TV Blackbox & McKnight Tonight

SURPRISE! THIS ISN'T THE LAST TV BLACKBOX EPISODE FOR THE YEAR! In fact there's so much news this week we basically just cover all of that and the Golden Globe nominations. Who has time for anything else?! Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • The HEY HEY PODCAST needs your help! • Steve Burling replaces Mark Calvert as EP of THE TODAY SHOW. • The new look NINE kicked off today. • BRENTON RAGLESS to fill Karl's chair this summer (as a test?). • STUDIO 10 EP Lucy De Luca leaves 10 to "spend more time with family". • CHRIS BATH joins the conga line to 10. • Bye bye 10 Boss - hello 10 BOLD. • A new late night news service for SEVEN. • Eddie McGuire announces a new look FOOTY SHOW. • Angie & Yvie, along with Wayne & Tom to leave GOGGLEBOX AUSTRALIA. • JODIE WHITTAKER will remain as The Doctor. • Chris Willis lands at SKY NEWS. • Alan Dale resurrected on NEIGHBOURS?! • Who we want and who will win the 2019 GOLDEN GLOBES. • There's even some time for QUESTIONS. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

It was meant to be an episode focusing on the end of year ratings... and while we do cover that, the biggest story is a bombshell Molk drops during the middle of a news item regarding Sarah Harris. Even Rob had no idea about this one and you can hear a pin drop when Molk reveals his inside information! Plus, our penultimate podcast for the year takes a deep dive on the latest TV industry news sweeping around Australia and unearths some surprises, saucy secrets and a very ranty-thanks-to-end-of-year-ratings Molk. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • 10 ALL ACCESS launches in Australia to an underwhelming groan. • Shaun Menegola lands as Director of SEVEN NEWS MELBOURNE. • Is Georgie Gardner being replaced by Sarah Harris on THE TODAY SHOW?! • AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT got Seven. Again. • New look BONDI VET(s) heading to Nine in 2019. • Peter van Onselen joining 10 as Political Editor. • Molk's ratings mindsplosion - who won what and why it's all wrong! • We discuss the NINE/FAIRFAX merger ahead of the new company starting Monday 10 December. P.S. Here's the Late Show's STILL NUMBER FOUR clip Molk spoke about: https://youtu.be/n42lNEoP5zE TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

It's the last week of the 2018 ratings year, and HOO BABY is there stuff we have to talk about! Shows finishing, people missing, and networks crashing. Plus: letters - we've got letters! Also we finally giveaway the signed 100th episode Studio 10 rundown! Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • ROWAN DEAN threatens legal action against his critics. • FAIRFAX and NETWORK 10 go to court over 10 Boss. • Is WARNIE fibbing over his $2m I'M A CELEBRITY payday? • Nine deliver some surprises at their Perth Upfronts, including THE BLOCK 360. • VOTE FOR US in the Mediaweek Awards! • Molk & Rob dissect SUNDAY'S RATINGS, and what lay ahead in the final week. • Ten's position after WEEK 39 - UPDATE! • SO. MANY. LETTERS.TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

And then there were two... With Dan and Jay in the UK, it's up to Rob and Molk to soldier on... the question is just how long will this episode go with no-one to shut them up‽ Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. In the news section: • ASIC takes media executive Harold Mitchell to court • FOXTEL announces redundancies on the same day they send out xmas party invites • Regional viewers miss out on a new channel • Is The Sunday Project rating ok? We cut through the spin. • No Chaser election special for our ABC • TEN in court over a logo • Is Mark Humphries the saviour of the 7.30 Report? in the programming wrap: • ABC Upfronts • SBS Upfront • Is TEN set to come 4th in the 2018 ratings? PLUS we answer your questions with the best question to win a signed copy of Studio 10's 1000th episode rundown. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Send your tips to: tips@tvblackbox.net Send your questions to: info@tvblackbox.net Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

Ratings, ratings, ratings. It rules everything! This week as we wade through the news even it can't escape the influence of ratings figures (and even some politics). We've got views on the Melbourne Cup, Karl Stefanovic & Pauline Hanson... buckle up. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • Nine not impressed with KARL STEFANOVIC's attempt to rebrand. • Pauline Hanson & chair interviewed on STUDIO 10. • SNL addresses the Dan Crenshaw controversy with aplomb. • The downturn in Australian drama. • 10 BOSS logo forced to change after embarrassing error. • No BRUCE McAVANEY on 10's Melbourne Cup. • Ratings for HOW TO STAY MARRIED and ORANGE THE NEW BROWN. • Will 10 finish FOURTH this ratings year? Molk crunches the numbers. • Dan, Molk & Rob dissect the final FOUR CORNERS for the year, all about the Michelle Guthrie/Justin Milne debacle. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

How do we solve a problem like diminishing free-to-air ratings? (How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?) Apart from Kochie's news, Kelsey Grammer's news, and Foxtel's cricket news, the team have a significant discussion about the Q4 numbers and we ponder if our expectations are too high. Just a normal existential moment for TV BLACKBOX. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • Viewers are outraged that the Cricket ODI's are Foxtel exclusive. • SNL's Pete Davidson drops a joke about a veteran and it doesn't fare well, though his target's response is classy. • Jay reports David Koch signs with SUNRISE for another two years. • REBOOTS: Kelsey Grammar talks FRASIER & Fran Drescher hopes for THE NANNY. • Molk delivers a ratings rundown on Seven, Nine and Ten's Q4 PERFORMANCE. • What did 10's BEVERLEY McGARVEY say to Mediaweek's James Manning that has our collective interest piqued? • Dan asks IS TELEVISION DEAD?TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

It's big, it's bold, and it's completely rebranded. TEN is now 10, and we've got all the details on everything... that we pretty much already knew. ALSO -- Dan has some big news too! Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • APU dumped from THE SIMPSONS? • BEN FORDHAM confirms he's not going to host THE TODAY SHOW. • New reality not cutting it - the ABC has all our attention (well, those that are watching). • Drama & Children's TV is down; online up. • All the news from 10's Upfronts - did we like the new BRANDING? • Welcome 10Boss and 10 Peach. • 10 ALL ACCESS enters the fray. • TV Blackbox exclusive - we broke the story on the PILOT WEEK shows that got picked up! • Our positives on everything out of 10.TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

There's so much happening in TV Land this week that not only do Rob, Dan & Molk talk at length about the Seven Allfronts but we also have time to chat about some of the big news spinning around. It's a double bonus! (P.S. We missed Jay - hurry back soon!) Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • SEVEN claim the ratings year (and pretty much everything else) - with a few notable exceptions. • NBC's Megyn Kelly puts her foot in it and loses her job. • Sam Newman and Shane Warne touted for a weeknight variety show?! • THE PROJECT cops a pasting - is it a News show or an Entertainment show? • Molk dives deep into the content of the SEVEN ALLFRONTS. • Rob opens the mailbag for a special listener question. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

**Check out our new website at https://www.tvblackbox.net. The whole team is back together... and just as well as there's PLENTY to discuss this week with breaking news right at the top of the show. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • An international deal with CBS Studios International for Working Dog's 'Have You Been Paying Attention' • TEN renames its digital channels... but the names have caused some controversy • Kochie's racist joke • Weekend Sunrise pranked... but why has the man behind it been compared to Justin Bieber? • A Twitter war erupts between Today's Karl Stefanovic and Sunrise's Michael Pell • More reboots and cancellations • And why Cate Blanchette is defending straight people P.S. DON'T FORGET we'll drop a special ep this Friday night to discuss all the news from Seven's 2019 Upfronts. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/

TV Christmas has come early, with Nine leading the charge and delivering their 2019 Upfront presentation and Molk was lucky enough to attend and hear it all first hand. In this special episode of TV BLACKBOX Rob, Dan and Molk talk through the releases, the new programs and returning favourites, the controversies, who was and wasn't there, and what this looks like as Nine get to tell their story first. On this special post-upfront episode: • The team react to Nine's overall presentation as Molk reflects on the story they told. • What does Nine's new schedule look like? • Molk interviews Hamish Turner, Nine's Program Director, LIVE TO TAPE at the event. • We discuss the news SEACHANGE is returning, this time on Nine, adding to Nine's drama slate of BAD MOTHERS and DOCTOR DOCTOR. • Solid conversation about the Sports package, how important the tennis is, and where was the AFL FOOTY SHOW? • Who was AND wasn't at the event (and does it mean anything?). • The importance of digital and how 9NOW was at the front of how important everything was in the presentation. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/ Visit our website: https://tvblackbox.net

We're missing Jay however Dan, Rob and Molk still soldier on to deliver you this almost-but-not-nearly-as-good ep of TV BLACKBOX. We still manage to get to the heart of the matter, be it reality TV, the race to the end of the Australian ratings year, or the return of A COUNTRY PRACTICE?! By the way, we also launched the TV Blackbox website too - https://tvblackbox.net ! Come join us! Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • More ABC revelations: Communications Senator Fifield knew Guthrie was going 2 weeks before! • Consternation as THE BACHELORETTE AUSTRALIA launches with the lowest figures ever. • Rob unloads on A CURRENT AFFAIR and their report that chased Nick Cummins to Papua New Guinea (and is it a double standard?). • Fox announces they'll try some new ways of doing ads. • AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR delivers its best season yet for Ten. • Among other things in our Hatches & Dispatches segment we talk A COUNTRY PRACTICE and the endless nostalgia that forces reboots of shows. • Molk talks about Seven, Nine and Ten's run to the end of the ratings year - WHO WILL WIN WHAT?! • Dan guides us through a discussion on the responsibilities of producers when it comes to reality TV contestants and their mental wellness. • Rob shares a story about that time he crashed the link truck. P.S. DON'T FORGET we'll drop a special ep this Thursday to discuss all the news from Nine's 2019 Upfronts Wednesday night! TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/

Spring is in the air here, and Fall TV lands with a delightful thud in the US. TV Blackbox is back to discuss everything going on over here - and there's lots - as well as some of the big new US shows we're gonna be scoring sooner or later. But the biggest shock of all comes right at the end of the episode with inside news about Doctor Who that literally brings the podcast to a sudden end! Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • Nick Cummins - THE BACHELOR AUSTRALIA -breaks hearts except those of Ten PR. • The NRL FOOTY SHOW is dumped - what of its AFL brother? • ABC controversy - MD Michelle Guthrie dumped and Board Chair Justin Milne resigns. • WARNIE paid $2m (plus conditions!) for his I'M A CELEBRITY jungle stint. • Jay talks about Tim Worner's feelings regarding sport and FTA TV. • What of rumours of a complete Network Ten rebrand? • AUSTRALIAN NINJA WARRIOR evicted; moves to Melbourne. • Rob lines up this week's hatches and dispatches - special mentions include MARK HUMPHRIES and QUENTIN KENIHAN. • Rob wins our first round of "closest to the ratings" and doesn't do much of a victory lap - WORKING CLASS BOY. • Dan lays out ALL TOGETHER NOW vs GAME OF GAMES. • SEVEN NEWS BRISBANE wins the ratings year (and this signals the start of all the other press releases). • KOCHIE talks up SUNRISE as THE TODAY SHOW crashes again. • How the Fall Schedule rated in the US, and what that might look like for us - GOD FRIENDED ME, NEW AMSTERDAM, MURPHY BROWN, THE GOOD PLACE and MANIFEST. • The panel's first reactions to Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor in season eleven of DOCTOR WHO. TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/

Molk picked a very bad day to be away from the TV Blackbox recording studio. It was a day when managing Director of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie, was unceremoniously sacked, Karl Stefanovic was saved and a Sunrise producer attacked our little podcast. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. In this episode: • The industry reacts to the surprising news of Michelle Guthrie's sacking (including some high profile people at the ABC who tweeted their pleasure) • Just when it looked like Karl Stefanovic and E.P. Mark Calvert from the TODAY show would be shown the door, the boss at Nine shows his support... but with a warning • A Sunrise producer attacks TV Blackbox over our story about Justin Bieber • We break down the Sam Newman 'resignation' where he didn't really resign at all • Ten set's tongues wagging with a new website domain, just what does it all mean? • Seven wins another week even though their main channel has fallen apart • It's Sunday Bloody Sunday for ten... battered and bruised after getting a shocking 5.8% share for the main channel on Sunday night • Drama writer Bevan Lee say you don't have a right to complain about his shows • Today Tonight in Adelaide sets a new record • And can we enjoy classic TV shows in the #metoo era? TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/

BREAKING: Rob's case settled. Honestly, it was all we could talk about for the first five minutes, so use that skip button liberally if, unlike the rest of us, you are desperately interested in the finer details he is allowed to share. After that, there's the Emmys, more CBS drama for Team Moonves, Bert & Ernie AND even more ratings conversation/argument/chat. Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • Rob announces he's done a deal with TEN. • Julie Chen Moonves resigns from CBS's THE TALK. • US 60 MINUTES EP booted after text-bullying scandal. • Jay talks about pay parity when it comes to QI - 40% difference! • Solid Sesame Street chat re: Bert & Ernie's relationship status. • Molk shares the ratings woes of Seven, Nine AND Ten. • THE EMMYS: The hits, the misses and that proposal. • Dan leads us through a chat on the top 20 scripted shows in OzTAM history. • Memories of that time Bieber came to Sunrise TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/

The numbers are in - TV Blackbox episode five is by far the most recent episode available. At the all-new time of right now we cover off the latest big-name scalp of #MeToo, talk about a raft of new show announcements and cast our eye across Ten's new programming strategy of just saying "yes". Each week a washed-up TV Producer (Rob McKnight), a TV writer and executive (Dan Bennett), an EMMY award winner (Jay Cagatay) & TV enthusiast and commentator (Steve Molk) take you behind the scenes, wade through the pr spin and launch into the reality that is the Australian television business. On this episode: • CBS announce Chairman Les Moonves is out effective immediately. • Grant & Chezzi Denyer sack their manager (now they're back on top). • Jay asks if CBS really did decide Ten's newsreaders need additional voice training. • We're about to get a new OTT streamer - Ten All Access. • Sam Newman and Harvey Silver face off over a car space. • Rob & Jay talk about News Corp's EMMYS Red Carpet plans. • Seven boldly lines up a new sketch comedy program ORANGE IS THE NEW BROWN. • PARTY OF FIVE gets renewed for some reason. • New shows announced: • TOMORROW TONIGHT - Charlie Pickering & Annabel Crabb (ABC). • SUNDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY - Julia Morris & Dr Chris Brown (Ten). • DANCING WITH THE STARS - Grant Denyer & Amanda Keller (Ten). • The final series of HOUSE OF CARDS sans Kevin Spacey. • We take a much closer look at Ten's new programs with Dan and wonder aloud if they are on the right track. • It's a special mailbag segment as Jay asks Rob to reveal who were the WORST guests he had in his time on STUDIO 10! TV BlackBox is your weekly source of inside information across all facets of the Australian TV industry. Follow the @tv_blackbox crew: @Rob_McKnight @DanMBennett @jayktweets @SteveMolk Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TVBlackbox/