Veteran DJ Alan “Fluff” Freeman, whose “Not ‘arf” catchphrase made him a household name, has died aged 79.
The former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter had been living in a nursing home in London since 2000 after being diagnosed with arthritis.
Freeman joined the BBC in 1960 after a spell working in his native Australia mainly 3KZ Melbourne.
ACMA renews 3OCR community broadcasting licence
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has renewed the community broadcasting licence issued to Otway FM Community Radio Group Inc. (Otway FM) in Colac, Victoria, after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority.
“In the course of the Otway FM licence renewal process ACMA raised several issues with the licensee over what can only be described as severe management failure,” said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. “Of most concern is that the station was off air for almost 18 months and has not provided a service to significant parts of the licence area. Membership, sponsorship and volunteer levels are all low for these reasons.”
“Fortunately, over the course of the licence renewal period a new management team at Otway FM has begun to address ACMA’s concerns, either directly, or through specific undertakings. ACMA has taken this into account and has decided to renew the licence of the only community broadcaster in the Colac region. Instead ACMA will work with Otway FM to revive the service,” Mr Chapman said.
“However, Otway FM will have little room for error. ACMA will continue to monitor the operations of the station and is expecting to see significant improvement over the coming months.”
ACMA has informed the station that it reserves the right to take further action if it does not meet its undertakings, including imposing additional licence conditions or ultimately cancelling the licence.
“ACMA is charged with promoting the availability of a diverse range of radio services throughout Australia, as well as ensuring that broadcasters meet all their statutory obligations,” Mr Chapman said.
“This decision successfully balances both of these objectives and represents an acceptable outcome to the renewal process,” Mr Chapman concluded.
“In the course of the Otway FM licence renewal process ACMA raised several issues with the licensee over what can only be described as severe management failure,” said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. “Of most concern is that the station was off air for almost 18 months and has not provided a service to significant parts of the licence area. Membership, sponsorship and volunteer levels are all low for these reasons.”
“Fortunately, over the course of the licence renewal period a new management team at Otway FM has begun to address ACMA’s concerns, either directly, or through specific undertakings. ACMA has taken this into account and has decided to renew the licence of the only community broadcaster in the Colac region. Instead ACMA will work with Otway FM to revive the service,” Mr Chapman said.
“However, Otway FM will have little room for error. ACMA will continue to monitor the operations of the station and is expecting to see significant improvement over the coming months.”
ACMA has informed the station that it reserves the right to take further action if it does not meet its undertakings, including imposing additional licence conditions or ultimately cancelling the licence.
“ACMA is charged with promoting the availability of a diverse range of radio services throughout Australia, as well as ensuring that broadcasters meet all their statutory obligations,” Mr Chapman said.
“This decision successfully balances both of these objectives and represents an acceptable outcome to the renewal process,” Mr Chapman concluded.
Tas broadcaster Ric Paterson retires
Veteran Tasmanian ABC broadcaster Ric Paterson has announced his retirement.
Paterson, 59, made the announcement this morning at the launch of the 2006 ABC Giving Tree.
Paterson says it has been a memorable 42 years in the industry.
“Last night I got the calculator out and did some rough calculations,” he said.
“In 42 years in radio I’ve played around about 87,360 records and have done roughly 16,400 interviews.
“But the most alarming thing is that it’s still out there in space somewhere.”
He says his last breakfast radio program will be broadcast on December 22.
“I’ve always regarded it as a great privilege to be a broadcaster, to be part of the daily lives of many Tasmanians,” he said.
“It has never, ever been just a job.”
Source ABC
Evans fails to curry favour
(Source Herald Sun)
3MP is in damage control after a racial slur by fill-in host Greg Evans went to air on the breakfast show yesterday.
In the middle of a song, the radio and TV veteran was heard to say: “Bloody hell. We do have a lot of curry-eating listeners.”\
Evans, who was filling in this week while regular breakfast host John Burgess takes a fortnight’s holiday, thought he was off-air.
3MP group general manager Barrie Quick said the gaffe was regrettable and yesterday apologised to listeners.
“The comments made on air have been taken seriously and we are dealing with it internally,” he said.
“The network and Greg sincerely apologise if the comments have offended any of our loyal listeners.”
TV announcer Shaun Cosgrove will fill in as host in the breakfast slot next week.
Mr Quick said Evans was only asked to fill in this week and Cosgrove was always going to sit in the chair in the second week of Burgess’s leave.
Burgess returns to the microphone on November 27.
The comments by the former Perfect Match host were broadcast in Melbourne only.
3MP is in damage control after a racial slur by fill-in host Greg Evans went to air on the breakfast show yesterday.
In the middle of a song, the radio and TV veteran was heard to say: “Bloody hell. We do have a lot of curry-eating listeners.”\
Evans, who was filling in this week while regular breakfast host John Burgess takes a fortnight’s holiday, thought he was off-air.
3MP group general manager Barrie Quick said the gaffe was regrettable and yesterday apologised to listeners.
“The comments made on air have been taken seriously and we are dealing with it internally,” he said.
“The network and Greg sincerely apologise if the comments have offended any of our loyal listeners.”
TV announcer Shaun Cosgrove will fill in as host in the breakfast slot next week.
Mr Quick said Evans was only asked to fill in this week and Cosgrove was always going to sit in the chair in the second week of Burgess’s leave.
Burgess returns to the microphone on November 27.
The comments by the former Perfect Match host were broadcast in Melbourne only.
Mac Bank takes $170m media stake
MACQUARIE Media Group has bought a 14.9 per cent stake in Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Macquarie Media, which is backed by Macquarie Bank, paid $170 million for its slice of the broadcasting group, The Australian reports today.
Southern Cross owns top-rating radio stations 2UE in Sydney and 3AW in Melbourne.
It also runs the Ten Network’s regional television stations.
The move follows the introduction of the federal government’s media ownership laws, which has triggered several strategic media company investments.
Southern Cross has one of the biggest regional television networks as well as the only network of metropolitan AM radio stations.
Macquarie Media owns 86 regional radio stations and part of a Taiwanese broadband group.
Macquarie Media, which is backed by Macquarie Bank, paid $170 million for its slice of the broadcasting group, The Australian reports today.
Southern Cross owns top-rating radio stations 2UE in Sydney and 3AW in Melbourne.
It also runs the Ten Network’s regional television stations.
The move follows the introduction of the federal government’s media ownership laws, which has triggered several strategic media company investments.
Southern Cross has one of the biggest regional television networks as well as the only network of metropolitan AM radio stations.
Macquarie Media owns 86 regional radio stations and part of a Taiwanese broadband group.
Austereo 2% growth
Austereo Group expects full-year industry sales growth of around two per cent and says it plans to review its growth opportunities from media sector changes.
The radio broadcaster said that the 2007 financial year, to the end of October 2006, had seen the continuation of excellent Austereo audience figures, which had converted to on-budget sales levels.
“The total radio market is still short, with recorded growth to the end of the October quarter at 1.39 per cent,” Austereo chairman Peter Harvie told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting.
“We therefore continue to anticipate industry sales growth for the December half to be around two per cent.
The radio broadcaster said that the 2007 financial year, to the end of October 2006, had seen the continuation of excellent Austereo audience figures, which had converted to on-budget sales levels.
“The total radio market is still short, with recorded growth to the end of the October quarter at 1.39 per cent,” Austereo chairman Peter Harvie told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting.
“We therefore continue to anticipate industry sales growth for the December half to be around two per cent.
Southern Cross launches mytalk.com.au
Sothern Cross Broadcasting in what many see as a bold move have brought their radio stations together under the one web site. www.mytalk.com.au
Naturally all stations still have their own domain names, although most as we go to press are now pointing at the new site.
The site has plans to be very interactive with blogs by presenters being made available, as well as visitors being able to launch their own blog and contribute to various forums.
All 7 Southern Cross stations can now be heard online in the one place. For a station such as Magic 1278 it is a major step up in regards to their previous web site. Over all the My Talk site appears to be very user friendly. www.mytalk.com.au
Naturally all stations still have their own domain names, although most as we go to press are now pointing at the new site.
The site has plans to be very interactive with blogs by presenters being made available, as well as visitors being able to launch their own blog and contribute to various forums.
All 7 Southern Cross stations can now be heard online in the one place. For a station such as Magic 1278 it is a major step up in regards to their previous web site. Over all the My Talk site appears to be very user friendly. www.mytalk.com.au
Jones letters pulled from eBay
Internet auction house eBay has removed from sale a set of letters purported to be written by Alan Jones to a man who claims to have had a relationship with the broadcaster.
Marcus Schmit, who claims in Chris Masters’ biography Jonestown to have had a relationship with the 2GB host in 2001, was hoping to cash in by selling the letters.
But after being posted online for two days, eBay removed the letters from sale, saying they were “inappropriate”.
“We looked at the item and made a call that it was inappropriate,” eBay spokesman Daniel Feiler said.
“eBay is well known as a great place to buy and sell practically anything, but that doesn’t mean everything.”
Mr Feiler said he would not go into the specifics of what eBay thought was inappropriate about the listing.
The letters are believed to have had a starting price of $1,200 but had not received any bids when they were pulled this morning.
Mr Schmit said he posted the letters online after a friend suggested it would be a good way to make some money.
He said he came to know Mr Jones by writing to him and classified him as a friend but only knew him for three to four months before he moved away.
“I wanted a career, I hadn’t been to university, I hadn’t even finished high school, I wanted to do something with my life and I thought Alan could offer me an opportunity,” he told ABC radio.
“I didn’t necessarily contact him in regards to offering sex in exchange for a job, he was just, I thought, a valuable contact.
“The relationship started off as one of friendship, we’d be with each other once or twice a week, we’d talk on the phone every day, we’d go for dinner.”
Before being removed, the on-line description is reported to have read: “I can only presume that this auction may cause many conservative, white, middle-upper class, ivory tower owners upset and result in aggressive and abusive messages from fans, supporters and possibly friends of Alan Jones.”
Mr Schmit also wrote he was presenting an “opportunity for those who feel strongly against offering such a letter for auction - an offer to enable me to withdraw this letter from public bid”.
eBay said people do occasionally relist items after they had been pulled down and they would deal with that issue if Mr Schmit relisted it.
Mr Jones declined to comment.
Marcus Schmit, who claims in Chris Masters’ biography Jonestown to have had a relationship with the 2GB host in 2001, was hoping to cash in by selling the letters.
But after being posted online for two days, eBay removed the letters from sale, saying they were “inappropriate”.
“We looked at the item and made a call that it was inappropriate,” eBay spokesman Daniel Feiler said.
“eBay is well known as a great place to buy and sell practically anything, but that doesn’t mean everything.”
Mr Feiler said he would not go into the specifics of what eBay thought was inappropriate about the listing.
The letters are believed to have had a starting price of $1,200 but had not received any bids when they were pulled this morning.
Mr Schmit said he posted the letters online after a friend suggested it would be a good way to make some money.
He said he came to know Mr Jones by writing to him and classified him as a friend but only knew him for three to four months before he moved away.
“I wanted a career, I hadn’t been to university, I hadn’t even finished high school, I wanted to do something with my life and I thought Alan could offer me an opportunity,” he told ABC radio.
“I didn’t necessarily contact him in regards to offering sex in exchange for a job, he was just, I thought, a valuable contact.
“The relationship started off as one of friendship, we’d be with each other once or twice a week, we’d talk on the phone every day, we’d go for dinner.”
Before being removed, the on-line description is reported to have read: “I can only presume that this auction may cause many conservative, white, middle-upper class, ivory tower owners upset and result in aggressive and abusive messages from fans, supporters and possibly friends of Alan Jones.”
Mr Schmit also wrote he was presenting an “opportunity for those who feel strongly against offering such a letter for auction - an offer to enable me to withdraw this letter from public bid”.
eBay said people do occasionally relist items after they had been pulled down and they would deal with that issue if Mr Schmit relisted it.
Mr Jones declined to comment.
2CA happy 75th birthday
Happy birthday 2CA.
In 2006 so many of our heritage stations around the nation celebrate 75 years of broadcasting. Happy birthday to 2CA Canberra who have reached that milestone today.
2CA Home page
In 2006 so many of our heritage stations around the nation celebrate 75 years of broadcasting. Happy birthday to 2CA Canberra who have reached that milestone today.
2CA Home page
Laws docked $100k for six sick days
John Laws has been docked $100,000 from his $86,500 a week salary for taking a week off work with pneumonia.
But the veteran radio personality says if Southern Cross Broadcasting management were trying to send him a message: “I didn’t get it. They’ll have to try again.”
Laws, the King of Radio for almost 15 years, is broadcast on 63 stations, but is suffering against Sydney competitor Ray Hadley on rival network Macquarie Radio, The Bulletin magazine reports.
His wealth is estimated at $100 million, including a $30m harbourside apartment, substantial property holdings in the city’s eastern suburbs and several vintage cars - as well as a salary of $4.5m a year.
The 71-year-old also is on a watertight contract that keeps him as Australia’s highest-paid broadcaster until 2010, with provisions allowing him to quit whenever he wants but preventing Southern Cross from axing him.
“A good contract,” Laws jokes in an interview with The Bulletin, to be published on Wednesday.
“Thought it up all by myself.”
The radio network last December took an unprecedented move against the star, docking him $100,000 for six days sick leave, the magazine said.
While Laws said he did not think “too many people get over pneumonia in six days”, he did not hold it against Southern Cross.
“It’s a public company you know and they’ve got to explain every expenditure,” Laws said.
If management was trying to send him a message Laws said he “didn’t get it”.
However, the veteran talkback host admits he should have retired 10 years ago, “because I would have been firmly at the top.”
His professional landscape changed five years ago with the defection of fellow announcer Alan Jones to Macquarie Radio.
“Alan going to 2GB had a huge effect, obviously, and the change of ownership of the radio station … in a way it was probably disruptive,” Laws said.
Laws paid measured tribute to his former colleague for his success.
“He caters to the prejudice of the masses and it’s a very clever thing to do, it’s a good way to get on,” he said.
Central to Laws’ philosophy on life is a sense of being needed, a theme also fundamental to his attitude to retiring from the airwaves.
“If you’ve got … in particular a staff that loves you or a partner that loves you, that feeling of not having somebody else belonging to you but you belonging to somebody else,” Laws said.
“It would be terrible to wake up in the morning and not feel that you were wanted or needed - to wake up with no reason.
“Everybody’s got to have a reason.”
But the veteran radio personality says if Southern Cross Broadcasting management were trying to send him a message: “I didn’t get it. They’ll have to try again.”
Laws, the King of Radio for almost 15 years, is broadcast on 63 stations, but is suffering against Sydney competitor Ray Hadley on rival network Macquarie Radio, The Bulletin magazine reports.
His wealth is estimated at $100 million, including a $30m harbourside apartment, substantial property holdings in the city’s eastern suburbs and several vintage cars - as well as a salary of $4.5m a year.
The 71-year-old also is on a watertight contract that keeps him as Australia’s highest-paid broadcaster until 2010, with provisions allowing him to quit whenever he wants but preventing Southern Cross from axing him.
“A good contract,” Laws jokes in an interview with The Bulletin, to be published on Wednesday.
“Thought it up all by myself.”
The radio network last December took an unprecedented move against the star, docking him $100,000 for six days sick leave, the magazine said.
While Laws said he did not think “too many people get over pneumonia in six days”, he did not hold it against Southern Cross.
“It’s a public company you know and they’ve got to explain every expenditure,” Laws said.
If management was trying to send him a message Laws said he “didn’t get it”.
However, the veteran talkback host admits he should have retired 10 years ago, “because I would have been firmly at the top.”
His professional landscape changed five years ago with the defection of fellow announcer Alan Jones to Macquarie Radio.
“Alan going to 2GB had a huge effect, obviously, and the change of ownership of the radio station … in a way it was probably disruptive,” Laws said.
Laws paid measured tribute to his former colleague for his success.
“He caters to the prejudice of the masses and it’s a very clever thing to do, it’s a good way to get on,” he said.
Central to Laws’ philosophy on life is a sense of being needed, a theme also fundamental to his attitude to retiring from the airwaves.
“If you’ve got … in particular a staff that loves you or a partner that loves you, that feeling of not having somebody else belonging to you but you belonging to somebody else,” Laws said.
“It would be terrible to wake up in the morning and not feel that you were wanted or needed - to wake up with no reason.
“Everybody’s got to have a reason.”
Our Andrew Dower kicking goals
Australian Andrew Dower has been appointed to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mature Markets in the Communicorp group. Communicorp is an Irish-owned company operating 37 stations across seven countries in Europe.
Andrew will be managing 19 stations in three countries: Finland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Formerly of HO-FM, 7BU, 2QN and 6KG in Australia, Andrew has been working in European radio since 1992, and General Manager of Communicorp’s 12 Czech stations since 1997.
Andrew will be managing 19 stations in three countries: Finland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Formerly of HO-FM, 7BU, 2QN and 6KG in Australia, Andrew has been working in European radio since 1992, and General Manager of Communicorp’s 12 Czech stations since 1997.
Fifi's big brekkie break
Sydney Confidential
Fifi Box is poised to be Austereo’s new ratings weapon at breakfast by moving into the all-important early morning slot at Triple M.
It is understood Box and her offsider from the popular drivetime program The Shebang, Marty Sheargold, will be switched to the breakfast slot next year at the expense of the five-person The Cage line-up.
Confidential hears Box has been offered a lucrative new deal with the station which would make her one of the highest-earning women in radio.
“She’s going to breakfast and it’s on big bucks,'’ an industry source said.
Box did not return calls yesterday and an Austereo spokesman last night refused to confirm or deny the breakfast move, saying “we won’t be commenting'’.
Box and Sheargold’s The Shebang was one of the success stories of the ratings year in 2005 and has for some time been touted as a potential replacement for The Cage.
It’s uncertain whether The Cage would be directly switched to drivetime in the shake-up.
The current five-person breakfast ensemble - Peter Berner, Brigitte Duclos, Matt Parkinson, James Brayshaw and Mike Fitzpatrick - have battled to get a successful foothold in Sydney for the past three years.
A significant ratings improvement in the ratings survey released in August looked to have helped The Cage’s bid for survival but the show again went backwards in the latest survey this week.
It dropped 1.2 per cent to a 6.8 per cent audience share, slipping behind WSFM’s resurgent Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller to seventh in the overall breakfast rankings and fourth in FM.
Fifi Box is poised to be Austereo’s new ratings weapon at breakfast by moving into the all-important early morning slot at Triple M.
It is understood Box and her offsider from the popular drivetime program The Shebang, Marty Sheargold, will be switched to the breakfast slot next year at the expense of the five-person The Cage line-up.
Confidential hears Box has been offered a lucrative new deal with the station which would make her one of the highest-earning women in radio.
“She’s going to breakfast and it’s on big bucks,'’ an industry source said.
Box did not return calls yesterday and an Austereo spokesman last night refused to confirm or deny the breakfast move, saying “we won’t be commenting'’.
Box and Sheargold’s The Shebang was one of the success stories of the ratings year in 2005 and has for some time been touted as a potential replacement for The Cage.
It’s uncertain whether The Cage would be directly switched to drivetime in the shake-up.
The current five-person breakfast ensemble - Peter Berner, Brigitte Duclos, Matt Parkinson, James Brayshaw and Mike Fitzpatrick - have battled to get a successful foothold in Sydney for the past three years.
A significant ratings improvement in the ratings survey released in August looked to have helped The Cage’s bid for survival but the show again went backwards in the latest survey this week.
It dropped 1.2 per cent to a 6.8 per cent audience share, slipping behind WSFM’s resurgent Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller to seventh in the overall breakfast rankings and fourth in FM.
Vale Wally Foreman
Veteran broadcaster Wally Foreman died today at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Foreman, 58, suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning while exercising at an Osborne Park gym.
The ABC radio commentator had been in an induced coma until this morning, but the hospital announced his death this afternoon.
“Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital regrets to announce that much loved sports broadcaster and former administrator Wally Foreman passed away this afternoon,” the hospital statement said. “Wally’s wife Lyn and sons Glen and Mark would like to thank the public for their support over the past two days.”
Foreman, a former WA Institute of Sport director, worked in sports media for more than 30 years after starting as a journalist with The West Australian in 1972 before joining the ABC sports department in 1975.
Close friend Tony Mann told ABC Radio this afternoon that the news had been a bombshell.
“What a character. I don’t think there’s been a nicer man,” Mr Mann said.
Broadcaster and colleague Russell Woolf said Foreman’s colleagues felt like they had lost a brother.
Foreman, 58, suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning while exercising at an Osborne Park gym.
The ABC radio commentator had been in an induced coma until this morning, but the hospital announced his death this afternoon.
“Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital regrets to announce that much loved sports broadcaster and former administrator Wally Foreman passed away this afternoon,” the hospital statement said. “Wally’s wife Lyn and sons Glen and Mark would like to thank the public for their support over the past two days.”
Foreman, a former WA Institute of Sport director, worked in sports media for more than 30 years after starting as a journalist with The West Australian in 1972 before joining the ABC sports department in 1975.
Close friend Tony Mann told ABC Radio this afternoon that the news had been a bombshell.
“What a character. I don’t think there’s been a nicer man,” Mr Mann said.
Broadcaster and colleague Russell Woolf said Foreman’s colleagues felt like they had lost a brother.
ACMA invites applications for narrowcasting services
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has invited applications for 28 high powered open narrowcasting radio services to serve areas in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
ACMA has set a reserve price of $4,000 for the Canberra licence and $2,000 for the remaining 27 licences. Applications for the licences will close at 1700 AEDT on Thursday, 30 November 2006.
ACMA is pleased to invite applications for these high powered open narrowcasting radio services said Giles Tanner, General Manager of ACMA's Inputs to Industry Division. "The new services that result from the release of the licences will increase the diversity of services available to people in regional and remote areas."
Licences will be issued under a price-based allocation system. Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, an auction-style licence allocation exercise will be held at which the licence will be issued to the highest bidder. If there is only one application for a licence at the close of applications, the licence will be issued to the applicant for the reserve price.
Licences will be issued to successful applicants once certain requirements are met. Anyone interested in applying for any of the available licences may download an an information package titled Price-based Allocation of Apparatus Licences for Open Narrowcasting Services from the ACMA website. A non-refundable application cost of $550 applies to each application.For further information about the licences, please contact Megan Wynnik on (02) 6256 2827.Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.Backgrounder
Open narrowcasting servicesOpen narrowcasting services are broadcasting services that are limited in some way. This can be either because they are targeted at special interest groups, or are available in limited locations (for example sporting arenas or shopping centres), or are provided during a limited period or to cover a special event or because they provide programs of limited appeal. Over ninety per cent of currently operating narrowcasting services provide either tourist radio or racing radio services.
Features of the price-based allocation systemThe Radiocommunications (Issue of Broadcasting (Narrowcasting) Transmitter Licences) Determination which governs the price-based allocation system under which the licences will be issued, was determined by ACMA under section 106 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, the licence will be issued to the highest bidder at an auction-style licence allocation exercise, provided the price bid is at least equal to the published reserve price for the licence and the other requirements of the Determination are met.The highest bidder at a licence allocation exercise must immediately pay a deposit of 10 per cent of the price bid. Full payment for the licence (that is, price bid less the deposit) must be made by 4.00pm on the day after the relevant licence allocation exercise.
If there is only one applicant for a licence, a licence allocation exercise will not be held. The applicant for the licence will be issued the licence for the reserve price, subject to the requirements of the Determination being met, including payment of the price of the licence.
If a successful applicant does not meet all of the requirements of the Determination, the applicant will not be issued the licence. ACMA may then re-offer the licence.
The licence is subject to certain roll-out obligations: a licensee must commence to provide a service within six months of being issued the licence, or within such longer period as is notified in writing by ACMA.
ACMA has set a reserve price of $4,000 for the Canberra licence and $2,000 for the remaining 27 licences. Applications for the licences will close at 1700 AEDT on Thursday, 30 November 2006.
ACMA is pleased to invite applications for these high powered open narrowcasting radio services said Giles Tanner, General Manager of ACMA's Inputs to Industry Division. "The new services that result from the release of the licences will increase the diversity of services available to people in regional and remote areas."
Licences will be issued under a price-based allocation system. Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, an auction-style licence allocation exercise will be held at which the licence will be issued to the highest bidder. If there is only one application for a licence at the close of applications, the licence will be issued to the applicant for the reserve price.
Licences will be issued to successful applicants once certain requirements are met. Anyone interested in applying for any of the available licences may download an an information package titled Price-based Allocation of Apparatus Licences for Open Narrowcasting Services from the ACMA website. A non-refundable application cost of $550 applies to each application.For further information about the licences, please contact Megan Wynnik on (02) 6256 2827.Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.Backgrounder
Open narrowcasting servicesOpen narrowcasting services are broadcasting services that are limited in some way. This can be either because they are targeted at special interest groups, or are available in limited locations (for example sporting arenas or shopping centres), or are provided during a limited period or to cover a special event or because they provide programs of limited appeal. Over ninety per cent of currently operating narrowcasting services provide either tourist radio or racing radio services.
Features of the price-based allocation systemThe Radiocommunications (Issue of Broadcasting (Narrowcasting) Transmitter Licences) Determination which governs the price-based allocation system under which the licences will be issued, was determined by ACMA under section 106 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, the licence will be issued to the highest bidder at an auction-style licence allocation exercise, provided the price bid is at least equal to the published reserve price for the licence and the other requirements of the Determination are met.The highest bidder at a licence allocation exercise must immediately pay a deposit of 10 per cent of the price bid. Full payment for the licence (that is, price bid less the deposit) must be made by 4.00pm on the day after the relevant licence allocation exercise.
If there is only one applicant for a licence, a licence allocation exercise will not be held. The applicant for the licence will be issued the licence for the reserve price, subject to the requirements of the Determination being met, including payment of the price of the licence.
If a successful applicant does not meet all of the requirements of the Determination, the applicant will not be issued the licence. ACMA may then re-offer the licence.
The licence is subject to certain roll-out obligations: a licensee must commence to provide a service within six months of being issued the licence, or within such longer period as is notified in writing by ACMA.
Jono Coleman leaves BBC London
BBC London 94.9 breakfast presenter Jono Coleman’s leaving the station to return home to Australia.
Co-host Jo Good will take over on her own until a permanent replacement is found.
It’s less than a year since Coleman launched his breakfast show on the station. He previously worked at Heart 106.2 but was dropped in favour of Jamie Theakston.
The BBC says he’s moving back to Australia to care for his mother, Sylvia, who will undergo an operation in the new year.
The station’s David Robey said: “It’s paramount that we get the right person for BBC London and the right person to gel with Jo. Jono and Jo were beginning to make a real impact in the most competitive breakfast radio market in the UK, following in the substantial footsteps of Danny Baker, but we understand that family will always come first.”
Coleman added: “Jo Good and the team have all been great during this worrying time and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with any of them again.”
Co-host Jo Good will take over on her own until a permanent replacement is found.
It’s less than a year since Coleman launched his breakfast show on the station. He previously worked at Heart 106.2 but was dropped in favour of Jamie Theakston.
The BBC says he’s moving back to Australia to care for his mother, Sylvia, who will undergo an operation in the new year.
The station’s David Robey said: “It’s paramount that we get the right person for BBC London and the right person to gel with Jo. Jono and Jo were beginning to make a real impact in the most competitive breakfast radio market in the UK, following in the substantial footsteps of Danny Baker, but we understand that family will always come first.”
Coleman added: “Jo Good and the team have all been great during this worrying time and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with any of them again.”
One step forward, two steps back
The following item appears on League Unlimited
The NRL has taken a baby step forward by awarding Monday night football coverage rights to Triple M and two massive steps back by abandoning their heartland areas in the bush.
Country folk without pay TV or internet coverage have no way of knowing who won the Monday night game until the next morning. The worst part of this debacle is that I don’t think many people were surprised by the decision of the NRL to once again shoot themselves in the foot.
Outside of Sydney, you would need Austar or Foxtel to watch the game or the internet to follow it online via websites such as League Unlimited or via streaming audio on the Triple M website. For those in the bush with no pay tv or internet, well you my friends, you have been left to suck eggs once again as no one wants to know about you when it comes to Rugby League. FULL STORY
The NRL has taken a baby step forward by awarding Monday night football coverage rights to Triple M and two massive steps back by abandoning their heartland areas in the bush.
Country folk without pay TV or internet coverage have no way of knowing who won the Monday night game until the next morning. The worst part of this debacle is that I don’t think many people were surprised by the decision of the NRL to once again shoot themselves in the foot.
Outside of Sydney, you would need Austar or Foxtel to watch the game or the internet to follow it online via websites such as League Unlimited or via streaming audio on the Triple M website. For those in the bush with no pay tv or internet, well you my friends, you have been left to suck eggs once again as no one wants to know about you when it comes to Rugby League. FULL STORY
Alan Freeman dies aged 79
Tuesday, November 28, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Veteran DJ Alan “Fluff” Freeman, whose “Not ‘arf” catchphrase made him a household name, has died aged 79.
The former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter had been living in a nursing home in London since 2000 after being diagnosed with arthritis.
Freeman joined the BBC in 1960 after a spell working in his native Australia mainly 3KZ Melbourne.
The former BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 presenter had been living in a nursing home in London since 2000 after being diagnosed with arthritis.
Freeman joined the BBC in 1960 after a spell working in his native Australia mainly 3KZ Melbourne.
ACMA renews 3OCR community broadcasting licence
Monday, November 20, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has renewed the community broadcasting licence issued to Otway FM Community Radio Group Inc. (Otway FM) in Colac, Victoria, after the station was able to satisfy concerns raised by the Authority.
“In the course of the Otway FM licence renewal process ACMA raised several issues with the licensee over what can only be described as severe management failure,” said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. “Of most concern is that the station was off air for almost 18 months and has not provided a service to significant parts of the licence area. Membership, sponsorship and volunteer levels are all low for these reasons.”
“Fortunately, over the course of the licence renewal period a new management team at Otway FM has begun to address ACMA’s concerns, either directly, or through specific undertakings. ACMA has taken this into account and has decided to renew the licence of the only community broadcaster in the Colac region. Instead ACMA will work with Otway FM to revive the service,” Mr Chapman said.
“However, Otway FM will have little room for error. ACMA will continue to monitor the operations of the station and is expecting to see significant improvement over the coming months.”
ACMA has informed the station that it reserves the right to take further action if it does not meet its undertakings, including imposing additional licence conditions or ultimately cancelling the licence.
“ACMA is charged with promoting the availability of a diverse range of radio services throughout Australia, as well as ensuring that broadcasters meet all their statutory obligations,” Mr Chapman said.
“This decision successfully balances both of these objectives and represents an acceptable outcome to the renewal process,” Mr Chapman concluded.
“In the course of the Otway FM licence renewal process ACMA raised several issues with the licensee over what can only be described as severe management failure,” said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. “Of most concern is that the station was off air for almost 18 months and has not provided a service to significant parts of the licence area. Membership, sponsorship and volunteer levels are all low for these reasons.”
“Fortunately, over the course of the licence renewal period a new management team at Otway FM has begun to address ACMA’s concerns, either directly, or through specific undertakings. ACMA has taken this into account and has decided to renew the licence of the only community broadcaster in the Colac region. Instead ACMA will work with Otway FM to revive the service,” Mr Chapman said.
“However, Otway FM will have little room for error. ACMA will continue to monitor the operations of the station and is expecting to see significant improvement over the coming months.”
ACMA has informed the station that it reserves the right to take further action if it does not meet its undertakings, including imposing additional licence conditions or ultimately cancelling the licence.
“ACMA is charged with promoting the availability of a diverse range of radio services throughout Australia, as well as ensuring that broadcasters meet all their statutory obligations,” Mr Chapman said.
“This decision successfully balances both of these objectives and represents an acceptable outcome to the renewal process,” Mr Chapman concluded.
Veteran Tasmanian ABC broadcaster Ric Paterson has announced his retirement.
Paterson, 59, made the announcement this morning at the launch of the 2006 ABC Giving Tree.
Paterson says it has been a memorable 42 years in the industry.
“Last night I got the calculator out and did some rough calculations,” he said.
“In 42 years in radio I’ve played around about 87,360 records and have done roughly 16,400 interviews.
“But the most alarming thing is that it’s still out there in space somewhere.”
He says his last breakfast radio program will be broadcast on December 22.
“I’ve always regarded it as a great privilege to be a broadcaster, to be part of the daily lives of many Tasmanians,” he said.
“It has never, ever been just a job.”
Source ABC
Evans fails to curry favour
Saturday, November 18, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
(Source Herald Sun)
3MP is in damage control after a racial slur by fill-in host Greg Evans went to air on the breakfast show yesterday.
In the middle of a song, the radio and TV veteran was heard to say: “Bloody hell. We do have a lot of curry-eating listeners.”\
Evans, who was filling in this week while regular breakfast host John Burgess takes a fortnight’s holiday, thought he was off-air.
3MP group general manager Barrie Quick said the gaffe was regrettable and yesterday apologised to listeners.
“The comments made on air have been taken seriously and we are dealing with it internally,” he said.
“The network and Greg sincerely apologise if the comments have offended any of our loyal listeners.”
TV announcer Shaun Cosgrove will fill in as host in the breakfast slot next week.
Mr Quick said Evans was only asked to fill in this week and Cosgrove was always going to sit in the chair in the second week of Burgess’s leave.
Burgess returns to the microphone on November 27.
The comments by the former Perfect Match host were broadcast in Melbourne only.
3MP is in damage control after a racial slur by fill-in host Greg Evans went to air on the breakfast show yesterday.
In the middle of a song, the radio and TV veteran was heard to say: “Bloody hell. We do have a lot of curry-eating listeners.”\
Evans, who was filling in this week while regular breakfast host John Burgess takes a fortnight’s holiday, thought he was off-air.
3MP group general manager Barrie Quick said the gaffe was regrettable and yesterday apologised to listeners.
“The comments made on air have been taken seriously and we are dealing with it internally,” he said.
“The network and Greg sincerely apologise if the comments have offended any of our loyal listeners.”
TV announcer Shaun Cosgrove will fill in as host in the breakfast slot next week.
Mr Quick said Evans was only asked to fill in this week and Cosgrove was always going to sit in the chair in the second week of Burgess’s leave.
Burgess returns to the microphone on November 27.
The comments by the former Perfect Match host were broadcast in Melbourne only.
Mac Bank takes $170m media stake
Friday, November 17, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
MACQUARIE Media Group has bought a 14.9 per cent stake in Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Macquarie Media, which is backed by Macquarie Bank, paid $170 million for its slice of the broadcasting group, The Australian reports today.
Southern Cross owns top-rating radio stations 2UE in Sydney and 3AW in Melbourne.
It also runs the Ten Network’s regional television stations.
The move follows the introduction of the federal government’s media ownership laws, which has triggered several strategic media company investments.
Southern Cross has one of the biggest regional television networks as well as the only network of metropolitan AM radio stations.
Macquarie Media owns 86 regional radio stations and part of a Taiwanese broadband group.
Macquarie Media, which is backed by Macquarie Bank, paid $170 million for its slice of the broadcasting group, The Australian reports today.
Southern Cross owns top-rating radio stations 2UE in Sydney and 3AW in Melbourne.
It also runs the Ten Network’s regional television stations.
The move follows the introduction of the federal government’s media ownership laws, which has triggered several strategic media company investments.
Southern Cross has one of the biggest regional television networks as well as the only network of metropolitan AM radio stations.
Macquarie Media owns 86 regional radio stations and part of a Taiwanese broadband group.
Austereo 2% growth
Thursday, November 16, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Austereo Group expects full-year industry sales growth of around two per cent and says it plans to review its growth opportunities from media sector changes.
The radio broadcaster said that the 2007 financial year, to the end of October 2006, had seen the continuation of excellent Austereo audience figures, which had converted to on-budget sales levels.
“The total radio market is still short, with recorded growth to the end of the October quarter at 1.39 per cent,” Austereo chairman Peter Harvie told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting.
“We therefore continue to anticipate industry sales growth for the December half to be around two per cent.
The radio broadcaster said that the 2007 financial year, to the end of October 2006, had seen the continuation of excellent Austereo audience figures, which had converted to on-budget sales levels.
“The total radio market is still short, with recorded growth to the end of the October quarter at 1.39 per cent,” Austereo chairman Peter Harvie told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting.
“We therefore continue to anticipate industry sales growth for the December half to be around two per cent.
Southern Cross launches mytalk.com.au
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Sothern Cross Broadcasting in what many see as a bold move have brought their radio stations together under the one web site. www.mytalk.com.au
Naturally all stations still have their own domain names, although most as we go to press are now pointing at the new site.
The site has plans to be very interactive with blogs by presenters being made available, as well as visitors being able to launch their own blog and contribute to various forums.
All 7 Southern Cross stations can now be heard online in the one place. For a station such as Magic 1278 it is a major step up in regards to their previous web site. Over all the My Talk site appears to be very user friendly. www.mytalk.com.au
Naturally all stations still have their own domain names, although most as we go to press are now pointing at the new site.
The site has plans to be very interactive with blogs by presenters being made available, as well as visitors being able to launch their own blog and contribute to various forums.
All 7 Southern Cross stations can now be heard online in the one place. For a station such as Magic 1278 it is a major step up in regards to their previous web site. Over all the My Talk site appears to be very user friendly. www.mytalk.com.au
Jones letters pulled from eBay
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Internet auction house eBay has removed from sale a set of letters purported to be written by Alan Jones to a man who claims to have had a relationship with the broadcaster.
Marcus Schmit, who claims in Chris Masters’ biography Jonestown to have had a relationship with the 2GB host in 2001, was hoping to cash in by selling the letters.
But after being posted online for two days, eBay removed the letters from sale, saying they were “inappropriate”.
“We looked at the item and made a call that it was inappropriate,” eBay spokesman Daniel Feiler said.
“eBay is well known as a great place to buy and sell practically anything, but that doesn’t mean everything.”
Mr Feiler said he would not go into the specifics of what eBay thought was inappropriate about the listing.
The letters are believed to have had a starting price of $1,200 but had not received any bids when they were pulled this morning.
Mr Schmit said he posted the letters online after a friend suggested it would be a good way to make some money.
He said he came to know Mr Jones by writing to him and classified him as a friend but only knew him for three to four months before he moved away.
“I wanted a career, I hadn’t been to university, I hadn’t even finished high school, I wanted to do something with my life and I thought Alan could offer me an opportunity,” he told ABC radio.
“I didn’t necessarily contact him in regards to offering sex in exchange for a job, he was just, I thought, a valuable contact.
“The relationship started off as one of friendship, we’d be with each other once or twice a week, we’d talk on the phone every day, we’d go for dinner.”
Before being removed, the on-line description is reported to have read: “I can only presume that this auction may cause many conservative, white, middle-upper class, ivory tower owners upset and result in aggressive and abusive messages from fans, supporters and possibly friends of Alan Jones.”
Mr Schmit also wrote he was presenting an “opportunity for those who feel strongly against offering such a letter for auction - an offer to enable me to withdraw this letter from public bid”.
eBay said people do occasionally relist items after they had been pulled down and they would deal with that issue if Mr Schmit relisted it.
Mr Jones declined to comment.
Marcus Schmit, who claims in Chris Masters’ biography Jonestown to have had a relationship with the 2GB host in 2001, was hoping to cash in by selling the letters.
But after being posted online for two days, eBay removed the letters from sale, saying they were “inappropriate”.
“We looked at the item and made a call that it was inappropriate,” eBay spokesman Daniel Feiler said.
“eBay is well known as a great place to buy and sell practically anything, but that doesn’t mean everything.”
Mr Feiler said he would not go into the specifics of what eBay thought was inappropriate about the listing.
The letters are believed to have had a starting price of $1,200 but had not received any bids when they were pulled this morning.
Mr Schmit said he posted the letters online after a friend suggested it would be a good way to make some money.
He said he came to know Mr Jones by writing to him and classified him as a friend but only knew him for three to four months before he moved away.
“I wanted a career, I hadn’t been to university, I hadn’t even finished high school, I wanted to do something with my life and I thought Alan could offer me an opportunity,” he told ABC radio.
“I didn’t necessarily contact him in regards to offering sex in exchange for a job, he was just, I thought, a valuable contact.
“The relationship started off as one of friendship, we’d be with each other once or twice a week, we’d talk on the phone every day, we’d go for dinner.”
Before being removed, the on-line description is reported to have read: “I can only presume that this auction may cause many conservative, white, middle-upper class, ivory tower owners upset and result in aggressive and abusive messages from fans, supporters and possibly friends of Alan Jones.”
Mr Schmit also wrote he was presenting an “opportunity for those who feel strongly against offering such a letter for auction - an offer to enable me to withdraw this letter from public bid”.
eBay said people do occasionally relist items after they had been pulled down and they would deal with that issue if Mr Schmit relisted it.
Mr Jones declined to comment.
2CA happy 75th birthday
Tuesday, November 14, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Happy birthday 2CA.
In 2006 so many of our heritage stations around the nation celebrate 75 years of broadcasting. Happy birthday to 2CA Canberra who have reached that milestone today.
2CA Home page
In 2006 so many of our heritage stations around the nation celebrate 75 years of broadcasting. Happy birthday to 2CA Canberra who have reached that milestone today.
2CA Home page
Laws docked $100k for six sick days
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
John Laws has been docked $100,000 from his $86,500 a week salary for taking a week off work with pneumonia.
But the veteran radio personality says if Southern Cross Broadcasting management were trying to send him a message: “I didn’t get it. They’ll have to try again.”
Laws, the King of Radio for almost 15 years, is broadcast on 63 stations, but is suffering against Sydney competitor Ray Hadley on rival network Macquarie Radio, The Bulletin magazine reports.
His wealth is estimated at $100 million, including a $30m harbourside apartment, substantial property holdings in the city’s eastern suburbs and several vintage cars - as well as a salary of $4.5m a year.
The 71-year-old also is on a watertight contract that keeps him as Australia’s highest-paid broadcaster until 2010, with provisions allowing him to quit whenever he wants but preventing Southern Cross from axing him.
“A good contract,” Laws jokes in an interview with The Bulletin, to be published on Wednesday.
“Thought it up all by myself.”
The radio network last December took an unprecedented move against the star, docking him $100,000 for six days sick leave, the magazine said.
While Laws said he did not think “too many people get over pneumonia in six days”, he did not hold it against Southern Cross.
“It’s a public company you know and they’ve got to explain every expenditure,” Laws said.
If management was trying to send him a message Laws said he “didn’t get it”.
However, the veteran talkback host admits he should have retired 10 years ago, “because I would have been firmly at the top.”
His professional landscape changed five years ago with the defection of fellow announcer Alan Jones to Macquarie Radio.
“Alan going to 2GB had a huge effect, obviously, and the change of ownership of the radio station … in a way it was probably disruptive,” Laws said.
Laws paid measured tribute to his former colleague for his success.
“He caters to the prejudice of the masses and it’s a very clever thing to do, it’s a good way to get on,” he said.
Central to Laws’ philosophy on life is a sense of being needed, a theme also fundamental to his attitude to retiring from the airwaves.
“If you’ve got … in particular a staff that loves you or a partner that loves you, that feeling of not having somebody else belonging to you but you belonging to somebody else,” Laws said.
“It would be terrible to wake up in the morning and not feel that you were wanted or needed - to wake up with no reason.
“Everybody’s got to have a reason.”
But the veteran radio personality says if Southern Cross Broadcasting management were trying to send him a message: “I didn’t get it. They’ll have to try again.”
Laws, the King of Radio for almost 15 years, is broadcast on 63 stations, but is suffering against Sydney competitor Ray Hadley on rival network Macquarie Radio, The Bulletin magazine reports.
His wealth is estimated at $100 million, including a $30m harbourside apartment, substantial property holdings in the city’s eastern suburbs and several vintage cars - as well as a salary of $4.5m a year.
The 71-year-old also is on a watertight contract that keeps him as Australia’s highest-paid broadcaster until 2010, with provisions allowing him to quit whenever he wants but preventing Southern Cross from axing him.
“A good contract,” Laws jokes in an interview with The Bulletin, to be published on Wednesday.
“Thought it up all by myself.”
The radio network last December took an unprecedented move against the star, docking him $100,000 for six days sick leave, the magazine said.
While Laws said he did not think “too many people get over pneumonia in six days”, he did not hold it against Southern Cross.
“It’s a public company you know and they’ve got to explain every expenditure,” Laws said.
If management was trying to send him a message Laws said he “didn’t get it”.
However, the veteran talkback host admits he should have retired 10 years ago, “because I would have been firmly at the top.”
His professional landscape changed five years ago with the defection of fellow announcer Alan Jones to Macquarie Radio.
“Alan going to 2GB had a huge effect, obviously, and the change of ownership of the radio station … in a way it was probably disruptive,” Laws said.
Laws paid measured tribute to his former colleague for his success.
“He caters to the prejudice of the masses and it’s a very clever thing to do, it’s a good way to get on,” he said.
Central to Laws’ philosophy on life is a sense of being needed, a theme also fundamental to his attitude to retiring from the airwaves.
“If you’ve got … in particular a staff that loves you or a partner that loves you, that feeling of not having somebody else belonging to you but you belonging to somebody else,” Laws said.
“It would be terrible to wake up in the morning and not feel that you were wanted or needed - to wake up with no reason.
“Everybody’s got to have a reason.”
Our Andrew Dower kicking goals
Friday, November 3, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Australian Andrew Dower has been appointed to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mature Markets in the Communicorp group. Communicorp is an Irish-owned company operating 37 stations across seven countries in Europe.
Andrew will be managing 19 stations in three countries: Finland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Formerly of HO-FM, 7BU, 2QN and 6KG in Australia, Andrew has been working in European radio since 1992, and General Manager of Communicorp’s 12 Czech stations since 1997.
Andrew will be managing 19 stations in three countries: Finland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
Formerly of HO-FM, 7BU, 2QN and 6KG in Australia, Andrew has been working in European radio since 1992, and General Manager of Communicorp’s 12 Czech stations since 1997.
Fifi's big brekkie break
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Sydney Confidential
Fifi Box is poised to be Austereo’s new ratings weapon at breakfast by moving into the all-important early morning slot at Triple M.
It is understood Box and her offsider from the popular drivetime program The Shebang, Marty Sheargold, will be switched to the breakfast slot next year at the expense of the five-person The Cage line-up.
Confidential hears Box has been offered a lucrative new deal with the station which would make her one of the highest-earning women in radio.
“She’s going to breakfast and it’s on big bucks,'’ an industry source said.
Box did not return calls yesterday and an Austereo spokesman last night refused to confirm or deny the breakfast move, saying “we won’t be commenting'’.
Box and Sheargold’s The Shebang was one of the success stories of the ratings year in 2005 and has for some time been touted as a potential replacement for The Cage.
It’s uncertain whether The Cage would be directly switched to drivetime in the shake-up.
The current five-person breakfast ensemble - Peter Berner, Brigitte Duclos, Matt Parkinson, James Brayshaw and Mike Fitzpatrick - have battled to get a successful foothold in Sydney for the past three years.
A significant ratings improvement in the ratings survey released in August looked to have helped The Cage’s bid for survival but the show again went backwards in the latest survey this week.
It dropped 1.2 per cent to a 6.8 per cent audience share, slipping behind WSFM’s resurgent Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller to seventh in the overall breakfast rankings and fourth in FM.
Fifi Box is poised to be Austereo’s new ratings weapon at breakfast by moving into the all-important early morning slot at Triple M.
It is understood Box and her offsider from the popular drivetime program The Shebang, Marty Sheargold, will be switched to the breakfast slot next year at the expense of the five-person The Cage line-up.
Confidential hears Box has been offered a lucrative new deal with the station which would make her one of the highest-earning women in radio.
“She’s going to breakfast and it’s on big bucks,'’ an industry source said.
Box did not return calls yesterday and an Austereo spokesman last night refused to confirm or deny the breakfast move, saying “we won’t be commenting'’.
Box and Sheargold’s The Shebang was one of the success stories of the ratings year in 2005 and has for some time been touted as a potential replacement for The Cage.
It’s uncertain whether The Cage would be directly switched to drivetime in the shake-up.
The current five-person breakfast ensemble - Peter Berner, Brigitte Duclos, Matt Parkinson, James Brayshaw and Mike Fitzpatrick - have battled to get a successful foothold in Sydney for the past three years.
A significant ratings improvement in the ratings survey released in August looked to have helped The Cage’s bid for survival but the show again went backwards in the latest survey this week.
It dropped 1.2 per cent to a 6.8 per cent audience share, slipping behind WSFM’s resurgent Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller to seventh in the overall breakfast rankings and fourth in FM.
Vale Wally Foreman
Thursday, November 2, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
Veteran broadcaster Wally Foreman died today at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Foreman, 58, suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning while exercising at an Osborne Park gym.
The ABC radio commentator had been in an induced coma until this morning, but the hospital announced his death this afternoon.
“Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital regrets to announce that much loved sports broadcaster and former administrator Wally Foreman passed away this afternoon,” the hospital statement said. “Wally’s wife Lyn and sons Glen and Mark would like to thank the public for their support over the past two days.”
Foreman, a former WA Institute of Sport director, worked in sports media for more than 30 years after starting as a journalist with The West Australian in 1972 before joining the ABC sports department in 1975.
Close friend Tony Mann told ABC Radio this afternoon that the news had been a bombshell.
“What a character. I don’t think there’s been a nicer man,” Mr Mann said.
Broadcaster and colleague Russell Woolf said Foreman’s colleagues felt like they had lost a brother.
Foreman, 58, suffered a massive heart attack on Tuesday morning while exercising at an Osborne Park gym.
The ABC radio commentator had been in an induced coma until this morning, but the hospital announced his death this afternoon.
“Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital regrets to announce that much loved sports broadcaster and former administrator Wally Foreman passed away this afternoon,” the hospital statement said. “Wally’s wife Lyn and sons Glen and Mark would like to thank the public for their support over the past two days.”
Foreman, a former WA Institute of Sport director, worked in sports media for more than 30 years after starting as a journalist with The West Australian in 1972 before joining the ABC sports department in 1975.
Close friend Tony Mann told ABC Radio this afternoon that the news had been a bombshell.
“What a character. I don’t think there’s been a nicer man,” Mr Mann said.
Broadcaster and colleague Russell Woolf said Foreman’s colleagues felt like they had lost a brother.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has invited applications for 28 high powered open narrowcasting radio services to serve areas in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
ACMA has set a reserve price of $4,000 for the Canberra licence and $2,000 for the remaining 27 licences. Applications for the licences will close at 1700 AEDT on Thursday, 30 November 2006.
ACMA is pleased to invite applications for these high powered open narrowcasting radio services said Giles Tanner, General Manager of ACMA's Inputs to Industry Division. "The new services that result from the release of the licences will increase the diversity of services available to people in regional and remote areas."
Licences will be issued under a price-based allocation system. Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, an auction-style licence allocation exercise will be held at which the licence will be issued to the highest bidder. If there is only one application for a licence at the close of applications, the licence will be issued to the applicant for the reserve price.
Licences will be issued to successful applicants once certain requirements are met. Anyone interested in applying for any of the available licences may download an an information package titled Price-based Allocation of Apparatus Licences for Open Narrowcasting Services from the ACMA website. A non-refundable application cost of $550 applies to each application.For further information about the licences, please contact Megan Wynnik on (02) 6256 2827.Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.Backgrounder
Open narrowcasting servicesOpen narrowcasting services are broadcasting services that are limited in some way. This can be either because they are targeted at special interest groups, or are available in limited locations (for example sporting arenas or shopping centres), or are provided during a limited period or to cover a special event or because they provide programs of limited appeal. Over ninety per cent of currently operating narrowcasting services provide either tourist radio or racing radio services.
Features of the price-based allocation systemThe Radiocommunications (Issue of Broadcasting (Narrowcasting) Transmitter Licences) Determination which governs the price-based allocation system under which the licences will be issued, was determined by ACMA under section 106 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, the licence will be issued to the highest bidder at an auction-style licence allocation exercise, provided the price bid is at least equal to the published reserve price for the licence and the other requirements of the Determination are met.The highest bidder at a licence allocation exercise must immediately pay a deposit of 10 per cent of the price bid. Full payment for the licence (that is, price bid less the deposit) must be made by 4.00pm on the day after the relevant licence allocation exercise.
If there is only one applicant for a licence, a licence allocation exercise will not be held. The applicant for the licence will be issued the licence for the reserve price, subject to the requirements of the Determination being met, including payment of the price of the licence.
If a successful applicant does not meet all of the requirements of the Determination, the applicant will not be issued the licence. ACMA may then re-offer the licence.
The licence is subject to certain roll-out obligations: a licensee must commence to provide a service within six months of being issued the licence, or within such longer period as is notified in writing by ACMA.
ACMA has set a reserve price of $4,000 for the Canberra licence and $2,000 for the remaining 27 licences. Applications for the licences will close at 1700 AEDT on Thursday, 30 November 2006.
ACMA is pleased to invite applications for these high powered open narrowcasting radio services said Giles Tanner, General Manager of ACMA's Inputs to Industry Division. "The new services that result from the release of the licences will increase the diversity of services available to people in regional and remote areas."
Licences will be issued under a price-based allocation system. Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, an auction-style licence allocation exercise will be held at which the licence will be issued to the highest bidder. If there is only one application for a licence at the close of applications, the licence will be issued to the applicant for the reserve price.
Licences will be issued to successful applicants once certain requirements are met. Anyone interested in applying for any of the available licences may download an an information package titled Price-based Allocation of Apparatus Licences for Open Narrowcasting Services from the ACMA website. A non-refundable application cost of $550 applies to each application.For further information about the licences, please contact Megan Wynnik on (02) 6256 2827.Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.Backgrounder
Open narrowcasting servicesOpen narrowcasting services are broadcasting services that are limited in some way. This can be either because they are targeted at special interest groups, or are available in limited locations (for example sporting arenas or shopping centres), or are provided during a limited period or to cover a special event or because they provide programs of limited appeal. Over ninety per cent of currently operating narrowcasting services provide either tourist radio or racing radio services.
Features of the price-based allocation systemThe Radiocommunications (Issue of Broadcasting (Narrowcasting) Transmitter Licences) Determination which governs the price-based allocation system under which the licences will be issued, was determined by ACMA under section 106 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.Under the system, if there is more than one applicant for a licence, the licence will be issued to the highest bidder at an auction-style licence allocation exercise, provided the price bid is at least equal to the published reserve price for the licence and the other requirements of the Determination are met.The highest bidder at a licence allocation exercise must immediately pay a deposit of 10 per cent of the price bid. Full payment for the licence (that is, price bid less the deposit) must be made by 4.00pm on the day after the relevant licence allocation exercise.
If there is only one applicant for a licence, a licence allocation exercise will not be held. The applicant for the licence will be issued the licence for the reserve price, subject to the requirements of the Determination being met, including payment of the price of the licence.
If a successful applicant does not meet all of the requirements of the Determination, the applicant will not be issued the licence. ACMA may then re-offer the licence.
The licence is subject to certain roll-out obligations: a licensee must commence to provide a service within six months of being issued the licence, or within such longer period as is notified in writing by ACMA.
Jono Coleman leaves BBC London
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 | Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
BBC London 94.9 breakfast presenter Jono Coleman’s leaving the station to return home to Australia.
Co-host Jo Good will take over on her own until a permanent replacement is found.
It’s less than a year since Coleman launched his breakfast show on the station. He previously worked at Heart 106.2 but was dropped in favour of Jamie Theakston.
The BBC says he’s moving back to Australia to care for his mother, Sylvia, who will undergo an operation in the new year.
The station’s David Robey said: “It’s paramount that we get the right person for BBC London and the right person to gel with Jo. Jono and Jo were beginning to make a real impact in the most competitive breakfast radio market in the UK, following in the substantial footsteps of Danny Baker, but we understand that family will always come first.”
Coleman added: “Jo Good and the team have all been great during this worrying time and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with any of them again.”
Co-host Jo Good will take over on her own until a permanent replacement is found.
It’s less than a year since Coleman launched his breakfast show on the station. He previously worked at Heart 106.2 but was dropped in favour of Jamie Theakston.
The BBC says he’s moving back to Australia to care for his mother, Sylvia, who will undergo an operation in the new year.
The station’s David Robey said: “It’s paramount that we get the right person for BBC London and the right person to gel with Jo. Jono and Jo were beginning to make a real impact in the most competitive breakfast radio market in the UK, following in the substantial footsteps of Danny Baker, but we understand that family will always come first.”
Coleman added: “Jo Good and the team have all been great during this worrying time and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with any of them again.”
One step forward, two steps back
| Labels: Radionews | 0 comments »
The following item appears on League Unlimited
The NRL has taken a baby step forward by awarding Monday night football coverage rights to Triple M and two massive steps back by abandoning their heartland areas in the bush.
Country folk without pay TV or internet coverage have no way of knowing who won the Monday night game until the next morning. The worst part of this debacle is that I don’t think many people were surprised by the decision of the NRL to once again shoot themselves in the foot.
Outside of Sydney, you would need Austar or Foxtel to watch the game or the internet to follow it online via websites such as League Unlimited or via streaming audio on the Triple M website. For those in the bush with no pay tv or internet, well you my friends, you have been left to suck eggs once again as no one wants to know about you when it comes to Rugby League. FULL STORY
The NRL has taken a baby step forward by awarding Monday night football coverage rights to Triple M and two massive steps back by abandoning their heartland areas in the bush.
Country folk without pay TV or internet coverage have no way of knowing who won the Monday night game until the next morning. The worst part of this debacle is that I don’t think many people were surprised by the decision of the NRL to once again shoot themselves in the foot.
Outside of Sydney, you would need Austar or Foxtel to watch the game or the internet to follow it online via websites such as League Unlimited or via streaming audio on the Triple M website. For those in the bush with no pay tv or internet, well you my friends, you have been left to suck eggs once again as no one wants to know about you when it comes to Rugby League. FULL STORY
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