The most complained about TV ads of 2011What were the TV ads of 2011 that drew the most ire from the general public? Mumbrella lists the biggest offenders, ranging from a condom ad to a lewd commercial for The Tool Shop.
Media / TV & Radio
In review: LG Smart TV Upgrader
The LG Smart TV Upgrader is supposed to deliver the functionality of the LG Smart TV to those with older televisions. But buyer beware: it’s a shoddy product, writes Dan Barrett.
10 most memorable Megaphone moments of 2011
In 2011, Australia’s Megaphones have been louder than ever. Jones, Bolt, Hadley and co. have had a say in how this country’s run – and caused plenty of controversy in the process. Here are their 10 most memorable moments.
The 400 Club podcast: and so this is Christmas
With nothing new on the TV schedule to yak about — everything is recycled at this time of the year — The 400 Club turn to discussing Christmas programming on the boob tube.
Why bother with the 2012 Golden Globes nominations?
Every year members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) vote on the Golden Globe awards. But the HFPA is a small organisation of foreign journos with questionable membership requirements. It’s time we stopped listening, writes Dan Barrett.
Fox News’ greatest WTF? moments of 2011
Obama’s hip-hop BBQ, pepper spray: the food product, political agendas from Sponge Bob, Sesame Street and The Muppets and more. Buzz Feed presents the best — and worst — of Fox News in 2011.
Louis CK and the power of online indie distribution
Following the example of countless indie filmmakers and bands, comedian Louis CK opted to produce his own stand-up show online. With outstanding results, it will pave the way for plenty more similar ventures, writes Dan Barrett.
Convergence review: time to regulate the internet
The Convergence Review has unveiled the most dramatic proposals to regulate the internet seen in Australia for years. If implemented, the proposals would represent a dramatic increase in protectionism.
Five major 2011 trends in digital entertainment
Mashable’s Christina Warren lists five of the biggest things to happen to digital entertainment over the last year, including the proliferation of ‘social TV’.
The quality journalism project: SBS anchorman Anton Enus
SBS might be a small player in the Australian television game, but it regularly produces top-notch journalism, particularly in international affairs. South African-born Anton Enus is one of its most recognisable faces.
Marieke Hardy named alleged stalker, but now faces legal action
The target of an online shaming by ABC star Marieke Hardy has initiated legal action after she was forced to remove a blog post that included his name, picture, suburb and family details.
The boss of Seven, Kerry Stokes
Kerry Stokes is one of our last old-style media moguls, but he’s no Lord Copper. But even though he controls Channel Seven, Pacific Magazines and The West Australian, he tells Paul Barry that he doesn’t wield any power.
David Leckie: he may not own it, but he runs the place
David Leckie would be a wonderful media mogul if he owned his own TV network. The man who made Channel Nine No. 1 for the Packers and Seven No. 1 for Kerry Stokes is loud, colourful, rude, aggressive, and ideal for the role, says Paul Barry.
It’s a Knockout! ACMA report delivers blow to self-regulation
The Australian Communications and Media Authority found it is “unclear” whether the new self-regulation initiatives have acted to reduce children’s exposure to junk food advertising on free-to-air TV, writes Jane Martin.
Explaining Prime Media’s TV4ME
During the week a lot of viewers around metro Australia noticed a new channel appear on their TV’s called TV4ME. TV aficionado Dan Barrett explains what it’s all about.
podcast Televised Revolution — back to the future
In this week’s Televised Revolution podcast Dan and Dennis return to the topic of the future of the TV industry, discussing Youtube, the Australia Network and more.
FixPlay rebrands ahead of XBox Live facelift
Nine’s catch-up TV service FixPlay has been rebranded as NineMSN Video. One presumes that this is to tie in with the service being made available on the revamped XBox Live service, writes Dan Barrett.
Waste-of-space Oz Network bewitches another political generation
The Australia Network is a waste of money, but apparently capable of making politicians lose all reason.
Common sense prevails: ABC wins Australia Network contract
Common sense has finally prevailed, with the contract to provide Australia’s government financed international television service finally being awarded to the ABC, writes Richard Farmer.
Youtube redesign sets the stage for Google TV
Youtube’s newly unveiled redesign emphasises channels over random video programming, with users guided towards subscribing to content providers. It sets the stage for a revamped Google TV, which will revolutionise television, writes Dan Barrett.
Commercial TV groaning under weight of email complaints system
The first full year of the new email-based complaint-making process has seen an explosion on moans and groans and worse from viewers.
Sally Sara: Farewell to Afghanistan, my adopted home
ABC’s Afghanistan correspondent Sally Sara is returning to Oz to work as a rural affairs reporter. But first she bids farewell to Afghanistan, a country where she lives in a compound yet still encounters its famous hospitality.
Chelsea stops denying she’s a Clinton
Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Hillary and Bill, recently accepted a job as a NBC reporter. It’s the latest step in her move to a more public life, says Amy Chozick in this fascinating NY Times profile.
podcast Televised Revolution Podcast: it’s a knockout
In this week’s Televised Revolution podcast, Dan Barrett and the gang chat about It’s a Knockout, ABC and Channel 9’s 2012 slate, Denise Drysdale leaving The Circle and more.
The latest news and current affairs about Ray Martin
Comedians sent him up for being a slick newsreader, but Ray Martin says he never pretended to live up to his squeaky clean image in this interesting interview about his media attitudes (and he gives Crikey a shout out!).
