In the latest draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill shared with stakeholders, the government has proposed classifying social media influencers, creators, and podcasters who produce news and current affairs content as 'Digital News Broadcasters.'   On July 9, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) introduced new provisions to the Bill. Notably, OTT and digital news broadcasters will now be exempt from criminal penalties for failing to notify the government if they exceed the statutory threshold.  Additionally, the definition of OTT broadcasting services has been updated to include social media creators.  Initially released for public consultation in November 2023, the Bill aims to consolidate all broadcaster regulations into a single framework. The MIB has requested feedback on this latest draft by July 31.  In its recent meeting with streaming service providers and broadcasters on July 9, the MIB addressed the Bill’s implications for social medi

Triple M has announced that Jess Eva will be filling in for Annabelle "A.B." Brett on The Rush Hour QLD Drive show alongside Elliott Lovejoy. Annabelle Brett will begin her maternity leave on Monday, 29 July. Eva shared her enthusiasm about rejoining Triple M, saying, “I can’t wait to catch up with Elliott and all The Rush Hour listeners. It’s going to be a lot of fun with my old far North Queensland people again!” Brett expressed mixed emotions about her temporary departure, stating, “Jess is someone I’ve admired for many years and I am honoured to call her a friend and mentor. To have someone of her calibre joining the show while I’m away is a dream come true for the team and for our amazing listeners. I look forward to returning in 2025 following some special time with my family and a Brisbane Broncos and Lions Premiership of course!” Jess Eva previously co-hosted the Sydney Breakfast show with MG and Chris Page from 2019 to 2022. Listeners can tune into The Ru

Mix 102.3 has announced that Hayley Pearson will step in for Ali Clarke on 'Max and Ali in the Morning' after Clarke revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. Pearson will fill in while Clarke undergoes a mastectomy. Clarke expressed her confidence in Pearson, stating, "For her to come out of ‘retirement’ for me and our listeners fills me with joy. I could not have hoped for a better person to keep Max in line.” Pearson, currently the co-host of Channel 9’s 'HelloSA' and co-creator of Adelady, has a background in breakfast radio at Nova and SAFM.  “The first thing I thought of was ALL the people Ali has helped over the years with a cancer diagnosis. She has been an absolute star to these people and their families, and I know that everyone who knows her, loves her or listens to her on radio would drop everything just to help,” Pearson said. Max Burford commented on the transition, saying, “Our listeners will know full well that Ali runs a tight ship. So it’s a grea

Cricket Australia has announced extended audio rights deals with the ABC, SEN, and Triple M, securing more cricket coverage for the next seven summers. These deals align with Cricket Australia's broadcast rights with the Seven Network and Foxtel, running through to 2030-31. The new deals will enhance radio coverage, particularly for women's cricket. It will include three women's T20 internationals each season, alongside their existing coverage of men's Test and ODI cricket. All radio streams will be available for free via cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, with additional coverage on the networks' own digital platforms. Triple M will cover three women's T20 internationals each season for the first time, alongside its existing men's Test and ODI cricket coverage. The ABC will include KFC BBL matches, and SEN will add WBBL coverage. SCA Chief Executive John Kelly emphasised the network’s commitment to expanding coverage to the women's game, promising 'the network’s trademark i

Regional print media is projected to experience an 8-9 per cent revenue increase in FY25, bolstered by higher advertising revenue, according to a report released on Thursday by Crisil.  This growth outpaces the 6-7 per cent revenue increase estimated for FY24, attributed to increased government advertising in the lead-up to national elections.  For FY25, a further decrease in newsprint prices which account for up to 40 per cent of operating costs is expected to boost operating profit margins by an additional 2 percentage points, reaching 20-22 per cent. This follows a 4 percentage point expansion in the operating profit margin during the previous fiscal year due to lower newsprint prices.  The revenue growth forecast is based on an analysis of eight regional print media companies, which together represent 60 per cent of the regional print media market in terms of circulation. Advertising, which contributes two-thirds of revenue for these entities, will be the primary drive

Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and New Media Wing (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster collaboration for Indian Languages Translation.     The collaboration would ensure translation into 12 languages, including text-to-text, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, audio localization, live video/audio translation, and subtitling. The New  Media Wing’s A.I.-driven Communication Hub will provide DIBD with datasets in text, audio, and video formats, enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and quality of translation services. In addition, DIBD will train AI models with these datasets to meet the needs of the Ministry of I&B and Media Units.     Further, the collaboration aims to develop advanced language translation and transliteration technologies, introducing innovative features to improve existing systems. DIBD and NMW will establish quality assurance processes to rectify errors and inconsistencies.     This strategic

Triple M has announced a new live national show, 'Matt & Alex Going For Bronze,' hosted by Matt Okine and Alex Dyson. The show will provide daily recaps and comedic takes on the Paris Games, featuring former Olympian Georgie Parker and special guests from around the world.  Okine expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture, saying, "As someone who once came dead last in a high jump competition because I failed to clear the opening height, it feels only right that I would be gifted a platform to judge and critique the world's greatest athletes." Dyson jokingly added, "Going for Bronze will combine my two loves: talking about elite sports, and only working every 4 years." O’Reilly, Head of Triple M Metro Content, called it the “perfect pairing of sport and comedy."  “For the next two weeks the eyes of the world will be focused on Paris and the amazing athletic achievements, so having Matt and Alex host Going For Bronze is the perfect pairing of sport and comedy,” he