Welcome back to INSIDE MEDIA, where we bring you the inside story on media news, with plenty of views, every Monday and Thursday.
GOODBYE TO YOUR FAVOURITE SHOWS
The launch of a new streaming service could spell disaster for FOXTEL… and viewers.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
HBO is one of the most recognised content brands around the world.
Over the years, the American cable channel has produced shows like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and many more award-winning hits.
For years FOXTEL has held the Australian rights to that content but all that is set to change next year with Warner Bros. announcing they are bringing the MAX streaming service to Australia by mid-2025.
According to TV Blackbox: ”In March 2023, the Foxtel Group secured a broad rights agreement, which provided 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 range of channels distributed on Foxtel’s platforms, such as Discovery, Animal Planet, CNN International, and Cartoon Network.”
It’s understood FOXTEL’s licensing agreement expires next year, around the same time of the expected launch.
It means consumers will either have to fork out for another streaming service to access the content (we have around 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, BBC, Nickelodeon, FX, MTV, E!, and BeIN Sports.
The loss of that programming is a huge blow and means FOXTEL will be relying on live sport more than ever to drive subscription numbers.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Recently, the Federal government made a bizarre decision regarding the digital rights for sport in this country.
Despite research showing less than one in three Australians are watching TV through an aerial, laws have passed through the Senate that fail to ensure major sporting events remain free for those watching online.
Essentially, free-to-air broadcasters will still be protected for the traditional broadcast signal through the anti-siphoning laws.
Those laws protect sporting events of significance from becoming pay-per-view events.
The problem is the new legislation fails to protect online users as it will allow streaming services able to outbid commercial broadcasters for the online rights.
That means you will have to pay up if you don’t watch TV through an aerial.
All fingers are pointing to Anthony Albanese, who many feel is protecting Foxtel and its sporting streaming service – KAYO.
There’s a feeling in the Canberra press gallery that Albo and his team are terrified of negative headlines in News Corp publications (the majority owner of Foxtel). The theory goes that by keeping News Corp happy in regards to online sporting rights, the PM might get an easier ride.
That’s not a good outcome for consumers who could end up paying subscription fees to watch their favourite sports.
ALBO V THE MEDIA
And the PM needs all the friends he can get in the media if his recent interactions are anything to go by.
His comment at a press conference this week pretty much sums up his antagonism towards the industry.
When asked about the ABC adding sound effects of five extra bullets to a story about Heston Russell, the PM said: “If I was to answer questions about standards in media organisations I’d be here for some time.”
Ouch.
It’s possible his attitude to the media might be related to his falling polling numbers and the Canberra press gallery pushing him on a number of issues.
On Monday, The Australian reported primary support for Labor has dipped to the party’s equal lowest levels since the 2022 election.
The Coalition is sitting on 38 per cent (steady) compared to Labor on 31 per cent (down 1 per cent) in the primary vote.
Those numbers seem to be making Albo a little testy and he’s firing up against any journalist who dares ask him a question he doesn’t like.
Last month, the PM became visibly angry with 7NEWS reporter Taylor Aiken when asked a question about Bruce Lehrmann.
So much so he physically pushed her microphone away.
Then there was this exchange with ABC radio host Patricia Karvelas.
KARVELAS: “So, just to get some absolute clarity, Prime Minister. As we go in, you know – some time away – but into an election period, are you saying negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions are absolutely off the table for you?”
PRIME MINISTER: “Well, they’re tax policies.”
KARVELAS: “Yeah, but are those tax policies completely off the table for you?”
PRIME MINISTER: “Well, Patricia, I don’t answer those sort of questions in the way that –”
KARVELAS: “You mean good ones?”
PRIME MINISTER: “Well, they’re not good.”
KARVELAS: “It’s a good question! Are you going to say no to those, or not?”
PRIME MINISTER: “They’re not clever. They’re things that journalists – the next question is, when will the election be?”
KARVELAS: “That’s not my next question.”
PRIME MINISTER: “Yeah, well, they’re not terribly clever questions. You ask all of that. We’re interested in the tax policy that we are implementing, not the ones that we’re not. And we have been very clear about that.”
KARVELAS: “So, you’re not interested in those ideas?”
It would seem the PM and his team are taking on a siege mentality where the media is seen as the enemy. That’s never a sign of confidence.
SECRET ‘FRIENDS’ FOOTAGE
One of the greatest sitcoms of all time launched 30 years ago in the US this week.
Even if you’re not a fan, there’s no denying the impact Friends has had on our culture… and it’s still a ratings juggernaut today on streaming services and pay TV.
But the show was originally filmed in the days when TVs had an aspect ratio of 4:3.
Today our widescreen LEDs use the 16:9 ratio. In the transfer from the old format to the new, wider format, eagle-eyed viewers have been able to spot some funny Easter Eggs.
What am I talking about? Let me explain.
In the days before digital, sitcoms were filmed and not record on tape.
The film print was bigger (and wider) than what was required for the 4:3 frame, so the original negative would contain offshoot which would never go to air. During the transfer process, that extra material would be framed out.
When we transitioned to 16:9, Hollywood studios made the decision to re-master these sitcoms from the original print.
That means there’s more information in the frame than was originally intended and has led to mistakes being included in the digital version.
Take a look at this shot from the very first scene ever shown. It looks normal enough.
But the same shot becomes problematic when reformatted to 16:9 because now we can actually see the edge of the set on the left hand side of the screen. That was never meant to be seen.
Another example shows a large hole in Joey’s apartment to allow a camera to film.
Again, this was not seen in the original 4:3 framing.
It’s a fun game to play if you’re planning a rewatch.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR JOURNOS
For those in the media wanting to attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival this year, you’ll need to note Wrights Communications will continue to be the point of contact for the next few years.
They’ve just won an extension with the Victoria Racing Club through to 2026.
Have fun in the birdcage!
Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TV Blackbox.
Inside Media will return on Monday.
