SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid has expressed concerns about the network’s long term viability. His concerns are entirely warranted, writes Dan Barrett, given the plethora of challenges SBS faces.
Media / TV & Radio
Thinking of the kids as the net flattens information hierarchies
Attempts to legislatively address the TV Now “problem” will fail - and the solution is staring rights holders in the face.
podcast 
Televised Revolution: talkin’ Optus injunction blues
This week the Televised Revolution team chat with Peter Black, Senior Lecturer in Law, about the NRL, AFL and Telstra’s recent seeking of an injunction against Optus.
How to make a commercial for Uncle Sam
Setting itself apart from a raft of comedy advertisements, one of the creators of the already-legendary Chrysler Super Bowl spot (starring Clint Eastwood) discusses how to make a commercial for the US federal government.
Clive Palmer’s man-crush on Tony Jones
This week we saw a thoroughly illuminating chat between mining magnate Clive Palmer and Lateline host Tony Jones.
My Cup Of Tea: Leave the glamour to Hollywood and celebrate niche
Were this week’s AACTA Awards any better than the old AFIs? The spruced-up gongs show the Australian film industry still hasn’t come to terms with its niche status.
AFL, NRL appeal likely, but Optus TV ruling the right call
Justice Rares in the Federal Court yesterday cut a large chunk out of the value of sports broadcasting rights in new media by ruling that Optus is allowed to offer its TV Now Service, writes Kimberlee Weatherall.
TV review The Straits: beautiful one day, perfect the next?
With new quirky Aussie drama The Straits, ‘Aunty’ has made a relatively successful attempt at an HBO-style program. It’s not TV, it’s ABC1, writes Dan Barrett.
podcast Televised Revolution: FTA shares, schedules and executive shuffles
This week on the Televised Revolution podcast couch Dan and Simon discuss viewing habits, changes to TV top brass and much more.
Homeland: awfully marketed, engagingly written
Channel 10’s new Sunday night drama Homeland, which explores the phenomenon of ‘sleeper cells’, walks a fine line between glorifying the tumultuous terrain of mental illness and patronizing portrayals of female hysteria, writes Robin Cameron.
New look Today: the good, the bad and the ugly
Channel 9 has unveiled a new, much larger set for Karl and the gang on the Today program, and while the old set had to go the new one looks a lot like a copy of Sunrise. TV blogger Dan Barrett deconstructs the scenery.
Review: Quickflix online streaming service
It’s early days yet for the Quickflix online streaming service, which recently launched online. The existing setup feelings very ghetto, with poorly conceived design and a limited choice of titles, writes Dan Barrett.
The tennis dampens Channel Ten’s Super Sundays debut
Sunday was going to be Channel Ten’s big party — the night it lured viewers in with a smashing new line-up. Then along came Tomic and Federer…
podcast Televised Revolution: gabbing about the Golden Globes and more
Once you get past the general awfulness of the Golden Globes, there was a sense that we’re seeing the end of an era. This and more discussed in the latest Televised Revolution podcast.
Stephen Colbert is running for president! Well, sort of
Released to support comedian Stephen Colbert, an ad that paints Mitt Romney as a serial killer draws on the notion that ‘corporations are people,’ writes Robin Cameron.
Decades of back slapping: a quick history of the Golden Globes
Now that the Golden Globes red carpet has been rolled up for another year, it’s a good time to look back and reflect on what the event really is: a glorified infomercial, writes Edward Jay Epstein.
Viewers swarm to Nine for winning Aussies
The Third cricket Test against India again confirmed that Australian sports fans like a winning team.
Neil Mitchell: Melbourne’s emperor of the airwaves
At 5:30am each weekday for the last quarter century, Neil Mitchell has bowled up to the 3AW studios, three hours before airtime, to decide where to channel Melbourne’s thoughts, writes Andrew Crook.
Poh: slicing through TV’s lowest common denominator
By carefully avoiding bland cultural idiot box representations Masterchef contestant-cum-TV host Poh Ling Yeow is achieving a great deal more than whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen, writes Sukhmani Khorana.
The idiot box: The Project to move to 6pm weeknights
Channel Ten have announced that The Project will be moved to 6pm weeknights, with an extra edition scheduled for Sunday evenings. It had to happen, writes Dan Barrett.
Megaphones watch: Alan Jones speaks out on gay rights and more
The Power Index’s Matthew Knott presents what Australia’s most powerful Megaphones (including Alan Jones, Miranda Devine and Piers Akerman) have been up to over the silly season.
Finding your life’s calling, oh, and tales of the tubby newsreader
Ever told someone you hoped their whole family would die because Beaches wasn’t being repeated?, writes Courteney Hocking, a Melbourne-based writer and comedian.
Netflix launches in the UK
US streaming service Netflix have launched in the UK where it will take on the Amazon-owned streaming service LoveFilm, Sky Movies, and Sky Atlantic, reports Dan Barrett.
