It's our 50th edition of Media McKnight — and we're tackling the question that's split the industry: does the $5.3 billion NRL broadcast deal actually breach Australia's anti-siphoning laws? Last week I argued it does. This week, lawyer Michael Wells from Blackbay Lawyers joins me to go line-by-line through the Broadcasting Services Act, Section 146W, the anti-hoarding rules, and ACMA's official response to our questions — to find out who's right. 00:45 - Recap: last week's anti-siphoning claim 01:42 - Michael Wells from Blackbay Lawyers joins the show 02:15 - The anti-siphoning list: NRL matches explained 03:10 - Breaking down Section 146W of the Broadcasting Services Act 05:30 - Does Foxtel have the right to broadcast exclusively? 07:00 - ACMA's official statement to Media McKnight 08:20 - The anti-hoarding rules: should games go to ABC/SBS? 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. #MediaMcKnight #NRL #AntiSiphoning #NRLDeal #Foxtel #BroadcastingLaw #ACMA #AustralianMedia #SportsBroadcasting #FreeToAir

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Brisbane's 4BC has announced a major programming shake-up after another bad ratings survey — Dean Miller and Sofie Formica are out of Breakfast, Michael McLaren is being networked in from 2GB, and the weekend line-up is being axed entirely in favour of Sydney content. Former 4BC radio producer Brett Debritz joins Rob McKnight to unpack the changes, and doesn't hold back — revealing 4BC has now churned through six breakfast hosts in six years, and questioning whether station management has learned anything from its ratings research at all. - Dean Miller & Sofie Formica replaced by Jason Matthews in Breakfast - Gary Hardgrave moves from Drive to Mornings - Michael McLaren networked in from 2GB for Afternoons - Carla Bignasca's local Afternoons show and weekend programming axed - Station Manager Siobhain Ryan confirms local job losses are coming Brett Debritz gives his verdict on where it's gone wrong — and what 4BC needs to do to win Brisbane back. 🔔 Subscribe, hit the bell, like and comment — join the conversation live! 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 🎙️ Catch Media McKnight for weekly media industry analysis. #McKnightTonight #4BC #RadioNews #BrisbaneMedia #MediaMcKnight

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RATINGS SHOCK: 2GB's Breakfast Bleed Continues | ABC Surges in Three Cities | FIVEaa's Adelaide Breakthrough | Triple M's Brisbane Breakfast Collapse — GfK Survey 4 2026 The first radio ratings of the back half of 2026 are in, and there's a shake-up in almost every capital city. On this episode we break down GfK Survey 4 market by market — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 🔹 SYDNEY: smoothfm consolidates #1, 2GB's breakfast slide continues for a third straight survey, and ABC SYD quietly picks up share across the board. 🔹 MELBOURNE: 3AW untouchable in breakfast (now over 20 share), but ABC MEL's rise is the real story of the survey. 🔹 BRISBANE: B105 retakes top spot overall, but Triple M's breakfast has its worst result in this run. 🔹 ADELAIDE: 5MMM and FIVEaa are the big winners — FIVEaa's breakfast up a massive 2.5 points. 🔹 PERTH: NOVA93.7 reasserts total dominance after a softer Survey 3, with GOLD96FM the quiet mover at #2. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #GfKRatings #RadioRatings #MediaMcKnight #AustralianRadio #2GB #3AW #Nova937 #B105 #FIVEaa

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Australian Survivor's Final Season? Inside the LaPaglia Feud That Sank the Show | NRL's $5.3B Deal | Hey Hey Snubbed This week on Media McKnight: insiders reveal the behind-the-scenes tension between sacked Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia and production that led to the show's downfall, as it shoots what could be its final season in Malaysia. Plus — Peter V'landys locks in a record $5.3 billion NRL rights deal, but does it breach anti-siphoning laws? Daryl Somers responds to Hey Hey It's Saturday's shock TV Week snub. The National Press Club's embarrassing YouTube quality problem. And Channel 10 teaches staff to weave instead of chasing ratings. 🎬 Topics this week: Australian Survivor's feud-plagued final season NRL's $5.3B rights deal — and the anti-siphoning question nobody's asking Daryl Somers on the Hey Hey TV Week snub National Press Club's 480p problem Channel 10's weaving workshops amid $566m in losses 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianSurvivor #JonathanLaPaglia #Channel10 #NRL #PeterVlandys #NineNetwork #Foxtel #HeyHeyItsSaturday #DarylSomers #PaulineHanson #NationalPressClub #AustralianTV #TVRatings #MediaNews #TVIndustry

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Karl Stefanovic is out at Channel 9 — but the network still hasn't given a straight answer as to why. Was it the podcast interviews? The #KancelKarl campaign? Or something else entirely? Rob McKnight breaks down Nine's statements, Fiona Dear's email to staff, and what it means for the future of TODAY. Plus this week: Anthony Portelli's My Reno Rules misses its window for a second season, the ACCC takes Amazon to court over Prime Video's surprise ad rollout, Waitress the Musical cancels its Sydney run despite star power, and Dan Barrett from 'Always Be Watching' joins to break down whether microdramas are the next big thing or a bubble about to burst. Here is the TODAY show article Rob talks about: https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/11/06/2019-11-6-opinion-karl-ali-and-a-complete-format-change-today-2020/ - Karl Stefanovic sacked — what Nine isn't saying - My Reno Rules misses its window - ACCC takes on Amazon Prime Video ads - Waitress the Musical cancelled - Microdramas: trend or flop? w/ Dan Barrett - Viewer question 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #KarlStefanovic #Channel9 #TODAYShow #KancelKarl #TVRatings #AmazonPrime #ACCC #MyRenoRules #Channel7 #StreamingNews #Microdramas #AustralianMedia #TVNews #MediaIndustry #RobMcKnight

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My Kitchen Rules Abuse Scandal | Pauline Hanson Wants SBS Axed | Beetlejuice Musical Cancelled | Free TV Switch-Off Looms | Hot Podium Guy Strikes Again | Don Lane Show Throwback.

Rob McKnight breaks down the week's biggest media stories on Media McKnight, from his garage on the Gold Coast. My Kitchen Rules contestant Anthony — found not guilty of historical sexual abuse charges — joined McKnight Tonight with daughter Paige for an exclusive interview, revealing how Channel 9 played up the celebrity angle on the way in but went quiet on the not guilty verdict. Pauline Hanson used her National Press Club address to call for SBS to be axed and the ABC defunded — Rob reacts. Beetlejuice the Musical has cancelled its Australian run after its final Brisbane show, reigniting the conversation around star power, stunt casting and the cost-of-living squeeze on live theatre — including the Nat Bass and Rob Mills casting backlash in Waitress. A UK proposal to switch off free-to-air TV signals as early as 2034 is flying under the radar amid Keir Starmer's resignation — and Rob asks what it means for Australia's anti-siphoning rules. Plus: the UK's "Hot Podium Guy" sound engineer has now gone viral at five separate PM resignations, and a deep dive into a forgotten gem from The Don Lane Show. - My Kitchen Rules abuse allegations and the McKnight Tonight exclusive interview - Pauline Hanson's SBS and ABC funding stance - Beetlejuice the Musical's Australian shows cancelled - UK's free-to-air TV switch-off proposal - Hot Podium Guy's viral resignation streak - Classic Australian TV: The Don Lane Show 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #RobMcKnight #MyKitchenRules #PaulineHanson #Beetlejuice #FreeToAir #AustralianMedia

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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

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Media McKnight: Nat Bass dudded by BBC? | When Australian Ninja Warrior is filming | Big Brother Brisbane Location Confirmed | Guy Ashford Out | Nine & the NRL | Qld Govt False Advertising | Darren Sanders On tonight's Media McKnight: Nat Bassingthwaighte reveals her song Voodoo Child was used in one of the most iconic Doctor Who episodes ever — distributed to more than 200 territories — and the Rogue Traders received not a single cent. We dig into why. Plus, Nat on the ageism backlash she faced when cast in the musical Waitress. Guy Ashford is out at 2HD and newFM following the radio awards groping incident. The right outcome — and a sign the industry is finally moving on. Big Brother is confirmed to be moving to Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane. And Australian Ninja Warrior is heading to Channel 10 in 2027, with Queensland production also likely. The Australian newspaper runs a story suggesting Nine couldn't afford the NRL rights because of its EPL deal. We call it out for what it is. The Queensland government is still running ads calling themselves "the new government" — 18 months after the election. Time to update the messaging. And Darren Sanders — comedian, former talk show host, and the man who once danced next to Whitney Houston — has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia. We wish him well, and there's a GoFundMe link below. 🔗 Darren Sanders GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-comedian-darren-sanders-fight-acute-leukaemia?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1demo0dr049da&fbclid=IwY2xjawSUPAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE1Vll3U1ZFVnVrOGZXYlhsc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvktoITny-2EVLrLDWcJQQs0SkcvvcG58vus4A7p6163TyAfuVmAXjGAfhfp_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion.

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Ch 10 axes I'm A Celebrity | Angus Ross returns to 7 | Kyle & Jackie O staff sacked | Colbert's bizarre finale | Eurovision TV tech Rob McKnight, television and radio producer-presenter with over 30 years experience, brings you the week's biggest media industry stories from his garage on the Gold Coast. - Channel 10 confirms I'm a Celebrity axing — Rob broke it first - Angus Ross returns to Seven in expanded MD role - Kyle & Jackie O staff redundancies — Intern Pete speaks out - Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale and the $40M question - NBC reporter mocked for White House shooting reaction - Behind the scenes of Eurovision's world feed graphics system Channel 10 has confirmed the axing of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! — and Rob broke the story over a week before the official announcement. Despite other outlets calling it speculation, his trusted sources were right. Again. Angus Ross is back at Channel 7 — and in a bigger role. After being sacked in March following 27 years at the network, the popular programmer returns as Managing Director, Television and Streaming. Meanwhile, veteran commercial director Bruce McWilliam has quietly become Southern Cross Media's second-biggest shareholder, setting the cat among the pigeons after the 7/SCA merger. The fallout from the Kyle and Jackie O axing continues, with three more team members — including the show's censor — now made redundant. Rob's recent interview with Intern Pete gives an inside look at how the team is coping, with the Kyle/Jackie O legal action against ARN still playing out in court. Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale was, by Rob's assessment, a bizarre farewell. With Paramount citing $40 million in annual losses and speculation about Trump's influence, Rob examines whether the show's enormous overheads — including custom-made Armani suits for every appearance — contributed to its demise. And what does it mean for the future of late night TV? Plus: an NBC reporter gets mocked online for her measured reaction to gunshots at the White House — and Rob has something to say about that. And a fascinating look at the extraordinary broadcast technology behind Eurovision's global graphics sync. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #RobMcKnight #ImACelebrity #Channel10 #AngusRoss #Channel7 #KyleAndJackieO #ARN #StephenColbert #LateShow #Eurovision #australianmedia

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Live TV Chaos, Channel 10's Regional Retreat, Karl & Eddie's New Show, Fair Dealing Explained + Logies Salute & Slap - Live TV chaos — Sky News UK and CBS News meltdowns dissected - Channel 10 dropped in three regional markets — WIN Network exits - Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire launch The Long Weekend video podcast - Meta book piracy lawsuit — fair dealing law explained for Australian media - Salute & Slap — BAFTAs vs the Logies, and why the industry needs to back itself Rob McKnight, television and radio producer and presenter with over 30 years' experience, breaks down the biggest stories in Australian and international media from his garage on the Gold Coast. This week, live TV chaos strikes on two continents — Sky News UK gets tangled in its own wiring during a major political moment, while CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil is stranded in Taiwan due to a visa issue as Trump meets Xi in Beijing, and a medical emergency unfolds live on air. Rob unpacks what went wrong and what the control room should have done. WIN Network has confirmed it will drop Channel 10 services in the Riverland, Mount Gambier and Griffith markets from June 30, following a similar exit from Mildura in 2024. Rob says this is just the beginning — and the numbers tell a grim story for Network 10's parent, Paramount. Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire are teaming up for a new Friday night video podcast called The Long Weekend, broadcasting across the Gold Radio Network and streaming on iHeart, 9Now and Stan. Rob explains why this is a smart play, and why Jam TV deserves more credit than it gets. Five major publishers have alleged Mark Zuckerberg personally ordered Meta to pirate millions of books to train its AI system, Llama. Rob takes a deep dive into fair dealing under Australian law — what it covers, what it doesn't, and why Nine's use of a Daily Mail photo during the Bondi Beach shootings is actually legal, even if it feels wrong. Sam Pang won't be hosting the Logies this year. Rob salutes Australian production teams after watching the BAFTAs, and delivers a pointed slap to anyone at the Logies who uses the stage to talk the television industry down. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianMedia #ChannelTen #KarlStefanovic #EddieMcGuire #Logies #FairDealing #CBSNews #SkyNews #VideoPocast

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