Welcome to Inside Media, where we bring you the inside scoop on media news, with plenty of opinion every Monday and Thursday.
Say goodbye to your favorite shows
The launch of the new streaming service could spell disaster for Foxtel and viewers.
Get news from 7NEWS app: Download it today
HBO is one of the most recognised content brands worldwide.
Over the years the American cable channel has produced Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and many other award-winning hit shows.
Foxtel has had the Australian rights to that content for years, but that's all set to change next year when Warner Bros. announce they're bringing the Max streaming service to Australia by mid-2025.
According to TV Blackbox: “In March 2023, Foxtel Group secured a broad rights agreement that granted Foxtel access to Warner Bros.' film and television library, including HBO programming, Max Originals, and content from Warner Bros. Television. The agreement also extended to a number of channels distributed on Foxtel's platforms, such as Discovery, Animal Planet, CNN International, and Cartoon Network.”
It is understood that Foxtel's licensing agreement expires next year, around the same time as the expected launch.
This means that consumers will either have to spend money One more Use a streaming service to access content (we have about 30 now) or unsubscribe from BINGE/FOXTEL.
That would be bad news for the News Corp majority-owned business, which has already lost programming deals with Disney, the BBC, Nickelodeon, FX, MTV, E! and beIN Sports.
The loss of that programming is a huge blow and means Foxtel will have to rely on live sport more than ever to drive subscription numbers.
And this is where things get interesting.
Recently, the federal government made a bizarre decision regarding the digital rights of sports in this country.
Research shows fewer than one in three Australians watch television through an aerial, despite legislation passed in the Senate that fails to ensure major sporting events remain free for those watching online.
Essentially, free-to-air broadcasters will still receive protection through anti-siphoning laws for traditional broadcast signals.
These laws protect important sporting events from becoming pay-per-view events.
The problem is that the new law fails to protect online users, as it will allow streaming services to outbid commercial broadcasters for online rights.
This means that if you do not watch TV through the aerial you will have to pay.
All fingers are pointing at Anthony Albanese, who many believe is saving Foxtel and its sports streaming service – Kayo.
There is a feeling in the Canberra press gallery that Elbow and his team are intimidated by negative headlines in News Corp publications (Foxtel's majority owner). The theory is that by keeping News Corp happy with regard to online sports rights, the PM will be able to keep his position. It is possible Have an easy trip.
This is not a good outcome for consumers who may have to pay subscription fees to watch their favorite sports.
Elbow We The Media
And if the Prime Minister's recent talks are anything to go by, he needs all the friends he can get in the media.
His comments at a press conference this week largely reflect his hostility toward the industry.
When he was asked about this ABC added five additional gunshot sound effects to the story Speaking to Heston Russell, the Prime Minister said: “If I had to answer questions about standards in media organisations I would be here for a while.”
Ouch.
It is possible that his attitude to the media is related to his falling poll numbers and the Canberra press gallery. He is being pressured on many issues.
On Monday, The Australian reported that primary support for Labor had fallen to the party's lowest level since the 2022 election.
In the primary vote, the Coalition got 38 percent (steady), while Labor got 31 percent (dropped 1 percent).
These statistics have made Elbow a little irritable, and he lashes out at any reporter who dares ask him a question he doesn't like.
Last month, the Prime Minister became upset with 7News reporter Taylor Aiken when he was asked a question about Bruce Lehrman.
Not only this, they also physically pushed away his microphone.
This was followed by a conversation with ABC radio host Patricia Karvelas.
Karvela: “So, just to get some absolute clarity, Prime Minister. As we go into, you know – some time away – but into an election period, are you saying Are negative gearing and capital gains tax breaks just not for you?
Prime Minister: “Well, these are tax policies.”
Karvela: “Yes, but are these tax policies a total disaster for you?”
Prime Minister: “Well, Patricia, I don’t answer questions like that in a way that — ”
Karvela: “You mean well?”
Prime Minister: “Well, they’re not good.”
Karvela: “That's a good question! Are you going to say 'no' to these questions or not?”
Prime Minister: “They're not clever. They're things that journalists say – the next question is when are the elections?”
Karvela: “That's not my next question.”
Prime Minister: “Yeah, well, these are not very smart questions. You ask all these things. We are interested in the tax policy that we are implementing, not the one that we are not implementing. And we are very clear about that.”
Karvela: “So, you're not interested in those ideas?”
The Prime Minister and his team seem to be adopting a siege mentality, where the media is seen as the enemy. This is never a sign of confidence.
Secret 'Friends' footage
30 years ago this week one of the greatest sitcoms of all time aired in America.
Even if you're not a fan, there's no denying the impact Friends has had on our culture… and it still has strong ratings on streaming services and pay TV today.
But the show was originally filmed back when TVs had a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Today our widescreen LEDs use a 16:9 ratio. In the shift from the old format to the new, wider format, sharp-eyed viewers have been able to spot some fun Easter eggs.
What am I talking about? Let me explain.
Before the digital age, sitcoms were not recorded on tape, but rather filmed.
The film print was larger (and wider) than needed for the 4:3 frame, so the original negative would have offshoots that would never be transmitted. During the transfer process, that extra material would be cropped out of the frame.
When we started working on 16:9, Hollywood studios decided to remaster these sitcoms from the original prints.
This means that the frame contains more information than was originally intended, and this led to errors being introduced into the digital version.
Take a look at this shot from the scene shown earlier. It looks pretty normal.
But that same shot becomes problematic when reformatted to 16:9 because we can now see the edge of the set on the left side of the screen. This was never supposed to be seen.
Another instance shows a large hole in Joey's apartment, allowing the camera to film.
Again, this was not seen in the original 4:3 framing.
It's a fun game if you plan on revisiting it.
Important information for journalists
Media individuals looking to attend this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival will need to keep in mind that Wrights Communications will remain the point of contact for the next few years.
He recently secured an extension with the Victoria Racing Club until 2026.
Have fun in the bird cage!
Rob McKnight is co-owner of TV Blackbox.
Inside Media will be back on Monday.
