Media Roundup: 'Wombat gate' farce, Neighbours turns 40, anger over Ben Cousins, Netflix's Adolescence genius and Bunnings aged-care move
See the top industry stories trending today.
Television
'Wombat gate' influencer snubs The Project
Samantha Strable, the Instagram influencer at the centre of the 'wombat-gate' uproar, was set to appear on The Project Sunday night but bailed at the last minute, leaving the show scrambling. Host Hamish Macdonald addressed the sudden cancellation on air, hinting at frustration over the missed opportunity to challenge Strable's actions directly.
As Eleanor Katelaris reports for news.com.au, Strable sparked outrage last week after sharing a video of herself grabbing a baby wombat from its mother.
Facing backlash, she issued an Instagram apology but also took aim at Australia's culling laws, calling them "hypocritical."
Industry reflects on Neighbours turning 40
Australia's longest-running drama, Neighbours, marks 40 years on air, and the industry - from networks to producers - has come together to recognise its lasting impact.
David Knox from TV Tonight reports that the milestone has drawn praise from rival broadcasters, streaming giants, and key figures who credit the show with shaping Australian TV and exporting its suburban charm to global audiences.
"Neighbours has been a staple of Australian television drama and cultural exports," said Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 and head of streaming, Paramount ANZ. While, Amazon Prime Video also praised the show saying: "Ramsay Street is recognised around the world, and for four decades, the show has captured the hearts of audiences".
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Anger over Cousins' recent media roles
Former AFL star Ben Cousins role as part of the Seven Network's AFL commentary team has come under fire. This latest role comes off the back of his recently announced breakfast radio gig on Perth's Mix 94.5.
The decision to hire Cousins' - despite his well-documented past - has come under criticism from columnist and author Clare Stephens who has slammed the decision to hire him in The Age.
Stephen's questions whether his story, which also includes the stalking of his ex-partner, is just one of redemption and is, instead, simply a ratings magnet.
Business
Why Aussie workers would rather take a pay cut than return to the office
David Phung had a choice: take a 20% pay rise or keep the freedom to walk his kids to school and work remotely.
The Melbourne-based tech consultant turned down three job offers that would have paid significantly more - but required him to spend most of the week in an office. “Even at the upper end of 20 per cent, it isn’t really worth the [extra] time that you give,” said Phung, who values work-life balance over a bigger salary.
As Euan Black reports in The Australian Financial Review, more and more Australian professionals have made similar trade-offs according to national wage data.
Companies
Paramount Global axes award shows amid Skydance merger plans
Paramount Global, the parent company of MTV and CMT, is reportedly recalibrating its live events strategy.
New reports from Deadline claim MTV is not bringing back its Movie & TV Awards for 2025 after cancelling the show in 2024 too.
Earlier this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter, several other key awards shows, including the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), the CMT Music Awards, MTV Latin America’s MIAW Awards, and Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards in Mexico, were placed on hiatus.
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