John Richards talks to comedy blogger Matt Smith about Outland, an upcoming ABC comedy series about a gay science fiction club.
ABC TV
My Cup Of Tea: If the ABC really cared about the arts …
What’s happening to the arts on the ABC? The trend is to cut programs and outsource production, but the broadcaster’s charter — and its talented staff — demands a greater commitment.
Outsourcing the arts at Aunty: the problem with commissioning
ABC TV’s flagship program Art Nation has been axed and 15 people have also been reportedly offered redundancies. So what does that mean for arts programming, asks Nicholas Pickard?
Daily Proposition: Get Laid — an actually funny Oz sitcom
In a wasteland of Charlie Sheen and American sitcom imports, step forward Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher. Their ABC comedy Laid is getting the attention it deserves, says Dan Hanks.
2010 in the media: leaks, iPads and the NBN
This year was the year of the iPad. It’s hard to believe that Steve Jobs revealed it to the world just 11 months ago and that 7 million have been sold. But it wasn’t the only media blockbuster of the year…
Crikey Says: Who do you trust?
There is a trust gap between public broadcasting (especially the ABC) and commercial media. And it’s substantial.
Advertorial at the ABC
What the hell is the ABC doing publishing advertorial nonsense? Yesterday an article about the need for insurance was written by the manager of a bank. Talk about cheapening the public broadcaster, declares Jeremy Sear.
Will the ABC change its retransmission
agreement?
Since Foxtel began operation in Australia it has retransmitted the ABC’s TV and radio services on their cable networks, but a recent tweet from ABC director Mark Scott suggests this might change, writes Dave Gaukroger.
Sky’s the limit when it comes to getting up Aunty’s frock
When it comes to Sky and the ABC, there ain’t no friendly play in the sandpit, it seems.
Does Sky own the ‘News 24′ brand?
The battle between Sky News and the ABC’s fledgling around-the-clock news network was always going to get a little nasty. And now word has filtered out about just how precious Sky will be in protecting its turf.
Media briefs: Council conflict for CMail journo? … ABC ops staff wake …
The ABC’s broadcast operations staff held their ‘redundancy wake’ last Monday at a bar in Sydney’s Newtown. Plus, Craig Johnstone, a veteran political reporter at The Courier Mail, has quit to spin for local government and other media tidbits.
Holmes: It’s not just your ABC, it’s everyone’s
The Oz has been unfairly laying into the ABC for its leadership spill coverage last Thursday night. The ABC couldn’t just cut some of its most popular programs for a handful of political junkies, writes Jonathan Holmes.
Daily Proposition: Did someone call for a new doctor?
If you’ve never watched Doctor Who, it’s a good time to get in the Tardis. The series is back, with a new doctor played by Matt Smith, a floppy-haired whirlwind of fidgety mania who slips easily into the iconic role.
ABC TV changes the channel
The Content Makers has a staff memo from ABC’s Director of Television Kim Dalton, outlining some big shake-ups to the structure of his division.
ABC chairman: climate reporting just an exercise in group-think
Climate change has become an issue where contrary views are not tolerated and sceptics are mocked in the media. This shouldn’t happen at the ABC, said ABC chairman — and known climate change denier — Maurice Newman, in a speech to journos.
Q&A hates democracy
Q&A’s claims of being an “adventure in democracy” is true in the sense of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea being a democracy, writes John Styles. Q&A’s audience is vetted, the questions pre-chosen and conservatives get a raw deal.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: ABC advertise for marketer
ABC TV is advertising for a new head of marketing. Has the overhaul of ABC TV senior management finally begun in earnest?
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: The funny side of oligarchic duopolies
Why aren’t Wooworths being open about the fact that the locally owned Thomas Dux ‘corner stores’ are actually a Woolies company? Plus, it is a civil liberty to fly around the country anonymously?
ABC v Sky News smackdown: it’s on!
The ABC’s announcement of a 24/7 news channel today just ramped up the battle between public broadcasters and commercial services. Let’s get it on, c’mon!
Foxtel’s Kim Williams responds to Margaret Simons
Margaret Simons oversimplifies my suggestions about future models for publicly funded broadcasting and the role of the ABC, writes Foxtel CEO Kim Williams.
ABC’s 24-hour news dream drives penny-pinching
The ABC has been quietly conducting a year-long secret review of the way it staffs and positions its network of more than a dozen foreign correspondents, with at least two bureaus expected to close.
Tips and rumours: Easter bunnyload of hot tips
A bucketload of anonymous tips sent to Crikey. Has KPMG sacked 50 people in Perth? And is The Gruen Transfer offending its audience?
New ABC doco has a bad smell
The ABC plans to screen a controversial doco called Jihad Sheilas at 8.30pm tonight. It’s powerful and evocative. But it could be a program prepared and sold to the two participants under false pretenses, writes Glenn Dyer.
TV ratings winners (ABC) and losers (Nine)
The Nine Network’s last remaining claims to be “the one Australia turns to” were killed off on Saturday night when the network comprehensively lost the election night coverage battle with the ABC and Seven, writes Glenn Dyer.
Lazy ABC dropping the ball with early holidays
Tonight Australian Story, Four Corners and Media Watch finish up for the year. Tomorrow night it’s Foreign Correspondent. That’s disgraceful, writes Glenn Dyer.
