Throng

What’s this? An accurate - to-the-minute EPG from Nine?

Well - it at appears so. At least for Sydney anyway.

Finally, if the new accurate EPG remains, we can see the 8.30 shows starting at 8.36 and set our recorders and reminders accordingly.

Seven started an accurate EPG in November 2009, but when the ratings year began for 2010 reverted to the EPG not being accurate. Nowadays, their starting times are usually correct to the minute, but do strategically at times not reveal the exact time of some shows. The EPG for 7TWO is also accurate to the minute. All other free to air channels have been doing it for years.

Nine have been the only free to air network to continue not providing an accurate EPG. Now, it seems, they have stepped up to the plate.

The announcement of 7mate means it’s time to update our listing of digital channels and their LCN’s (actual channel numbers on a digital tuner).

Here is the list of digital channels updated as at August 19, 2010. All channels in SD (standard definition), unless other wise stated.

ABC
ABC1 - 2 & 21
ABC2 - 22
ABC3 - 23
ABC News 24 - 24 (HD Channel)
ABC HD channel 20 phased out to make way for ABC News 24 on channel 24.

SBS
SBS ONE - 3 & 31
SBS TWO - 32
SBS ONE HD - 30 (HD Channel, simulcast of SBS ONE)
SBS also transmits channels 33 and 34 which are clones of SBS ONE

Seven
Seven - 7 & 71
7TWO - 72
7mate - 73 (HD Channel from September 25).
7HD channel 70 will be phased out prior to the launch of 7mate
Currently 73 is a clone of Seven, which will become 7mate on Sept 25.

Nine Read more

The biggest drama event of the yearrrr….

See the channel Nine election coverage promo - done only the way channel Nine would!

Not sure if to take it seriously or if they are sending up themselves on this one!!

Bruce Gordon, the owner of WIN Corporation, says that he would be interested in purchasing the Nine Network‘s East Coast stations if the Commonwealth scrapped rules that restrict the audience reach of broadcasters.

Gordon told The Australian Financial Review that he agreed with the Government’s view that the audience reach rules, which prevent any single free-to-air network from owning a licence area that covers more than 75 per cent of the population, were no longer needed, nor appropriate.

WIN currently owns NWS-9 in Adelaide and STW-9 in Perth, having purchased the stations in quick succession in 2007. The reclusive media mogul said that purchasing the Nine Network’s remaining metropolitan stations, currently controlled by PBL Media, could be financially viable for his company.

It may be two years away, but already talk about the London 2012 Olympics is gearing up. The main stadium for the 2012 Olympics in London is near completion already, amid talk of the huge expense to put on the event straining the country’s economy in the recent Global Economic Crisis.

Here is Australia, the next Olympics will be televised on both Nine and Foxtel. Last night (July 28), Nine hosted an event launching advertising packages to an audience of 350 guests in Willoughby.

Nine will go to market with 18 sponsorship packages including four at the highest level estimated to be worth $10 million each.

Nine CEO David Gyngell rallied the Nine staff assembled for the launch, boldly declaring that under his watch, the network is more focussed on News, current affairs, quality Australian drama and great sporting events.

It could just be a matter of time before we see regional TV joined with their capital city counterparts should Labor win the August 21 election.

Both Prime and Southern Cross are likely to be targeted by their capital city affiliates Seven and Ten if the audience reach rule of 75% is scrapped by Communications Minister Senator Conroy.

The 75% rule prevents free to air commercial networks from owning broadcast facilities that allow them to reach more than 75% of the population. Owning networks that reach all five mainland capital cities means that Ten and Seven already are reaching close to 75% of the Australian population meaning they have no room for expansion. In Seven’s case, 7QLD brings the network even closer to the 75%, and without changing the rule, population growth alone could see the network inadvertently pass it’s reach limit.

A bizarre story has emerged from South Africa regarding an alleged tasering involving Channel Nine and Channel Seven staff covering the World Cup.

The dispute happened when the respective crews were covering the Fanatics’ procession to the stadium for the opening Socceroos game against Germany.

It is said that the two crews exchanged verbal threats before bodyguards stepped in to stop the dispute which led to a Nine security member being tasered in the stomach by a Seven counterpart. The taser did not fell the Nine bodyguard but he was left with burns to his stomach.

Anyone noticed all the 7TWO ads on Seven lately? Shows like the new US season of Beauty and the Geek, Knight Rider, the return of Reaper and Packed to the Rafters first season now playing on the channel have been promoted on Seven in the hope of increasing the ratings for 7TWO.

So close is it so far for 2010 between Seven and Nine that just a small change in ratings on either their main channel or digital channels will affect who wins overall.

After last week which featured the Rugby League State of Origin, Nine moved to 0.3% in front of Seven in overall ratings so far this year, after only being ahead by 0.1% previously. Nine has won every ratings week since Easter except one, while Seven won most of the weeks before Easter. The result is that both networks are neck to neck in the 2010 ratings competition - and it could be their digital channels that end up making the difference.

SBS has confirmed that as many as 15 World Cup Soccer matches will be able to be seen in 3D including Australia Vs Germany on June 14.

The 3D soccer matches will be seen on digital channel 40 and replayed on a loop until the next match airs. Digital channel 40 is the same channel that Nine will use for 3D coverage of the three State of Origin Rugby League matches - with the first airing on May 26.

And if you were tossing up whether to buy a 3D TV or not, then Foxtel also have come to the 3D party announcing that they will broadcast the soccer match between the Socceroos and New Zealand on Monday May 24 in 3D on FOX Sports 3D - channel 200.

A review of Media regulations in 2011 could see the removal of audience reach provisions that currently restrict the one broadcaster from reaching any more than 75% of the total population of Australia. Such a change would allow the metropolitan television networks to purchase or even merge with their regional affiliates.

Likely candidates for such a purchase include the Seven Network affiliate Prime Media Group and Network Ten affiliate Southern Cross Media Group - both of which are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

There would be significant cost savings (of around 15-20% of the controllable regional TV cost base) by bringing regional affiliate operation together with metro.

Southern Cross has lobbied for changes to the reach provisions, saying that traditional media companies are likely to become antiquated as digital media takes off in regional areas.

Fox Sports has renewed its Australian broadcast rights for England cricket, covering every international series on English soil until the end of 2013, including the 2013 Ashes Series.

The new arrangement involves a four-year partnership with the Nine Network and incorporates Australia’s next three tours of England, culminating in the Ashes Series in the 2013 English summer.

The Australian Team will visit England for a five-match ODI series in June 2010, and again in 2012 before returning in 2013 to contest the five-test Ashes Series, seven ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.

Under the agreement Fox Sports will share the rights with Nine for each of the Australian tours, while continuing to deliver live and exclusive coverage of England’s home series against all other nations.

Source: Media Week

The network most known for last minute programming changes and crazy schedule re-arrangements is at it again. Yet again, it is the networks’ miserable Tuesday night they are playing with.

Nine have decided to bring forward the final Ladette to Lady episode to next Tuesday November 17, airing after the regular episode at 9.30. That means two hours of Ladette in a row. It also means that Secret Diary of a Call Girl - only recently placed at 10.30 Tuesdays after replacing Moonlight is out of the schedule.

Also airing on Tuesday November 17, is the second Very Best of the Paul Hogan Show Special.

EDDIE MCGUIRE CHANGES ROLE AT NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA

Eddie McGuire, AM, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nine Network Australia today announced that he would move from his Chief Executive role at the Network to an increased presence on air and the provision of creative and programming services.

Mr McGuire said the change in role would take effect from June 30, 2007.

“The Network is well positioned for growth,” said Mr McGuire. “There has been significant restructuring and Nine is on track for an improved profit in 2006/07. The Network will also benefit in 2007/08 from increased investment in local programming and I am confident that the Network is in a strong position.”

Mr McGuire said he had greatly enjoyed the executive role but said: “I am of the view that my best contribution to Nine is in the creative elements of the business and that has prompted this change.”

“I am looking forward to the change in role and to continue working with the executive team at Nine. I have made a commitment for the next 5 years and we have a clear mandate to produce the best local content in Australia.”

Channel 7 looked to be doing well with both Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty on Sunday nights attracting large audiences. However since Easter the ratings for both programmes have dropped and Channel Nine's CSI and 60 Minutes are becoming more and more popular.

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Channel Nine looks to be losing the battle against Seven when it comes to popular TV shows. Shows from the US, which Nine had hoped would become popular, have been axed, some after only a few episodes. Adding to this upset is the fact that it also lost the AFL to Seven.

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