Channel Nine's Ben Fordham may have a future extended role at 2UE. Source: The Daily Telegraph
ABC'S head of television Kim Dalton has rejected the need for extra supervision of content before it airs on ABC3, the new dedicated childrens digital channel to launch in December.
In the wake of The Chaser's war on terminally ill kids controversy, Dalton (pictured) told Media Bites he had confidence in the existing editorial processes that he said had historically provided ``safe'' programming. ``I think the ABC's track record and reputation for delivering a quality, safe viewing environment for Australian children is absolutely unblemished,'' he said. In a preview yesterday, Dalton confirmed ABC3 would be aimed at 6 to 15-year-olds (with a core demographic of 8-12), broadcasting from 6am to 9pm daily. Going live in late December it will be ``a Xmas present to the country.'' A national search for young hosts, ME On 3, was to ensure audiences hear their ``own voices,'' between a mix of local but mostly overseas programming. With no local content quota to be enforced by the Federal Government, the channel aims to have at least 50 per cent Australian programs by 2013.
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stint this week on 2UE will not be his last, with the station's general manager
Greg Byrnes keen to discuss a dual role with his Nine bosses. Fordham (pictured), who began his media career as a cadet with UE, has impressed alongside Tim Webster in the breakfast slot, which continued to slide in the last ratings (down to 6.2 share points) in the hands of regular pairing Mike Carleton and Sandy Aloisi. Taking a week's leave for 4am starts proved Fordham's keen, but Byrnes said his ``obvious ability'' would assure him a future. ``There's no doubt he's got a career in radio and we'd love to have him at UE,'' Byrnes told MB. Fordham, who won a Walkley aged 20 for his Thredbo disaster coverage for the station, loved the gig: ``TV is a ferris wheel, whereas radio is a roller-coaster.'' While his provocative ten years on ACA have earned him a kicking in some quarters, an angry young man and some new blood may be just the jolt that UE needs.
AUSTRALIAN Story has long tugged at viewers' heart strings, now it's successfully loosened their wallets too. An appeal for financial help by former NSW sheep farmer,
Gemma Sisia, which aired this month, seems to have bucked the GFC Grinch which had threatened the work at her School of St Jude, in Northern Tanzania. And the program proved a hit. Literally. A study of Google traffic to the charity's website saw it sky-rocket from a daily average of about 100 hits to 3000 new visits after the show. With Lonely Planet's foundation offering to match donations dollar-for-dollar (up to $200,000), administrator Richard Pagliaro said ``the response to the show has been absolutely fantastic,'' with much-needed funding for the entire school population and building projects ``almost'' secure.
IN BRIEF: A promotion for The Gruen Transfer's
Russel Howcroft, now national CEO of George Patterson Y&R agency, won't have him too busy for TV. With a third series likely, he told MB ``If there's a show and they want me I will be there.''...Bargain-shopping media buyers should be at next Friday's Golden Staves charity lunch at the Hordern Pavillion, with more than $350,000 worth of advertising packages up for auction. Tickets still available at www.goldenstaves.com.au ...Tweet of the week: ``Publishers to celebrate Costello retirement by releasing special edition of his book. Like him, comes with no spine,'' Wil Anderson.
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