Walkley winners 2007

SBS, the ABC and Channel Nine all picked up gongs at the 29th Annual Walkley Awards last night.

Dateline, Sunday, Four Corners and Foreign Correspondent were all awarded.

Tony Jones won the Broadcast Interview award for hosting Lateline. World News Australia reporter Brian Thomson won the Television News Reporting category for his series of reports on East Timor.

Craig Hutchison won for his "Drugs in Football" story on The Footy Show / Footy Classified.

The winners included:
TELEVISION NEWS Brian Thomson, SBS, "Timor in Transition"
TELEVISION CURRENT AFFAIRS (less than 20 minutes) Frank McGuire and Adam Shand, Sunday, "Force Within a Force"
TELEVISION CURRENT AFFAIRS (more than 20 minutes) Matthew Brown and Wayne Harley, Foreign Correspondent, "West Bank — Love and Betrayal"
TELEVISION CAMERA Andrew Taylor, Four Corners, ABC TV, "Forward Base Afghanistan" SPORT NEWS Craig Hutchison, The Footy Show and Footy Classified, "Drugs in Football" INTERNATIONAL Ginny Stein, Dateline, "Burma — Inside the Secret City"
INVESTIGATIVE Ginny Stein, Dateline, "Rwanda — Questions of Murder"
BROADCAST INTERVIEWING Tony Jones, Lateline, ABC TV

Press Release:

SBS Television has won three Walkley Awards – two for its flagship international current affairs program Dateline and one for its new-look, one hour World News Australia bulletin. World News Australia reporter Brian Thomson won the Television News Reporting category for his series of reports on East Timor. With the help of cameraman/editor Ryan Sheridan, Brian filed 28 stories over a five month period in which the young nation dealt with a presidential election, the subsequent fallout and ensuing economic and resource issues.

Some reports were filed from remote and dangerous locations including Baucau, where SBS was the only international crew to make it to the Fretlin stronghold where houses had been torched in post-election violence.

This Walkley is particularly significant given that in 2007, World News Australia expanded to become a comprehensive one hour national and international news bulletin which has enabled more original SBS coverage Dateline video journalist Ginny Stein received two awards. Her report Burma – Inside the Secret City won the International Journalism category. It offered a rare glimpse into the plight of dissidents living a country off-limits to the media.

Stein’s report Rwanda – Questions of Murder won the Investigative Journalism category. Across six countries and over six months, it tracked down a former UN staff member accused of multiple murders during the Rwandan conflict. Dateline video journalists Olivia Rousset and Sophie McNeill were Walkley finalists while fellow VJ David O’Shea received a commendation from the judges for his camerawork.

“These awards are testament to the quality news and current affairs being produced by SBS,” Managing Director Shaun Brown said.

“The expansion to the hour-long World News Australia format and increased investment in news and current affairs at SBS has enabled us to produce more quality, original content for our discerning news audience.

“Dateline continues to set the benchmark for excellence in international current affairs coverage. Our intrepid and courageous video-journalists are world renowned for their perseverance and commitment to bringing untold stories to the fore.

“SBS continues its award winning form with this swag of Walkleys. I congratulate not only Brian, Ginny, Olivia, Sophie and David but the entire SBS news and current affairs team under the leadership of Director Paul Cutler for an outstanding year and an outstanding contribution to quality news and current affairs in this country.”

Additional source: The Age Read more...

TEN HD programming mixes old & new

Network TEN has now released details of its new HD programming.

The channel operates as a 24 hour mix of analogue and HD programming. The bulk of the schedule mirrors the analogue channel with some specialist HD-only viewing in afternoons and evenings.

TEN will return some of its missing favourite shows to TEN HD, some as new episodes and others as repeats, plus movies and documentaries. It also launches some exclusive HD only franchises.

Returning dramas are Veronica Mars, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood, The 4400 and The Shield. New programmes include Stephen Bochco's US-Iraq war drama Over There and various documentaries.

But the viewing clocks in at around 35 hours, well short of its promise of "50 hours of programmes you won't see on TEN's main channel" -and some of it is on TEN analogue. The intended "Sci-Fi Saturday" has moved to Thurdays. Oddly, it will also see TEN News at 5 at 5:30pm! But at least its more than 7HD has offered thus far.

TEN HD launches on December 16. The first week of special HD programming is as follows:

Sun Dec 16
5pm TBA
5.30 Ten News
6pm Sports Tonight

8.30 Movie: Black Hawk Down
11.30 Concert: TBA

Mon Dec 17
3pm Ocean Adventures
4pm Amazing Planet
5pm Bold & Beautiful
5.30 TEN News

10.30 The Shield "Tapa Boca"
11.30 Movie: Snatch

Tue Dec 18
3pm Ocean Adventures
4pm Amazing Planet
5pm Bold & Beautiful
5.30 TEN News

10.30 Veronica Mars "President Evil"
11.30 Movie: The Patriot

Wed Dec 19
3pm Ocean Adventures
4pm Amazing Planet
5pm Bold & Beautiful
5.30 TEN News

10.30 Over There "Pilot"
11.30 Movie: Love and a Bullet

Thu Dec 20
3pm Ocean Adventures
4pm Wolfman
5pm Bold & Beautiful
5.30 TEN News

7:30 Smallville "Subterranean"
8:30pm Battlestar Galactica "Occupation"
9:30 Torchwood rpt
10:30 The 4400 rpt
11:30 Movie: Bugs

Friday Dec 21
3pm Edge of Existence
4pm Monster Crocs
5pm Bold & Beautiful
5.30 TEN News

10:30 Movie: Bloody Sunday

Saturday Dec 22
5pm TBA
5.30 TEN News
6pm Sports Tonight

Photo: idents.tv

Press Release
TEN-HD ARRIVES

new era of FREE consumer choice

unique entertainment, premium broadcast quality

Network Ten ushers in a brand new world of free television entertainment on 16 December with the launch of Australia's newest digital channel, TEN-HD.

Set to go live in just two short weeks, TEN today officially unveiled its new high definition broadcast schedule for TEN-HD's inaugural week.

Highlights for the week of 16 December:
• Distinct programming from that on TEN's main channel, including award-winning documentaries, cinema quality movies, science fiction, and drama series such as The Shield and Veronica Mars
• Time-shifted viewing, including TEN News at Five and Australia's No.1 daytime show, The Bold and the Beautiful
• Breakaway Thursday: TEN-HD will break-away from TEN's primary channel every Thursday from 3pm including prime time sci-fi shows - Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood and The 4400 - as well as documentaries and movies TEN's chief Programming officer, David Mott, said: "After nearly a year in planning, and thanks to the hard work of staff across the network, TEN-HD is ready to launch.

"We are incredibly proud to introduce a new era of choice for free TV viewers with the highest possible picture and sound quality.

"And even better, consumers won't have to keep paying for the privilege of enjoying TEN-HD.

"Saturday 16 December marks the beginning of a journey, and we will progressively increase TENHD's unique content in the months ahead."

Mr Mott said that live sport would feature on TEN-HD many mornings in 2008, with more than five hours of NASCAR each week starting February, NFL and the World Golf Championships. Also, all TEN's AFL home and away season matches will be in HD next year.

Turning to films, TEN will be taking the cinematic experience straight to viewers' homes with some of the biggest blockbuster movies every weeknight only on TEN-HD.

TEN-HD is available to viewers on Channel 1 and Channel 12.
SHOWS UNIQUE TO TEN-HD:
Mon-Fri, 3-5pm
Documentaries: Ocean Adventures, Edge of Existence, Amazing Planet, Monster Crocs, The Wolfman

TEN-HD takes viewers on a wild journey each weekday afternoon with documentaries uncovering the vibrancy of the earth and its inhabitants, marvelling in its variety of shapes, textures and its awe-inspiring grace and power. From Monday to Friday viewers can expect a visual feast of scientific discoveries, technologies and nnovations, and be taken up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures on the planet - looking at their habits, habitats and survival strategies.

Monday at 10.30pm
The Shield
The Shield, a show which has developed a cult-like following all over the world, breaks the conventional formula of the cop genre.

Tuesday at 10.30pm
Veronica Mars
In the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, California, the rich and powerful make the rules. Unfortunately for them, there's Veronica Mars. This smart and sassy 17-year-old has a loyal following in Australia, and we're sure that she'll feel right at home on TEN-HD.

Wednesday at 10.30pm
Over There
First run series about a sergeant and his platoon stationed in Iraq and how the lives of their families are affected at home.

Thursday at 7.30pm
Smallville
Smallville tells the tale of a teenage Clark Kent in the days before he was Superman.

Thursday at 8.30pm
Battlestar Galactica
This critically acclaimed sci-fi series is back with first run episodes on TEN-HD.

Thursday at 9.30pm
Torchwood
Torchwood is a much admired spin-off from the popular sci-fi show Doctor Who. And in anticipation of all new episodes going to air in 2008, fans can revisit all their favourite episodes from series one again on TEN-HD.

Thursday at 10.30pm
The 4400
The 4400 tells the stories of 4,400 people who disappeared over a period of fifty years and they all reappear at the exact same time without any memory of where they've been and what happened to them.

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Foxtel launches mobile Remote Record

Foxtel has launched Remote Record, a new mobile phone functionality that allows the option to record TV programmes from phones.

The new application most benefits subscribers with an iQ and 3G phone, giving them roaming freedom to control their favourite programmes -perfect if you are running late.

Remote Record is initially compatible for iQ subscribers with 25 different 3G phones, with more to follow. The EPG itself can be accessed by any compatible 3G phone.

It also offers Reminder Alerts sent via SMS to the user 15 minutes prior to the TV program commencing and contain the name of the show, the channel and what time it begins.

Press Release:

Forgot to record your favourite television program? Stuck in traffic thinking about a new TV show you’re late for? At a party you couldn’t pass on but itching to know how the movie ended? Never miss your favourite program again with FOXTEL’s latest digital offering, which provides access to view FOXTEL’s web-based Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and ability to use the REMOTE RECORD functionality to record programs on the FOXTEL iQ from 3G mobile phones.

By using any compatible 3G mobile phone (from the list below), users will be able to download an application to view FOXTEL’s web-based Electronic Program Guide, providing information on FOXTEL’s extensive range of programming up to seven days in advance.

Additionally, FOXTEL iQ subscribers can use their 3G mobile phone to REMOTE RECORD shows.1 When out of the house or away from the office they can use the REMOTE RECORD function to record programs on their FOXTEL iQ which are then ready to watch when they are.

Patrick Delany, FOXTEL Executive Director of Content, Product Development and Delivery, said: “Personalising entertainment is the next frontier in television and FOXTEL is leading the way. A mobile phone is no longer just for making and receiving calls, it’s become a multimedia gateway connecting users to the internet, emails, music, television, TV guides, and now FOXTEL iQ.

“Foxtl's wed-based EPG and Remote Record functionality have been a wonderful addition for our subscribers and by making these services available to 3G mobiles now provides them with even more benefits to get the most of their FOXTEL service.”

Non-subscribers are also welcome to dlownload the Mobile Foxtel Guide which will showcase the extensive range of programs available on FOXTEL up to seven days in advance.

To download the Mobile Foxtel Guide application simple visit www.foxtel.com.au/mobile to check your phone’s compatibility and then download by sending a Premium SMS.

The Mobile Foxtel Guide application allows users to: add channels to favourite list for quick access, search for a program by name (or partial name), view a short summary about each show, set a REMOTE RECORD and also send Reminder Alerts for programs. Reminder Alerts are sent via SMS to the user 15 minutes prior to the TV program commencing and contain the name of the show, the channel and what time it begins.

Will my phone work with the Mobile Foxtel Guide?
Currently the following 25 popular phones are compatible with the Foxtel Mobile Guide and are able to send REMOTE RECORD requests if the user is a FOXTEL iQ customer.

Motorola
v3x
v3xx

ZTE
F151
Nokia
N73
N95
6120
N70
E65
N80
N90

LG
KG800
U890
U880
U400
U830
CU500

Sony Ericsson
K800i
W810i
K608i
W880i
K610i
W800i
Z800i

Customers on any mobile network including Telstra, Vodafone, Optus and 3, as well as reseller networks like Virgin Mobile and Soul, can use this service as the application is mobile phone dependent, rather than network dependent. More mobile phones will be added each month to ensure the FOXTEL Mobile guide is compatible with all the latest and greatest handsets.

Do I have to be a Foxtel or Foxtel iQ subscriber to access the Mobile Foxtel Guide?
Anyone with a compatible 3G phone can access the Mobile FOXTEL Guide and its functionality including Reminder Alerts for programs. The REMOTE RECORD service is specific to FOXTEL iQ subscribers only.

Do I have to pay for the Mobile Foxtel Guide?
There is a small cost of 55c to SMS for the initial application download, plus any data charges from your network.4 REMOTE RECORD requests are not charged for while Reminder Alerts are charged to your mobile phone bill at 55c each. Data charges for accessing the Internet via your mobile and viewing the FOXTEL TV Guide application will vary based on your mobile carrier and individual data access plan.

Foxtel strongly recommends you speak with your sevice provider about the cost of using the mobile internet via your 3G phone. There will be no reference to FOXTEL on your mobile bill. The data usage attributed to the Mobile FOXTEL Guide will be included within your mobile data charges (along with internet surfing, email and various mobile applications).

How do I get the Mobile Foxtel Guide?
To download the Mobile FOXTEL Guide application simply visit www.foxtel.com.au/mobile and follow the step by step instructions. In order to use REMOTE RECORD you must first register for a username and password via the “TV Guide” link at www.foxtel.com.au. The same username and password can be used for REMOTE RECORD via the FOXTEL website and via the mobile application.

Photo: Stock image.
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Nine 08: 'We Heart TV'

Lots of news surrounding Nine today.

CEO David Gyngell is reported to be drawing a line in the sand following a disastrous handling of Christine Spiteri's employment.

"Gyngell is trying to put an end to all this business of people negotiating their contracts through fear - he's drawing a line in the sand," a source told The Daily Telegraph.

Gyngell reportedly blasted his news boss John Westacott's comments that Spiteri should try her luck at SBS, noting they were "not the f...ing smartest thing he has ever said."

Meanwhile Nine Sydney held "The TV Event of the Year" a launch for its 2008 season on Tuesday night (Melbourne's will follow tonight). The Sydney Morning Herald notes there were more than 40 shows launched with the new slogan for 2008, "We Heart TV." (Amended) Don't we all!

As rumoured earlier, the Nine logo balls are back for 2008 too.

Amongst the new titles were 4 Aussie dramas, "a revamped version of Young Doctors. The others are a crime drama, The Strip, a love and mystery show, Canal Road and Underbelly."

MediaSpy adds a number of other titles including Search & Rescue, Fire 000 and a ten-year reunion of Weddings. The return of RFDS and Sensing Murder, and new series including Monarchy - The Royal Family At Work, The Irwin’s Australia Zoo and the David Attenborough series Life In Cold Blood.

Overseas dramas include Pushing Daisies, Cashmere Mafia, Big Shots, Secret Diary Of A Call Girl and Chuck. In light entertainment is the new game show Power Of Ten (holding Sydney auditions this Saturday), a revamped This Is Your Life, and two new titles, Amnesia and Jingles, from Mark Burnett.

Gyngell added, "Digital marketing is critical to driving program loyalty and extending the on-air brand. A number of shows will have an interactive and engaging web presence. We will also use social networking and mobile to extend the promotion of the shows and drive consumer engagement."

Make it so.

Sources Media Spy, Daily Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald

Read more...

Drover Damage control

It's all coming unstuck for Bridie Carter very quickly.

On Tuesday night after she won the Dancing with the Stars title, she commented to a newspaper that she wouldn't be watching the end of McLeod's Daughters.

She said, "I don't want to mar McLeod's, but not everything was as it appears. I find it strange that not one of the original cast members is left. Perhaps they should have tried harder to keep people. Blue Heelers lasted 11 years and there were people on it for the whole series."

In the same press article, sources were cited that Carter had been "completely up herself" on the Nine drama. TV Tonight opted not to re-print the negativity.

But a day later there's more of it. After printing its story Confidential said it had "received calls from publicists from every TV network she's worked for, plus a writer and crew member linked to the Drover's Run set, all endorsing our story."

Now it's turning into a story for real...

Source: Confidential. Read more...