Online gambling group PartyGaming last week reported a 32% rise in fourth quarter sales as the thawing economic climate prompts punters to return to its virtual poker and casino tables to play the group's improved online games.
The company, which is listed on the London stock exchange but based in tax-friendly Gibraltar, said sales rose to $132.2 million in the three months to Dec. 31 from $100.4 million last year, helped by two acquisitions and a particularly strong performance in its casino division which offers online casino games like slots, blackjack and roulette, online poker games, sports betting and spread betting services.
PartyPoker.com remains the companies flagship brand however in the past 12 months PartyCasino.com has experienced considerable growth and brand presence, boosted by both branded slot games like Rambo, Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, Call Of Action 4: Modern Warfare, Resident Evil, The Terminator, Saturday Night Fever, The Godfather, a host of Marvel Entertainment themed games, and the recent news media campaign of which cricket and reality TV figure Phil 'Tuffers' Tufnell is the front man for.
PartyGaming is still on the look out for more igaming and betting sector companies to buy up following it's successful purchases of World Poker Tour and Cashcade. Earlier this month PartyGaming inked a "white label" deal with London Capital Group enhancing its spread betting offerings.
The company is the world's biggest listed online gaming group by market capitalization, derives most of its revenue from online poker and casino games and owns and operates a more modest sized sports book and bingo business, which is currently on the upswing.
Finance director Martin Weigold told reporters on a conference call following the results that casino revenue was boosted by a customer who won $5 million in one of the group's large jackpots and recycled $2 million of that win back into PartyGaming's casino website.
Weigold advised that the unusually strong sales rise is not sustainable going forward into 2010, however the company still expects to report double digit sales and profit growth in the year.
The bullish outlook for 2010 sits comfortably with the group's 2009 earnings, which it expects to be ahead of its own board forecasts.
Weigold said market consensus is for 'clean' earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or Ebitda, of $132 million in 2010, and PartyGaming expects to outperform this.
'Clean' Ebitda is the company's preferred measure of profitability and excludes one-off, non-recurring and non-cash items. It is due to report is full year results March 4.
The good news buoyed PartyGaming shares, up 3.2% or 9 pence to 294p.
Alongside casino improvements, PartyGaming also reversed an 18-month trend of quarter-on-quarter revenue declines for its poker division, posting a 9% rise in sales to $49.1 million.
PartyGaming's poker operations had been under pressure due to competition from rivals, and the company has reacted by increasing the bonuses paid and expanding its loyalty programs (PartyPoints and Palladium Lounge)to encourage customers onto the site and retain them. Certainly Asia Pacific - Australian based players are sticking with it, based on feedback and buzz passed onto Asia Pacific's Media Man and Casino News Media firms.
The online gaming sector was hit by the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in October 2006 which effectively shut down the ultra lucrative market in the U.S. In Europe though, E.U. competition rules have prompted countries to start to open up their regulatory regimes to new players, and PartyGaming is looking to expand its operations when this happens.
It already has a growing presence in Italy, and with France and Denmark due to formalize regulation this year and next, the company is confident of its future growth prospects. South Africa, South America and India also appear to be countries well suited to grow the business. The Australian market is on fire says industry insiders. Australians remain some of the world's most passionate punters, in the top ten says recent figures quoted in the likes of Forbes, News Limited, Fairfax, WSJ, AP and Google News. The Aussie's are massive fans of the Hollywood blockbuster slot games and Marvel Entertainment titles Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four and The Amazing Spider-Man. Insiders advise Aussies are punting big in search of the Marvel Hero Jackpot, almost as popular as Party's 'The Big One' and 'Gold Mega Jackpot', currently sitting on approximately 3 million dollars.
PartyGaming is well aware that it's in the entertainment business and is pro active in putting the Business in Show, while maintaining happy punters, clients, partners and investors.
In addition the company is in discussions with other operators about potential deals and takeovers, although Chief Executive Jim Ryan wouldn't be drawn on whether a transformational deal would be forthcoming this year. Bwin's name keeps coming up, but its one of dozens who are keen to ink high end deals with PartyGaming.
Numis analyst Andrew Wade said he believes PartyGaming's fourth quarter performance should position it well for any merger and acquisition discussions, "as well as confirming it as an attractive partner for State and Private companies wanting to enter new markets."
The company is currently experiencing considerable growth in the Asia Pacific - Australian region, and is poised to return to the United States market, which compliments its strategic purchase of World Poker Tour, not to forget masses of U.S residents keen to play PartyGaming's Hollywood blockbuster slot games.
PartyGaming is expected to have presence at the upcoming iGaming Business event in Sydney, Australia this coming March.
*The writer has a b2b relationship with PartyGaming, as they do with dozens of brands in the igaming, gaming, media and entertainment industry.
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wrestling shows go head-to-head - 16th February 2010
LOS ANGELES - Spike TV is re-igniting the wrestling wars.
The cable network is moving its "TNA Impact" franchise up against USA's top-rated "Monday Night Raw." Starting March 8, the two-hour "Impact" will move from Thursdays to air head-to-head against USA's program, most notably echoing the Monday Night Wars of 1995-2001, when WWE's "Raw" faced World Championship Wrestling's "Monday Nitro."
The typically taped "Impact" also will air live telecasts every other week; "Raw" always airs live.
"We feel strongly that Monday nights is where the majority of wrestling viewers have been historically," TNA (Total Nonstop Action) president Dixie Carter said. "Having two Monday night wrestling shows with healthy competition between them can make for great TV."
Spike has done a pair of Monday night test runs, most recently last month, which featured the debut of the franchise's new host, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. The special drew 2.2 million viewers, considerably higher than TNA's usual 1.6 million average, but couldn't pin "Raw," which averages about 5.2 million viewers each week.
"Our goal is not to beat 'Raw' immediately, but we feel confident this will accelerate our growth and make it fun for wrestling fans," Carter said.
The shows target different wrestling sensibilities, with "Raw" aiming for more of a PG rating and "Impact" drawing a TV-14.
"It's somewhat of a different audience," a WWE spokesperson said. "On Monday nights, we're one of the top cable shows. We're focusing on our new show for Syfy, 'NXT,' and 'Wrestlemania XXIV.'"
For Spike TV, this is an opportunity to tap into sports fans while "Monday Night Football" is off the grid.
The cable network is moving its "TNA Impact" franchise up against USA's top-rated "Monday Night Raw." Starting March 8, the two-hour "Impact" will move from Thursdays to air head-to-head against USA's program, most notably echoing the Monday Night Wars of 1995-2001, when WWE's "Raw" faced World Championship Wrestling's "Monday Nitro."
The typically taped "Impact" also will air live telecasts every other week; "Raw" always airs live.
"We feel strongly that Monday nights is where the majority of wrestling viewers have been historically," TNA (Total Nonstop Action) president Dixie Carter said. "Having two Monday night wrestling shows with healthy competition between them can make for great TV."
Spike has done a pair of Monday night test runs, most recently last month, which featured the debut of the franchise's new host, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan. The special drew 2.2 million viewers, considerably higher than TNA's usual 1.6 million average, but couldn't pin "Raw," which averages about 5.2 million viewers each week.
"Our goal is not to beat 'Raw' immediately, but we feel confident this will accelerate our growth and make it fun for wrestling fans," Carter said.
The shows target different wrestling sensibilities, with "Raw" aiming for more of a PG rating and "Impact" drawing a TV-14.
"It's somewhat of a different audience," a WWE spokesperson said. "On Monday nights, we're one of the top cable shows. We're focusing on our new show for Syfy, 'NXT,' and 'Wrestlemania XXIV.'"
For Spike TV, this is an opportunity to tap into sports fans while "Monday Night Football" is off the grid.
Monday, February 15, 2010
TNA Wrestling News: Against All Odds PPV
Samoa Joe challenges TNA World Hvt. champion A.J. Styles for the TNA World Title at tonight's Against All Odds PPV. The PPV will also feature Team 3D vs. the Nasty Boys and an eight-man tournament to determine the #1 contender to the World Title.
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
McMahon: WWE Network Expected To Launch in Mid 2011 - 11th February 2010
Proposed Network To Help Promote `Raw,' `SmackDown' Properties
World Wrestling Entertainment is looking to jump into the cable network ring with a proposed network that the pro grappling outfit expects to launch in the next 18 months, according to WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
McMahon, speaking Thursday morning during the company's 2009 fourth-quarter earnings call, said it has been doing "a great deal of due diligence" toward creating a WWE cable network that would presumably offer live and library content.
"I would hope a year-and-a-half from now we would be up and running," McMahon said. "We think there is a tremendous opportunity for us out there and quite frankly if things happen as we hope they will happen it will be a really big game changer for the WWE."
The proposed network would not infringe on the WWE's current cable and broadcast shows, including USA Network's WWE Monday Night Raw and MyNetworkTV's SmackDown , but instead could be used as a marketing tool for those shows.
"We are unique in that what's good for the WWE is good for all our television partners as far as promotion and things of that nature," he said. "The new network could tie in and be adjacent to some of those shows and quite frankly our own network can enhance Raw and SmackDown. It would really be a win-win across the board for our television partners, as well as for us." (Credit: World Wrestling Entertainment, MultiChannel News, Wires)
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World Wrestling Entertainment is looking to jump into the cable network ring with a proposed network that the pro grappling outfit expects to launch in the next 18 months, according to WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
McMahon, speaking Thursday morning during the company's 2009 fourth-quarter earnings call, said it has been doing "a great deal of due diligence" toward creating a WWE cable network that would presumably offer live and library content.
"I would hope a year-and-a-half from now we would be up and running," McMahon said. "We think there is a tremendous opportunity for us out there and quite frankly if things happen as we hope they will happen it will be a really big game changer for the WWE."
The proposed network would not infringe on the WWE's current cable and broadcast shows, including USA Network's WWE Monday Night Raw and MyNetworkTV's SmackDown , but instead could be used as a marketing tool for those shows.
"We are unique in that what's good for the WWE is good for all our television partners as far as promotion and things of that nature," he said. "The new network could tie in and be adjacent to some of those shows and quite frankly our own network can enhance Raw and SmackDown. It would really be a win-win across the board for our television partners, as well as for us." (Credit: World Wrestling Entertainment, MultiChannel News, Wires)
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Monday, February 08, 2010
It's ratings season: here come the networks' big guns - 7th February 2010
The television ratings year kicks off today and the networks are rolling out the big guns to lure in viewers.
New locally-produced shows, fresh series of Australian reality programs and returning international dramas are leading the charge this week, with more big names to come later in the year.
Aussie TV will come down to three ingredients in 2010 - crime, cooking and sport.
The success of MasterChef in 2009 has led to a new wave of food programming across the networks, with new offerings such as My Kitchen Rules and Poh's Kitchen thrown into the mix.
In a very different flavour, the third series of Underbelly will lead a line-up of crime shows, while telemovies and mini-series based on real life events are set to bring in big audiences.
The year will also be big for sports viewers with the Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics and soccer World Cup set to keep Aussies up well into the night.
And, for those wanting a laugh, there'll be no shortage of comedy entertainment shows.
FOOD
MY KITCHEN RULES - The Seven Network this week unleashed its cooking series featuring super chefs Pete Evans and Manu Feildel, but while the debut ratings were strong the show failed to beat the US sitcoms Two and A Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Airing on Monday and Tuesday nights, time will tell if the program, featuring teams of two battling it out in their kitchens, will take off.
MASTERCHEF - Will make a return to Network Ten later this year in a new timeslot of 7.30pm aimed at attracting even more viewers. But whether it can replicate its 2009 success is yet to be seen. A second Celebrity MasterChef series is unlikely to be made, but a junior version of the culinary phenomenon will be added to the mix in 2010.
POH'S KITCHEN - Last year's MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow has scored her own show on the ABC, which begins on February 10. The series will involve Poh travelling around the country trying out different recipes.
CRIME, POLICE DRAMA and TRUE CRIME
UNDERBELLY: THE GOLDEN MILE - All eyes will be on the third instalment of the gangland crime drama in 2010. The series, which is expected to air in March after the Vancouver Winter Olympics, follows the activities in Kings Cross from 1988 until 1999. Centred around nightclub baron John Ibrahim, played by Firass Dirani, it also stars Dieter Brummer as crooked cop Trevor Haken, Natalie Bassingthwaighte as his wife Jayne, Sigrid Thornton as tough cop Gerry Lloyd, and Emma Booth as prostitute and stripper turned police trainee Kim Hollingsworth.
Nine will also screen a new Aussie drama COPS LAC, Ten will air a third series of RUSH and CITY HOMICIDE will return to the Seven Network.
True crime will again be a popular genre in 2010, the Nine Network screening AFP, a behind the scenes look at the Australian Federal Police, AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES OF CRIME and SEND IN THE SNIFFER DOGS later this year. Seven brings back GANGS OF OZ on Wednesday (EDS: Feb 3) and popular Customs show, BORDER SECURITY, from February 14.
SPORT
WINTER OLYMPICS - Pay TV providers Foxtel and Austar will have comprehensive coverage of the Vancouver Winter games from February 13. It's set to be the largest Winter Games coverage ever - with more than 340 hours live, and 1600 hours of coverage in total, utilising four channels. Free to air viewers will be able to watch coverage on the Nine Network.
WORLD CUP - SBS will provide extensive coverage of the soccer World Cup from South Africa in June and July, while the Commonwealth Games will be broadcast on pay TV and Network Ten's digital sports channel ONE AD in October.
THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES - Foxtel and Network Ten share rights to the New Delhi games, from October 3 to 14, this year.
INTERNATIONAL
TOP GEAR - The popular show is making a move to the Nine Network after five years on SBS. Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will charm their way around the track and the world when the show kicks off with a two-hour special on February 16. An Aussie version of Top Gear is also planned, but Nine says it's in very early pre-production and won't be seen on air until later this year.
COUGAR TOWN - Courtney Cox will star as the older woman on the prowl in the Seven Network's new comedy Cougar Town. The show begins on February 11.
THE GOOD WIFE - Follows the story of Alicia Florrick, played by Julianna Margulies, as she returns to work in the legal industry after her husband, played by Chris Noth, is jailed following a sex and corruption scandal. The show will debut on Network Ten on February 7 and is expected to draw in big audiences following Margulies' Golden Globe award win for the part.
HOUSE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and BROTHERS AND SISTERS all made a return to the small screen this week with solid results.
Other shows to watch out for later in the year include Nine's V, the US sci-fi series which premiered in America with 14 million viewers, Seven's THE MARRIAGE REF, a new show from Jerry Seinfeld with celebrity advice about married life, and Ten's THE CLEVELAND SHOW and MODERN FAMILY.
ENTERTAINMENT AND REALITY
THE WHITE ROOM - The panel game show about all things television begins on the Seven Network on February 11 in the 7.30pm timeslot.
SLEUTH 101 - Comedian Cal Wilson will host this unique murder mystery game show with a comedy flavour. It premieres on February 12 on ABC1.
TALKIN' BOUT YOUR GENERATION - The hit pop culture show hosted by Shaun Micallef is expected to draw in a bigger audience when it returns to Network Ten on February 7.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - The reality dance competition returned to Network Ten on Sunday with more than 1.1 million viewers.
THE BIGGEST LOSER - Also back on air since Sunday, the program, with new host Hayley Lewis at the helm, generated about 1.1 million viewers on debut of its fifth season.
Other shows to watch out for include the ABC1's STRICTLY SPEAKING, a new vehicle for Chaser member Andrew Hansen, while Nine is producing more HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY specials after two reunion shows brought in millions of viewers in 2009.
COMEDY
LOWDOWN - Starring award-winning actor and former showbiz reporter Adam Soarer, best known for the SBS TV show Wilfred. The show about the life of a gossip columnist will air on ABC1 later in the year. Soarer is also the show's writer.
ANGRY BOYS - Comedian Chris Lilley, the man behind Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes, is expected to return to ABC1 with his latest project Angry Boys, although it's yet to be confirmed.
SOME OF THE REST
On the drama front, Nine will air a second season of RESCUE SPECIAL OPS, while the popular PACKED TO THE RAFTERS will be back on Seven with new baby Ruby Louise the focus of fresh storylines.
Entertainment shows DANCING WITH THE STARS and AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT will return to the Seven Network, Nine will bring back FARMER WANTS A WIFE, and Network Ten says it's confident AUSTRALIAN IDOL will be back for another year despite persistent rumours the show is in hiatus this year.
Seven will be the home of factual reality shows later this year, with RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE and the new ICU: A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH beginning on Wednesday. The Russell Crowe-produced and hosted DAMAGE CONTROL is also slated by the network for 2010.
The three commercial networks will also screen telemovies and new mini-series this year with Network Ten offering HAWKE about the life of colourful former prime minister Bob Hawke, Nine airing WICKED LOVE, the Maria Korp story, and Seven screening the 10-part mini-series THE PACIFIC, a joint Aussie-US production produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
PAY TV HIGHLIGHTS
PROJECT RUNWAY AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will return for new seasons. A second series of Aussie drama TANGLE will air later in the year, while the third series of SATISFACTION has been airing since December.
New locally-produced shows, fresh series of Australian reality programs and returning international dramas are leading the charge this week, with more big names to come later in the year.
Aussie TV will come down to three ingredients in 2010 - crime, cooking and sport.
The success of MasterChef in 2009 has led to a new wave of food programming across the networks, with new offerings such as My Kitchen Rules and Poh's Kitchen thrown into the mix.
In a very different flavour, the third series of Underbelly will lead a line-up of crime shows, while telemovies and mini-series based on real life events are set to bring in big audiences.
The year will also be big for sports viewers with the Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics and soccer World Cup set to keep Aussies up well into the night.
And, for those wanting a laugh, there'll be no shortage of comedy entertainment shows.
FOOD
MY KITCHEN RULES - The Seven Network this week unleashed its cooking series featuring super chefs Pete Evans and Manu Feildel, but while the debut ratings were strong the show failed to beat the US sitcoms Two and A Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Airing on Monday and Tuesday nights, time will tell if the program, featuring teams of two battling it out in their kitchens, will take off.
MASTERCHEF - Will make a return to Network Ten later this year in a new timeslot of 7.30pm aimed at attracting even more viewers. But whether it can replicate its 2009 success is yet to be seen. A second Celebrity MasterChef series is unlikely to be made, but a junior version of the culinary phenomenon will be added to the mix in 2010.
POH'S KITCHEN - Last year's MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow has scored her own show on the ABC, which begins on February 10. The series will involve Poh travelling around the country trying out different recipes.
CRIME, POLICE DRAMA and TRUE CRIME
UNDERBELLY: THE GOLDEN MILE - All eyes will be on the third instalment of the gangland crime drama in 2010. The series, which is expected to air in March after the Vancouver Winter Olympics, follows the activities in Kings Cross from 1988 until 1999. Centred around nightclub baron John Ibrahim, played by Firass Dirani, it also stars Dieter Brummer as crooked cop Trevor Haken, Natalie Bassingthwaighte as his wife Jayne, Sigrid Thornton as tough cop Gerry Lloyd, and Emma Booth as prostitute and stripper turned police trainee Kim Hollingsworth.
Nine will also screen a new Aussie drama COPS LAC, Ten will air a third series of RUSH and CITY HOMICIDE will return to the Seven Network.
True crime will again be a popular genre in 2010, the Nine Network screening AFP, a behind the scenes look at the Australian Federal Police, AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES OF CRIME and SEND IN THE SNIFFER DOGS later this year. Seven brings back GANGS OF OZ on Wednesday (EDS: Feb 3) and popular Customs show, BORDER SECURITY, from February 14.
SPORT
WINTER OLYMPICS - Pay TV providers Foxtel and Austar will have comprehensive coverage of the Vancouver Winter games from February 13. It's set to be the largest Winter Games coverage ever - with more than 340 hours live, and 1600 hours of coverage in total, utilising four channels. Free to air viewers will be able to watch coverage on the Nine Network.
WORLD CUP - SBS will provide extensive coverage of the soccer World Cup from South Africa in June and July, while the Commonwealth Games will be broadcast on pay TV and Network Ten's digital sports channel ONE AD in October.
THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES - Foxtel and Network Ten share rights to the New Delhi games, from October 3 to 14, this year.
INTERNATIONAL
TOP GEAR - The popular show is making a move to the Nine Network after five years on SBS. Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will charm their way around the track and the world when the show kicks off with a two-hour special on February 16. An Aussie version of Top Gear is also planned, but Nine says it's in very early pre-production and won't be seen on air until later this year.
COUGAR TOWN - Courtney Cox will star as the older woman on the prowl in the Seven Network's new comedy Cougar Town. The show begins on February 11.
THE GOOD WIFE - Follows the story of Alicia Florrick, played by Julianna Margulies, as she returns to work in the legal industry after her husband, played by Chris Noth, is jailed following a sex and corruption scandal. The show will debut on Network Ten on February 7 and is expected to draw in big audiences following Margulies' Golden Globe award win for the part.
HOUSE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and BROTHERS AND SISTERS all made a return to the small screen this week with solid results.
Other shows to watch out for later in the year include Nine's V, the US sci-fi series which premiered in America with 14 million viewers, Seven's THE MARRIAGE REF, a new show from Jerry Seinfeld with celebrity advice about married life, and Ten's THE CLEVELAND SHOW and MODERN FAMILY.
ENTERTAINMENT AND REALITY
THE WHITE ROOM - The panel game show about all things television begins on the Seven Network on February 11 in the 7.30pm timeslot.
SLEUTH 101 - Comedian Cal Wilson will host this unique murder mystery game show with a comedy flavour. It premieres on February 12 on ABC1.
TALKIN' BOUT YOUR GENERATION - The hit pop culture show hosted by Shaun Micallef is expected to draw in a bigger audience when it returns to Network Ten on February 7.
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - The reality dance competition returned to Network Ten on Sunday with more than 1.1 million viewers.
THE BIGGEST LOSER - Also back on air since Sunday, the program, with new host Hayley Lewis at the helm, generated about 1.1 million viewers on debut of its fifth season.
Other shows to watch out for include the ABC1's STRICTLY SPEAKING, a new vehicle for Chaser member Andrew Hansen, while Nine is producing more HEY HEY IT'S SATURDAY specials after two reunion shows brought in millions of viewers in 2009.
COMEDY
LOWDOWN - Starring award-winning actor and former showbiz reporter Adam Soarer, best known for the SBS TV show Wilfred. The show about the life of a gossip columnist will air on ABC1 later in the year. Soarer is also the show's writer.
ANGRY BOYS - Comedian Chris Lilley, the man behind Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes, is expected to return to ABC1 with his latest project Angry Boys, although it's yet to be confirmed.
SOME OF THE REST
On the drama front, Nine will air a second season of RESCUE SPECIAL OPS, while the popular PACKED TO THE RAFTERS will be back on Seven with new baby Ruby Louise the focus of fresh storylines.
Entertainment shows DANCING WITH THE STARS and AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT will return to the Seven Network, Nine will bring back FARMER WANTS A WIFE, and Network Ten says it's confident AUSTRALIAN IDOL will be back for another year despite persistent rumours the show is in hiatus this year.
Seven will be the home of factual reality shows later this year, with RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE and the new ICU: A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH beginning on Wednesday. The Russell Crowe-produced and hosted DAMAGE CONTROL is also slated by the network for 2010.
The three commercial networks will also screen telemovies and new mini-series this year with Network Ten offering HAWKE about the life of colourful former prime minister Bob Hawke, Nine airing WICKED LOVE, the Maria Korp story, and Seven screening the 10-part mini-series THE PACIFIC, a joint Aussie-US production produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
PAY TV HIGHLIGHTS
PROJECT RUNWAY AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL will return for new seasons. A second series of Aussie drama TANGLE will air later in the year, while the third series of SATISFACTION has been airing since December.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Net piracy fight takes body blow, by Asher Moses - 5th February 2010
Hollywood studios and record labels are being forced to go back to the drawing board to come up with a new way of combating online piracy after the Federal Court ruled that internet service providers are not required to police copyright infringement on their networks.
The music industry says it may have no choice but to sue individuals for illegal file sharing unless the federal government intervenes with a solution to its piracy woes.
All the major film studios sued iiNet in an effort to force the internet service provider to warn and even disconnect customers who repeatedly download movies illegally.
It was the first case of its kind in the world and the first time an Australian trial had been covered live on Twitter.
In a landmark judgment handed down yesterday morning, Justice Dennis Cowdroy rejected the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft's claim that iiNet ''authorised'' its customers' copyright infringement by failing to act on thousands of infringement notices sent to it by AFACT.
Justice Cowdroy found iiNet had done no more than provide an internet service to its users. He said iiNet did not have control over its customers' use of the BitTorrentfile-sharing software, which customers used to infringe the studios' copyright.
He said: ''iiNet is not responsible if an iiNet user uses that system to bring about copyright infringement … the law recognises no positive obligation on any person to protect the copyright of another.''
Tony Joyner, a partner in the technology and IT group at law firm Freehills, said he was particularly interested in the government's response because the online piracy issues raised by the studios at the trial remained a ''very big and real problem''.
''Everything iiNet says is rational,'' he said. ''They're saying we're just a simple conduit and if people are doing bad things it's not up to us to be the police. The studios are also being very rational and saying it's happening on your turf, so we need you to do something.''
The case, while brought by the film studios, also has a big impact on the music industry, which was hoping for a precedent it could use to force ISPs to co-operate on reducing online piracy. Sabiene Heindl, general manager of the music industry's anti-piracy arm, Music Industry Piracy Investigations, said: ''Today's Federal Court decision suggests that copyright owners broadly may have no choice but to sue individuals for illegal file-sharing. This would be a most unfortunate outcome.''
AFACT executive director Neil Gane said he had 21 days to decide whether to appeal. The studios would now increase their lobbying of the government to change the law to force ISPs to be liable for the downloading habits of customers.
''We are confident that the government will not support a policy outcome which allows for the copyright infringement to continue unabated,'' he said.
Freehills' Mr Joyner said: ''I think the only way there won't be a legislative response is if … an appeal will occur and has some chance of succeeding relatively quickly.''
In July last year, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said he was awaiting the outcome of the iiNet case before deciding whether there was a need for legislative change. Yesterday, his spokeswoman said the government would examine the decision before making any further comment.
Senator Conroy had appeared to be on the side of the studios, saying at a conference in April last year that iiNet's defence in the case ''belongs in a Yes Minister episode''. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
The music industry says it may have no choice but to sue individuals for illegal file sharing unless the federal government intervenes with a solution to its piracy woes.
All the major film studios sued iiNet in an effort to force the internet service provider to warn and even disconnect customers who repeatedly download movies illegally.
It was the first case of its kind in the world and the first time an Australian trial had been covered live on Twitter.
In a landmark judgment handed down yesterday morning, Justice Dennis Cowdroy rejected the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft's claim that iiNet ''authorised'' its customers' copyright infringement by failing to act on thousands of infringement notices sent to it by AFACT.
Justice Cowdroy found iiNet had done no more than provide an internet service to its users. He said iiNet did not have control over its customers' use of the BitTorrentfile-sharing software, which customers used to infringe the studios' copyright.
He said: ''iiNet is not responsible if an iiNet user uses that system to bring about copyright infringement … the law recognises no positive obligation on any person to protect the copyright of another.''
Tony Joyner, a partner in the technology and IT group at law firm Freehills, said he was particularly interested in the government's response because the online piracy issues raised by the studios at the trial remained a ''very big and real problem''.
''Everything iiNet says is rational,'' he said. ''They're saying we're just a simple conduit and if people are doing bad things it's not up to us to be the police. The studios are also being very rational and saying it's happening on your turf, so we need you to do something.''
The case, while brought by the film studios, also has a big impact on the music industry, which was hoping for a precedent it could use to force ISPs to co-operate on reducing online piracy. Sabiene Heindl, general manager of the music industry's anti-piracy arm, Music Industry Piracy Investigations, said: ''Today's Federal Court decision suggests that copyright owners broadly may have no choice but to sue individuals for illegal file-sharing. This would be a most unfortunate outcome.''
AFACT executive director Neil Gane said he had 21 days to decide whether to appeal. The studios would now increase their lobbying of the government to change the law to force ISPs to be liable for the downloading habits of customers.
''We are confident that the government will not support a policy outcome which allows for the copyright infringement to continue unabated,'' he said.
Freehills' Mr Joyner said: ''I think the only way there won't be a legislative response is if … an appeal will occur and has some chance of succeeding relatively quickly.''
In July last year, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said he was awaiting the outcome of the iiNet case before deciding whether there was a need for legislative change. Yesterday, his spokeswoman said the government would examine the decision before making any further comment.
Senator Conroy had appeared to be on the side of the studios, saying at a conference in April last year that iiNet's defence in the case ''belongs in a Yes Minister episode''. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Friday, January 22, 2010
FOXTEL SCREENS HOPE FOR HAITI NOW
Media Release: 22nd January 2010
FOXTEL subscribers will be able to tune into George Clooney's telethon for Haiti this weekend as the two hour commercial-free telecast is simulcast around the world.
MTV, VH1 and CNN will air the benefit live tomorrow, Saturday, January 23, from 12noon AEDT.
National Geographic will screen the star-studded event at 8.30pm tomorrow, with E! broadcasting from 9.00pm and The Style Network from 10.00pm AEDT.
Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief will help raise funds for the hundreds of thousands affected by Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12 and is expected to reach 640 million viewers globally – the most widely distributed telethon in history.
The global fundraiser will feature a huge line-up of must-see musical performances including Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Australian Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Bono, and The Edge in collaboration from London.
In addition to the musical performances, Wyclef Jean will host in New York City with George Clooney in Los Angeles and CNN’s Anderson Cooper from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Australian Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Robert Pattinson, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, and former President Bill Clinton will be amongst more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.
Proceeds from Hope for Haiti Now will be split evenly among relief organisations on the ground in Haiti – The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, United Nations World Food Programme, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation.
The special will also be streamed live online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, MTV.com, and Rhapsody. Facebook and Twitter have signed on as official social media partners to help drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.
Australians can contribute to the telethon via:
• Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org (via Paypal or credit card)
• Phone: 0011 1 773 360 0205 (standard international rates apply)
• Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation
About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 150 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).
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FOXTEL subscribers will be able to tune into George Clooney's telethon for Haiti this weekend as the two hour commercial-free telecast is simulcast around the world.
MTV, VH1 and CNN will air the benefit live tomorrow, Saturday, January 23, from 12noon AEDT.
National Geographic will screen the star-studded event at 8.30pm tomorrow, with E! broadcasting from 9.00pm and The Style Network from 10.00pm AEDT.
Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief will help raise funds for the hundreds of thousands affected by Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12 and is expected to reach 640 million viewers globally – the most widely distributed telethon in history.
The global fundraiser will feature a huge line-up of must-see musical performances including Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Australian Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Bono, and The Edge in collaboration from London.
In addition to the musical performances, Wyclef Jean will host in New York City with George Clooney in Los Angeles and CNN’s Anderson Cooper from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Australian Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Robert Pattinson, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, and former President Bill Clinton will be amongst more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.
Proceeds from Hope for Haiti Now will be split evenly among relief organisations on the ground in Haiti – The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, United Nations World Food Programme, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation.
The special will also be streamed live online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, MTV.com, and Rhapsody. Facebook and Twitter have signed on as official social media partners to help drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.
Australians can contribute to the telethon via:
• Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org (via Paypal or credit card)
• Phone: 0011 1 773 360 0205 (standard international rates apply)
• Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation
About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 150 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%).
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Monday, December 14, 2009
Leading GGN Casinos Introduce Playtech TV Games
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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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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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 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
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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!)
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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
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MMA
Las Vegas
Pay-Per-View
Television
Sports Betting
BetUS.com
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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.
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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.
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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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Gold Mega Jackpot
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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)
Media Man Australia Profiles
TV Week
Television
Australian Casino News
Crown Casino
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)
Media Man Australia Profiles
TV Week
Television
Australian Casino News
Crown Casino
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