According to The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Cricket Superstar’ plans to unearth an up-and-coming cricket star. The winner will receive rookie contract with Cricket Australia for the 2012-13 season.

The reality series, hosted by Fox Sports Presenter Lee Furlong (pictured), features Allan Border as a judge and Graham Manou as a mentor.

The series will be filmed over six weeks in Brisbane.

‘Cricket Superstar’ premieres in December on Fox8.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Starting in 2012, every AFL game will be broadcast live under the new TV and internet rights deal.

Seven has scored the rights to the four premium matches each week on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and night and Sunday afternoon.In regards to Friday night AFL on Seven, Victoria/ Tasmania will now be live, 30 minute delay in SA and delay in WA. In NSW/ Qld/ ACT games will played live on 7mate. This leaves question marks regrading ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ on Friday nights.  Seven will also have the Finals, the Brownlow Medal and the Grand Final.

All games will be shown live on pay TV provider Foxtel, with all matches also available live on mobile phones through Telstra.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the AFL would earn $1.253 billion from the 2012-16 deal in comparison to the 2007-11 deal which was worth $780 million.

Demetriou said “This agreement for the next five years is an important result for the supporters who love and own our game, our clubs, our players, our state and territory bodies, our volunteers and participants at every level.”

Kerry Stokes said “I’m proud that the renewal of the AFL on the Seven Network is the first major undertaking of Seven West Media Limited.”

From 2012, there will be nine games per round with 18 teams competing following the inclusion of Greater Western Sydney.

Source: Seven Network

The Sydney Moring Herald is reporting that talks are “well under way” between Foxtel and the American talk-show queen.

The new channel, which launched in the US on January 1^st, is a joint venture between Winfrey’s company Harpo and Discovery Communications.

Winfrey plans to soon launch the channel internationally to as many countries as possible.

‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ airs weekdays 1pm on Network Ten.

Source: SMH

The new FOXTEL Channels Group.

MEDIA RELEASE — FOXTEL announced an exciting new direction for its newly named FOXTEL CHANNELS GROUP including a strengthened and focused commitment to home-grown programming and a continued investment in exclusive international programming acquisitions.

The FOXTEL CHANNELS GROUP includes many of the most-watched channels on the platform including FOX8, Arena, W, THE COMEDY CHANNEL, FOX Classics, Bio, Crime & Investigation Network, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, 111 HITS, MAIN EVENT and FOXTEL Box Office.

Over the next year, FOXTEL will significantly increase the amount of local programming produced by these channels across a range of genres such as entertainment, reality, factual and comedy.

In making the announcement, FOXTEL Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, said, “Traditionally we have invested heavily in local productions, but in the 2010/11 season the new look FOXTEL CHANNELS GROUP will be committing to even more exclusive and first-run Australian programming across a broad range including FOX8’s Got To Dance Australia, THE COMEDY CHANNEL’s Balls of Steel and CI Network’s Kalgoorlie Cops.”

“In addition to the new drama series Spirited starring Claudia Karvan premiering on W next week, FOXTEL is thrilled to announce a third season of Arena’s viewer favourite, Project Runway Australia. In just two seasons, Runway has become a powerhouse brand for FOXTEL and has resonated strongly with both audiences and advertisers.”

“I am also pleased to announce a seventh season of our longest running and most-watched series, Australia’s Next Top Model to air mid 2011, as well as a co-production with SKY New Zealand of a Trans-Tasman series of The Contender, which will premiere on FOX8 in early 2011.

“Additionally, we have made a significant investment into international acquisitions and our landmark deal with 20th Century Fox continues with an exciting line-up of new series, perfect for FOXTEL. With Ride Along, The Glades, The Gates and Terra Nova we have international first-run product covered.”

New local productions for 2010/11 include:
Got To Dance Australia will premiere exclusively on FOX8 in late 2011. Got To Dance will showcase Australian dance acts of all ages, styles and sizes as they compete for an ultimate cash prize. Australian dance superstar, Adam Garcia is in discussions with FOXTEL to appear as a judge on the series. Produced by Shine Australia.

SLiDE is a sassy, cheeky multiplatform drama designed specifically for FOX8 that follows the unpredictable exploits of a group of teenagers as they prepare to face life after school. SLiDE utilises multiple entertainment platforms and features a unique online experience. The 10-part drama series will commence production in Brisbane in late 2010 and will be produced by Playmaker Media.

Dating in the Dark Australia is based on the US and UK hit versions and will premiere exclusively on FOX8 in December 2010. Produced by Shine Australia, the show brings a new spin to television dating as the contestants conduct their dates in the dark, and as a result never see each other. Once the dating is over, the participants are revealed so they can decide whether to continue in a relationship.

Cricket Superstar is an elimination reality competition format based on the successful FOOTBALL SUPERSTAR franchise. Cameras will follow the journey of Australia’s most talented young cricketers as the boys are culled through an intense elimination process before the last man standing is crowned Cricket Superstar. Cricket Superstar will be produced by North One and will exclusively premiere on FOX8 in 2011 and will be co-hosted by Lee Furlong.

Balls of Steel is a new local comedy which will air exclusively on THE COMEDY CHANNEL in early 2011. BALLS OF STEEL is a show where a range of comedians and comedy characters do a variety of stupid, dangerous and highly ill-advised stunts in order to impress the voting studio audience and claim the title of having the biggest “Balls of Steel” that week. The program will be produced by Southern Star Entertainment.

The Statesmen of Comedy is the comeback of Trevor Marmalade to mainstream Australian television, and with him he brings the best of the best of Melbourne’s comedy community. The half-hour show is segment based and will premiere on THE COMEDY CHANNEL in 2011 and is produced by McGuire Media.

Kalgoorlie Cops will air in February 2011 on Crime & Investigation Network. There’s never a dull moment for Kalgoorlie’s cops as they try to control the legendary frontier town that is rife with money, murder, miners, hookers, gold-theft, crooks and outlaw bikers as well as plain old-fashioned Friday night punch-ups. This documentary series will be produced by Eyeworks Australia.

Tony Robinson Digs Australia is an exclusive world premiere for THE HISTORY CHANNEL in May 2011. This documentary series is hosted by Tony Robinson (Worst Jobs in History, Time Team and Blackadder), and looks at the impression the British have left on Australia to reveal the astonishing quirks of history on our island continent. Produced by WTFN Entertainment & West Park Pictures.

The People Speak – Australia is an Australian version of the landmark US television event produced by actors Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. The one-off special has been commissioned exclusively for THE HISTORY CHANNEL in late 2011. In front of a live audience the greatest speeches of ordinary people that changed the course of history are delivered by accomplished actors and personalities.

Network Ten and FOXTEL share an overall output deal with 20th Century Fox Television.

20th Century Fox Television’s 2009 production slate proved to be quite popular in Australia, with ‘Glee’ and ‘Modern Family’ both becoming major hits for Network Ten.

Ten and FOXTEL have now reached agreements over the studios upcoming production slate for the 2010 US fall television season.

The free-to-air broadcaster and pay-TV provider will split the first-run broadcast rights for programs acquired through their shared output deal with the studio.

Ten will pick up 2 comedies from the deal — ‘Raising Hope’ and ‘Mixed Signals’.

‘Raising Hope’, from ‘My Name is Earl’ creator Greg Garcia, follows the Chance family as they find themselves adding an unexpected new member to household, was

‘Mixed Signals’ chronicles three longtime friends and their attempts to balance their relationships with their need for freedom.

“We chose the two sitcoms because A, they were just hilarious and B, we knew we had three very good dramas coming out of CBS,” said Ten’s chief programming officer David Mott.

Ten’s CBS deal gave them a first look at the highly anticipated ‘Hawaii 5-0′ remake — which stars Australia’s Alex O’Loughlin — and fellow dramas ‘Blue Bloods’ and ‘The Defenders’.

The network have also picked up Fox’s Texas-set drama ‘Lone Star’, which stars Jon Voight. The pilot was directed by Marc Webb (‘(500) Days of Summer’).

Meanwhile, FOXTEL’s owned and operated channels will have first-run rights to a number of dramas including: the new police drama ‘The Glades’, which stars Australia’s Matt Passmore (‘Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities’).

FOXTEL also acquired ‘Ride-Along’, from Shawn Ryan creator of ’The Shield’ and ‘The Unit’. The the hard hitting crime drama stars another Aussie Jason Clarke and co-stars Jennifer Beals.

Their other drama pick up us the supernatural series ‘The Gates’.

The remainder of Fox’s upcoming slate will go to Ten, with one exception — Steven Spielberg’s big-budget dinosaur drama ‘Terra Nova’ — which is yet to be decided on.

The sci-fi series, which follows a family that time-travels back to the prehistoric age, is expected to film in Australia, though production has not yet commenced.

Source: The Australian, Network Ten

No drama at pay TV awards

By Michael Bodey

THE pay-TV industry left the drama to experts as it handed out its annual kudos at a relatively subdued ASTRA Awards ceremony last night.

After last year’s gauche and camp ceremony left some members of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association red-faced, the industry’s main man covering the ALP leadership spill, Sky News reporter David Speers, was called in to preside over a more restrained celebration at Sydney’s State Theatre.

The coveted channel-of-the-year prize, selected from more than 110 broadcast on Foxtel (part-owned by News Limited, publisher of The Australian), Austar and Optus subscription TV platforms, was xyz network’s The Lifestyle Channel.

The channel has had a bumper year, with imported hits including Grand Designs, and new local programs riding the property boom. The channel also nabbed two popular prizes and two industry prizes. Selling Houses Australia and its host, Andrew Winter, were named most outstanding lifestyle program and most outstanding presenter, beating among others Sarah Murdoch and Brendon Julian. Winter and his program also won the publicly voted prizes in those categories.

In acting awards, Ben Mendelsohn was a worthy winner of the most outstanding male performance in the Showcase drama Tangle, while his co-star, Justine Clarke, was named best female actress. Satisfaction’s New Zealand import, Camille Keenan, was named best new talent as the high-end drama network, Showcase, picked up three awards. UKTV’s Australian-British co-production, False Witness, was named outstanding drama beating Tangle and :30 Seconds.

In other major awards, Speers watched as his colleague Kieran Gilbert was awarded the most outstanding performance by a broadcast journalist.

The Sound Relief concert on Channel V and Max was most outstanding music program and FOX8′s Australia’s Next Top Model was named most outstanding light entertainment program, which it also won in 2007.

And the humble The Weather Channel won in two “events”, most outstanding news program or coverage and most outstanding documentary.

Among guests at the awards were Miranda Otto, Gia Carides, Anthony Callea, Matt Day, Matt Shirvington, Alex Perry, Dora The Explorer and ASTRA chairman John Bracks.

Source: The Australian

Telstra will retain its 50 percent stake in FOXTEL, where it's "business as usual".

FOXTEL’s 1.6 million householder subscribers will continue to receive service over the Telstra cable network, after fears of seeing the service divested under the government’s national broadband network shake up.

The government’s new deal with Telstra will see the telco migrate its entire copper and cable telephone and broadband service over to the new $43bn national broadband network, leaving FOXTEL with continued use of the existing network infrastructure.

In addition, the telco will retain its 50 percent stake in FOXTEL, which is shares with News Corporation and Consolidated Media Holdings — both of which are keen to expand their pay-TV market.

Currently, FOXTEL pays an arm’s-length rate to access Telstra’s cable network — one of the benefits of having a 50 percent stake owned by a telco. However, with the infrastructure set to be switched off at some point in the future, FOXTEL could eventually move to the faster NBN.

“FOXTEL would probably want to be in the NBN anyway because in 10 years’ time the network will reach every home, rather than 2.5 million households in the major cities,” said one analyst.

It’s “business as usual” for FOXTEL, but “in the long term, FOX could be a bigger business.”

Source: The Australian

The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games commence October 3.

According the The Sunday Telegraph, Geoff Huegill, Leisel Jones, Matthew Mitcham and Steve Hooker have signed as ambassadors for FOXTEL’s upcoming coverage of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli.

The sports stars will be heavily involved in a marketing and promotional campaign, which is aimed at selling subscription television packages for the pay-TV providers games coverage.

FOXTEL, who share the official broadcast rights to the 2010 Commonwealth Games with Network Ten, will screen the games over 12 dedicated 24/7 sports channels (6 SD and 6 HD), in addition to exclusive online and mobile distribution platforms.

FOXTEL will also provide enhanced games coverage through constantly updating statistics and information via the pay-TV providers interactive services.

Pricing is yet to be announced for these services.

The Dehli 2010 Commonwealth Games will run from October 3-14 this year.

Source: The Sunday Telegraph via TV Tonight

Dora the Explorer 10th Anniversary Special, “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure”
Premieres Saturday, August 21 at 5pm on Nick Jr.

August 2010 marks ten years since Dora the Explorer first appeared on television screens in the U.S., calling out “Hola!” to pre‐schoolers. Along with her best bud, Boots the monkey, she has invited little ones to explore the big wide world with her, work interactively to solve problems, and even learn a little Spanish along the way. Hugely popular to phenomenon status, Dora has been watched and loved in Australia for seven years, and is now heard in 30 different languages spanning more than 151 markets across the globe!

Nickelodeon Australia kicked off Dora’s 10th Anniversary celebrations in March this year with a campaign called “Explorers Wanted”, featuring a Dora Passport, (www.nickjr.com.au/dorapassport).

A national live stage show, “Dora the Explorer: Search for the City of Lost Toys”, also launched in March and has been delighting preschoolers all around the country. And now, for her birthday month in August, “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” is a very special 10th Anniversary movie‐length episode premiering on Nick Jr. on Saturday August 21 at 5pm. It will feature adorable cameos from characters seen throughout the series, who all come together to help Dora celebrate her big day. The special is the final episode of the Magic Storybook Trilogy and a nod to The Wizard of Oz, as Dora and Boots need to get home for Dora’s birthday party with all her family and friends. There’s no place like home!

Preschoolers will love helping Dora and Boots work their way back, step by step, for th

Another way little ones can celebrate all things Dora is by playing “Dora’s Great Big World” online game, launching in August on www.Nickjr.com.au. Preschoolers will be able to explore Dora’s rich and colourful world, with magical lands featured in special episodes such as the beautiful Crystal Kingdom (Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom premieres Saturday July 3 at 5pm on Nic Jr.). Different lands in Dora’s Great Big World will be revealed in stages, continuing throughout Dora’s 10th Anniversary.

A range of Dora Birthday apparel (exclusive to Kmart) will also launch in Australia in August to mark the 10th Anniversary.

10 A‐Dorable Fun Facts:

1. Dora was the first Nickelodeon preschool character to appear online and the first animated Latina in a lead role on television.
2. The inspiration for the name Dora Marquez was exploradora, the Spanish feminine word for explorer, and the acclaimed writer Gabriel García Márquez.
3. 14‐year‐old Caitlin Sanchez has been the voice of Dora since September 2008. Kathleen Herles was the original voice of Dora from 2000 ‐ 2008.
4. Dora the Explorer has been honoured with awards including the Peabody, NAACP, ALMA, Imagen, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, Parents’ Choice Award, the Television Critics Association award and 15 Daytime Emmy nominations.
5. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt helped prepare their older children for the birth of their twins by showing them an episode of Dora the Explorer where Dora’s mom has twins. (Source: People Magazine, Aug. 18, 2008)
6. Every episode of Dora the Explorer is screened by at least 75 preschoolers before it airs on TV. A different group of preschoolers is used for each round of testing.
7. Approximately 300 people work on Dora the Explorer and it takes over a year to produce a single episode of the show.
8. Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo, Cheech Marin, Hector Elizondo, Chita Rivera, Esai Morales, Paul Rodriguez, Richard Kind, Susie Essman, Ricardo Montalban and Howie Dorough have guest‐starred on episodes of Dora the Explorer.
9. Dora the Explorer is the number one preschool property in Australia after only 6 years.
10. Since its on‐air launch on Aug. 14, 2000, Dora the Explorer has emerged as a global phenomenon and ranks among the top‐rated shows in nearly every major market in the world.

ABOUT DORA THE EXPLORER
Dora the Explorer, created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, is a play‐along, animated adventure series starring Dora (voiced by Caitlin Sanchez). Dora is a seven‐year‐old Latina heroine whose adventures take place in an imaginative, tropical world filled with jungles, beaches and rainforests. With her pet monkey Boots, she explores the world around her and asks viewers for their help to solve problems. The show is designed to actively engage its audience in an interactive quest using a variety of tested learning techniques.

FOXTEL and Microsoft today announced a new partnership offering Australians a brand new way of receiving FOXTEL – over the internet and direct to television sets through Xbox 360’s online service Xbox LIVE.

FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE will allow Xbox 360 owners in Australia to access FOXTEL channels including FOX Sports, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV, and other leading channels via their Xbox 360 entertainment console.

FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE will also provide a wide range of Video-on-Demand (VoD) services, including television series and movies. When the ground-breaking service launches later this year it will enable Australians, for the first time, to access FOXTEL without the need for a FOXTEL set-top-box.

FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE will be accessible in FOXTEL areas across Australia to all homes with a broadband internet connection. All you need is an Xbox 360, an Xbox Gold subscription and a FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE subscription.

The agreement brings together two of Australia’s most recognised and respected brands combining each company’s profound entertainment and consumer offerings. FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE provides Australians a new way of enjoying FOXTEL, and cements Xbox 360 as one of this country’s leading innovative social entertainment platforms. Xbox LIVE connects more than 23 million people across 26 countries to an ever-expanding world of games, movies, TV, music, sport and social entertainment.

FOXTEL Chief Executive and Managing Director, Kim Williams AM said, “This is a very exciting new frontier. FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE will provide our 1.6 million subscribing households, as well as new customers, a transformative way of receiving and enjoying FOXTEL over the internet. We will offer FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE with various packages and prices and under flexible agreements. It is an exciting new way of exploring FOXTEL’s universe of content for a new generation of customers.”
David McLean, Head of Entertainment and Devices, Microsoft Australia said, “The strategic partnership with FOXTEL builds on our great range of entertainment offerings. We are proud of the new interactive entertainment experiences we continue to deliver to our customers and have no doubt that 2010 will be an exciting year for Xbox.”

“As we approach one million Xbox 360’s sold in Australia, we are looking forward to our customers having the opportunity to receive FOXTEL by Xbox LIVE. Last year alone, Australians spent more than 106 million hours on Xbox LIVE including gaming and social networking. With this FOXTEL partnership, there are more reasons than ever to connect your Xbox 360 to our online service,” said McLean.

Kim Williams added, “This significant partnership is true to our heritage of investing and innovating for customers who embrace new technology and content developments. With at least 30 live channels and a wide suite of Video on Demand services, delivered over the internet via Xbox LIVE, no other television service comes close to this revolutionary new IP offering, so that once again FOXTEL is at the fore-front – a natural home for us.”

The agreement between Microsoft and FOXTEL is one of the first of its type in the world, joining partnerships between Microsoft and BSkyB in the UK and Microsoft and CANAL+ in France.
Microsoft and FOXTEL are working together to launch the FOXTEL service on Xbox LIVE towards the end of the calendar year. Packages and prices, the full channel line-up, and further product details will be released publicly closer to the service launch.

About FOXTEL

FOXTEL is Australia’s leading subscription television provider and is connected to almost 1.63 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL strives to ensure subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 200 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%). http://www.foxtel.com.au

About Xbox 360

The powerful Xbox 360 video game and entertainment experience delivers amazing games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online social network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 now boasts a catalogue of over 500 high-definition games and has sold more than 40 million consoles worldwide. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.au.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE is the online entertainment service for your Xbox 360, connecting you to an ever-expanding world of games, movies, TV, music, sports and social entertainment. With an active community of more than 23 million people across 26 countries, Xbox LIVE lets you play games, and share the fun with friends around the world. More information about Xbox LIVE can be found online at http://www.xbox.com.au.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 logo, and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

FOX SPORTS 3D launches May 24 on channel 200.

Channel Nine will have to settle for the title of Australia’s first “free-to-air” 3D broadcast, with the announcement that Foxtel will screen the Socceroos match against New Zealand in 3D on May 24 — two days before Nine’s first 3D State of Origin match on May 26.

The friendly game, which is the Australia’s finale home game before departing for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, will be broadcast on a new channel called FOX SPORTS 3D for Foxtel iQ2 and Austar MyStarHD subscribers with 3D capable televisions.

“FOX SPORTS is proud to be making history by delivering a sporting first to viewers around Australia,” said FOX SPORTS chief executive David Malone. “This exclusive Socceroos 3D experience takes television to an exciting new level for all sports fans.”

“While the technology is still new and constantly developing, this is the way of the future and we’re delighted to be presenting this landmark 3D television event in an Australian first.”

“As Australia gets behind the Socceroos on their way to the World Cup, fans around the country will now be able to experience the final home game in a revolutionary way.”

FOX SPORTS will have exclusive coverage of the Socceroos’ farewell match against New Zealand, beginning 6.30pm Monday, May 24 (EST) on FOX SPORTS 3D (Channel 200), FOX SPORTS 3 (Channel 503) and FOX SPORTS 3HD (Channel 205).

Source: FOX SPORTS

Despite their woes in the court room, iiNet are still moving ahead with their plans to launch IPTV services next month.

The ISP has already started trialling the internet television service with a group of its own staff.

iiNet are set to compete with a number of other companies due to launch similar services, including FOXTEL, Internode and Telstra.

iiNet chief executive Michael Malone said the service will launch commercially “towards the end of the month,” with a small group of internet savvy users. A more aggressive advertising push will take place next quarter.

The reason for the slow sign up period is because unlike the company’s last service/device — the integrated BoB router and telephone device — IPTV is still quite new in Australia.

“BoB — was fundamentally taking a lot of existing elements that were already pretty well tested in the Australian marketplace, and bringing them together in a single unit,” said Malone. “With IPTV, it’s testing a lot of stuff that’s fresh to the Australian market, [which] hasn’t been done before.”

iiNet doesn’t yet know what impact the service will have on its network.

During the company’s presentation on Thursday, Malone reveal more details on users can expect from the service.

iiNet will be offering the service through a subscription model, which will include the set-top box for connecting to users’ TVs.

The device will have “all the standard features”, like multiple free-to-air tuners, video recording, an electronic programming guide, video-on-demand and selected web applications.

There will also be what Malone describes as “linear channels”, including Discovery and National Geographic, channels previously only available to cable TV subscribers.

Unlike Telstra’s upcoming T-Box — which is based on NetGem’s software and hardware — the iiNet’s device will be custom built.

Pricing for the service and any content deals the company has signed are still under wraps.

Content providers are “all keen to get their content to market,” but are concerned about the digital rights management technology to ensure content isn’t pirated.

Source: apcmag.com

Gizmodo Australia contact the pay-TV provider, here’s what they had to say.

FOXTEL CEO Kim Williams:

“FOXTEL has been closely monitoring 3D developments since January of 2009 and has an active program for 3D broadcasting in its Engineering Development Labs,” said FOXTEL CEO Kim Williams.

“3D is an exciting development in broadcasting and FOXTEL HD set top units have already carried 3D signals in our premises with terrific picture clarity. FOXTEL will continue to run laboratory trials on 3D transmissions over the next year,” Mr Williams said.

Commenting on timing for 3D release Mr Williams said, “I expect that FOXTEL will bring its first test broadcasts in 3D to subscribers in 2011 when full product details will be revealed. It will be an exciting addition to our range of high quality HD products which now encompasses the most comprehensive offering in Australia with 15 twenty-four hour HD channels (including all mainstream sport and movie channels) and which will see the first all HD transmission of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games via four HD Channels in February – an exceptionally exciting Australian and world first for any Olympic broadcast.“

So there you have it. No need to fret, 3D is coming down under. But like all good things, you’ll just need to wait.

Source: Gizmodo Australia

Network Ten and Foxtel are gearing up for next year’s Commonwealth Games with the announcement of their respective broadcast plans, plus joint cross-platform sponsorship opportunities to advertisers during the Dehli 2010.

Ten’s broadcast coverage will include exclusive rights to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as a daily roster of sporting events on Ten and 24-hour sports channel One.

Foxtel’s coverage will include 24-hour coverage of sporting events on its six high definition and six standard definition sports channels. Their Commonwealth Games coverage will be enhanced by live information and updating statistics via their interactive services. Foxtel will also have exclusive coverage on their online and mobile platforms.

The integrated sponsorship opportunities for advertisers will cover free-to-air broadcast on Network Ten and One; subscription TV on Foxtel; and online and mobile platforms through each broadcasters respective outlets.

“With Network Ten and Foxtel already sharing broadcast feeds and production facilities, it seems logical to offer clients cross-platform sponsorship opportunities. Through integrated sponsorships, we are able to support consistent campaigns across Ten, One and Foxtel, while extending opportunities for clients to reach the broadest possible Commonwealth Games audience,” said Network Ten’s chief executive officer, Grant Blackley.

The XIX Commonwealth Games which will be held in Delhi, India from October 3 – 14, 2010.

Media Release

NETWORK TEN AND FOXTEL TEAM UP FOR A FULLY INTEGRATED CROSS-PLATFORM PARTNERSHIP FOR THE 2010 DELHI COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Network Ten and FOXTEL today announced plans to broaden the scope of their joint venture to include the marketing of combined sponsorship packages for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Details of the landmark agreement were announced by Network Ten’s Chief Executive Officer, Grant Blackley, and FOXTEL’s Chief Executive Officer, Kim Williams AM.
Under the terms of the agreement, Network Ten and FOXTEL will extend their joint broadcast and production plans by offering clients integrated sponsorship opportunities across free-to-air, subscription TV, online and mobile platforms.

The venture between Network Ten and FOXTEL will allow clients to invest in ‘pre-Games’ and ‘in-Games’ sponsorship packages across the four platforms through a single point of contact, expanding clients’ access to the full spectrum of advertising platforms across free- to-air and subscription television.

As part of the agreement, the partners will develop and produce tailored creative and promotional activity which will be broadcast across TEN, the 24-hour digital sports channel, ONE, and FOXTEL’s six dedicated standard definition and six dedicated high definition channels delivered on subscription television, as well as online and over mobile platforms.

Commenting on the agreement, Network Ten’s chief executive officer, Grant Blackley said: “Shared broadcast rights mean that, for the first time, Australians will be able to access Commonwealth Games coverage when they want and in the format they want it. The shared broadcast rights will expand the total Commonwealth Games audience by offering sports fans a broader range of viewing options.”

“With Network Ten and FOXTEL already sharing broadcast feeds and production facilities, it seems logical to offer clients cross-platform sponsorship opportunities. Through integrated sponsorships, we are able to support consistent campaigns across TEN, ONE and FOXTEL, while extending opportunities for clients to reach the broadest possible Commonwealth Games audience,” Mr Blackley said.

FOXTEL’s chief executive officer, Kim Williams said: “FOXTEL is pleased to have teamed up with Network Ten to bring the Commonwealth Games coverage back to Australia. Now with this extension of our cooperation with Network Ten into the advertising area, Australian marketers will also share the benefits. We will offer clients the opportunity to run integrated sponsorship campaigns across four advertising platforms and also provide for the first time an opportunity for advertisers to run interactive advertising campaigns on both Network Ten and FOXTEL.”

Network Ten and FOXTEL together acquired the broadcast rights to the XIX Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Delhi, India from 3 – 14 October 2010.

Network Ten’s coverage will include exclusive live broadcast rights to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as a daily schedule of sporting events broadcast on channel TEN and simulcast on the Network’s 24-hour high definition digital sports channel, ONE.

FOXTEL’s coverage will include 24-hour telecasts of sporting events on its six high definition and six standard definition sports channels all enhanced by constantly updating statistics and Games information via its interactive services. FOXTEL will stream its coverage exclusively onto the online and mobile platforms.

Source: Network Ten

Media Release

FOXTEL Next Generation

FOXTEL CEO Kim Williams AM, today unveiled the exciting new details of the next generation of FOXTEL.

The announcement was another history making step in the Australian television industry, with news the country’s number one subscription television provider, FOXTEL, will launch 30 additional channels this year.

Along with the new channels, will come a state-of-the-art online television service, significant technological upgrades to FOXTEL’s television guide and new channel packages, designed to provide more flexibility and better value to our customers.

FOXTEL Next Generation will launch on Sunday November 15, 2009, with the FOXTEL Download service fast-tracked to kick off free to all subscribers Thursday October 1, 2009.

Williams said: “Since the launch of digital in 2004, this is the most significant milestone in FOXTEL’s history. With FOXTEL Next Generation, a new phase of television will be created for Australian consumers. We are moving forward, adapting technology to give our subscribers the power to tailor viewing to their needs.

“FOXTEL Next Generation and the iQ Value Pack options mean every subscriber will get an iQ for free, forever changing the way they experience television.

“There are twelve new iQ Value Packs which have been designed to offer the best value for money and range of choice to meet diverse tastes, needs and price points.”

“Having an iQ, powered by Next Generation, means there are three viewing options for every television program, special event or movie – watch it live, watch it On Demand, or watch it recorded to the iQ. FOXTEL Next Generation now makes it truly possible to watch what you want, when you want and with our new FOXTEL download service, where you want.

“We continue to improve our service and expand our channel offering, we now have almost 200 channels on the FOXTEL platform providing premium programming across all genres. FOXTEL Next Generation not only offers our subscribers more viewing options, it uses technology to take the FOXTEL television experience online, which gives our service great portability, adaptability and even better value.”

FOXTEL Next Generation will deliver exciting new benefits added to FOXTEL over the coming months:

• There will be 30 new channel choices including themed movie channels, new sports and documentary channels, and tailored general entertainment channels.
• The 12 new channels brands are LifeStyle YOU, 13TH STREET, The Style Network, Eurosport, KidsCo, FMC, STARPICS, showtime action, showtime comedy, showtime drama, Discovery Turbo MAX and Nat Geo Wild.
• FOXTEL HD+ will be home to 15 High Definition channels – including four dedicated HD sports channels and six new HD movie channels.
• The 10 new HD channels are FOX SPORTS 1HD, 2HD and 3HD, FOX8 HD, W HD, MOVIE ONE HD, showcase HD, showtime action HD, showtime premiere HD, STARPICS 1HD and 2HD, and UKTV HD.
• A brand new movie service with 16 dedicated movie channels tailored by genre with no advertising interruptions to any movie, ever.
• FOXTEL is also introducing eight new timeshift channels, these are 111 HITS +2, Discovery Channel +2, Discovery Turbo MAX +2, LifeStyle FOOD Channel +2, LifeStyle YOU +2, SCI FI +2, showcase two and STARPICS +2.
• New iQ Value packs that gives subscribers two choices – build your own package and add an iQ or take an iQ Value pack that includes an iQ for free.
• Australia’s best download service, FOXTEL Download – a FREE catch-up television service for subscribers at www.foxtel.com.au/download.
• A new FOXTEL Guide for iQ and updated guide for iQ2.
• New search functionality with an interactive TV Guide feature called iSuggest for iQ and iQ2 subscribers.
• Immediate recording details of favourite shows for iQ and iQ2 subscribers with Record Me, which sends shows straight to the iQ Planner simply by pressing the Green button on the remote during a show’s promo.
• Movies On Demand – A new FOXTEL Box Office with up to 40 recent release movies to choose from at any one time.
• New SKY News Local ACTIVE screens for each of Australia’s five capital cities and improved Weather ACTIVE.

Source: FOXTEL

As avid TV watchers and all round television junkies, we thought, why not spend our free monies on TV. After all, if we’re going to help stimulate the economy, we might as well spend it on something we love!

So here are a few television items you might consider purchasing during these troubled times.

Average price: $100 - $200 ($300 with built in HDD).

Okay, so this is a pretty clear choice.

With Freeview and the digital TV transition happening soon(ish), there’s no reason why we couldn’t put down a few hundred bucks on a high def digital set top box.

Cause we all want sport in HD, right One?

'Underbelly' Uncut

If you love Australian television, then your DVD collection isn’t complete without ‘Underbelly’. Why not help boost Australian drama production while your’re at it?

‘Underbelly’ is available for $64.97 from EzyDVD.

‘Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities’ is available for $54.97 from EzyDVD, out 27th May.

With the economic down turn, perhaps you’re going out less. Then a FOXTEL subscription might be for you.

For $40 a month, get access to over 36 channels. That’s almost two years of cable TV courtesy of K-Rudd.

If you’re thinking of subscribing to Foxtel, then why not use our affiliate link and help support our site.

An official announcement was made earlier today that the Nine Network has finally bitten the bullet and sold the first run rights of niche shows: Chuck, Privileged, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Pushing Daisies to Foxtel. So you may ask, why did Nine sell them to Foxtel instead of Network Ten or Seven. The main reason is Nine do not want to see their rivals benefit from their own loss, every year the ratings race is a tightly fought out battle and Nine do not want to give their rivals any fire power which might come back to bite them. But where does this leave viewers who don’t have Foxtel? This will only drive people towards piracy and given Australians already top the list in downloading illegal TV shows, these numbers will only sky-rocket. This output deal notion is flawed and should be overhauled to allow networks to bid for shows that target their audience or perhaps trading of shows between networks?

Chuck season one premieres on FOX8 January 2009.

Privileged season one premieres on FOX8 early 2009.

Pushing Daisies series premieres on W early 2009.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles season one premieres on FOX8 January 2009.

So for all you couch potatoes who want to sample great drama and haven’t downloaded the aforementioned shows, I’d highly recommend them all. If you don’t have enough time to watch them all, after thinking long and hard here is how I would rank them (Hopefully it makes it a lot easier):

1. Privileged

2. Chuck

=3. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

=3. Pushing Daisies

Press Release:

FOXTEL announced today it has secured a range of exclusive new U.S. programming for its Owned & Operated Channels following an agreement with Channel Nine and Warner Bros.

The new series, Chuck, Privileged, Pushing Daisies and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, will all screen exclusively on FOXTEL from early next month. Under the deal terms, Channel Nine has relinquished its first run window to FOXTEL, which will have exclusive first run rights to all series.

FOXTEL Executive Director of Television and Marketing Brian Walsh said: “In obtaining these compelling, quality U.S. programs, FOXTEL reinforces its robust commitment to provide our subscribers with more exclusive and first run programming.

“We continue to deliver the premium programming across a range of genres to our viewers – ahead of other television networks – and the new Warner Bros series add to the already impressive line-up of first run series screening on FOXTEL this summer including the hit shows Gossip Girl, Entourage, America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway and American Idol, as well as Australian programs An Aussie Goes Calypso, and new series The Phone.”

Chuck
Season One Exclusive Australian Premiere in January 2009 on FOX8 (as seen on U.S. network NBC).

When Chuck Bartowski opens an email subliminally encoded with the government’s most precious secrets, he unwittingly downloads an entire server of sensitive data into his brain. Now the fate of the world lies in the unlikely hands of a guy who works at a Buy More Electronics store. Instead of fighting computer viruses, he must now confront assassins and international terrorists.

Privileged
Season One Exclusive Australian Premiere in early 2009 on FOX8 (as seen on U.S. network CW).

Megan Smith is having a bad day, her New York apartment burned down, she just got fired from her job at a tabloid magazine and she accidentally dyed her hair an unnervingly bright colour. Things start to look up when she is offered a position in Palm Beach, working as a tutor for 16-year-old twin billionaires. In exchange for getting the girls into Duke University, Megan will get to live amongst the rich and fabulous, and have the remainder of her college loans covered. Privileged is based on the book How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoey Dean.

Pushing Daisies
Series One Exclusive Australian Premiere in early 2009 on W. (as seen on U.S. network ABC).

As a boy, Ned discovered that he could return the dead briefly back to life with just one touch. Now a pie maker, Ned puts his ability to good use touching dead fruit to make it ripe with everlasting flavour, and working with a private investigator to crack murder cases by raising the dead to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated when Ned brings his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, back from the dead – and keeps her alive. Life would be perfect for Ned and Chuck, except for one cruel twist – if he ever touches her again, she’ll go back to being dead and this time for good.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Season One begins January 2009 followed by Australian Premiere of Season Two on FOX8 (As seen on U.S. network FOX).

At the end of “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” Sarah Connor vanquished the Terminator sent from the future to kill her 15-year-old son, John. Sarah and John now find themselves alone in a very dangerous, complicated world. Fugitives from the law, they are confronted with the reality that still more enemies from the future and the present could attack at any moment. John knows he may be the future saviour of mankind, but he is not yet ready to take on the mantle of leadership that he’s told is his destiny.

These exciting new programs add to the stellar line-up for the 2009 season, including 15 local productions such as Australia’s Next Top Model Series Five, Project Runway (Australia) Series Two, Football Superstar Series Two, and new comedy programs The Pam Ann Show and 30 Seconds.

“111 HITS is a high energy, high impact channel and we expect it to attract a big audience amongst its target demographic,” MCN General Manager Damian Keogh

“It’s appropriate that some of Australia’s biggest brands want to be visible in that space from moment it goes to air. Some quick thinking by OMD allowed them to secure the space exclusively for their clients McDonalds, Reckitt Benckiser and Telstra who will be the only advertisers on 111 HITS during November. These brands will also have high visibility throughout the coming months.”

Programming has been slowly revealed through promotions on other Foxtel channels, with presenters discussing a show and their memories of it. A majority of the shows have been moved from Arena, FOX8, The Comedy Channel and Fox Classics.

Triple Hits will feature such shows as Will and Grace, Friends, 3rd Rock From The Sun, and Ally McBeal.

Grammy-Nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol as a fourth judge. She will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the judges’ table and use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to praise or critique the wannabe hopefuls throughout the competition. The eighth season of American Idol premieres January 2009 on FOX.

“We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

“We had originally intended for American Idol to have four judges,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”

Mike Darnell, President, alternative Programming of FOX, added, “For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table. She’s been as an island of consideration and gentle criticism between Randy and Simon, offering her invaluable expertise as a performer and No. 1 artist to the thousands who have competed on American Idol. With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some back-up and now there is going to be a lot more ‘girl power’ on the show.”

One of the industry’s most sought after songwriters and producers, DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony have also released DioGuardi’s songs.

Over the last four years, she has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having written the most performed songs on radio. From her catalog of several hundred songs, over 264 have been released on major labels worldwide; and over 165 have appeared on multi-platinum selling albums. DioGuardi co-owns Arthous Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow hit writers, producers and artists.

It is not yet known whether FOX8 will broadcast it again next year, however it was a ratings success on Foxtel drawing in 100,000 viewers near the end of the season.

I will keep you all posted in regards to what is going on in regards to broadcasting rights in 2009.

Lets just hope that TEN don’t get control over it.

Kyle XY

• Is an Alien from outerspace accidently released by the government but still being kept a close eye on.
• Is suffering from a serious case of amnesia after commiting a murder and doesn’t want to face his consequences.
• Is some sort of genetic clone with an adjustment made to his brain so he is now able to learn everything at an accelerated rate.
• Is something to do with the professor, maybe a creation of his workings.

The Trager family has taken him in with no where else to go and he is adjusting nicely, learning at a rapid rate.  Whatever it is the mystery is intriguing.  Kyle XY, the simple boy, who is extremely smart, yet has an extremely large heart will continue to capture the imagination of viewers.  The first season has 10 episodes.  Whether Foxtel will show the full 23 episode second season straight after the first is still yet to be decided.

If you have any Kyle XY theories we’d love to hear about them.  For those of you who have seen past the episodes currently airing on FOX8 please try not to spoil us.