BotW: Big bucks for TV sport, no bucks for kids content; The Project on the skids?

May 26, 2025

Welcome to Best of the Day, on the day it became clear that TV networks like to pay for sport a lot more than they do telling Australian stories.

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The Day Today: No TV for kids; Netflix signs on for OzTAM; Ten rethinking The Project?

Networks spend half a billion on sport and just $3m on kids content

New data from the Australian Communications & Media Authority is evidence of “market failure in Australian storytelling”, Screen Producers Australia said today.

Australia’s commercial TV networks spent a total of $1.6bn on content in the 2023-24 financial year.

Within that, $567m went on Australian sport; $572m went on light entertainment, $372m on covering news and current affairs, and $217m was for overseas content. Just $49m was spent on Australian drama and less than $3m on children’s content.

Netflix win for OzTAM

Netflix signed up for the OzTAM video ratings system Streamscape, becoming the first streamer to do so. However, the first phase of the project will not distinguish between viewing on the Netflix ad-supported tier and those who do not see ads.

The Project on the line

Ten’s long running news show The Project is under review while the network works on plans for a new current affairs program, The Australian reported. Ten told Mumbrella: “We are investing in a 10 News investigative unit that will work on long-form investigative stories as part of our news offering across all our platforms.”

Trump bill new threat to bargaining code

Labor’s alternative policy to the News Media Bargaining Code is looking increasingly likely to end up as part of a trade war with the US if it proceeds. The Australian Financial Review reported today that new legislation passing the US will include a provision for an extra 20% tax on investors from countries that place levies similar to that envisioned in Labor’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive.

Kyle’s not-so huge announcement

Monitors of the Kyle & Jackie O Show were left feeling underwhelmed after Kiis FM spent Sunday night hyping a “huge Kyle announcement” at 8am this morning, only for it to be a cameo role for Kyle Sandilands in Australian produced action comedy Zombie Plane.

Audio angst on the Unmade Index

It was a poor start to the week for the music and audio industry’s listed players with all of them taking a hit on the ASX.

Vinyl Group, owner of audio platforms including Vampr, Jaxsta and vinyl.com, along with entertainment industry publications, lost 4% to land on a market capitalisation of $145m.

Southern Cross Austereo, owner of the Hit and Triple M networks, lost 3.5% to land on $164m. Rival radio business ARN Media, owner of the KIIS and Gold networks, slipped by 1% to land on a $161m market capitalisation.

Sports Entertainment Group, owner of SEN radio, faded by 2.1% to land on a $62m market capitalisation.

It was a slightly better day for the TV players. Nine was up by 0.6% while Seven West Media was flat.

Ooh Media improved again, up by 0.3%. The company is once again trading with a market capitalisation over $900m, the first time in more than a year.