Televised Revolution » Index

Televised Revolution – Episode 207

Dan Barrett — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:23:04 +0000

It’s a big week in television. Thankfully Simon and Dennis are just the two guys to do it. With Dan gone for the week watching movies at BIFF, Dennis and Simon discuss:

The Australia Network tender process collapses.
Channel Ten’s losses.
The digital dividend.
Plus much, much more.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 206

Dan Barrett — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:43:46 +0000

We make it a habit here on Televised Revolution to have a chat with the CEO’s of our local community television station, Channel 31. We’ve had a chat with Andrew Carroll, Paul Mills, and now the new CEO Scott Black.

As good quality production equipment gets cheaper and the opportunities for DIY distribution increase with the availablity of platforms like YouTube, the role of the community broadcaster comes into question somewhat. We chat with Scott about this and what the benefits of community broadcasting have over online distribution. Further to this, we discuss the state of the union for Channel 31, its history of confusing branding, and what Blacks vision is for the future of Channel 31.

Even for those who aren’t Brisbane locals, this should prove to be an interesting interview. What happens when a community TV staffer takes control of the organization and finally has the chance to put into place his own vision for the organization – an organization that has been in disarray for many years.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 205

Dan Barrett — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:26:49 +0000

The Internet changed the game for television distribution. No longer are TV services restricted to being provided by those who have been provided with access to the airwaves/permission to cable by the Government, but now any company that strikes a deal with content creators/distributors can now deliver content to the home. As broadband data allowances offer increasingly generous data allowances and more TV’s are connected to the Internet (either directly, or via devices that have a net connection like Bluray players, gaming consoles, etc), the race is on for companies to establish themselves and take ownership of the space. One such company is Quickflix.

Quickflix have established themselves as a mail DVD distribution service. Customers pay a monthly fee and ‘rent’ DVD’s from Quickflix, with discs delivered by traditional mail services. Last week they announced that they have launched a video streaming service. With US companies like Netflix and Hulu expected to launch in Australia soon, Quickflix Watch Now represents an attempt to own the Australian market before the competition gets a foothold.

This week on Televised Revolution we interview Chris Taylor, the CEO of Quickflix, about the launch of the service and what customers can expect.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 204

Dan Barrett — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:32:26 +0000

We have a bonus episode of Televised Revolution this week featuring an interview with Michael Bodey. Bodey, a writer on the media for The Australian, has written Broadcast Wars which sets its focus on the Australian TV industry following on from the death of Kerry Packer.

The Australian TV industry has a number of colourful characters and has undergone such a radical transformation over the past decade. With changes to management, changes to TV content with the mass interest in reality television, and the introduction of new digital platforms, any book on the Australian TV industry can’t help but be compelling reading.

On this episode, Dan has a chat with Michael Bodey about the book and about the Australian TV industry in general.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 203

Dan Barrett — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:15:32 +0000

On a low and lazy Tuesday evening, Dan and Dennis sit down to discuss one heck of a big week in television.

Up for discussion this week:

Optus launch the MeTV service – a re-badged Fetch TV offering.
Ten cancelled 6:30 with George Negus and extend The 7PM Project by an hour.
Susan Bower moves on from Neighbours.
SBS change their news lineup.
Small Tales and True works its way to iTunes.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 202

Dan Barrett — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:29:32 +0000

This week on Televised Revolution, we go crazy for It’s A Knockout. Ten have this week announced the return of the show which impacted our childhoods more than almost any other. We interview the co-host of the original series, Billy J Smith, to get his thoughts on the revamp.

We also discuss:

Have Sky News snagged the Australia Network tender?
KAK takes a holiday as questions surround the future of her show.
Redundancy at the ABC.
And much, much more.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 201

Dan Barrett — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:49:36 +0000

It’s a news heavy week with big changes across the industry locally and abroad.

We talk:

Ten appoint a News Director.
Foxtel announce new FX channel.
Nine launch a new news bulletin exclusively for iPad.
Job cuts at the BBC.
Netflix cut the Qwikster brand loose.
The Simpsons get renewed.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 200

Dan Barrett — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:51:40 +0000

We reach 200 episodes with this episode. In the several years we’ve been doing this podcast, we’ve seen the television industry change fundamentally. When we began the podcast, we discussed the future of a multi-channel, multi-platform television industry. Today, we have seen this become a reality. In many ways the changes have lived up to our expectations, while in other ways we’re really still at the cusp of what the future holds for the changes in television distribution and consumption.

But, this week?

We chat to Tony Martin, currently co-hosting Joy of Sets for Channel 9. Also, we discuss:

Harold Mitchell turns down the ABC.
Arrested Development is set to become a movie. And a TV series.
Chris Carter set to return to TV.
BBC launch the iPlayer in Australia.
The NRL Channel 9 pokie scandal.
And much, much more.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 199

Dan Barrett — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:15:34 +0000

There seemed to be a very deliberate narrative last year regarding the ABC launching ABC News 24. With Sky News tendering for the Australia Network contract against the ABC, The Australian seemed to lead the anti-ABC lead with their criticism of the new 24-hour news channel. It was under-resourced. The ABC shouldn’t be launching services that’d compete with commercial offerings. And Joe O’Brien has a funny haircut.

That last one may not be entirely accurate.

This year, the narrative has switched to focus on ABC Television going off-charter with recent programming decisions and their embrace of independent productions. While these are valid concerns, there is something a bit whiffy about the intention of the current line of questioning.

On the Televised Revolution podcast this week, we discuss:

Stephen Conroy launches a talking STB.
Netflix is announced for Facebook Timeline.
Foxtel raise their prices.
What are Australia’s favourite TV shows?
ABC poach Nine staffers.
Have the ABC lost their way?

As mentioned on the podcast, the Televised Revolution Facebook page is coming down at the end of the week. Dan is concerned about the privacy issues that have always been an issue with Facebook and the launch of Timeline makes it feel really, really creepy. He’s leaving Facebook himself and you can read his rationalisation here.

At Televised Revolution, we look forward to receiving your mail and check us out on the Twitter/ Facebook. You can also find the podcast on iTunes (please leave us a review, it helps people find the show).

Televised Revolution – Episode 198

Dan Barrett — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:00:14 +0000

Who would have thought that the most innovative show on Australian television this year would be a pop music show? SBS’ PopAsia show is symbolic of the cultural changes taking place across Australia. With a large influx of Asian immigrants, students, and other visitors to our shores, combined with the general adoption of Asian culture by anglo-Australians, there is a hunger for pop culture from that area of the world.

If you haven’t seen the show before, be sure to check it out on Sunday mornings at 8:30am.

This week on Televised Revolution, we interview Dirk Anthony from SBS about the launch of the program.

Other subjects up for discussion:

At Home With Julia delivers some controversy with some flagscapades.
Grogs Gamut scores a gig working for the Chaser.
WA Nine loses its boss.
Channel Ten retains the netball.
Netflix splits itself in half.
Seven do something naughty with a McDonalds advertisement.

As discussed on the podcast, this article by Margaret Simons is a MUST READ for anyone wanting to understand the changes taking place at the ABC of late.