform than by throwing them right into the deep end with a full-on media conference.
I knew putting my final three contestants in front of a media pack with no warning would be overwhelming and intimidating but I also knew it was essential that whoever I chose as The Poker Star could keep their calm and handle themselves in that situation. My memories from the first few days of winning the World Series of Poker are filled with flash bulbs and cameras, as I ran the press and PR trail and had to do my best to represent my own sport.
The Poker Star winner will hopefully one day need to do the same, and I'm proud to say I now know they will handle it with charm and ease. Because the person I've chosen has revealed throughout the show that they are not just a great sportsperson, but a truly great character.
Until next week, pass the sugar! (Credit: Joe Hachem, Fairfax, Google News)
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
ACTA welcomes allocation of digital spectrum for Community TV
4th November 2009
The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) today welcomed the Federal Government's decision to allocate digital spectrum for Community Television.
ACTA was formed primarily to coordinate the sector's representations to Government and in particular to secure digital spectrum and funding support during the digital/analogue simulcast period that concludes at the end of 2013. Since the introduction of digital broadcasting to Australia in 2001 Community Television channels have been the only ones not available via digital set-top boxes.
The lack of digital spectrum has severely hampered audience growth for Community Television and in recent times has seen audience numbers in most cities begin to fall significantly. "As Community TV relies on sponsorship revenue to fund station operations, and sponsors want to know that people are watching, urgent action was required," ACTA Secretary Laurie Patton said.
"Today's announcement from Senator Conroy proves that ACTA's campaign has worked," Mr Patton added. "The Government clearly understood that without a digital pathway Community Television was destined for broadcasting oblivion".
ACTA is pleased that the Government has accepted its arguments in favour of Community Television and its potential to play an important role in a developing digital multichannel world.
"Community TV stations provide a unique platform for the expression of the views and interests of a wide range of community groups and individuals that would otherwise go unheard. In addition to providing an outlet for local viewpoints and diverse opinions Community Television acts as a training ground for new entrants to the broadcast industry," Mr Patton concluded.
For information about the Community TV station in your capital city go to:
Adelaide www.c31.com.au
Brisbane www.qctv.com.au
Melbourne www.c31.org.au
Perth www.ctvperth.com.au
Sydney www.tvs.tv
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The Australian Community Television Alliance (ACTA) today welcomed the Federal Government's decision to allocate digital spectrum for Community Television.
ACTA was formed primarily to coordinate the sector's representations to Government and in particular to secure digital spectrum and funding support during the digital/analogue simulcast period that concludes at the end of 2013. Since the introduction of digital broadcasting to Australia in 2001 Community Television channels have been the only ones not available via digital set-top boxes.
The lack of digital spectrum has severely hampered audience growth for Community Television and in recent times has seen audience numbers in most cities begin to fall significantly. "As Community TV relies on sponsorship revenue to fund station operations, and sponsors want to know that people are watching, urgent action was required," ACTA Secretary Laurie Patton said.
"Today's announcement from Senator Conroy proves that ACTA's campaign has worked," Mr Patton added. "The Government clearly understood that without a digital pathway Community Television was destined for broadcasting oblivion".
ACTA is pleased that the Government has accepted its arguments in favour of Community Television and its potential to play an important role in a developing digital multichannel world.
"Community TV stations provide a unique platform for the expression of the views and interests of a wide range of community groups and individuals that would otherwise go unheard. In addition to providing an outlet for local viewpoints and diverse opinions Community Television acts as a training ground for new entrants to the broadcast industry," Mr Patton concluded.
For information about the Community TV station in your capital city go to:
Adelaide www.c31.com.au
Brisbane www.qctv.com.au
Melbourne www.c31.org.au
Perth www.ctvperth.com.au
Sydney www.tvs.tv
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
Branson attacks Murdoch's pay-TV dominance - 23rd October 2009
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, has attacked Rupert Murdoch's dominance, through BSkyB, of the UK's pay television market.
In a Financial Times article today, Rein in Sky and offer the consumer a choice, Branson likens BSkyB to British Airways in 1990, when the airline held exclusive rights to flying between London's Heathrow airport and the US.
His intervention is clearly designed to put pressure on Ofcom, the media regulator, which has been consulting on its plan to force BSkyB to offer its premium channels to rivals to increase competition in the pay-TV market.
Virgin Media, in which Branson's Virgin Group holds a 6.5% stake, has led the regulatory challenge to BSkyB alongside other subscription rivals.
BSkyB responded by saying the comparison with BA was "woefully wrong" because consumers appear satisfied with its pay-TV service.
Ofcom's final decision is expected early next year.
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In a Financial Times article today, Rein in Sky and offer the consumer a choice, Branson likens BSkyB to British Airways in 1990, when the airline held exclusive rights to flying between London's Heathrow airport and the US.
His intervention is clearly designed to put pressure on Ofcom, the media regulator, which has been consulting on its plan to force BSkyB to offer its premium channels to rivals to increase competition in the pay-TV market.
Virgin Media, in which Branson's Virgin Group holds a 6.5% stake, has led the regulatory challenge to BSkyB alongside other subscription rivals.
BSkyB responded by saying the comparison with BA was "woefully wrong" because consumers appear satisfied with its pay-TV service.
Ofcom's final decision is expected early next year.
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*Media Man Australia director and founder, Greg Tingle, holds shares in Virgin Blue
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
ClubWPT.com Members Get a Shot to Play in Poker’s Most Exclusive Celebrity Tournament - 20th October 2009
Starting Tomorrow, Players Can Compete Every Week to Win One of Twelve Seats in the 8th Annual World Poker Tour® Invitational
LOS ANGELES -- Kicking off an 11-week tournament series tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET, www.ClubWPT.com is giving members the chance to win entry into the most exclusive tournament on the poker circuit — the 8th Annual WPT Invitational. Twelve winners will head to Los Angeles with $1,000 (USD) spending cash, two VIP party passes and a seat to play among the biggest names in Hollywood and poker in the televised World Poker Tour® (WPT) tournament.
Held annually at the Commerce Casino, the WPT Invitational is a red carpet, invitation-only event that brings together celebrities and poker pros to play for charity, a $200,000* prize pool, and a shot at a WPT title. Past attendees include pros Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten and 2009 Invitational champion Freddy Deeb, as well as Vince Vaughn, Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, Jason Alexander, Mena Suvari, James Woods, and Don Cheadle, to name a few.
The 2010 WPT Invitational is currently scheduled for February 20 – 21*, with the final six players returning March 3 to battle it out on the WPT set in front of television cameras. The tournament will be filmed for broadcast on Fox Sports Net (FSN) in 2010.
The ClubWPT.com Invitational Seat tournament schedule is as follows*. All tournaments begin at 9 p.m. ET. Visit www.ClubWPT.com for more information:
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Sunday, Nov. 1
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Sunday, Nov. 15
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Sunday, Dec. 6
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Sunday, Dec. 20
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Sunday, Jan. 3
ClubWPT.com — the World Poker Tour’s online subscription poker room — gives poker players a legal, risk-free way to play online poker to win big cash and prizes, including $10,000 WPT main event seats, WPT Boot Camp seats, and more. For $19.95 monthly subscription, members can play in thousands of poker and blackjack tournaments for their share of $100,000 in cash and prizes each month plus exclusive benefits like $3,000 in Las Vegas VIP discounts and access to watch full WPT Season VII episodes online. For more information, visit www.ClubWPT.com.
No purchase is necessary for the www.ClubWPT.com sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. Must be 18 years or older to play.
*Dates, times and prize pool subject to change.
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. WPTE has led innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, when it ignited the global poker boom with the creation of the World Poker Tour television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT is now broadcast globally and is currently filming its all-new eighth season for broadcast on Fox Sports Net’s national sports network in the United States. WPTE also offers a unique online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker club, ClubWPT.com, which operates in 38 states across the U.S. WPTE also participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, see www.worldpokertour.com. (WPTEG)
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LOS ANGELES -- Kicking off an 11-week tournament series tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET, www.ClubWPT.com is giving members the chance to win entry into the most exclusive tournament on the poker circuit — the 8th Annual WPT Invitational. Twelve winners will head to Los Angeles with $1,000 (USD) spending cash, two VIP party passes and a seat to play among the biggest names in Hollywood and poker in the televised World Poker Tour® (WPT) tournament.
Held annually at the Commerce Casino, the WPT Invitational is a red carpet, invitation-only event that brings together celebrities and poker pros to play for charity, a $200,000* prize pool, and a shot at a WPT title. Past attendees include pros Phil Hellmuth, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten and 2009 Invitational champion Freddy Deeb, as well as Vince Vaughn, Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, Jason Alexander, Mena Suvari, James Woods, and Don Cheadle, to name a few.
The 2010 WPT Invitational is currently scheduled for February 20 – 21*, with the final six players returning March 3 to battle it out on the WPT set in front of television cameras. The tournament will be filmed for broadcast on Fox Sports Net (FSN) in 2010.
The ClubWPT.com Invitational Seat tournament schedule is as follows*. All tournaments begin at 9 p.m. ET. Visit www.ClubWPT.com for more information:
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Sunday, Nov. 1
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Sunday, Nov. 15
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Sunday, Dec. 6
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Sunday, Dec. 20
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Sunday, Jan. 3
ClubWPT.com — the World Poker Tour’s online subscription poker room — gives poker players a legal, risk-free way to play online poker to win big cash and prizes, including $10,000 WPT main event seats, WPT Boot Camp seats, and more. For $19.95 monthly subscription, members can play in thousands of poker and blackjack tournaments for their share of $100,000 in cash and prizes each month plus exclusive benefits like $3,000 in Las Vegas VIP discounts and access to watch full WPT Season VII episodes online. For more information, visit www.ClubWPT.com.
No purchase is necessary for the www.ClubWPT.com sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited. Must be 18 years or older to play.
*Dates, times and prize pool subject to change.
ABOUT WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. WPTE has led innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, when it ignited the global poker boom with the creation of the World Poker Tour television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT is now broadcast globally and is currently filming its all-new eighth season for broadcast on Fox Sports Net’s national sports network in the United States. WPTE also offers a unique online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker club, ClubWPT.com, which operates in 38 states across the U.S. WPTE also participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, see www.worldpokertour.com. (WPTEG)
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Monday, October 05, 2009
UFC 104: Machida vs. Rua Card Finalized
The UFC’s return to Southern California is complete as the UFC has officially confirmed the 9 remaining bouts on the card.
UFC 104 will feature a light heavyweight title bout between undefeated champion Lyoto Machida and former Pride middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Heavyweights Cain Valasquez will also be taking on former IFL standout Ben Rothwell in the co-main event.
The remaining bouts that have been made official by the UFC are:
Josh Neer vs. Gleison Tibau
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Antoni Hardonk vs. Pat Berry
Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
Ryan Bader vs. Eric “Red” Schafer
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan
Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley
UFC 104 will take place in the home of the 2008-2009 world champion Los Angeles Lakers, STAPLES Center, on October 24th.
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UFC 104 will feature a light heavyweight title bout between undefeated champion Lyoto Machida and former Pride middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Heavyweights Cain Valasquez will also be taking on former IFL standout Ben Rothwell in the co-main event.
The remaining bouts that have been made official by the UFC are:
Josh Neer vs. Gleison Tibau
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Antoni Hardonk vs. Pat Berry
Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
Ryan Bader vs. Eric “Red” Schafer
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan
Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley
UFC 104 will take place in the home of the 2008-2009 world champion Los Angeles Lakers, STAPLES Center, on October 24th.
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The Apprentice - Network Nine Australia
The Apprentice screens on Mondays at 9.30pm on Network Nine Australia.
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Saturday, October 03, 2009
Virgin Games Launches New Ad Campaign Focusing on Free Bingo
Virgin Games has launched a new ad campaign this month with a strong emphasis on 'Free Bingo'. The advert, now found on YouTube, features Ricardo the Mexican ‘Jalapeño’, singing a quirky tune to let people know that you can play free at Virgin Bingo.
*Sorry, no U.S or Australian Players
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*Sorry, no U.S or Australian Players
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Virgin Games Virgin Bingo To Hit UK TV - 21st September 2009
Virgin Bingo, an exciting and important part of Richard Branson's Virgin Games, is to air its first national TV advertising campaign across the UK this October.
The television driven campaign will run for three consecutive weeks on all main terrestrial and freeview channels including ITV and Channel 4. Industry insiders advise that the advertisement is a clever and colourful graphic animation led by our singing and dancing host, Ricardo, a bearded ‘Jalapeño’ crooner dressed in traditional Mexican attire - sombrero included!
The TV ad’s main message is Three Hours of Free Bingo Everyday which will definitely attract a mass market interest.
The Virgin Bingo website will be spiced up Mexican-style to integrate the look and feel of the TV campaign.
Richard Branson's gaming arm, Virgin Games, not only offers Virgin Bingo, but also Virgin Poker and Virgin Casino, offering world class classic casino games and slots.
Some of the most popular titles found at Virgin Games are Cleopatra, Cleopatra II, Thor's Thunder, Rainbow Riches Win Big Shindig, Da Vinci Diamonds, Elvis, Monopoly and Cluedo.
Virgin Games also offer MegaJackpots and their exclusive V*Points rewards system
Be watching out for the Virgin Bingo campaigns on TV or event YouTube, this October. It sounds like its going to be a hit. Adios Amigos.
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The television driven campaign will run for three consecutive weeks on all main terrestrial and freeview channels including ITV and Channel 4. Industry insiders advise that the advertisement is a clever and colourful graphic animation led by our singing and dancing host, Ricardo, a bearded ‘Jalapeño’ crooner dressed in traditional Mexican attire - sombrero included!
The TV ad’s main message is Three Hours of Free Bingo Everyday which will definitely attract a mass market interest.
The Virgin Bingo website will be spiced up Mexican-style to integrate the look and feel of the TV campaign.
Richard Branson's gaming arm, Virgin Games, not only offers Virgin Bingo, but also Virgin Poker and Virgin Casino, offering world class classic casino games and slots.
Some of the most popular titles found at Virgin Games are Cleopatra, Cleopatra II, Thor's Thunder, Rainbow Riches Win Big Shindig, Da Vinci Diamonds, Elvis, Monopoly and Cluedo.
Virgin Games also offer MegaJackpots and their exclusive V*Points rewards system
Be watching out for the Virgin Bingo campaigns on TV or event YouTube, this October. It sounds like its going to be a hit. Adios Amigos.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Dear Prime Minister - Community Plea on Digital TV
19th July 2009
TVS viewers have appealed to the Prime Minister via video asking for support for the inclusion of Community TV on digital television.
The on-screen appeal was masterminded by Joy Hruby OAM, the host and producer of Joy's World - one of TVS's longest running programs. Twenty-two loyal viewers recorded their pleas in a series of 'vox pops' that were sent to the Prime Minister on DVD.
"All the other channels have been given digital spectrum except ours", said Joy Hruby. "We just want TVS to be given the same opportunity as the others".
The Federal Government recently embarked on a campaign to encourage Australian households to switch to digital television. "Yet, while all the other free-to-air stations are broadcasting in both analogue and digital Community Television remains marooned on analogue," said TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.
With its predominantly local content Community TV offers a vital source of programs that encourage and support Australian culture, ideas and interests. After just over three years on air forty percent of the programs screened on TVS are produced by community groups and individuals based in Sydney.
Each year Community TV provides a valuable training ground for hundreds of young Australians wanting careers in television and a platform for innovative new programs and emerging talent. People like Rove McManus, Corrine Grant and Hamish and Andy proudly acknowledge their start came on Community TV.
Despite Government assurances that Community Television will not be left behind as Australians are urged to switch to digital the Community stations are still waiting for the allocation of desperately needed digital spectrum.
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TVS viewers have appealed to the Prime Minister via video asking for support for the inclusion of Community TV on digital television.
The on-screen appeal was masterminded by Joy Hruby OAM, the host and producer of Joy's World - one of TVS's longest running programs. Twenty-two loyal viewers recorded their pleas in a series of 'vox pops' that were sent to the Prime Minister on DVD.
"All the other channels have been given digital spectrum except ours", said Joy Hruby. "We just want TVS to be given the same opportunity as the others".
The Federal Government recently embarked on a campaign to encourage Australian households to switch to digital television. "Yet, while all the other free-to-air stations are broadcasting in both analogue and digital Community Television remains marooned on analogue," said TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.
With its predominantly local content Community TV offers a vital source of programs that encourage and support Australian culture, ideas and interests. After just over three years on air forty percent of the programs screened on TVS are produced by community groups and individuals based in Sydney.
Each year Community TV provides a valuable training ground for hundreds of young Australians wanting careers in television and a platform for innovative new programs and emerging talent. People like Rove McManus, Corrine Grant and Hamish and Andy proudly acknowledge their start came on Community TV.
Despite Government assurances that Community Television will not be left behind as Australians are urged to switch to digital the Community stations are still waiting for the allocation of desperately needed digital spectrum.
Media Man Australia Profiles
TVS
Channel 31
Joy Hruby
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Community News
Dear Prime Minister - Community Plea on Digital TV
TVS viewers have appealed to the Prime Minister via video asking for support for the inclusion of Community TV on digital television.
The on-screen appeal was masterminded by Joy Hruby OAM, the host and producer of Joy's World - one of TVS's longest running programs. Twenty-two loyal viewers recorded their pleas in a series of 'vox pops' that were sent to the Prime Minister on DVD. Starting today, these community pleas will be screened on TVS throughout the day in an effort to gain added public support for the channel.
"All the other channels have been given digital spectrum except ours", said Joy Hruby. "We just want TVS to be given the same opportunity as the others".
The Federal Government recently embarked on a campaign to encourage Australian households to switch to digital television. "Yet, while all the other free-to-air stations are broadcasting in both analogue and digital Community Television remains marooned on analogue," said TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.
"Every time another household does as the Government asks and buys a new digital TV or a digital set top box they potentially lose the ability to watch their Community channel".
With its predominantly local content Community TV offers a vital source of programs that encourage and support Australian culture, ideas and interests. After just over three years on air forty percent of the programs screened on TVS are produced by community groups and individuals based in Sydney.
Each year Community TV provides a valuable training ground for hundreds of young Australians wanting careers in television and a platform for innovative new programs and emerging talent. People like Rove McManus, Corrine Grant and Hamish and Andy proudly acknowledge their start came on Community TV.
"The availability of high quality low cost digital recording and editing equipment means that local community based groups and individuals are able to create their own programs. All they need is an outlet and this is what Community TV is all about," Mr Patton added.
Despite Government assurances that Community Television will not be left behind as Australians are urged to switch to digital the Community stations are still waiting for the allocation of desperately needed digital spectrum.
"CTV programming is targeted at audience groups that are under-served by the other free-to-air channels. The sector provides access for special interest groups, multicultural communities and social networks that are not well catered for by the mainstream media," Mr Patton said.
LAURIE PATTON
Chief Executive
Television Sydney (TVS) Limited
Tel: (02) 9852-5000
Fax: (02) 9852-5050
TVS is Sydney's new free TV channel. For more information visit www.tvs.tv
Media Man Australia Profiles
TVS
Channel 31 Community TV
Joy Hruby
Broadcasting
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Community News
The on-screen appeal was masterminded by Joy Hruby OAM, the host and producer of Joy's World - one of TVS's longest running programs. Twenty-two loyal viewers recorded their pleas in a series of 'vox pops' that were sent to the Prime Minister on DVD. Starting today, these community pleas will be screened on TVS throughout the day in an effort to gain added public support for the channel.
"All the other channels have been given digital spectrum except ours", said Joy Hruby. "We just want TVS to be given the same opportunity as the others".
The Federal Government recently embarked on a campaign to encourage Australian households to switch to digital television. "Yet, while all the other free-to-air stations are broadcasting in both analogue and digital Community Television remains marooned on analogue," said TVS Chief Executive Laurie Patton.
"Every time another household does as the Government asks and buys a new digital TV or a digital set top box they potentially lose the ability to watch their Community channel".
With its predominantly local content Community TV offers a vital source of programs that encourage and support Australian culture, ideas and interests. After just over three years on air forty percent of the programs screened on TVS are produced by community groups and individuals based in Sydney.
Each year Community TV provides a valuable training ground for hundreds of young Australians wanting careers in television and a platform for innovative new programs and emerging talent. People like Rove McManus, Corrine Grant and Hamish and Andy proudly acknowledge their start came on Community TV.
"The availability of high quality low cost digital recording and editing equipment means that local community based groups and individuals are able to create their own programs. All they need is an outlet and this is what Community TV is all about," Mr Patton added.
Despite Government assurances that Community Television will not be left behind as Australians are urged to switch to digital the Community stations are still waiting for the allocation of desperately needed digital spectrum.
"CTV programming is targeted at audience groups that are under-served by the other free-to-air channels. The sector provides access for special interest groups, multicultural communities and social networks that are not well catered for by the mainstream media," Mr Patton said.
LAURIE PATTON
Chief Executive
Television Sydney (TVS) Limited
Tel: (02) 9852-5000
Fax: (02) 9852-5050
TVS is Sydney's new free TV channel. For more information visit www.tvs.tv
Media Man Australia Profiles
TVS
Channel 31 Community TV
Joy Hruby
Broadcasting
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Community News
Thursday, July 09, 2009
UFC 100 is only the beginning for MMA, by Kevin Iole - Yahoo! - 9th July 2009
LAS VEGAS – Dana White, the cocky kid from New England who never had much money and who survived until he was nearly 30 on little more than his guile and cunning, phoned his buddy, Lorenzo Fertitta, the well-to-do son of a powerful Las Vegas casino baron, and breathlessly told him he heard the Ultimate Fighting Championship might be for sale.
In 2000, that might have been like telling him there was a ’75 Eldorado he could get for $2,500 down at the salvage yard.
Had Fertitta hung up, as he probably should have, there wouldn’t be a UFC 100 on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, a card which is expected to sell upwards of 1.5 million on pay-per-view and for which a pair of front-row tickets is going for as much as $45,000 on StubHub.
There would be no UFC Fan Expo on Friday and Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center that will essentially serve as a celebration of mixed martial arts.
If Fertitta had laughed in White’s ear, hung up the telephone and gone back to the business of slot machines and blackjack tables, mixed martial arts as we know it today would not exist. White’s telephone call on that fateful day not only would make him rich and famous beyond all measure, it essentially saved the sport.
Fertitta and his older brother, Frank, agreed to partner with White to create a company called Zuffa and buy the struggling promotion, but what they got for their money wasn’t much.
There was no mainstream media coverage, no stars, no free television, no pay-per-view outlets, no merchandising, no sponsorships and, it seemed, no interest in what they had to sell.
The first pay-per-view under Zuffa’s steward came in about 85 percent less than expected. Fertitta was hoping for 150,000 sales and wound up with 25,000.
It’s not exactly the kind of investment the casino executives had in mind.
But a combination of the Fertittas’ wealth, business acumen and connections, White’s vision, instincts and relentlessness and just plain good luck helped to forge one of the great business turnaround stories of the decade.
This is a company that cost $2 million to buy in 2001 that was estimated by Forbes to be worth $1 billion in early 2008.
Things went their way before they even realized it, in some cases. In September 2000, the New Jersey Athletic Control Board approved what became known as the unified rules, the basic set of rules that cover the sport to this day. UFC 28 was the first card fought under those rules, when the company was still owned by Bob Meyrowitz and his Semaphore Entertainment Group.
White, who had been managing boxers and MMA fighters before buying the UFC, understood the UFC had no chance to survive long-term without regulation because it was too brutal for regulators’ tastes and without regulation, there would be no television.
Zuffa actively pursued regulation upon taking control of the company, though it didn’t hurt that Lorenzo Fertitta had built a reputation as one of boxing’s finest regulators during a distinguished stint on the Nevada Athletic Commission.
“Without regulation, people wouldn’t see it as a sport,” White said.
And so they actively sought regulation wherever they turned. Not long after New Jersey adopted the unified rules and sanctioned the sport, Nevada followed suit.
It was a huge day for the sport because two of the most active boxing states had given their OK and in the process lent legitimacy to MMA.
“Getting Nevada was [expletive] huge for us, because when we got Nevada, we got pay-per-view back at the same time,” White said.
Pay-per-view had long been critical in boxing and, to a much lesser extent, MMA, because the revenue streams that existed in other sports, such as the NFL, NBA and MLB, either didn’t exist at all or produced piddling revenues in the combat sports.
Getting the OK from New Jersey and Nevada essentially re-opened the pay-per-view door for the UFC and created a steady stream of income. Without it, none of the Fertittas’ business wizardry or White’s vision and determination would have meant a thing.
Pay-per-view was only one element, though. And while the revenue it generated was a lifeline, it was clear that some sort of free television would be a requirement.
That’s why, already down more than $30 million since buying the UFC, Zuffa management opted to spend another $8 million in 2004 to create a reality series on Spike TV.
The Ultimate Fighter was an instant hit when it went on the air in 2005. By the sixth episode, it had pulled a 2.1 household rating and was demonstrating the strength among 18-to-34-year-old males that would eventually make it so attractive to advertisers.
White, though, is convinced the UFC would have gone under had Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar not put on one of the great slugfests in the sport’s history in the live televised finale of that first season.
There wouldn’t be a UFC 100 without the jaw-dropping fight between Griffin and Bonnar, won by Griffin via unanimous decision, in the tiny UNLV practice gymnasium on April 9, 2005.
There wouldn’t have been Elite XC shows on CBS or Strikeforce shows on Showtime if the Griffin-Bonnar fight had never been held.
And there wouldn’t have been shows in Canada, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Germany, as there have been since that fight, had it been anything less than the MMA equivalent of boxing’s classic Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns bout.
“We wouldn’t be talking today were it not for that fight,” White said. “At one point during that fight, we got up to 10 million viewers, whether through channel surfing or people calling each other and asking, ‘Are you watching this fight?’ Once that fight happened, things started to turn the other way.”
The UFC suddenly had leverage and the things that White wanted to do from the minute he gained control of the company suddenly seemed within reach.
Pay-per-view sales for a single fight reached 1 million for the first time in the last bout of 2006, when Chuck Liddell knocked out Tito Ortiz at UFC 61 and sales skyrocketed to 1.05 million.
In 2007, pay-per-view revenues for the year surpassed both boxing and professional wrestling. In 2008, blue chip sponsors such as Bud Light and Harley Davidson lent their support.
And in 2009, the UFC not only added blue-chip sponsors such as Burger King, but it released a spectacularly successful video game that sold three times the expected number.
The UFC is not the only MMA promotion in the world, nor is it the only successful MMA promotion. Strikeforce, which has a deal with Showtime, regularly turns a profit.
And while the sport’s hard core fans decry a media – including Yahoo! Sports – that they view as far too UFC-centric, it’s hard to argue with numbers.
Affliction Entertainment, the promotion that some see as the UFC’s primary competition, has only put on two cards in the last year. The UFC has had at least three shows – UFCs 91, 92 and 94 – that sold around 1 million each in PPV sales in that time frame.
There are a lot of excellent basketball players in the CBA, including some who are probably better than a few of those in the NBA, but it’s the NBA that commands the fan and media attention.
White didn’t invent the sport and he didn’t write or have anything to do with the creation of its rules, but MMA in its current form and with its present popularity wouldn’t exist today without him. The future, though, will largely by shaped by Lorenzo Fertitta, who in 2008 quit a job as an executive at Station Casinos that a year earlier had paid him $113.8 million in salary. In the last 13 months, Fertitta has been working full-time for the UFC, concentrating largely on expanding the company’s global reach.
White has long said that the UFC will someday exceed soccer in worldwide popularity among sports fans. And while that’s a stretch, it’s no stretch to say that for all the success the UFC has had, it’s only 10 percent or so of the way toward where it will be in 10 or 15 years.
“This fight on Saturday is going to be available in something like 100 million homes,” White said. “Since Lorenzo’s been with us, look at the progress we have made. He’s gotten us a TV deal in China. We’re going to France. We’re going everywhere. Lorenzo is opening doors and the stuff he’s doing is setting the stage.
“I’m telling you, the best thing that ever happened to this company was the day Lorenzo quit his job and came to work here. We’ve come a long way, but we’re not even close to being where we’re going to be.” (Credit: Yahoo!)
Media Man Australia Profiles
UFC
MMA
Las Vegas
Pay-Per-View
Television
Sports Betting
BetUS.com
Sports News
Australian Sports Entertainment
In 2000, that might have been like telling him there was a ’75 Eldorado he could get for $2,500 down at the salvage yard.
Had Fertitta hung up, as he probably should have, there wouldn’t be a UFC 100 on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, a card which is expected to sell upwards of 1.5 million on pay-per-view and for which a pair of front-row tickets is going for as much as $45,000 on StubHub.
There would be no UFC Fan Expo on Friday and Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center that will essentially serve as a celebration of mixed martial arts.
If Fertitta had laughed in White’s ear, hung up the telephone and gone back to the business of slot machines and blackjack tables, mixed martial arts as we know it today would not exist. White’s telephone call on that fateful day not only would make him rich and famous beyond all measure, it essentially saved the sport.
Fertitta and his older brother, Frank, agreed to partner with White to create a company called Zuffa and buy the struggling promotion, but what they got for their money wasn’t much.
There was no mainstream media coverage, no stars, no free television, no pay-per-view outlets, no merchandising, no sponsorships and, it seemed, no interest in what they had to sell.
The first pay-per-view under Zuffa’s steward came in about 85 percent less than expected. Fertitta was hoping for 150,000 sales and wound up with 25,000.
It’s not exactly the kind of investment the casino executives had in mind.
But a combination of the Fertittas’ wealth, business acumen and connections, White’s vision, instincts and relentlessness and just plain good luck helped to forge one of the great business turnaround stories of the decade.
This is a company that cost $2 million to buy in 2001 that was estimated by Forbes to be worth $1 billion in early 2008.
Things went their way before they even realized it, in some cases. In September 2000, the New Jersey Athletic Control Board approved what became known as the unified rules, the basic set of rules that cover the sport to this day. UFC 28 was the first card fought under those rules, when the company was still owned by Bob Meyrowitz and his Semaphore Entertainment Group.
White, who had been managing boxers and MMA fighters before buying the UFC, understood the UFC had no chance to survive long-term without regulation because it was too brutal for regulators’ tastes and without regulation, there would be no television.
Zuffa actively pursued regulation upon taking control of the company, though it didn’t hurt that Lorenzo Fertitta had built a reputation as one of boxing’s finest regulators during a distinguished stint on the Nevada Athletic Commission.
“Without regulation, people wouldn’t see it as a sport,” White said.
And so they actively sought regulation wherever they turned. Not long after New Jersey adopted the unified rules and sanctioned the sport, Nevada followed suit.
It was a huge day for the sport because two of the most active boxing states had given their OK and in the process lent legitimacy to MMA.
“Getting Nevada was [expletive] huge for us, because when we got Nevada, we got pay-per-view back at the same time,” White said.
Pay-per-view had long been critical in boxing and, to a much lesser extent, MMA, because the revenue streams that existed in other sports, such as the NFL, NBA and MLB, either didn’t exist at all or produced piddling revenues in the combat sports.
Getting the OK from New Jersey and Nevada essentially re-opened the pay-per-view door for the UFC and created a steady stream of income. Without it, none of the Fertittas’ business wizardry or White’s vision and determination would have meant a thing.
Pay-per-view was only one element, though. And while the revenue it generated was a lifeline, it was clear that some sort of free television would be a requirement.
That’s why, already down more than $30 million since buying the UFC, Zuffa management opted to spend another $8 million in 2004 to create a reality series on Spike TV.
The Ultimate Fighter was an instant hit when it went on the air in 2005. By the sixth episode, it had pulled a 2.1 household rating and was demonstrating the strength among 18-to-34-year-old males that would eventually make it so attractive to advertisers.
White, though, is convinced the UFC would have gone under had Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar not put on one of the great slugfests in the sport’s history in the live televised finale of that first season.
There wouldn’t be a UFC 100 without the jaw-dropping fight between Griffin and Bonnar, won by Griffin via unanimous decision, in the tiny UNLV practice gymnasium on April 9, 2005.
There wouldn’t have been Elite XC shows on CBS or Strikeforce shows on Showtime if the Griffin-Bonnar fight had never been held.
And there wouldn’t have been shows in Canada, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Germany, as there have been since that fight, had it been anything less than the MMA equivalent of boxing’s classic Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns bout.
“We wouldn’t be talking today were it not for that fight,” White said. “At one point during that fight, we got up to 10 million viewers, whether through channel surfing or people calling each other and asking, ‘Are you watching this fight?’ Once that fight happened, things started to turn the other way.”
The UFC suddenly had leverage and the things that White wanted to do from the minute he gained control of the company suddenly seemed within reach.
Pay-per-view sales for a single fight reached 1 million for the first time in the last bout of 2006, when Chuck Liddell knocked out Tito Ortiz at UFC 61 and sales skyrocketed to 1.05 million.
In 2007, pay-per-view revenues for the year surpassed both boxing and professional wrestling. In 2008, blue chip sponsors such as Bud Light and Harley Davidson lent their support.
And in 2009, the UFC not only added blue-chip sponsors such as Burger King, but it released a spectacularly successful video game that sold three times the expected number.
The UFC is not the only MMA promotion in the world, nor is it the only successful MMA promotion. Strikeforce, which has a deal with Showtime, regularly turns a profit.
And while the sport’s hard core fans decry a media – including Yahoo! Sports – that they view as far too UFC-centric, it’s hard to argue with numbers.
Affliction Entertainment, the promotion that some see as the UFC’s primary competition, has only put on two cards in the last year. The UFC has had at least three shows – UFCs 91, 92 and 94 – that sold around 1 million each in PPV sales in that time frame.
There are a lot of excellent basketball players in the CBA, including some who are probably better than a few of those in the NBA, but it’s the NBA that commands the fan and media attention.
White didn’t invent the sport and he didn’t write or have anything to do with the creation of its rules, but MMA in its current form and with its present popularity wouldn’t exist today without him. The future, though, will largely by shaped by Lorenzo Fertitta, who in 2008 quit a job as an executive at Station Casinos that a year earlier had paid him $113.8 million in salary. In the last 13 months, Fertitta has been working full-time for the UFC, concentrating largely on expanding the company’s global reach.
White has long said that the UFC will someday exceed soccer in worldwide popularity among sports fans. And while that’s a stretch, it’s no stretch to say that for all the success the UFC has had, it’s only 10 percent or so of the way toward where it will be in 10 or 15 years.
“This fight on Saturday is going to be available in something like 100 million homes,” White said. “Since Lorenzo’s been with us, look at the progress we have made. He’s gotten us a TV deal in China. We’re going to France. We’re going everywhere. Lorenzo is opening doors and the stuff he’s doing is setting the stage.
“I’m telling you, the best thing that ever happened to this company was the day Lorenzo quit his job and came to work here. We’ve come a long way, but we’re not even close to being where we’re going to be.” (Credit: Yahoo!)
Media Man Australia Profiles
UFC
MMA
Las Vegas
Pay-Per-View
Television
Sports Betting
BetUS.com
Sports News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Branson winds up the Aussies with the ultimate sledge
Virgin Media tycoon beams himself onto Sydney Harbour Bridge
Richard Branson has thrown down the gauntlet to the Australian nation by beaming a tongue-in-cheek image of himself onto one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to mark the start of the Ashes series.
The image, referencing Australia captain Ricky Ponting and featuring Branson’s face painted with a St George’s Cross, was unveiled in the shadow on the famous Sydney Opera House with the slogan “Good luck Ricky. You’ll need it. Dicky x” to promote Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ campaign, designed to spur England on as they fight to win The Ashes this summer. The company has pledged to donate £1,000 to charity for every England batsman who scores a half century during the series to celebrate the national roll-out of the broadband provider’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.
Richard Branson said: “I love Australia and I know that the Aussies are always up for a spot of light-hearted banter, especially when it comes to The Ashes. Every Australian I know wants to stuff us in the upcoming series and I wanted to do my bit to encourage the England team in the hope that they can win the Ashes this time round.”
Laurinda Rio-Copeland, who lives in Sydney but is originally from London, was passing by as the image was beamed onto the bridge. She said: “I have had so many Aussies rib me about England’s defeat in the last series, telling me how we are going to get beaten again. I think this image is really funny and it’s nice to see the Aussies being on the receiving end for a change.”
The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.
To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50
Media Contacts
Verity Henderson, Virgin Media, 0207 299 5712, verity.henderson@virginmedia.co.uk
Toby Steele, Frank PR, 0207 693 6999, tobysteele@frankpr.it / virginmedia@frankpr.it
Notes to Editors
Terms and Conditions
Virgin Media will donate £1,000 for every England player who scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the 2009 Ashes series.
One charity per player is permitted which should be communicated to Virgin Media before the end of the series.
The prize is non-transferable, and there is no alternative.
Virgin Media reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the initiative or amend these terms and conditions where reasonably necessary.
About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is the largest residential broadband provider in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.
Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.
The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs eight entertainment channels, including Virgin1, Living, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.
With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).
For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Broadband
Virgin Media
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Richard Branson
Broadcasting
Media Companies
Richard Branson has thrown down the gauntlet to the Australian nation by beaming a tongue-in-cheek image of himself onto one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to mark the start of the Ashes series.
The image, referencing Australia captain Ricky Ponting and featuring Branson’s face painted with a St George’s Cross, was unveiled in the shadow on the famous Sydney Opera House with the slogan “Good luck Ricky. You’ll need it. Dicky x” to promote Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ campaign, designed to spur England on as they fight to win The Ashes this summer. The company has pledged to donate £1,000 to charity for every England batsman who scores a half century during the series to celebrate the national roll-out of the broadband provider’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.
Richard Branson said: “I love Australia and I know that the Aussies are always up for a spot of light-hearted banter, especially when it comes to The Ashes. Every Australian I know wants to stuff us in the upcoming series and I wanted to do my bit to encourage the England team in the hope that they can win the Ashes this time round.”
Laurinda Rio-Copeland, who lives in Sydney but is originally from London, was passing by as the image was beamed onto the bridge. She said: “I have had so many Aussies rib me about England’s defeat in the last series, telling me how we are going to get beaten again. I think this image is really funny and it’s nice to see the Aussies being on the receiving end for a change.”
The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.
To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50
Media Contacts
Verity Henderson, Virgin Media, 0207 299 5712, verity.henderson@virginmedia.co.uk
Toby Steele, Frank PR, 0207 693 6999, tobysteele@frankpr.it / virginmedia@frankpr.it
Notes to Editors
Terms and Conditions
Virgin Media will donate £1,000 for every England player who scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the 2009 Ashes series.
One charity per player is permitted which should be communicated to Virgin Media before the end of the series.
The prize is non-transferable, and there is no alternative.
Virgin Media reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the initiative or amend these terms and conditions where reasonably necessary.
About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.
The company is the largest residential broadband provider in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.
Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.
The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs eight entertainment channels, including Virgin1, Living, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.
With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).
For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Broadband
Virgin Media
Virgin Enterprises Limited
Richard Branson
Broadcasting
Media Companies
Monday, July 06, 2009
PartyPoker.com And PartyCasino.com Launch New Global Campaign
Gibraltar – 9th June 2009 – An exciting new global campaign has been launched for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com.
Extensive worldwide customer research helped PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com develop a new proposition and this is delivered through the new strapline ‘Feel it’. The research identified ‘it’ as the intense rush as the river card is turned or the wild anticipation as the roulette wheel begins to slow. In fact ‘it’ is something different to every player and with its range of new games, promotions and tournaments PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com are constantly innovating to deliver the best customer experience in online poker and casino.
The campaign will roll out on TV, online, billboards and in press in territories worldwide. At the heart are thrilling TV commercials for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com that show players caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. The whirlwind captures the journey of the game for poker and the fun and excitement of casino as players enjoy the games in a virtual world. The campaign also sees the introduction of a redesigned logo.
The television advertisements were filmed on the biggest stage at the famous Shepperton Studios in the UK where so many blockbusters including the Bond movies are shot. All the action was overseen by Hollywood film director Paul WS Anderson - his experience in directing Event Horizon, Resident Evil and Alien versus Predator was key to delivering the action packed footage. A look at the tv ads can be found at http://www.partypoker.com and http://www.partycasino.com
The campaign was created by Leeds based agency Home, in conjunction with PartyGaming’s in-house team.
A PartyGaming spokesman said: “The new campaign has gone global and you will already see the brand changes when you log on to PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com. PartyPoker.com has just launched the Million Dollar Hand promotion for June, while PartyCasino.com is the world’s largest online casino and is continuing to expand at a rapid pace. The Gold Mega Jackpot at PartyCasino.com currently stands at just over a record breaking $2,281,000 and is waiting to be hit!”
At the end of June, PartyPoker.com will be improving the PartyPoints store. Customers are advised to hold on to their PartyPoints until then to make the most of the changes that will be introduced.
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Extensive worldwide customer research helped PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com develop a new proposition and this is delivered through the new strapline ‘Feel it’. The research identified ‘it’ as the intense rush as the river card is turned or the wild anticipation as the roulette wheel begins to slow. In fact ‘it’ is something different to every player and with its range of new games, promotions and tournaments PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com are constantly innovating to deliver the best customer experience in online poker and casino.
The campaign will roll out on TV, online, billboards and in press in territories worldwide. At the heart are thrilling TV commercials for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com that show players caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. The whirlwind captures the journey of the game for poker and the fun and excitement of casino as players enjoy the games in a virtual world. The campaign also sees the introduction of a redesigned logo.
The television advertisements were filmed on the biggest stage at the famous Shepperton Studios in the UK where so many blockbusters including the Bond movies are shot. All the action was overseen by Hollywood film director Paul WS Anderson - his experience in directing Event Horizon, Resident Evil and Alien versus Predator was key to delivering the action packed footage. A look at the tv ads can be found at http://www.partypoker.com and http://www.partycasino.com
The campaign was created by Leeds based agency Home, in conjunction with PartyGaming’s in-house team.
A PartyGaming spokesman said: “The new campaign has gone global and you will already see the brand changes when you log on to PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com. PartyPoker.com has just launched the Million Dollar Hand promotion for June, while PartyCasino.com is the world’s largest online casino and is continuing to expand at a rapid pace. The Gold Mega Jackpot at PartyCasino.com currently stands at just over a record breaking $2,281,000 and is waiting to be hit!”
At the end of June, PartyPoker.com will be improving the PartyPoints store. Customers are advised to hold on to their PartyPoints until then to make the most of the changes that will be introduced.
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
PARTY GAMING LAUNCHES GLOBAL CAMPAIGN WITH REGIONAL AGENCIES
19th June 2009
Party Gaming has launched a global campaign for its Party Casino and Party Poker brands with TV ads devised by Leeds agency Home and shot by Hollywood director Paul WS Anderson.
It is the Event Horizon director's first work for a UK agency since signing with The Mob – which produced the ads – in December last year. His first ad was a VW spot for DDB Berlin shot in March.
Post production was split between 422 in Manchester, which handled the Party Casino ad, and London's Smoke & Mirrors and Triangle which worked on the Party Poker commercial.
Anderson shot the ads on blue screen over four days at Shepperton Studios in London and chose Fatboy Slim's 'Ya Mama' as the soundtrack.
“There was a lot to do in such a short space of time but, as a film director, Paul was more than capable of dealing with a tight deadline and the pressures they can bring,” said John Brocklehurst, managing director of The Mob, which is based in Manchester.
“He is currently taking time out from film-making to write, but loves to shoot and wanted to use the time to work on some commercials.”
Visual FX, CGI and audio were added by 422, with 30 and 60 second cuts made for broadcast on terrestrial and satellite TV channels as well as online.
John Sharp, creative director at 422, said: “Our challenge was to create a virtual visual casino environment with a series of animated casino games, such as roulette, blackjack and slots.
“We projected this onto a glass screen using elements of actual online game play and we even created 'cyber chips' that turned into real poker chips as the games came to life."
The ads are appearing on ITV, Channel 4, Sky, IDS and MTV channels in the UK, while 422 is now cutting idents for sponsorship deals around the world.
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Party Gaming has launched a global campaign for its Party Casino and Party Poker brands with TV ads devised by Leeds agency Home and shot by Hollywood director Paul WS Anderson.
It is the Event Horizon director's first work for a UK agency since signing with The Mob – which produced the ads – in December last year. His first ad was a VW spot for DDB Berlin shot in March.
Post production was split between 422 in Manchester, which handled the Party Casino ad, and London's Smoke & Mirrors and Triangle which worked on the Party Poker commercial.
Anderson shot the ads on blue screen over four days at Shepperton Studios in London and chose Fatboy Slim's 'Ya Mama' as the soundtrack.
“There was a lot to do in such a short space of time but, as a film director, Paul was more than capable of dealing with a tight deadline and the pressures they can bring,” said John Brocklehurst, managing director of The Mob, which is based in Manchester.
“He is currently taking time out from film-making to write, but loves to shoot and wanted to use the time to work on some commercials.”
Visual FX, CGI and audio were added by 422, with 30 and 60 second cuts made for broadcast on terrestrial and satellite TV channels as well as online.
John Sharp, creative director at 422, said: “Our challenge was to create a virtual visual casino environment with a series of animated casino games, such as roulette, blackjack and slots.
“We projected this onto a glass screen using elements of actual online game play and we even created 'cyber chips' that turned into real poker chips as the games came to life."
The ads are appearing on ITV, Channel 4, Sky, IDS and MTV channels in the UK, while 422 is now cutting idents for sponsorship deals around the world.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
David Leckie’s bizarre speech - Media Diary - The Australian - 18th June 2009
It's usually the network’s stars who face questions about their after-hours behaviour, but last night it was executive David Leckie whose bizarre antics left an industry event wondering what was wrong with the Seven CEO.
Leckie was so unsteady on his feet at Sydney’s Star City Casino some guests questioned whether he had fully recovered from a severe infection which left him in an induced coma in April last year.
Leckie was slurring his words as he delivered a speech at a star-studded party to celebrate the success of Seven’s morning programs, Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show.
He mumbled so much he was hard to follow and at one stage he said “I can’t read this (speech) by the way…”.
Then followed a series of harsh reflections on the Seven network he inherited six years ago and which he has turned around into the market leader.
“The second day I arrived at Channel Seven, I went out to wonderful Epping. Sacked the general manager and went into our newsroom.”
He recounted how he and his new recruit from Nine Peter Meakin both wanted the pleasure of sacking the then Seven news director.
Meakin, who became the network’s news and public affairs chief, got the task.
“It was a horrible, horrible hole down there…. but you know what? There was something going on. There was something really going on.
“That was six years ago. Six years ago. You could just see it. You could just see some sort of spark going on.”
Leckie then identified the “spark” as the Sunrise breakfast show produced by Adam Boland, which has not lost a ratings week to Nine’s Today in five years.
“The only thing we did was, we went to the board, or I actually did…with Peter [Meakin’s] endorsement…to get more money. I thought ‘I’m going to have a crack at this,’” Leckie said. “And I must say Kerry Stokes and Ryan Stokes were way, way behind this. They were so into it. It was fantastic. We could have closed the doors, we could have walked out, it was that bad. But for one thing: it was called Sunrise.”
“Sunrise is number one, full stop. Full stop. Weekend Sunrise has smashed their opposition. Smashed their opposition. I mean you can’t believe important Sunday was to Channel Nine,” the former Nine CEO said.
“It was hugely important. We’ve smashed it. God….
Leckie praised Boland and the producers and presenters of Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show, all of which win their timeslots.
“And The Morning Show -well it’s just a joke. We started from nowhere and just killed them. We’ve killed them. It’s really exciting you know. It’s really very, very important and I’m glad you’re all here. It’s just extraordinary what we’ve done. But not me. The people here,” he said.
“It’s all I’ve got to say I guess. Everyone deserves their succ…success. Because I think the success has been incredible. I’ve never seen a turn around like this in my life. Don’t think I ever will again. But well done.”
One of the stars present was Andrew O’Keefe who was supported by Leckie and the network after a video of the Deal or No Deal presenter rolling drunk in the street was screened on a rival network. (Credit: The Australian)
Greg Tingle comment...
We're all human and can only do our best. Life and business is full of ups and downs, millionaire, billionaire, media tycoon or not. Channel Seven have overall enjoyed a number of hugely successful years and celebrating at a casino seems as good as place as any. Seems something might be in the wind between Channel Seven and Star City Casino, just as there's an association between James Packers' Crown Casino and Network Nine Australia. Nothing wrong with a drink either. No sign of Gordon Ramsay at the Star Casino bar, and the jury maybe out if he is to appear at Crown. No such thing as coincidence... not in the news media or casino business anyway. Cheers.
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Leckie was so unsteady on his feet at Sydney’s Star City Casino some guests questioned whether he had fully recovered from a severe infection which left him in an induced coma in April last year.
Leckie was slurring his words as he delivered a speech at a star-studded party to celebrate the success of Seven’s morning programs, Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show.
He mumbled so much he was hard to follow and at one stage he said “I can’t read this (speech) by the way…”.
Then followed a series of harsh reflections on the Seven network he inherited six years ago and which he has turned around into the market leader.
“The second day I arrived at Channel Seven, I went out to wonderful Epping. Sacked the general manager and went into our newsroom.”
He recounted how he and his new recruit from Nine Peter Meakin both wanted the pleasure of sacking the then Seven news director.
Meakin, who became the network’s news and public affairs chief, got the task.
“It was a horrible, horrible hole down there…. but you know what? There was something going on. There was something really going on.
“That was six years ago. Six years ago. You could just see it. You could just see some sort of spark going on.”
Leckie then identified the “spark” as the Sunrise breakfast show produced by Adam Boland, which has not lost a ratings week to Nine’s Today in five years.
“The only thing we did was, we went to the board, or I actually did…with Peter [Meakin’s] endorsement…to get more money. I thought ‘I’m going to have a crack at this,’” Leckie said. “And I must say Kerry Stokes and Ryan Stokes were way, way behind this. They were so into it. It was fantastic. We could have closed the doors, we could have walked out, it was that bad. But for one thing: it was called Sunrise.”
“Sunrise is number one, full stop. Full stop. Weekend Sunrise has smashed their opposition. Smashed their opposition. I mean you can’t believe important Sunday was to Channel Nine,” the former Nine CEO said.
“It was hugely important. We’ve smashed it. God….
Leckie praised Boland and the producers and presenters of Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show, all of which win their timeslots.
“And The Morning Show -well it’s just a joke. We started from nowhere and just killed them. We’ve killed them. It’s really exciting you know. It’s really very, very important and I’m glad you’re all here. It’s just extraordinary what we’ve done. But not me. The people here,” he said.
“It’s all I’ve got to say I guess. Everyone deserves their succ…success. Because I think the success has been incredible. I’ve never seen a turn around like this in my life. Don’t think I ever will again. But well done.”
One of the stars present was Andrew O’Keefe who was supported by Leckie and the network after a video of the Deal or No Deal presenter rolling drunk in the street was screened on a rival network. (Credit: The Australian)
Greg Tingle comment...
We're all human and can only do our best. Life and business is full of ups and downs, millionaire, billionaire, media tycoon or not. Channel Seven have overall enjoyed a number of hugely successful years and celebrating at a casino seems as good as place as any. Seems something might be in the wind between Channel Seven and Star City Casino, just as there's an association between James Packers' Crown Casino and Network Nine Australia. Nothing wrong with a drink either. No sign of Gordon Ramsay at the Star Casino bar, and the jury maybe out if he is to appear at Crown. No such thing as coincidence... not in the news media or casino business anyway. Cheers.
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Monday, June 15, 2009
Packer wobbled on whether to run Keating piggery story, by Jane Schulze - The Australian - 15th June 2009
The late Kerry Packer was so concerned about whether 60 Minutes should broadcast a controversial story about former prime minister Paul Keating's investment in a piggery that he required "quite a session" to be convinced.
John Westacott, who was executive producer of 60 Minutes when the story aired in 1999, and who is today announcing his retirement as the Nine Network's director of news and current affairs, says that Nine's then owner was wobbling on whether to broadcast the story.
"Keating accused Kerry of being behind it but that was absolute rubbish," Mr Westacott told The Australian.
"We (he and the late journalist Paul Lyneham) had quite a session with Kerry to convince him the story should be run because it was true and it was a story that should be told.
"Kerry was concerned about the political fallout over the story and checked at great length with the lawyers about the veracity of what we were saying," Mr Westacott said. "Finally, Paul Lyneham won the day. He told Kerry that if he didn't like a bit of heat 'why didn't he go and start running a shoe shop?' and that hewas a publisher and should publish.
"So Kerry said 'publish your story but I tell you here and now we will all live to remember this day'. And he was quite right.
"Both Lyneham and I lost friends in the Labor Party who didn't think this was right or wrong but that it was beyond the pale to besmirch a PM.
"And Kerry copped a lot of flak for supposedly orchestrating the story."
The original 60 Minutes story alleged Mr Keating had suspect dealings with the Commonwealth Bank relating to the piggery investment.
But no wrongdoing was ever found and an investigation ordered by the Howard government also cleared the former Labor leader.
But the broadcast fanned a longstanding feud between Mr Keating and Mr Packer.
Mr Keating at one stage said Mr Packer's company had "demonstrated it is not fit to hold the licence to telecast over the Channel Nine spectrum" and accused 60 Minutes of being "thuggish".
Westacott, who was in the 60 Minutes role for 16 years, said Mr Packer did not interfere with editorial decisions on the program.
"One of the reasons I was here for so long was because I very much admired and liked working for the bloke.
"He backed all our investigations. I found him supportive and direct and thoroughly understanding of what I did for a living.
"People ask if he interfered, but I never received a directive of how a story should be angled or what story should be pursued. But I did get plenty of advice after the event -- and not all of it was congratulatory.
"But never in the whole time of 60 Minutes did I ever get told 'you should be doing this' or 'do this story for me'.
"But he was always prepared to listen and have the debate and I think he enjoyed that.
"And I enjoyed having it, because he's the proprietor and you have to be able to defend your position," Mr Westacott said. (Credit: The Australian)
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John Westacott, who was executive producer of 60 Minutes when the story aired in 1999, and who is today announcing his retirement as the Nine Network's director of news and current affairs, says that Nine's then owner was wobbling on whether to broadcast the story.
"Keating accused Kerry of being behind it but that was absolute rubbish," Mr Westacott told The Australian.
"We (he and the late journalist Paul Lyneham) had quite a session with Kerry to convince him the story should be run because it was true and it was a story that should be told.
"Kerry was concerned about the political fallout over the story and checked at great length with the lawyers about the veracity of what we were saying," Mr Westacott said. "Finally, Paul Lyneham won the day. He told Kerry that if he didn't like a bit of heat 'why didn't he go and start running a shoe shop?' and that hewas a publisher and should publish.
"So Kerry said 'publish your story but I tell you here and now we will all live to remember this day'. And he was quite right.
"Both Lyneham and I lost friends in the Labor Party who didn't think this was right or wrong but that it was beyond the pale to besmirch a PM.
"And Kerry copped a lot of flak for supposedly orchestrating the story."
The original 60 Minutes story alleged Mr Keating had suspect dealings with the Commonwealth Bank relating to the piggery investment.
But no wrongdoing was ever found and an investigation ordered by the Howard government also cleared the former Labor leader.
But the broadcast fanned a longstanding feud between Mr Keating and Mr Packer.
Mr Keating at one stage said Mr Packer's company had "demonstrated it is not fit to hold the licence to telecast over the Channel Nine spectrum" and accused 60 Minutes of being "thuggish".
Westacott, who was in the 60 Minutes role for 16 years, said Mr Packer did not interfere with editorial decisions on the program.
"One of the reasons I was here for so long was because I very much admired and liked working for the bloke.
"He backed all our investigations. I found him supportive and direct and thoroughly understanding of what I did for a living.
"People ask if he interfered, but I never received a directive of how a story should be angled or what story should be pursued. But I did get plenty of advice after the event -- and not all of it was congratulatory.
"But never in the whole time of 60 Minutes did I ever get told 'you should be doing this' or 'do this story for me'.
"But he was always prepared to listen and have the debate and I think he enjoyed that.
"And I enjoyed having it, because he's the proprietor and you have to be able to defend your position," Mr Westacott said. (Credit: The Australian)
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
PARTYPOKER.COM AND PARTYCASINO.COM LAUNCH NEW GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
PARTYPOINTS STORE TO BE IMPROVED AT END OF JUNE
Gibraltar – 9th June 2009 – An exciting new global campaign has been launched for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com.
Extensive worldwide customer research helped PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com develop a new proposition and this is delivered through the new strapline ‘Feel it’. The research identified ‘it’ as the intense rush as the river card is turned or the wild anticipation as the roulette wheel begins to slow. In fact ‘it’ is something different to every player and with its range of new games, promotions and tournaments PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com are constantly innovating to deliver the best customer experience in online poker and casino.
The campaign will roll out on TV, online, billboards and in press in territories worldwide. At the heart are thrilling TV commercials for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com that show players caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. The whirlwind captures the journey of the game for poker and the fun and excitement of casino as players enjoy the games in a virtual world. The campaign also sees the introduction of a redesigned logo.
The television advertisements were filmed on the biggest stage at the famous Shepperton Studios in the UK where so many blockbusters including the Bond movies are shot. All the action was overseen by Hollywood film director Paul WS Anderson - his experience in directing Event Horizon, Resident Evil and Alien versus Predator was key to delivering the action packed footage. A look at the tv ads can be found at http://www.partypoker.com and http://www.partycasino.com
The campaign was created by Leeds based agency Home, in conjunction with PartyGaming’s in-house team.
A PartyGaming spokesman said: “The new campaign has gone global and you will already see the brand changes when you log on to PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com. PartyPoker.com has just launched the Million Dollar Hand promotion for June, while PartyCasino.com is the world’s largest online casino and is continuing to expand at a rapid pace. The Gold Mega Jackpot at PartyCasino.com currently stands at just over a record breaking $2,281,000 and is waiting to be hit!”
At the end of June, PartyPoker.com will be improving the PartyPoints store. Customers are advised to hold on to their PartyPoints until then to make the most of the changes that will be introduced. See http://www.partypoker.com for more details.
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Gibraltar – 9th June 2009 – An exciting new global campaign has been launched for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com.
Extensive worldwide customer research helped PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com develop a new proposition and this is delivered through the new strapline ‘Feel it’. The research identified ‘it’ as the intense rush as the river card is turned or the wild anticipation as the roulette wheel begins to slow. In fact ‘it’ is something different to every player and with its range of new games, promotions and tournaments PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com are constantly innovating to deliver the best customer experience in online poker and casino.
The campaign will roll out on TV, online, billboards and in press in territories worldwide. At the heart are thrilling TV commercials for both PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com that show players caught up in a whirlwind of excitement. The whirlwind captures the journey of the game for poker and the fun and excitement of casino as players enjoy the games in a virtual world. The campaign also sees the introduction of a redesigned logo.
The television advertisements were filmed on the biggest stage at the famous Shepperton Studios in the UK where so many blockbusters including the Bond movies are shot. All the action was overseen by Hollywood film director Paul WS Anderson - his experience in directing Event Horizon, Resident Evil and Alien versus Predator was key to delivering the action packed footage. A look at the tv ads can be found at http://www.partypoker.com and http://www.partycasino.com
The campaign was created by Leeds based agency Home, in conjunction with PartyGaming’s in-house team.
A PartyGaming spokesman said: “The new campaign has gone global and you will already see the brand changes when you log on to PartyPoker.com and PartyCasino.com. PartyPoker.com has just launched the Million Dollar Hand promotion for June, while PartyCasino.com is the world’s largest online casino and is continuing to expand at a rapid pace. The Gold Mega Jackpot at PartyCasino.com currently stands at just over a record breaking $2,281,000 and is waiting to be hit!”
At the end of June, PartyPoker.com will be improving the PartyPoints store. Customers are advised to hold on to their PartyPoints until then to make the most of the changes that will be introduced. See http://www.partypoker.com for more details.
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Sunday, May 03, 2009
Gangsters and G-rated primed for gong glory, by Melinda Houston - The Sydney Morning Herald - 3rd May 2009
They're coiffed, they're primped, the Hollywood tape is in place and they await your judgment.
In mere hours, television's glittering luminaries will make their way down the red carpet, ducking and weaving to avoid Jules Lund, and arrive in the Crown Casino ballroom for their domestic bubbly, chicken or lamb, and the chance to take home a 3D chunk of television history.
Some pundits reckon Underbelly will scoop the Logies pool. But while it has rated its pants off (and, with 2 million-plus viewers, captured a broad demographic), when it comes to the "most popular" you have to look at the competition.
Underbelly versus Packed To The Rafters? It has to be Rafters. Kat Stewart versus Kate Ritchie (or Jodi Gordon or Rebecca Gibney)? No contest. The dark horse might be Gyton Grantley, whose fabulous portrayal of Carl Williams is fixed in popular culture.
When it comes to the Gold, it's an eclectic mix, including two much-loved women we've hardly seen this year: Ritchie (Home And Away) and Simmone Jade Mackinnon (McLeod's Daughters).
While it's not unheard of to win a Logie posthumously, this time we think not. Rove? No. That would just be greedy. We'd love Ian Smith to get it; he is the sentimental favourite. But on balance? It has to be Gibney.
Not just the mother we all wish we had (or were), and not just the face of one of the year's top-rating shows, but surely the sweetheart of TV Week-reading Logies heartland.
Other categories are more interesting, and might give Underbelly what it deserves. For Most Outstanding Drama, it has worthy opposition in both the Ten crime series Rush and the underrated Nine telemovie Scorched. But it'll win.
For outstanding actor, it has the field sewn up, with three nominations. You'd hope Vince Colosimo scores this one for what must be the performance of his life.
But for best actress, it'll be interesting to see if some industry types can get past a certain horror of the popular to see that Gibney, too, is doing the best work of her career. (If not, the wonderful Kat Stewart is equally worthy.)
For Most Outstanding Comedy, we like Hollowmen. Review With Myles Barlow was sensational, but perhaps just a bit too niche, even for a panel of insiders.
When it comes to Most Popular, in lieu of comedy you get a choice of factual, lifestyle, reality, and light entertainment - all of which turned up some quality shows in 2008.
Just why So You Think You Can Dance is categorised as "reality" while Australia's Got Talent comes in as "light entertainment" remains a mystery. But at least it gives both of them a chance to win. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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In mere hours, television's glittering luminaries will make their way down the red carpet, ducking and weaving to avoid Jules Lund, and arrive in the Crown Casino ballroom for their domestic bubbly, chicken or lamb, and the chance to take home a 3D chunk of television history.
Some pundits reckon Underbelly will scoop the Logies pool. But while it has rated its pants off (and, with 2 million-plus viewers, captured a broad demographic), when it comes to the "most popular" you have to look at the competition.
Underbelly versus Packed To The Rafters? It has to be Rafters. Kat Stewart versus Kate Ritchie (or Jodi Gordon or Rebecca Gibney)? No contest. The dark horse might be Gyton Grantley, whose fabulous portrayal of Carl Williams is fixed in popular culture.
When it comes to the Gold, it's an eclectic mix, including two much-loved women we've hardly seen this year: Ritchie (Home And Away) and Simmone Jade Mackinnon (McLeod's Daughters).
While it's not unheard of to win a Logie posthumously, this time we think not. Rove? No. That would just be greedy. We'd love Ian Smith to get it; he is the sentimental favourite. But on balance? It has to be Gibney.
Not just the mother we all wish we had (or were), and not just the face of one of the year's top-rating shows, but surely the sweetheart of TV Week-reading Logies heartland.
Other categories are more interesting, and might give Underbelly what it deserves. For Most Outstanding Drama, it has worthy opposition in both the Ten crime series Rush and the underrated Nine telemovie Scorched. But it'll win.
For outstanding actor, it has the field sewn up, with three nominations. You'd hope Vince Colosimo scores this one for what must be the performance of his life.
But for best actress, it'll be interesting to see if some industry types can get past a certain horror of the popular to see that Gibney, too, is doing the best work of her career. (If not, the wonderful Kat Stewart is equally worthy.)
For Most Outstanding Comedy, we like Hollowmen. Review With Myles Barlow was sensational, but perhaps just a bit too niche, even for a panel of insiders.
When it comes to Most Popular, in lieu of comedy you get a choice of factual, lifestyle, reality, and light entertainment - all of which turned up some quality shows in 2008.
Just why So You Think You Can Dance is categorised as "reality" while Australia's Got Talent comes in as "light entertainment" remains a mystery. But at least it gives both of them a chance to win. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ten Network Encouraged by First Week of Ratings - Gambling911 - 20th April 2009
The Ten network is encouraged by its first week of ratings for its new high-definition sports channel, One, although the figures show humble and inconclusive beginnings.
The highest-rating program for the week was the AFL panel review show One Week At A Time, which attracted 59,000 viewers.
This compares with subscription TV's own AFL panel show, Fox Sports' On The Couch, which averages about 60,000-70,000 viewers each week, and Nine's Footy Classified, which had 242,000 viewers across three markets on Monday night.
Yet Ten's AFL coverage of the Easter Monday match or Saturday matches (Ten's night telecast averaged 655,000 viewers this weekend and its Easter Monday match 681,000) is likely to have attracted far more viewers to the HD start-up than any other program this week.
But in instances of such dual programming (where the network broadcasts matches on both One and Ten), the figures are combined and the One audience will not be released.
One's raw figures, on the surface, are weak.
Saturday night's first IPL Twenty20 Cricket match averaged an audience of 54,000, a figure which compares to a normal result for late-night English Premier League telecast on Fox Sports.
Some IPL matches on the Ten network last year drew between 200,000 and 300,000 viewers.
Nevertheless, One's initial audience reach promises to place it ahead of ABC2 and ahead of any subscription TV channel.
Among surprising good performers for the week for One were Tread BMX with 53,000 viewers (and 41,000 in repeat) and Poker: Asia Pacific Tour with 45,000.
This week's audience figures will give networks a far better idea of One's audience against subscription television's Fox Sports, ESPN and Setanta Sports as FA Cup semi-finals, key English Premier League matches, the NBA play-offs and as more IPL matches are broadcast live. (Credit: Gambling911)
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The highest-rating program for the week was the AFL panel review show One Week At A Time, which attracted 59,000 viewers.
This compares with subscription TV's own AFL panel show, Fox Sports' On The Couch, which averages about 60,000-70,000 viewers each week, and Nine's Footy Classified, which had 242,000 viewers across three markets on Monday night.
Yet Ten's AFL coverage of the Easter Monday match or Saturday matches (Ten's night telecast averaged 655,000 viewers this weekend and its Easter Monday match 681,000) is likely to have attracted far more viewers to the HD start-up than any other program this week.
But in instances of such dual programming (where the network broadcasts matches on both One and Ten), the figures are combined and the One audience will not be released.
One's raw figures, on the surface, are weak.
Saturday night's first IPL Twenty20 Cricket match averaged an audience of 54,000, a figure which compares to a normal result for late-night English Premier League telecast on Fox Sports.
Some IPL matches on the Ten network last year drew between 200,000 and 300,000 viewers.
Nevertheless, One's initial audience reach promises to place it ahead of ABC2 and ahead of any subscription TV channel.
Among surprising good performers for the week for One were Tread BMX with 53,000 viewers (and 41,000 in repeat) and Poker: Asia Pacific Tour with 45,000.
This week's audience figures will give networks a far better idea of One's audience against subscription television's Fox Sports, ESPN and Setanta Sports as FA Cup semi-finals, key English Premier League matches, the NBA play-offs and as more IPL matches are broadcast live. (Credit: Gambling911)
Media Man Australia
Network Ten
Television
Stars turn out for Astra Awards, by Michael Idato - The Sydney Morning Herald - 21st April 2009
Feathers flew, tantrums flared and champagne flowed - television's other night of nights, the 7th annual Astra Awards.
The red carpet swelled with the likes of Magda Szubanski, Underbelly stars Gyton Grantley, Kat Stewart and Matt Newton and radio duo Merrick Watts and Tim Rosso.
"We got a laugh, and that's more than we were hoping for," Watts told an appreciative audience of television industry executives, personalities producers and actors.
In a room which at times seemed full to bursting, comedian HG Nelson complimented Foxtel for "inviting every viewer to be here with us tonight."
The cable kids channel Nickelodeon was named Channel of the Year.
The hit reality series, Project Runway Australia, which drew favourable comparisons to the international versions of the show, won outstanding light entertainment program.
The Lifestyle Channel dominated the audience-voted "favourite" award categories, taking out favourite program (Selling Houses Australia), international program (Grand Designs) and international personality or actor (Gordon Ramsay).
The provocative cable drama Satisfaction, which tells the story of a group of women who work as high-class escorts in a brothel, won outstanding drama and outstanding performance by an actor (female), for its star Alison Whyte.
Other notable winners included the critically acclaimed documentary Beyond Kokoda, which screened on The History Channel, and An Aussie Goes Bolly, the irreverent FOX8 cricket series which won outstanding sports program.
The awards, now in their 7th year, are held annually to acknowledge excellence in subscription television programs, program marketing and technology.
Pay TV industry executive Debra Richard, who heads the industry body ASTRA, said the winners displayed a broad selection of genres.
"Practically each of our genres shone ... with awards going to kids, comedy, lifestyle, sport, music, history, news and business," she said.
A telecast of the awards can be viewed "on demand" on Foxtel IQ consoles from Thursday, April 23. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Profiles
ASTRA
Television
Foxtel
Media Companies
The red carpet swelled with the likes of Magda Szubanski, Underbelly stars Gyton Grantley, Kat Stewart and Matt Newton and radio duo Merrick Watts and Tim Rosso.
"We got a laugh, and that's more than we were hoping for," Watts told an appreciative audience of television industry executives, personalities producers and actors.
In a room which at times seemed full to bursting, comedian HG Nelson complimented Foxtel for "inviting every viewer to be here with us tonight."
The cable kids channel Nickelodeon was named Channel of the Year.
The hit reality series, Project Runway Australia, which drew favourable comparisons to the international versions of the show, won outstanding light entertainment program.
The Lifestyle Channel dominated the audience-voted "favourite" award categories, taking out favourite program (Selling Houses Australia), international program (Grand Designs) and international personality or actor (Gordon Ramsay).
The provocative cable drama Satisfaction, which tells the story of a group of women who work as high-class escorts in a brothel, won outstanding drama and outstanding performance by an actor (female), for its star Alison Whyte.
Other notable winners included the critically acclaimed documentary Beyond Kokoda, which screened on The History Channel, and An Aussie Goes Bolly, the irreverent FOX8 cricket series which won outstanding sports program.
The awards, now in their 7th year, are held annually to acknowledge excellence in subscription television programs, program marketing and technology.
Pay TV industry executive Debra Richard, who heads the industry body ASTRA, said the winners displayed a broad selection of genres.
"Practically each of our genres shone ... with awards going to kids, comedy, lifestyle, sport, music, history, news and business," she said.
A telecast of the awards can be viewed "on demand" on Foxtel IQ consoles from Thursday, April 23. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Profiles
ASTRA
Television
Foxtel
Media Companies
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Foxtel boss enters TV funding war of words, by Miriam Steffens - The Sydney Morning Herald - 20th March 2009
Foxtel boss Kim Williams has weighed in on the war of words between the ABC and the subscription television industry, sparked earlier this month when the pay TV channel Sky News said public broadcasters should have to compete with the private sector for government money for new channels.
"The ABC sees itself as a solution to every content issue and editorial issue in Australia," Mr Williams said yesterday. "Well, who says? I don't accept that."
"The ABC is the one which is vigorous in its own defence, we make no apology for being vigorous in pushing forward our own case. Contestability is a good public principle in relation to content issues."
Sky News, which is shown on Foxtel and its regional counterpart Austar, argued that funding for a proposed new commercial-free children's channel or education channel should not automatically go to public broadcasters, but that there should be an open tender.
Sky intends to contest the ABC's $20 million contract next year to run the overseas TV station Broadcast Australia, which is airing throughout Asia for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The managing director of the ABC, Mark Scott, had fired back that the Government shouldn't "outsource its broadcasting diplomacy to Rupert Murdoch's media empire."
Mr Williams made his comments yesterday after addressing a subscription television industry conference with Austar's chief executive, John Porter.
Both claimed that pay TV would prove resilient in the economic crisis as people went out less and looked for entertainment at home, with viewing levels up 10 per cent from a year earlier.
They also lashed out at the free-to-air broadcasters over their new digital channels. Network Ten will launch a digital sports channel next week, with Channels Seven and Nine following suit with their own new digital channels later this year.
Free-to-air TV will ultimately offer 15 channels in total, including those of the ABC and SBS.
Mr Williams accused the networks of making "false claims" advertising 15 new channels, arguing a dozen of those existed already and were on air.
Seeking to increase its market penetration beyond 30 per cent of Australian households, subscription TV is desperately pushing for changes to the anti-siphoning list, which gives free-to-air broadcasters exclusive rights to more than 1300 sporting events for their main channels.
While the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, has indicated he wants to prevent the free-to-air networks from hoarding events they don't broadcast through a "use it or lose it rule," the industry fears he may amend the list to let free-to-air show big ticket events on their new digital channels, weakening the appeal of subscription TV.
"We have to increase our level of lobbying, public relations and enlisting participation of stakeholders in this debate," Mr Porter said. "If we don't do that, we could get steamrolled."
Mr Williams said that pay TV and the football codes had to coordinate their lobbying "in a much more reliable fashion." Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd, which holds 25 per cent of Foxtel and 50 per cent of Fox Sports, also part-owns the NRL.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Foxtel
"The ABC sees itself as a solution to every content issue and editorial issue in Australia," Mr Williams said yesterday. "Well, who says? I don't accept that."
"The ABC is the one which is vigorous in its own defence, we make no apology for being vigorous in pushing forward our own case. Contestability is a good public principle in relation to content issues."
Sky News, which is shown on Foxtel and its regional counterpart Austar, argued that funding for a proposed new commercial-free children's channel or education channel should not automatically go to public broadcasters, but that there should be an open tender.
Sky intends to contest the ABC's $20 million contract next year to run the overseas TV station Broadcast Australia, which is airing throughout Asia for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The managing director of the ABC, Mark Scott, had fired back that the Government shouldn't "outsource its broadcasting diplomacy to Rupert Murdoch's media empire."
Mr Williams made his comments yesterday after addressing a subscription television industry conference with Austar's chief executive, John Porter.
Both claimed that pay TV would prove resilient in the economic crisis as people went out less and looked for entertainment at home, with viewing levels up 10 per cent from a year earlier.
They also lashed out at the free-to-air broadcasters over their new digital channels. Network Ten will launch a digital sports channel next week, with Channels Seven and Nine following suit with their own new digital channels later this year.
Free-to-air TV will ultimately offer 15 channels in total, including those of the ABC and SBS.
Mr Williams accused the networks of making "false claims" advertising 15 new channels, arguing a dozen of those existed already and were on air.
Seeking to increase its market penetration beyond 30 per cent of Australian households, subscription TV is desperately pushing for changes to the anti-siphoning list, which gives free-to-air broadcasters exclusive rights to more than 1300 sporting events for their main channels.
While the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, has indicated he wants to prevent the free-to-air networks from hoarding events they don't broadcast through a "use it or lose it rule," the industry fears he may amend the list to let free-to-air show big ticket events on their new digital channels, weakening the appeal of subscription TV.
"We have to increase our level of lobbying, public relations and enlisting participation of stakeholders in this debate," Mr Porter said. "If we don't do that, we could get steamrolled."
Mr Williams said that pay TV and the football codes had to coordinate their lobbying "in a much more reliable fashion." Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd, which holds 25 per cent of Foxtel and 50 per cent of Fox Sports, also part-owns the NRL.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Foxtel
Online Bingo TV
Online bingo websites spent over £7million on TV advertising in 2008 according to Nielsen Media Research.
With more than 230 different online bingo sites in the UK, the competition for players’ hearts and minds has become more intense and this trend is borne out by more than £7m spent during 2008.
Leading the spending in 2008 was Foxy Bingo with more than £2.25m spent on TV advertising. The second largest spend was on the new launch of Tombola during 2008, with a spend of £1.75m. Only these two sites spent more than £1m on TV advertising.
Two other sites spent more than £500k; Think Bingo spent more than £750k and Party Bingo spent in excess of £640k. In the £400k+ bracket were Crown Bingo (£427k) and Jackpot Joy (£414k), while the Daily Mail’s 2008 launch of Coffee Break Bingo was backed by a £330k TV campaign. One other bingo site (Littlewoods Bingo) spent more than £100k on TV advertising, spending £193k.
The full list of TV advertisers is completed by seven more online bingo sites which between them spent a further £300,000.
The exact spends according to Nielsen Media Research are as follows;
Foxy Bingo - £2,255,128
Tombola - £1,746,989
Think Bingo - £786,311
Party Bingo - £641,053
Crown Bingo - £427,275
Jackpot Joy - £414,217
Mail Online - £336,786
Littlewoods - £193,925
Bingos - £98,947
Bingo Scotland - £63,370
Love Bingo - £52,070
32 Red Bingo - £39,663
Bingo Palace - £37,435
ScotBingo - £8,390
Mikes Bingo - £4,725
Total £7,106,284
Media Man Australia Profiles
Advertising
Television
Bingo
Online Bingo
Bingo News
Online Casino News
With more than 230 different online bingo sites in the UK, the competition for players’ hearts and minds has become more intense and this trend is borne out by more than £7m spent during 2008.
Leading the spending in 2008 was Foxy Bingo with more than £2.25m spent on TV advertising. The second largest spend was on the new launch of Tombola during 2008, with a spend of £1.75m. Only these two sites spent more than £1m on TV advertising.
Two other sites spent more than £500k; Think Bingo spent more than £750k and Party Bingo spent in excess of £640k. In the £400k+ bracket were Crown Bingo (£427k) and Jackpot Joy (£414k), while the Daily Mail’s 2008 launch of Coffee Break Bingo was backed by a £330k TV campaign. One other bingo site (Littlewoods Bingo) spent more than £100k on TV advertising, spending £193k.
The full list of TV advertisers is completed by seven more online bingo sites which between them spent a further £300,000.
The exact spends according to Nielsen Media Research are as follows;
Foxy Bingo - £2,255,128
Tombola - £1,746,989
Think Bingo - £786,311
Party Bingo - £641,053
Crown Bingo - £427,275
Jackpot Joy - £414,217
Mail Online - £336,786
Littlewoods - £193,925
Bingos - £98,947
Bingo Scotland - £63,370
Love Bingo - £52,070
32 Red Bingo - £39,663
Bingo Palace - £37,435
ScotBingo - £8,390
Mikes Bingo - £4,725
Total £7,106,284
Media Man Australia Profiles
Advertising
Television
Bingo
Online Bingo
Bingo News
Online Casino News
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Poker, d'oh - Fairfax - 17th March 2009
Making money in commercial TV is always a bit of a gamble. Especially for a network whose parent company is playing Russian roulette with its bankers. So good luck to Ten's Nick Falloon. Talk is he's replacing Big Brother not with just a cooking show but a new reality concept: live poker. And we were looking forward to repeats of The Simpsons.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker
Network Ten
Reality TV
Poker News
Television
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker
Network Ten
Reality TV
Poker News
Television
Monday, February 23, 2009
Underbelly Series to Continue Says Channel Nine Exec - Gambling911 - 22nd February 2009
In its second season, Australia's Underbelly franchise has witnessed massive viewership. More than 2 million people tune in nightly.
Channel Nine Direct Sales Manager, Ian Sheppard, told Gambling911.com's Senior International Correspondent, Jenny Woo.
"Underbelly is based on real events," Sheppard said, and these events have had viewers on the edge of their seats each Monday night. "The name Underbelly is really just a franchise to dramatize real organized crime in Australia so it really is a question of what else they can go to work on. Another great story out of the 1970's and 80's are of the biking gangs in Australia or New Zealand, the Hell's Angels and the Commancheros; they basically ran the drug trade. So there's probably a good episode story there, which could be branded Underbelly. It's really just a question of how many interesting and real stories they can dig up from the past in terms of organized crime in Australia."
Media Man, Greg Tingle, agrees.
"There is enough material for the next few years," he said.
Tingle also told Gambling911.com that another network was in the midst of airing a similar series to that of Underbelly.
That said, a number of networks back in the United States tried and failed to copy HBO's ground breaking series, The Sopranos. Like the Sopranos, Underbelly is based on real events taking place in a sort of underworld society.
When asked if the series is exaggerated, much like the Sopranos could be at times, Sheppard said he wasn't fully certain.
"I think that's a hard one to answer. The only thing I can say to that is that the first two episodes in the current series dealt with the murder of a guy called Donald Mackay, who was an anti drug campaigner in a part of Australia where a lot of Italian families were growing cannabis. He disappeared and they found his truck with empty bullet casings in a puddle of blood but they never found out who actual killed him. They reckon beyond any doubt who it was and Underbelly ran with this particular story where they actually showed the guy shooting him. But I suppose historically the records show that no one was ever charged with his murder."
Last week, the series touched on the Underbelly casino elements.
"There will be more casino themes upcoming," Tingle informed us, though Sheppard would not elaborate on the subject. "It's an area that has quite a bit of history in Australia."
What's really gripped Australians, perhaps more than anything else, is the amount of violence depicted.
"I think that people are both shocked and fascinated to know that all this was happening here in our city, Sydney and Melbourne," Sheppard said. "We've always been shocked when we hear about violence coming out of Los Angeles, Miami or New York. We've always viewed ourselves as being away from all of that. I think it sort of shocked a lot of people here. We weren't naïve to think that nothing happened but I think a lot of people were shocked thinking the worst of the worst." (Credit: Gambling911)
Australian Casino News Profiles
Underbelly
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Channel Nine Direct Sales Manager, Ian Sheppard, told Gambling911.com's Senior International Correspondent, Jenny Woo.
"Underbelly is based on real events," Sheppard said, and these events have had viewers on the edge of their seats each Monday night. "The name Underbelly is really just a franchise to dramatize real organized crime in Australia so it really is a question of what else they can go to work on. Another great story out of the 1970's and 80's are of the biking gangs in Australia or New Zealand, the Hell's Angels and the Commancheros; they basically ran the drug trade. So there's probably a good episode story there, which could be branded Underbelly. It's really just a question of how many interesting and real stories they can dig up from the past in terms of organized crime in Australia."
Media Man, Greg Tingle, agrees.
"There is enough material for the next few years," he said.
Tingle also told Gambling911.com that another network was in the midst of airing a similar series to that of Underbelly.
That said, a number of networks back in the United States tried and failed to copy HBO's ground breaking series, The Sopranos. Like the Sopranos, Underbelly is based on real events taking place in a sort of underworld society.
When asked if the series is exaggerated, much like the Sopranos could be at times, Sheppard said he wasn't fully certain.
"I think that's a hard one to answer. The only thing I can say to that is that the first two episodes in the current series dealt with the murder of a guy called Donald Mackay, who was an anti drug campaigner in a part of Australia where a lot of Italian families were growing cannabis. He disappeared and they found his truck with empty bullet casings in a puddle of blood but they never found out who actual killed him. They reckon beyond any doubt who it was and Underbelly ran with this particular story where they actually showed the guy shooting him. But I suppose historically the records show that no one was ever charged with his murder."
Last week, the series touched on the Underbelly casino elements.
"There will be more casino themes upcoming," Tingle informed us, though Sheppard would not elaborate on the subject. "It's an area that has quite a bit of history in Australia."
What's really gripped Australians, perhaps more than anything else, is the amount of violence depicted.
"I think that people are both shocked and fascinated to know that all this was happening here in our city, Sydney and Melbourne," Sheppard said. "We've always been shocked when we hear about violence coming out of Los Angeles, Miami or New York. We've always viewed ourselves as being away from all of that. I think it sort of shocked a lot of people here. We weren't naïve to think that nothing happened but I think a lot of people were shocked thinking the worst of the worst." (Credit: Gambling911)
Australian Casino News Profiles
Underbelly
Australian Casinos
Australian Casino News
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities to Employ Gambling Theme - Gambling911.com - 12th February 2009
Gambling911.com has learned that upcoming episodes of Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities will feature "some casino and gambling themes". The show's second season was the highest rated launch in Australia's history.
George Freeman, played by Peter O'Brien, ran a number of Australian casinos (gambling houses... "with no name" and unadvertised, sort of the opposite of casinos to that of the James Packer's Crown Casino (which is all above board and advertised, mainstream and is legal etc).
As we have come to learn, the world of casinos and bookmaking in Australia is quite fascinating to say the least, and this should play in superbly with the Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities theme.
Media man, Greg Tingle gives us a taste of the old school gambling lifestyle in Australia:
"My grandfather, Eric Fraser Cameron Tingle ran a SP bookmaker operation from Newport Beach plant nursery which also doubled as a barber shop... tripled as a SP hangout. Today Newport Beach TAB is next door. A decade ago I used to regularly have a punt at the TAB with the late, great (and notorious) Big Time Bristow.
"I caught up with Tim at his home at Newport, just around the corner from my old home at Pittwater, 3 weeks before Tim's unfortunate (and natural) death. I pointed to Chris Master's book entitled 'Not for publication' and the chapter entitled, Guilty Buildings'. I recalled to Tim, ‘That's you isn't it Tim?' TB replied, ‘You nailed it in one Greg'. That's the scoop... its never been published or put in the public domain before." (Credit: Gambling911.com)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
"Big" Tim Bristow
Australian Casinos
Casino News
Australian Casino News
George Freeman, played by Peter O'Brien, ran a number of Australian casinos (gambling houses... "with no name" and unadvertised, sort of the opposite of casinos to that of the James Packer's Crown Casino (which is all above board and advertised, mainstream and is legal etc).
As we have come to learn, the world of casinos and bookmaking in Australia is quite fascinating to say the least, and this should play in superbly with the Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities theme.
Media man, Greg Tingle gives us a taste of the old school gambling lifestyle in Australia:
"My grandfather, Eric Fraser Cameron Tingle ran a SP bookmaker operation from Newport Beach plant nursery which also doubled as a barber shop... tripled as a SP hangout. Today Newport Beach TAB is next door. A decade ago I used to regularly have a punt at the TAB with the late, great (and notorious) Big Time Bristow.
"I caught up with Tim at his home at Newport, just around the corner from my old home at Pittwater, 3 weeks before Tim's unfortunate (and natural) death. I pointed to Chris Master's book entitled 'Not for publication' and the chapter entitled, Guilty Buildings'. I recalled to Tim, ‘That's you isn't it Tim?' TB replied, ‘You nailed it in one Greg'. That's the scoop... its never been published or put in the public domain before." (Credit: Gambling911.com)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Underbelly
Network Nine Australia
"Big" Tim Bristow
Australian Casinos
Casino News
Australian Casino News
Monday, January 12, 2009
Ferguson dumped as Nine scrambles for No. 1, by Conrad Walters - The Sydney Morning Herald - 12th January 2009
The Nine Network, conceding the need to rebuild its 6pm news bulletin if it is to have any hope of dethroning Seven's ratings supremacy, has dumped the newsreader Mark Ferguson in favour of the 60 Minutes journalist Peter Overton.
Last night it began trumpeting the journalistic background of its new frontman, who claims ownership of the anchor desk at Channel Nine tonight, with Mark Ferguson remaining as reader of the weekend news.
The promotional shots featuring footage of Overton in some of the world's hot spots is a clear attempt to distinguish him from Seven's frontman, Ian Ross, also a former Nine news reader.
Media analysts yesterday gave the network cause for optimism, saying Overton was likely to be well received and respected.
"For Nine to start to get a bit of traction of Seven, this is where they've got to make the inroads," said an analyst at PHD, Barry O'Brien.
"They've given Mark Ferguson the opportunity. It hasn't quite worked out. So I suppose in 2009 you've got to try things. Overton's got appeal, [but] television is always a roll of the dice."
Another media analyst, Greg Tingle, agreed that Overton's appeal would help Nine. He predicted an initial boost as curious viewers tuned in. He believed that community work done by Overton and his wife, Jessica Rowe, would extend the appeal.
"I would definitely expect the ratings to boost up, and I think the Australian public is ready for the change," Mr Tingle said.
The move was a "calculated risk", he said of the station that once seemed unassailable in the ratings. "Because, let's face it, Channel Nine can't afford too many more stuff-ups."
Nine Network executives yesterday stressed Overton's journalistic credentials. "[Overton] is the undeniable choice for us," said the director of news and current affairs at Channel Nine, John Westacott.
For the past eight years Overton has been a presenter on 60 Minutes, where he has reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Indonesia and as anchor of the September 11 coverage in 2001. He will continue to file stories for the network's flagship current affairs program.
The change in personnel is directed at Channel Seven, where Ian Ross has consistently won the 6pm competition for viewers. "As commercial television always is, we're locked in a very demanding fight for ratings," Mr Westacott said.
"The combination of Peter Overton and Mark Ferguson gives us the best crack at rebuilding our 6 o'clock news." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Overton
Network Nine Australia
Channel Seven
Television
Last night it began trumpeting the journalistic background of its new frontman, who claims ownership of the anchor desk at Channel Nine tonight, with Mark Ferguson remaining as reader of the weekend news.
The promotional shots featuring footage of Overton in some of the world's hot spots is a clear attempt to distinguish him from Seven's frontman, Ian Ross, also a former Nine news reader.
Media analysts yesterday gave the network cause for optimism, saying Overton was likely to be well received and respected.
"For Nine to start to get a bit of traction of Seven, this is where they've got to make the inroads," said an analyst at PHD, Barry O'Brien.
"They've given Mark Ferguson the opportunity. It hasn't quite worked out. So I suppose in 2009 you've got to try things. Overton's got appeal, [but] television is always a roll of the dice."
Another media analyst, Greg Tingle, agreed that Overton's appeal would help Nine. He predicted an initial boost as curious viewers tuned in. He believed that community work done by Overton and his wife, Jessica Rowe, would extend the appeal.
"I would definitely expect the ratings to boost up, and I think the Australian public is ready for the change," Mr Tingle said.
The move was a "calculated risk", he said of the station that once seemed unassailable in the ratings. "Because, let's face it, Channel Nine can't afford too many more stuff-ups."
Nine Network executives yesterday stressed Overton's journalistic credentials. "[Overton] is the undeniable choice for us," said the director of news and current affairs at Channel Nine, John Westacott.
For the past eight years Overton has been a presenter on 60 Minutes, where he has reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Indonesia and as anchor of the September 11 coverage in 2001. He will continue to file stories for the network's flagship current affairs program.
The change in personnel is directed at Channel Seven, where Ian Ross has consistently won the 6pm competition for viewers. "As commercial television always is, we're locked in a very demanding fight for ratings," Mr Westacott said.
"The combination of Peter Overton and Mark Ferguson gives us the best crack at rebuilding our 6 o'clock news." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Overton
Network Nine Australia
Channel Seven
Television
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Unless TV networks adapt they will be eaten alive by the internet, by Allan Fels and Fred Brenchley - The Sydney Morning Herald - 3rd January 2009
The commercial television networks are quietly delighted by Telstra's exclusion from the $10 billion national broadband network (NBN) tender.
As both an owner and content provider to the NBN, Telstra would have given the networks two things they dread - competition, and a gatekeeper to the largely unexplored world of broadband television.
Using its new Telstra Media arm, the carrier could have effectively become a fourth commercial TV operator. The NBN operator will have some 100 digital channels to play with, opening the potential of multiple plays in home broadband free to air and pay TV.
Telstra's exclusion (at least in the initial stage) highlights the mega-stakes for television networks, not just in the broadband tender but the big shoe that will drop right behind it - analog spectrum switch-off and the return of old spectrum.
This is the so-called "digital dividend". Viewers get the snazzy new world of digital choice and viewing quality by the analog cut-off in 2013, while taxpayers get what the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, estimates could be worth $1 billion from reselling old spectrum.
But viewers and taxpayers shouldn't be holding out for any dividends just yet. Spectrum return and the resale dividend threaten an even bigger commercial and government wrangle than the NBN tender. At least a three-way tussle is looming.
Conroy wants to maximise resale, possibly "restacking" the old analog broadcasting services band to clear larger blocks.
Communications companies, Telstra included, are keen for new spectrum to meet demand for wireless broadband. The analog spectrum is ideal.
As expected, the networks are not only reluctant to hand back spectrum until they get all sorts of assurances about no new competition, but they actually want more.
Their argument is that, unlike analog where picture signals simply fade over longer distances from transmitters, digital signals fall off a cliff, requiring more, not less, spectrum to maintain.
The networks' real dilemma, however, is that they urgently need a new business model. And not just for digital multi-channel broadcasting, but for the even more threatening world of broadband, with its consumer promise of many different methods of utilising video content via internet protocol television (IPTV).
The networks - ABC and Seven excluded - cling to the 1950s mass market control model they have sold to advertisers for decades. But viewers - and advertisers - are fragmenting into pay TV and the internet. Unless networks adapt, they face a similar fate to newspapers: being eaten alive by the internet.
Foot dragging on digital multi-channelling illustrates the reluctance to change. They have created Freeview, promising 15 channels, but only the ABC has rolled out a new channel. Ten has unveiled a sports channel for next year. Nine and Seven are yet to reveal plans.
These are all standard definition digital channels. The networks have declined the opportunity to expand their digital high definition simulcast broadcasting into full channels, which government rules now allow. This exposes the much-touted HDTV as just a spectrum land grab by the networks, which now realise its high costs.
But territorial grabs will be standard fare as the NBN rollout folds into the analog spectrum return and its digital dividend. Telstra could even be a claim-jumper if it quickly rolled out its own broadband network, forcing the government-subsidised successful bidder to follow.
The networks want immunity from competition. They have it until 2012. They also want added digital spectrum space, but really crave subscription services to upset Foxtel/Austar's continuing inroads. Competing services must be a real issue for Conroy now that pay TV has snared about a quarter of the total viewing market.
Of all the clamouring parties in the new media landscape confronting Conroy, the networks will wield the biggest stick. Australians still like their free TV, no matter how much it has been dumbed down. Conroy will want to hand-pass them on into both digital and broadband while also gaining his digital dividend.
At the same time, he has wider business, social and consumer interests to protect as broadband impacts everything from video conferencing to delivery of government services. This means maximising open access to the NBN.
Crucially, the networks need a broadband strategy. After being dragged into digital multi-channelling they now need to understand that high speed broadband will attack all home video markets - particularly network TV.
Allan Fels is dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and a co-author of the Urban Taskforce report. Fred Brenchley is a former editor of The Australian Financial Review. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Television
Media Companies
As both an owner and content provider to the NBN, Telstra would have given the networks two things they dread - competition, and a gatekeeper to the largely unexplored world of broadband television.
Using its new Telstra Media arm, the carrier could have effectively become a fourth commercial TV operator. The NBN operator will have some 100 digital channels to play with, opening the potential of multiple plays in home broadband free to air and pay TV.
Telstra's exclusion (at least in the initial stage) highlights the mega-stakes for television networks, not just in the broadband tender but the big shoe that will drop right behind it - analog spectrum switch-off and the return of old spectrum.
This is the so-called "digital dividend". Viewers get the snazzy new world of digital choice and viewing quality by the analog cut-off in 2013, while taxpayers get what the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, estimates could be worth $1 billion from reselling old spectrum.
But viewers and taxpayers shouldn't be holding out for any dividends just yet. Spectrum return and the resale dividend threaten an even bigger commercial and government wrangle than the NBN tender. At least a three-way tussle is looming.
Conroy wants to maximise resale, possibly "restacking" the old analog broadcasting services band to clear larger blocks.
Communications companies, Telstra included, are keen for new spectrum to meet demand for wireless broadband. The analog spectrum is ideal.
As expected, the networks are not only reluctant to hand back spectrum until they get all sorts of assurances about no new competition, but they actually want more.
Their argument is that, unlike analog where picture signals simply fade over longer distances from transmitters, digital signals fall off a cliff, requiring more, not less, spectrum to maintain.
The networks' real dilemma, however, is that they urgently need a new business model. And not just for digital multi-channel broadcasting, but for the even more threatening world of broadband, with its consumer promise of many different methods of utilising video content via internet protocol television (IPTV).
The networks - ABC and Seven excluded - cling to the 1950s mass market control model they have sold to advertisers for decades. But viewers - and advertisers - are fragmenting into pay TV and the internet. Unless networks adapt, they face a similar fate to newspapers: being eaten alive by the internet.
Foot dragging on digital multi-channelling illustrates the reluctance to change. They have created Freeview, promising 15 channels, but only the ABC has rolled out a new channel. Ten has unveiled a sports channel for next year. Nine and Seven are yet to reveal plans.
These are all standard definition digital channels. The networks have declined the opportunity to expand their digital high definition simulcast broadcasting into full channels, which government rules now allow. This exposes the much-touted HDTV as just a spectrum land grab by the networks, which now realise its high costs.
But territorial grabs will be standard fare as the NBN rollout folds into the analog spectrum return and its digital dividend. Telstra could even be a claim-jumper if it quickly rolled out its own broadband network, forcing the government-subsidised successful bidder to follow.
The networks want immunity from competition. They have it until 2012. They also want added digital spectrum space, but really crave subscription services to upset Foxtel/Austar's continuing inroads. Competing services must be a real issue for Conroy now that pay TV has snared about a quarter of the total viewing market.
Of all the clamouring parties in the new media landscape confronting Conroy, the networks will wield the biggest stick. Australians still like their free TV, no matter how much it has been dumbed down. Conroy will want to hand-pass them on into both digital and broadband while also gaining his digital dividend.
At the same time, he has wider business, social and consumer interests to protect as broadband impacts everything from video conferencing to delivery of government services. This means maximising open access to the NBN.
Crucially, the networks need a broadband strategy. After being dragged into digital multi-channelling they now need to understand that high speed broadband will attack all home video markets - particularly network TV.
Allan Fels is dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and a co-author of the Urban Taskforce report. Fred Brenchley is a former editor of The Australian Financial Review. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
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Television
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