Hoops

Does Packer like basketball

no one man should have all that power

TEN was a leader in pushing for a revenue over ratings strategy (probably mid-90's) which they achieved with successful re-runs of the Simpsons and Seinfeld, going to an earlier News whereby they provided an advertising alternative to the evening news on 7 and 9.

Other channels have since come to this way of thinking as well so now we are faced with a dearth of original programming because a proven winner is Two and a Half Men is run to death over the risk of something new which flops.

Yet somehow Pay-TV (with lower revenues and one would assume less to spend on programming) becomes the breeding ground for new content (think HBO in the US, Fox-8/Arena here). Channel 10 have also managed to maintain some level of innovation throughout - including the launch of OneHD - compare that business model (cost-heavy as it is) to 9's Go (which is really 'go around again').

I read an article yesterday suggesting there are other forces at play including Telstra's move into digital TV programming as well as the whole Packer/Murdoch/Foxtel issue.

Does OneHD become another Pay Channel as a result of this move - if so, where does that leave basketball - late night coverage on Ten but Live coverage back on Foxtel under another brand?

Then again, if, as reported, TEN are serious about bidding for the big sports then OneHD makes sense to hang on to as you get a pay-once, use infinitely (the Pay-TV mantra) benefit where the live stuff draws the ratings and the re-runs provide cheap, watchable programming.

I can't see a scenario where no network has a use for the OneHD model.

Or is Carfino becoming to TV programming what Goorjian has been to NBL clubs?

IMHO packer is into Gordon Gecko world.OneHD profits are up,NBN is rolling out,Isp's are marketing TBoxes,maybe there is some legislation for free to air rights.Stay off 7+9 TV and Murdoch Press and there is actually some credible news floating around.
Who's up for the Facebook petition?I dont want to be the front if it goes national?

Also who has a Neilson Tv meter?Ive only met 1 person with one since I learnt about them.He has had it for more than 5years.Same person ,same likes and dislikes,dont get it?

First and foremost Packer wants to make money.

So with Channel 10 posting a solid result and putting money in the bank one would think that a major about face in the way they do business would be out of the question in the short term. This move would surely be one of 2 things either an opportunistic grab for what he percieves in an undervalued stock or a strategic move to place himself in the best position in the future. (or most probably a combination of the 2)

Any drastic changes are pure speculation at the moment and we need to concentrate now on making sure the game rates on FTA!

"I think the people running it should be commended for thinking big and creating something really great in the Australian media market."

Agreed Beantown.

I really dislike this "buy cheap content, axe lower performing elements" mentality. It just seems to me to lack and real creativity or business-savvy.

I'm not an expert on this but I'm starting to wonder whether there's even enough advertising revenue to go around, now that the 3 FTA stations each have extra digital offerings. There's only so many viewers, which means media buyers are only ever going to spend so much...and at this time, it looks like the lions share of the market still goes to the main networks since they source the ratings grabbing material.

What I'd like to see is a more creative push to make One a success, rather than can it. I think rather than view it as something to be in favour of profit; it should be viewed as a foundation on which to build.

I really hope we are all just over reacting. But with people like Packer they always have their own little agenda which is all about themselves regardless of what people want. Here's to hoping we are over reacting

I think something isnt adding up with this One HD thing, from what i have heard 10 have been really happy with it. this must be a ploy by packer to kill the competition. someone needs to start a facebook petition page or something, they seem to sometimes work?

And this just posted on the Herald-Sun website:

"TEN Network has turned around its fortunes, posting a full year net profit following a rise in revenue."

"The broadcaster today unveiled a net profit for the 12 months to August 31 of $150.007 million, a reversal from a net loss of $89.35 million in the previous corresponding period. Ten said television revenue rose by 12 per cent while group revenue lifted by 10 per cent."

"These results for 2010 demonstrate that Ten Network Holdings is reaping the benefits of steps taken to streamline the business, strengthen our content offering and maximise the effects of the rebound in the television advertising market," executive chairman Nick Falloon said.

"Television revenue grew by 12 per cent on the previous year, with the level of growth demonstrably stronger in the second half at 20 per cent on the (corresponding) period in 2009."

And more importantly this:

"Mr Blackley said Ten's first digital multi-channel, ONE, was Australia's leading sports channel, reaching 12.1 million viewers to date and 3.6 million every week. "ONE continues to make a profitable contribution to the network," he said."

Link: http://linky.com.au/xjbnz

That article and info Ashman posted is pretty concerning. I hope Packer isn't able to get control of Ten, because there are so many reasons to think he will not only cut ONE, but spam us with cheap crap so he can make yet more money.

Regardless of how well ONE is rating so far, I think the people running it should be commended for thinking big and creating something really great in the Australian media market.

Compare that to all the other commercial networks, which, presented with the digital tv revolution, have decided to drown us in re-runs. Sad to say, but based on those ratings above, it looks like the Aussie population would rather reward familiarity than encourage new ideas.

Damn Packer! I really hope he doesnt get his way, Ten is giving what the public want, He has enough money he doesnt need more, stick with your casino's. this could go south real quick!

The Age: http://linky.com.au/x7syq

From the article:

"By closing the Ten sports channel, Mr Packer would eliminate a big competitor for the sports channels on Foxtel - the pay TV network that he jointly owns with Mr Murdoch's News Ltd and Telstra."


I hope any changes do not impact on the NBL and Network 10's 5 year deal to broadcast it.

The problem with overseas content is that it doesnt necessarily attract large viewers, as people like to follow a particular team which ideally they would like to go local. i know alot of people watch sport for the sake of it but alot more like something to follow.

Whether the concerns are justified only time will tell but remember to avoid making any defamatory comments gang.

Hey Packer, ..I. [its a hand suggestion!]

how could you knock Gaze, he's a legend and a great bloke!

Gaze was on SEN this morning and he thinks it's a very good thing that Packer would be involved with Ten/One.

I saw an article on this yesterday. Hopefully the author was wrong in his surmisation, because he was quick to point out that the dedicated ONE sports channel was not rating well compared to the other major FTA channels and that Packer might want to re-focus the Ten network to take advantage of the success of Master Chef!

If that's the case, I think I speak for all of us on Hoops SA when I say F off back to gambling Packer!