Brad's blog

Despite being the overall highest-rating show this year, Australia’s Got Talent was beaten by Packed To The Rafters and Downton Abbey in the engaged audience stakes.

The two dramas rated higher than the talent series in terms of attracting attentive and engaged audiences throughout the year, according to Roy Morgan Single Source data.

George Pesutto of Roy Morgan Research said: “Serial weekly dramas or comedies… tend to deliver a more engaged audience, whilst reality programs (particularly those that are screened every weeknight, like The Block or MasterChef) are more likely to have a higher proportion of viewers who pay some or not much attention.”

The organisation claims to look beyond the ratings and demographics in order to gauge the actual engagement the viewer has with what they are watching as well as their motivation for watching.

Packed To The Rafters proved the most popular in terms of viewers who “pay a lot of attention” with Downton Abbey close behind.

The study surveyed 18,500 people in total regarding their viewing habits.

Source: B&T.com.au

Angry Boys creator Chris Lilley has vented his frustration at ABC for not submitting the series for the publically-voted section of the Logies.

Lilley took to Facebook to let fans know that Angry Boys would not be up for consideration in the most popular categories.

”Some bad news for Australian fans,” Lilley posted on the show’s Facebook page.

”The ABC have forgotten to submit Angry Boys and Chris Lilley to the Logies for voting consideration for the most popular categories.

”Due to this oversight you will NOT be able to vote in the Silver and Gold categories for the 2011 Logie Awards … Contact the ABC or The Logies if you would like to take this issue further.”

ABC issued a statement that said the omission was “a result of an administrative oversight by ABC TV”.

They said they would be submitting Lilley and the show for the peer-voted “most outstanding” categories in January.

Source: SMH

(From a press release)

BBC Knowledge, a wholly owned BBC Worldwide channel, and GetGlue, a social network for entertainment, have partnered together to enable Australian and Kiwi fans to earn an exclusive sticker for watching their favourite Top Gear programs on Boxing Day. 

To celebrate BBC Knowledge’s Top Gear Day on 26 December, for the first time GetGlue will be offering stickers and rewards in the Australian and New Zealand territories for fans who ‘check-in’ to any Top Gear program throughout the day at http://getglue.com/tv_shows/top_gear.  BBC Knowledge in Australia and BBC Knowledge in New Zealand will show different schedules as part of this promotion.

In Australia, Top Gear Day kicks off at 5:30am on Boxing Day and features back to back episodes from series 15 & 16 with a special Road Trip episode voted by the audience at 12 noon.  In New Zealand, the action kicks off at 5.30am on BBC Knowledge NZ and features episodes from series 11 & 12, showing the winning Roadshow episode at 11.30am and featuring Top Gear specials from 6.30pm.

GetGlue allows fans to ‘check-in’ to say they are watching their favourite TV shows, rate them and share this with their friends across Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.  When fans ‘check-in’ using GetGlue.com or the free GetGlue app during Top Gear Day, they will unlock an exclusive Top Gear sticker available only during the airing of the show. When they have unlocked 20 stickers from GetGlue – across a range of international entertainment services and products – GetGlue will send them a pack of exclusive stickers for free, including Top Gear.

Says Richard Hill, Digital and Communities Manager for BBC Worldwide Australia: “Top Gear is a huge international brand with a very loyal following so GetGlue was an innovative way for us to reward fans for their loyalty, drive viewers to programs throughout the day and have a bit of festive fun.” 

BBC Knowledge and BBC Knowledge NZ are two of BBC Worldwide’s six-strong portfolio of tailored channels for the Australia and New Zealand territories. They aim to take viewers on a fascinating journey of shared discovery and wonder to ignite new ideas and perspectives.

BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial arm, has announced that the global BBC iPlayer App will be available on iPhone and iPod Touch[1] from 8th December, exclusively from the App Store www.bbc.com/iplayer/tv.

Previously exclusive to iPad, this unique Video on Demand pilot subscription service will now offer many more viewers in Australia – as well as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland – the opportunity to delve into an extensive archive of award-winning classic and contemporary British TV programming both at home and on the move. Those who already have a BBC iPlayer subscription on their iPad can use the same subscription to access the content via iPhone or iPod Touch at no extra charge[2].

John Smith, Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide commented: “The global BBC iPlayer has seen great growth since the pilot first launched in Europe in July – both in terms of geographical expansion and technological developments.  Moving to iPhone and iPod Touch allows us to take the service to a significant new potential audience and deliver fantastic programme content from the BBC and the UK’s creative industry.”

“The extension of the BBC Global iPlayer App onto iPhone and iPod Touch is a significant development in our strategy as it will open up the opportunity for a whole new audience to enjoy the best moments from seventy years of brilliant BBC programmes, wherever and whenever they want,” added Jana Bennett, BBC Worldwide President of Worldwide Networks and Global iPlayer. 

“The App is perfect for modern audiences who have incredibly fast paced lifestyles and want to watch their favourite shows when and where they choose, which is increasingly whilst they are on the move. Taking the App to iPhone and iPod Touch was a natural progression following the launch on iPad earlier this year and brings an even greater level of portability and convenience to the service.”

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today visited Rockhampton to celebrate the Digital Switchover across the regional Queensland switchover region.

“This is a great day for households across regional Queensland which will now enjoy the full suite of digital TV channels thanks to the Gillard Government’s Digital Switchover program,” Senator Conroy said.

“Today we switch off analog and switch over to our digital future in regional Queensland.

“It is a future in which television choice is increased for all Australians, as we harness new developments in technology and make better use of our broadcast space.

“I thank the people of regional Queensland who have looked to this future and worked so enthusiastically with us to make it happen.”

At 9:00am today, analog signals across the regional Queensland switchover region were switched off permanently.

Many households in regional Queensland did not have adequate reception of terrestrial digital TV services before switchover.

The Regional Queensland switchover means more than one million households are now converted to digital TV nationally. This marks a significant milestone in Australia’s transition to an era of digital only television.

New investment by the Government and broadcasters means households across Regional Queensland are enjoying the full suite of digital TV channels for the very first time.

“Regional Queensland is the fourth and largest region to switch to digital only TV,” Senator Conroy said.

“The Gillard Government’s investment in equalising TV services for regional and rural Australia includes the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service, which is available for those that cannot receive adequate terrestrial reception.”

The VAST service includes all 16 free-to-air digital channels plus a dedicated regional news channel.

Residents in regional Queensland who have switched to digital TV will have more choice – with 16 TV Channels now available – including ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC24, SBS1, SBS2, SBSHD, ONE, Eleven, Go!, Gem, 7Two, 7mate, WIN, Channel Seven and Southern Cross Ten. Digital TV also provides improved picture and sound quality.

The switch to digital only TV in parts of regional Queensland means that many towns will finally have the same number of channels as is available in city centres.

Support is still available for people who haven’t switched to digital TV or are having reception issues. Visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13 for more information.

(From a press release)

This Boxing Day, the boys are back with more drifting, shifting and throttle for the ultimate big kid’s day in Top Gear Day, only on BBC Knowledge.

Kicking off at 5:30am on Boxing Day, Top Gear Day features back to back episodes from series 15 & 16 with a super special Road Trip episode voted by the audience at 12:00pm.

Voting starts today Monday December 5 on the BBC Knowledge Australia Facebook page, under the WIN tab.

Which Road Trip would you like to re-live with Jeremy, Richard and James? A trio of convertibles in Iceland, supercars in France, coupes in Scotland, Miami to New York in a car valued at less than $1,000 or the search for the best driving roads in Europe. VOTE for your favourite episode and you could win your very own Top Gear Day Party to celebrate the event in style with your mates and your name on the telly.

The winner’s party pack contains all the Top Gear ingredients for an Ultimate Boxing Day for Big Kids – an Xbox 360 4GB Console with Connect and the incredible racing game Forza Motorsport 4 featuring Top Gear, a brand new TV, $1000 supermarket shopping voucher, an inflatable Stig and a bobble head Stig.

If that isn’t incentive enough to get amongst Top Gear Day, be tempted by more mayhem and madness…..

· Jeremy asks why there aren’t more three wheeled cars in the world and takes a closer look at the 1980s comedians’ favourite, the Reliant Robin.

· James attempts to drive a Toyota Hi-lux up an active volcano in Iceland

· Richard and Clarkson welcome in a shiny new Reasonably Priced Car.

· Jeremy, Richard and James attempt to find a trio of cars which are equally at home on the race track as they are at transporting a family to the shops, all for a budget of £5000. They then put them through their paces in Europe’s home of speed: Germany.

· James makes a rare visit to the Top Gear track to test the Porsche 911 Sport Classic and Boxster Spyder

· The three wise men embark on an epic adventure of endurance in the Middle East A grudge match against the Aussies with disciplines including rallying, drifting and double-decker car racing.

· PLUS the Star in a Reasonably Priced car with guests including Rupert Grint, Rubens Barrichello, Boris Becker, Jonathan Ross and Simon Pegg.

Top Gear Day on BBC Knowledge – the ultimate big kid’s day in.

(From a press release)

BBC Worldwide Australia, the BBC’s commercial arm, has announced that the global BBC iPlayer App will be offering users a free piece of festive content every day from midnight on 1st to midnight 25th December, available from the App store, as part of a special Christmas promotion – www.bbc.com/iplayer/tv.

The global BBC iPlayer App is a unique Video on Demand pilot subscription service available on iPad that offers viewers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland the opportunity to delve into an extensive archive of award-winning classic and contemporary British TV programming both at home and on the move.

From midnight tonight in Australia those who download the App for free from the App store can access an episode every day until midnight on Christmas Day (Boxing Day morning) for no charge and without having to sign up to the monthly or annual subscription. The free content includes a festive themed variety of the best of BBC and the best of British creativity, including Christmas specials from iconic shows Only Fools and Horses and Absolutely Fabulous. Additional Christmas offerings include The Nativity and Jamie Oliver’s The Naked Chef – The Christmas Party.

On 1st December at midnight the app will debut with Black Adder’s Christmas Carol.  The complete list of free content in the festive promotion is as follows:

1.     Black Adder’s Christmas Carol

2.     The Borrowers

3.     Maid Marian and her Merry Men: Xmas 1993

4.     Miss Marple – They Do It With Mirrors

5.     Ballamory: Xmas 2003 The Snowflake Fairy

6.     Chef! Xmas 1993

7.     Tikkabilla: Xmas 2004

8.     The Naked Chef: Christmas Party 2001

9.     Dickens: Great Expectations 1999

10.  Jam & Jerusalem: Xmas 2007

11.  Britain’s Royal Weddings

12.  Stig of the Dump

13.  Little Lord Fauntleroy

14.  The Snow Queen

15.  Horrible Histories

16.  Only Fools and Horses 1986 Xmas special

17.  Rick Stein’s Food Heroes: Xmas 2005

18.  Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves Of Fire

19.  All Creatures Great and Small series 2 Merry Gentlemen

20.  Dickens: Bleak House

21.  The Nativity (4 parts)

22.  Legend of Robin Hood

23.  Only Fools and Horses Xmas special 1996

24.  CBeebies Panto 2009

25.  Charlie and Lola Xmas 2006

Matthew Littleford, General Manager for Global iPlayer said: “For those not familiar with the great BBC content available on the App, the festive offering is the perfect way to trial the service and get a good flavour of the quality and breadth of programmes it provides.”

Those who wish to subscribe to the service can do so for a cost of $9.49 a month (or $89.99 for an annual subscription) in Australia. Viewers will be able to sample carefully selected content for free before subscribing.

A subscription to the global BBC iPlayer offers access to iconic British comedies such as Fawlty Towers, Absolutely Fabulous and Only Fools & Horses as well as contemporary sitcoms and sketch shows including Gavin and Stacey and Little Britain. Viewers can also enjoy thrilling new drama series Hustle and Spooks, classic period dramas such as the much-loved and quintessentially British Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth, global motoring phenomenon Top Gear, the Doctor Who archive, stunning natural history programs Life of Birds and Horizon, and the adorable children’s show Charlie & Lola. 

In addition to featuring the best in classic and current British shows, the app offers specially curated collections of programmes that will give audiences an opportunity to explore thousands of hours of fascinating content, like ‘Daleks Forever’, classic dalek moments from 1963 onwards.

Subscribers will also have the the opportunity to access the BBC’s music archive including captivating live shows by Oasis and Robbie Williams at the BBC Electric Proms from 2007 – 2009, Blur – Live at Hyde Park and Dire Straits – Arena.

Designed to be intuitive and easy-to-use, a key feature of the app allows subscribers both to stream and download shows for offline viewing for when Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity is unavailable. 

The global BBC iPlayer App is now available to download for free from the App Store on iPhone at www.bbc.com/iplayer/tv.

Shares:

1  Nine 24.5% (nw 31.0%)
2  Seven 18.2% (nw 27.0%)
3  ABC1 13.2% (nw 17.4%)
4  Ten 11.8% (nw 18.5%)
5  7TWO 5.6%

6 SBS ONE 5.0% (nw 6.2%)
7 ELEVEN 4.1%
8 GO! 3.3%
9 Gem 3.2%
9 7mate 3.2%

11 ONE 2.6%
11 ABC2 2.6%
13 SBS TWO 1.2%
14 ABC News 24 0.9%
15 ABC3 0.7%

Top Rating Shows Of The Day

1 THE BIG BANG THEORY -MON EP2 Network 9 1,324,000 399,000 370,000 291,000 124,000 140,000
2 THE BIG BANG THEORY -MON EP1 Network 9 1,233,000 325,000 351,000 292,000 105,000 160,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Network 7 1,190,000 248,000 328,000 252,000 138,000 224,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Network 7 1,029,000 236,000 272,000 206,000 113,000 203,000
5 NINE NEWS Network 9 1,000,000 313,000 314,000 201,000 72,000 100,000
6 THE MENTALIST Network 9 959,000 301,000 305,000 181,000 80,000 92,000
7 ABC NEWS-EV Network ABC1 901,000 247,000 271,000 129,000 116,000 138,000
8 A CURRENT AFFAIR Network 9 875,000 278,000 313,000 140,000 60,000 84,000
9 THE BIG BANG THEORY -RPT Network 9 870,000 257,000 252,000 176,000 61,000 125,000
10 SCU: SERIOUS CRASH UNIT Network 7 742,000 187,000 228,000 155,000 64,000 109,000
11 DRUG BUST Network 7 735,000 172,000 233,000 153,000 69,000 109,000
12 CSI: MIAMI -MON EP1 Network 9 710,000 215,000 248,000 101,000 73,000 72,000
13 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Network TEN 697,000 182,000 223,000 99,000 59,000 134,000
14 RSPCA ANIMAL RESCUE (R) Network 7 694,000 186,000 197,000 140,000 67,000 105,000
15 7.30-EV Network ABC1 674,000 195,000 205,000 111,000 70,000 93,000
16 WHO’S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY HOUSE?-EV Network ABC1 662,000 183,000 201,000 104,000 49,000 125,000
17 CRIMINAL MINDS-MON (R) Network 7 640,000 201,000 183,000 115,000 46,000 96,000
18 THE PROJECT Network TEN 599,000 123,000 221,000 137,000 67,000 51,000
19 TOUR OF DUTY: AUSTRALIA’S SECRET WAR Network TEN 594,000 141,000 184,000 136,000 57,000 76,000
20 HOT SEAT Network 9 555,000 160,000 154,000 147,000 44,000 50,000

Top Rating Digital Shows Of The Day

1 HEARTBEAT (R) Network 7TWO 382,000 101,000 96,000 85,000 52,000 49,000
2 NEIGHBOURS Network ELEVEN 321,000 69,000 108,000 78,000 35,000 31,000
3 SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Network 7TWO 256,000 67,000 69,000 47,000 43,000 30,000
4 THE BIG BANG THEORY -EV Network GO! 242,000 60,000 72,000 42,000 27,000 41,000
5 KEEPING UP APPEARANCES-WEEKNIGHTS Network 7TWO 239,000 57,000 70,000 62,000 24,000 26,000
6 THE WOTWOTS-AM Network ABC2 202,000 78,000 59,000 38,000 17,000 10,000
7 SUPERNATURAL Network ELEVEN 199,000 58,000 53,000 50,000 30,000 8,000
8 THE HIVE-AM Network ABC2 192,000 68,000 57,000 37,000 18,000 11,000
9 EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND RPT Network ELEVEN 189,000 35,000 46,000 47,000 28,000 33,000
10 ANGELINA BALLERINA: THE NEXT STEPS-PM Network ABC2 187,000 58,000 61,000 28,000 13,000 27,000
11 RAA RAA! THE NOISY LION-PM Network ABC2 186,000 59,000 51,000 32,000 13,000 31,000
12 AMERICAN DAD-MON Network 7mate 185,000 46,000 56,000 33,000 31,000 19,000
13 THE INBETWEENERS -EV Network GO! 179,000 47,000 47,000 36,000 24,000 25,000
14 FRIENDS -EV TX1 Network Gem 177,000 45,000 42,000 29,000 19,000 41,000
15 OLIVIA-AM Network ABC2 175,000 59,000 60,000 31,000 16,000 10,000
16 PLAY SCHOOL-AM Network ABC2 175,000 51,000 66,000 18,000 22,000 18,000
17 FUTURAMA MON EP 2 RPT Network ELEVEN 174,000 34,000 52,000 48,000 25,000 13,000
18 GIGGLE AND HOOT-AM Network ABC2 173,000 64,000 57,000 29,000 16,000 8,000
19 PLAY SCHOOL-PM Network ABC2 167,000 45,000 46,000 27,000 15,000 33,000
20 BANANAS IN PYJAMAS-AM Network ABC2 165,000 71,000 55,000 14,000 21,000 4,000

Top Rating Subscription TV Shows Of The Day

1 QI UKTV 73,000
2 CORONATION STREET UKTV 67,000
3 THE SIMPSONS FOX8 66,000
4 LIVE: INSIDE CRICKET FOX SPORTS 3 66,000
5 EASTENDERS UKTV 63,000
6 PHINEAS AND FERB Disney Channel 62,000
7 FAMILY GUY FOX8 60,000
8 GOSSIP GIRL FOX8 60,000
9 LAW & ORDER: UK TV1 60,000
10 PRISONER 111 HITS 59,000
11 ICARLY Nickelodeon 54,000
12 SONS OF ANARCHY S4 EP2 showcase 53,000
13 SEINFELD TV1 51,000
14 ICARLY Nickelodeon 51,000
15 M*A*S*H FOX Classics 50,000
16 BIG TIME RUSH Nickelodeon 50,000
17 CRICKET: WORLD SERIES CLASSICS FOX SPORTS 3 50,000
18 SEX AND THE CITY 111 HITS 49,000
19 PAIR OF KINGS Disney Channel 49,000
20 LAW & ORDER W 48,000 

Data © OzTAM Pty Limited 2011. The Data may not be reproduced, published or communicated (electronically or in hard copy) without the prior written consent of OzTAM. Program performance and ranking information subject to change when not based on final program logs.

(From a press release)

The award-winning creators of the cult hit Review with Myles Barlow today launched a new online comedy site, Jungleboys.tv (http://jungleboys.tv/) and are holding a sketch comedy competition whereby people can contribute ideas and the winning entry will be produced and screened on the site.

Trent O’Donnell, Phil Lloyd and Executive Producer, Jason Burrows, who also just announced a new comedy series This Christmas for ABC TV, wanted a platform to experiment with new material that doesn’t fit with their current slate of TV work and that is free from network approval.

Jungleboys.tv will launch with an exclusive new sketch show The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting.

“The great thing about online is that we have a direct connection with our viewers and we can upload clips very fast and freely”, says O’Donnell who has also directed The Chaser’s War on Everything, Laid and the upcoming Woodley for ABC TV.

“The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting is a different kind of sketch comedy. We’ve gone for naturalistic and subtle comedic performances compared to zany,” O’Donnell continues.

“We didn’t feel that there was a comedy site suitable for this material, so it’s great to be producing and curating this site, which allows us to experiment with new stuff, but also to showcase other comedy we like,” adds Lloyd, who recently starred in and co-wrote ABC TV’s ‘At Home with Julia’.

With the sketch competition, viewers can submit their written ideas online and the winning entry will be produced by and screened on Jungleboys.tv 

“We feel that there is a lot of undiscovered and really funny talent out there who aren’t in the industry and we’re keen to provide an accessible outlet”, says Burrows.

(From a press release)

Cult TV show SONS OF ANARCHY has partnered with Easyrider, Sydney-based motorbike tour company, to mark the opening of The Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show.

The iconic image of the outlaw motorcycle club, made famous by the hit US TV show was recreated this morning to celebrate the release of SONS OF ANARCHY Season 2 on Blu-ray and DVD, at the most popular expo for the motorbike industry, which expects a record-breaking 30,000 visitors over the weekend.

The use of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in drama series such as SONS OF ANARCHY continues to fuel sales in Australia and the rest of the world. One of the most popular models, the Sportster XL1200X, has increased sales in Australia by over 4000% against last year’s figures*.

In addition, popularity of motorbike ownership has been further sparked by the number of celebrities including, Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, who have owned, or ridden a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Even HRH Prince Harry took to the saddle in Las Vegas this week!

SONS OF ANARCHY, a critically acclaimed, adrenalized drama, is once again the number one rated show on the ONE network*. The series delves into the gritty world of an outlaw motorcycle club and continues to gain momentum worldwide supporting the growing popularity of motorbike ownership and the brotherhood of the MC.

Easyrider, Sydney’s largest motorcycle touring company also use Harley-Davidson motorcycles for their city tours. Established in 1992, Easyrider has seen a rise in interest in motorbike tours in Sydney. Owner Billyoscar says, “People see these tough guys riding around on Harley-Davidson motorbikes in shows such as SONS OF ANARCHY and want to experience the thrill of the ride for themselves! Who wouldn’t want to be like Jax (played by Charlie Hunnam) for an hour! The interest from Sydney-siders and tourists has been huge this year; everyone wants to check out Sydney’s hotspots from the back of a Harley-Davidson.”

The Sydney Motorcycle & Scooter Show at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the place for any motorbike enthusiast to get the most up to date information from over 115 exhibitors, including SONS OF ANARCHY. All the latest motorcycles, motorcycle accessories and services related to the industry will be represented.

SONS OF ANARCHY Season 2 is available now on Blu-ray and DVD and packed full of exclusive special features not seen on TV.