UPDATE: Major media executives in Australia are urgently lobbying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese against a controversial proposal that would allow AI firms to train on local content without compensating creators. This alarming move could severely undermine copyright protections, according to industry leaders.
During a direct appeal to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, executives from Nine Entertainment and other major publishers signed a letter condemning the idea. Matt Stanton from Nine warns that this could lead to a significant loss of revenue for Australian artists and journalists. Reports indicate that AI tools like Google’s are already repackaging news content, reducing clicks to original articles by as much as 80 percent.
In a separate development, Disney has announced that it will replace its global streaming brand Star with Hulu in Australia, signaling a strategic shift in its entertainment offerings. This change was revealed during an earnings call and will affect most international territories where Disney+ operates. Hulu will now include a broader range of entertainment content, moving away from the family-centric branding of Disney.
In corporate news, Cameron McIntyre is emerging as a frontrunner for the CEO position at REA Group, a company valued at $33 billion. Sources indicate that an announcement is imminent, with McIntyre previously leading significant growth at Carsales. The new CEO will oversee one of the Murdoch family’s most prized assets.
Meanwhile, Howard Stern is reportedly weighing his options as his blockbuster $500 million deal with SiriusXM approaches its conclusion. The legendary broadcaster, now 71, is contemplating a short-term extension, depending on financial terms, as he grapples with the increasing focus on rival host Andy Cohen.
In the tech arena, AI firms, including OpenAI and Perplexity, are being accused of scraping Australian news sites tens of millions of times each month, even after publishers have attempted to block such activities. Sam Buckingham-Jones of The Australian Financial Review reports that Nine Entertainment has tracked these bots mining content from its various outlets, including The Age and SMH.
In entertainment, former Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste makes a surprise appearance in the reality show Ultimate Escape, now streaming on 7Plus. The high-stakes series, filmed in New Zealand, features Greste teaming up with his brother, promising an exciting new venture for the veteran journalist.
Lastly, the Australian music scene mourns the loss of Col Joye, a pioneering rock artist who passed away at 89. Known for his role in Col Joye and the Joy Boys, he was the first Australian rock act to top national charts and played a significant role in launching the careers of other artists, including the Bee Gees.
As these developments unfold, industry watchers are keen to see how media companies will respond to the AI copyright issue and what changes will come with Disney’s new streaming strategy. Stay tuned for more updates on these urgent matters.
