Robert Irwin's Logies Backlash - and Dr Chris Brown's future at Seven | MEDIA McKNIGHT
McKnight Tonight & Media McKnightShow Notes
Rob McKnight, from his garage on the Gold Coast, covers the big media stories of the week on Media McKnight, episode 45. Robert Irwin has been named host of the 2026 Logie Awards, and the reaction in the comments has been overwhelmingly negative. Rob breaks down what the appointment might signal for Channel 7's longer-term plans — and what it could mean for Dr. Chris Brown. FIFA has introduced mandatory water breaks at the World Cup — and broadcasters are allowed to run commercials during them. Fans are furious, calling it a money grab. But Rob argues the real story is the financial reality facing free-to-air broadcasters competing for every ad dollar in a fractured media market. Plus, a spidercam fell 20 metres onto the pitch during a football friendly in Hungary — and the footage is terrifying. Reports are emerging that Kyle Sandilands and ARN could be close to a settlement in their Federal Court dispute. Rob makes a bold prediction on tape — and acknowledges there'll be no hiding if he's wrong. And in Rob's Rant: Doctor Who has been effectively canceled under Russell T. Davies, with the BBC Christmas special scrapped and the show put out to tender. Rob argues the audience wasn't against diversity — they were against being lectured. - FIFA World Cup ad breaks debate - Spidercam falls at Hungary match - Molly Meldrum health fears - Robert Irwin named 2026 Logies host - Kyle Sandilands vs ARN — settlement on the cards? - Doctor Who cancelled — Rob's Rant 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #FIFA #WorldCup #RobertIrwin #Logies #KyleSandilands #ARN #DoctorWho #RussellTDavies #AustralianMedia #MollyMeldrum Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from McKnight Tonight & Media McKnight
Despite complaints from viewers, integration might just be the saviour we need. In this edition of Media McKnight: Product placement boom GQ Men of the Year Awards axed Screen Queensland’s Willy Wonka Sydney slip-up Who was really the first person on Australian TV? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The little AM station that could has done it. 4BH has taken the No.1 spot in Brisbane in the latest GfK Metro radio ratings (Survey 6). Rob McKnight is joined by broadcasting legend Spencer Howson to pick through the results in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 📻 In this special edition: 4BH hits 12.3 (+1.4) to lead Brisbane, Triple M is second on 11.3 and B105 slips to third Triple M goes No.1 for Brisbane breakfast on 13.6 (+1.9) 4BC steady at 4.1, but drive is down at 3.0. Is a relay of 2GB on the cards? Sydney: smoothfm leads, 2UE is the biggest mover, and KIIS waits on Dr Chris Brown's 9 November start Melbourne: 3AW leads, Triple M surges and Christian O'Connell moves to second at breakfast Adelaide: Triple M leads, FIVEaa falls and KIIS gets a slight lift Perth: NOVA93.7 leads and 6PR breakfast fires Regional radio: local v networked breakfast shows, and Albury's 2AY survey delayed ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro: GfK Survey 6 0:28 Spencer's snake encounter 1:19 Sydney station share 1:56 Sydney breakfast 2:28 Spencer reacts: KIIS, Nova and 2GB 4:55 Clinton Maynard and 2GB 7:39 Melbourne 10:41 Brisbane: 4BH takes the lead 14:46 Brisbane breakfast 17:09 4BC dayparts and the relay question 23:17 Adelaide 24:56 Perth 27:07 Regional radio 28:43 Albury survey delayed 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #GfK #RadioRatings #4BH #Brisbane #4BC #TripleM #KIIS #smoothfm #2GB #SpencerHowson #AustralianRadio Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
White House Hides Trump Falling Asleep | Jackie O Court Case Delayed Until April | Hugh Riminton Farewell The Jackie O v ARN Federal Court showdown has been sensationally pushed back to April next year. Employment lawyer Michael Byrnes from SWAAB explains why the October hearing collapsed, what the delay means for a settlement, and the privilege fight that's still going ahead on 19 and 20 October. Plus, a White House press pool ban comes back to bite. Rob shows how the official White House feed cut to a wide shot while Donald Trump was seemingly falling asleep, and why that's a warning about relying on footage controlled by the administration. And as Hugh Riminton calls time on a 48-year journalism career at Channel 10, Rob shares the Kerry Packer story that "certainly wouldn't happen today." 🎙️ Watch Hugh Riminton's full interview on McKnight Tonight: youtube.com/@mcknighttonight 📺 New episodes of Media McKnight every Tuesday at 9pm AEDT. Members get it early, usually in the afternoon. #MediaMcKnight #JackieO #ARN #KIIS #DonaldTrump #WhiteHouse #HughRiminton #Channel10 #KerryPacker #AustralianMedia #RadioRatings 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nine has sacked executive Amanda Laing just 18 months after she was appointed to lead its new streaming and broadcast division. Was she a scapegoat, or a threat to CEO Matt Stanton? Plus, the TODAY show's Shop Today segment has Tom Steinfort selling hoodies on air, and staff are revolting over the Future News changes. Also this week: the White House press tents revealed, Bob Katter on whether he has any regrets a year after the Josh Bavis showdown, why radio is losing the car to the smartphone, and why 70 UP is well worth your time. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 BBC News cuts to an empty studio 0:38 Welcome 0:45 Nine sacks Amanda Laing 1:50 TODAY show's Shop Today advertorial 4:41 Why journalists' workloads could get scary 7:47 White House press tents revealed 8:56 Katter v Bavis: one year on 13:36 Radio loses the car to the smartphone 15:33 70 UP 16:32 Daylight saving publish times 📌 Employment lawyer Michael Byrnes joins Rob on McKnight Tonight on Thursday night to unpack Nine's new contracts. Rob has more on the Nine staff revolt in Thursday's Inside Mail column in the Daily Mail. 📺 70 UP airs in Australia on October 7 on SBS and SBS On Demand. 🎙️ James Cridland's radio research: james.cridland.net ⏰ DAYLIGHT SAVING PUBLISH TIMES QLD 8pm | NSW, VIC, TAS 9pm | SA 8.30pm | NT 7.30pm | WA 6pm Paid YouTube channel members get the episode as soon as it's finished. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #AmandaLaing #ChannelNine #TodayShow #BobKatter #JamesCridland #70UP #AustralianTV #AustralianRadio #Nine Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trump BANS Media From White House, Networks Fight Back | Nine's Upfront Fallout With Molk Donald Trump has banned CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House — and now other networks, including FOX, are boycotting the pool camera in solidarity. Rob breaks down the escalating war with the press, the launch of "Trump TV," and draws the line to Pauline Hanson's own history of banning outlets like the ABC and The Guardian. Plus, Steve Molk from TV Blackbox joins to unpack Channel 9's Upfront — the TODAY Show shake-up, the new shows, and what didn't make the cut. – Trump bans CNN, MSNOW & Politico from the White House – Networks boycott the pool camera in solidarity – Pauline Hanson's press ban parallel + One Nation/Channel 9 fallout – Nine's Upfront wrap with Steve Molk (TV Blackbox) #MediaMcKnight #Trump #WhiteHousePressBan #Channel9 #Upfront #PaulineHanson #AustralianMedia 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.