Mediaweek understands that Mike Fitzpatrick will be departing from his role at the ABC at the end of this month, marking the close of an 18-month tenure as Head of Capital Networks and Sport.
In a message to staff, which Mediaweek has seen, ABC’s Head of Audio Ben Latimer shared that Mike’s decision comes after a health diagnosis late last year, prompting him to prioritise his wellbeing.
“Mike has chosen to leave the ABC to focus on his health,” Latimer said, acknowledging the difficult journey ahead.
Earlier this year, Mike took several months away from work to manage his health, during which time Anthony Frangi stepped in to cover his responsibilities. Fitzpatrick had only recently returned to the office before making the decision to step down.
The ABC will now turn its attention to finding a successor who can carry forward the momentum in Capital Networks and Sport.
Mediaweek has reached out to the ABC for confirmation.
More to come.
The BBC-owned streaming service Britbox has today announced an expansion to its service, offering subscribers an expanded library of content and the addition of three curated linear channels.
Added to the Britbox library are buzzy new exclusive series Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero, Outrageous, Fear, and Death Valley. They will be joined with the latest seasons of popular shows Shetland and The Bay. Later in the year will see the return of exclusive shows The Cleaner, Professor T, and Karen Pirie.
Talking to Mediaweek, Britbox Australia General Manager Moira Hogan spoke about the expanded lineup: “We are focused on continuing to deliver on those awesome crime mysteries, dramas, comedies. We are expanding the variety of genres on our service, so we’re doing more light entertainment, so new and classic comedy, but also adding some of the quiz comedies onto the service, and we’re expanding into documentary series. Particularly around nature science documentaries, adventure travel and true crime is what we’re expanding on the service.”
Moira Hogan, Executive Vice President of International Markets and
General Manager of BritBox Australia
The most noticeable addition to the Britbox service will be three new curated linear channels: BBC First, BBC Entertain, and BBC Select. They will stream in Australia at 1080p adaptive streaming.
BBC had previously operated a BBC First linear channel in Australia, available on Foxtel and Fetch TV. The channel was closed in July of last year and replaced, on Fetch TV, with BBC Drama.
The new linear channels on Britbox offer an alternative way to watch the on-demand content available on the platform.
“It reflects entirely the on-demand catalogue. The linear streams are there to be a real complement to that on-demand viewing experience. We know that’s what our customers want primarily. We’re not moving away from on-demand, we’re a streaming service. Adding linear helps customers find something to instantly watch,” Hogan said.
International studios like Disney and Warner Bros Discovery reorientated their distribution strategy in Australia (and globally) to make their streaming platforms the go-to destination to see first window content from their respective studios. The BBC is taking a more flexible approach where it will place some exclusive content on Britbox, but will also sell shows to other local services.
“We’re really pleased on BritBox to be the home of first run territory premiere series for Call The Midwife, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, and we’ve expanded into a bunch of other shows as well. But we’re pretty confident as part of the BBC there’s lots of content to go around, and there’s lots of partnerships that are still there for BBC content to reach.
“BBC Studios being the commercial arm of the BBC… they’re fantastic at finding the right audiences and reaching the right audiences with their content and from BritBox’s perspective, we’re really focused on our customer. We know what content brings them in, what they watch when they come in, and what they watch to stay on BritBox,” Hogan said.
The BBC already operates linear FAST channels in the local market. Through a deal with Nine, 9Now viewers can watch BBC-channels BBC Comedy, BBC Earth, BBC Food, BBC Home & Garden, Top Gear UK, and Antiques Roadshow. There are no immediate plans to integrate these channels with the new channels on Britbox.
There are also no plans to use the launch of the linear channels as a way to revive kids-focused channels like CBeebies or BBC Kids, which were removed from Fetch TV in October.
This Britbox customer is at the centre of this current evolution of the Britbox service, with changes made to address feedback offered.
“We’ve done a lot of consumer research and what our customers have told us is they really want more of the latest series of shows they really love on BritBox, which is why we focused on those territory premieres and we’re adding lots of new territory premieres to attract new audiences as well. It’s a really considered decision for us, the type of shows that we’re releasing and that we’re adding into the service to add extra value to customers,” Hogan said.
That customer experience is also driving efforts to bring UK content to Australian viewers faster where possible.
“We certainly take a title-by-title approach to when we can bring content out faster, and we’ve done a number of titles that we have kind of put on the service pretty quickly after UK transmission. Certain events… like we’ve just done the Chelsea Flower Show and the BAFTA TV Awards, but also we’ve added the latest series of drama series Call The Midwife, Death in Paradise… And we’re always trying to bring content to our audiences as quick as we possibly can based on the content rights, the licensing, and the kind of resourcing that’s required to do it. It’s very much a title-by-title decision for us,” Hogan said.
Stan has reaffirmed its strategic content ambitions, announcing an extended multi-year partnership with Sony Pictures Television that will deliver a fresh slate of exclusive US scripted dramas, plus a library of acclaimed film and TV content to Australian audiences.
The deal strengthens a long-running alliance with Sony, one of Hollywood’s most-prolific studios, after the pair signed a strategic content partnership back in 2022.
The extension of this deal represents a significant commitment by Stan to maintain its premium positioning in a fiercely competitive streaming market in Australia.
“Stan’s multi-year partnership with Sony Pictures Television ensures we continue to bring exclusive premium content from around the globe to our subscribers,” said Amanda Laing, who recently became Nine Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast after leaving Foxtel.
Amanda Laing
“As Australia’s only locally owned and operated premium streaming service, we’re proud to work with world-class partners like Sony to deliver compelling, first-run series that resonate with our audiences,” she added.
“From Outlander: Blood of My Blood to Breaking Bad, Sony’s a leader in exceptional storytelling and has long been a valued and important partner of Stan. This agreement further strengthens our slate and reinforces our commitment to providing Australians with access to
the best entertainment, right here at home.”
Outlander: Blood of My Blood will debut on August 9, 2025. The 10-part prequel to the global hit Outlander features an entirely new cast, including Hermione Cornfield, Jeremy Irvine, Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy.
Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater.
The series tells the love story of two couples, Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp alongside Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, as they struggle to defy forces that want to tear them apart.
Sony’s new slate on Stan also includes:
The Miniature Wife, a comedy/drama starring Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen.
American Hostage, featuring Jon Hamm and based on the true-crime podcast of the same name.
“We are committed to this fruitful collaboration and look forward to bringing audiences more world-class storytelling and what we believe will be one of the most talked-about series launches Australia has seen in years,” said Adam Herr, Sony Pictures’ SVP, Distribution, APAC.
Alongside first-run dramas, the deal renews Stan’s streaming rights to a host of globally recognised series.
Returning hits include:
Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
The Good Doctor
Dawson’s Creek
The Nanny
S.W.A.T. and The Goldbergs
It also brings a robust film library from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s global catalogue, featuring:
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Where the Crawdads Sing
Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Anyone But You
“We are thrilled to be extending our strategic collaboration with Stan,” said Sony’s ANZ Co-Heads of Distribution Carolyn Ozkoseoglu and Julia Salter. “This will continue to support them in their ambition to bring Australian audiences some of the most compelling scripted content coming out of the US right now.”
This announcement lands amid a broader period of recalibration in the over-crowded Australian streaming market.
As Australia’s only locally-owned and operated major streamer, Stan increasingly leans into a dual positioning of a champion of local storyteller (through originals like Bump) and a curator of high-quality international content. By doubling down on exclusive first-run US scripted drama from Sony, Stan will be hoping to secure its reputation as a premium alternative to multinational platforms.
Breaking Bad
Certainly, availability of legacy series like Breaking Bad, The Good Doctor, and The Nanny, alongside blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man and Ghostbusters, gives Stan an “always-on” catalogue.
With the introduction of Max (soon to rebrand as HBO Max), Australian platforms are under increasing pressure to differentiate through exclusive content and franchise depth and limit churn.
In a landscape where Nine and Seven command the lion’s share of commercial news audiences, and the advertising dollars that follow, Network 10 is charting a different course.
While the big players double down on scale and spectacle, 10 News First is investing in something quieter but no less valuable: credibility.
Martin White, Vice-President of Broadcast News, Paramount Australia, sat down with Mediaweek’s Newsmakers podcast where he revealed that he believes it’s the networks commitment to telling it straight, without editorialising, that sets them apart.
But at the heart of it all? A simple, unwavering commitment: tell the truth, tell it well, and make sure the story earns its place in someone’s day.
White was asked about the state of current affairs programming on Network 10, and to settle a rumour making the rounds this week – are they building a 60 Minutes-style investigative show?
With a wry smile and a measured pause, White replied the network is “looking to explore longer-form, investigative storytelling across all our platforms”.
White confirmed that former 7News journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace will be joining the team, adding: “They will both be developing ideas for 10 News with Dan Sutton”.
White paints a picture of a news brand that isn’t trying to shout louder, just smarter. While 10 News First still covers global stories, it’s local news where the momentum is building fast.
In Brisbane, viewership jumped 27% year-on-year, a lift White attributes to the return of veteran presenter Sharyn Ghidella and a renewed hyper-local strategy. Adelaide’s up 18%, too.
“We always ask ourselves with every story: why should people care?” White says. “Because that’s what really matters to someone’s day-to-day.”
This simple ethos, stories that matter, delivered without bias, is shaping how 10 News First reclaims relevance with viewers. White is adamant: “We don’t do editorial. We just tell it straight.”
Of course, being trustworthy isn’t enough. You also have to be findable. White says the network’s strength lies in how it’s adapted its content to multiple platforms without compromising its journalism.
Whether it’s breaking news on TikTok or explainers on YouTube, the stories are being shaped to fit the platform, but the reporting rigour doesn’t waver.
“The craft doesn’t change,” he says. “You still need a journo to break the story. You still need to be on the ground, to call, to check, to verify. What’s changed is just where we’re telling our stories.”
He cites the million-plus followers on TikTok and YouTube as proof of audience demand. But he’s quick to note that these aren’t just vanity metrics, they’re signals of cultural influence.
“Short-form, vertical video isn’t new, but the rate at which it’s being consumed is. And the cultural pull of that kind of news is massive.”
White acknowledges we’re living in uncertain times: “a post-pandemic society where people are turning back to institutions they trust.” For him, news needs to meet that moment with a clear promise: no agenda, just the truth.
And that trust, he says, lives and dies by the newsroom. From veteran anchors like Sandra Sully and Hugh Riminton to frontline reporters across the country, “our people are known for being straight with the audience.”
That reputation, he says, is everything.
To hear Martin’s interview on Mediaweek’s Newsmaker’s click here
Avenue C has been appointed by AMP to lead its media planning and buying business, following a hotly contested competitive pitch process.
The independent media agency will oversea all media planning and buying responsibilities for the financial services company, excluding search and affiliate marketing, which will continue to be managed internally by AMP’s in-house team.
The appointment signals a key moment in AMP’s marketing evolution as the financial services company continues to innovate and drive strong customer engagement.
“Throughout the pitch process, Avenue C demonstrated a deep understanding of our ambitions and a real mastery of full-funnel media thinking,” Tina Cleary, AMP Chief Marketing Officer, said.
“Their team brought a sharp strategic lens paired with an impressive ability to connect long-term brand growth with short-term performance outcomes.
Tina Cleary: ‘Throughout the pitch process, Avenue C demonstrated a deep understanding of our ambitions and a real mastery of full-funnel media thinking.’
“AMP is entering an exciting chapter, with a bold roadmap of product innovation ahead. We’re thrilled to partner with Avenue C as we reshape what AMP stands for in the hearts and minds of Australians.”
Hugo Cutrone, Managing Partner at Avenue C, said the agency was thrilled to be partnering with such an iconic brand.
“We’re incredibly proud to be joining AMP on this next phase of their transformation.
“From day one, there was strong alignment around how we could elevate their brand through full-funnel media thinking and smarter performance integration. AMP is a brand with rich heritage and big ambition, and we’re excited to help bring that vision to life.”
The win continues Avenue C’s growth momentum, reinforcing its reputation as one of Australia’s leading independent media agencies.
Think HQ has marked 15 years of driving diverse and inclusive communications in the industry.
Founder and Managing Director, Jen Sharpe launched the agency in 2010 with the intent of building a values-based agency.
The independent agency has experienced continuous growth – 15% average year on year for the last five as a result of its integrated business model, according to the agency.
Sharpe’s business model was instrumental in paving the way for the subsequent shift towards more diverse and inclusive communications.
Think HQ boasts a team of more than 100 and has the capability to create and deliver inclusive communications in any language, in-house.
The inclusivity agenda with a vast body of positive impact-led work driving change across the full spectrum of society from multiculturalism, racism and discrimination to mental health, education, employment, safety, gender diversity, LGBTQIA+ and disability, for clients ranging from charities, foundations and health bodies, to large corporates, brands and government.
The integrated model that has grown over time includes an ISO-accredited strategy and insights team that covers all channels and audiences, plus teams that cover creative, extensive in-house production (including audio and visual studios), PR and activations, tech, multicultural and first nations engagement and an in-house, ISO-accredited languages services team.
Think HQ team
The agency walks the diversity talk in its operations as a model inclusive business: B-Corp accredited, an active LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, Think Proud, and a ratified Reconciliation Action Plan. Female owned and led, with Sharpe juggling the needs of the business and her young family. A diverse team of 100 including 70% women, 37 languages spoken, and 36% identifying as LGBTQIA+.
Think HQ Founder and Managing Director, Jen Sharpe reflected on the journey she and the agency have been on over the past decade-and-a-half.
“I started Think HQ solo from my kitchen table with little capital, an unwavering ambition to only work on positive change projects, and one client – Scanlon Foundation, still a client today, 15 years later. We have achieved what I believed was possible back then – driving positive social change and commercial success through an inclusive business that reflects today’s Australia. I couldn’t be prouder.
“We have built a safe, structurally sound, ethically responsible workplace where people can thrive, all while being profitable and driving positive impact for our clients and the community. And we’re not done yet.
“The business is busy growing its Sydney team and roster of clients to include more values-aligned corporate and consumer clients including CommBank and Lipton. More acquisition talks are also in progress to further expand the service offering and geographical reach of the agency. The bigger we get, the more positive impact we make – so the focus is on sustainable growth, and there are plenty of opportunities,” Sharpe explained.
Top image: Jen Sharpe
Mediaweek’s flagship celebration of emerging talent is back for an incredible night.
On Friday June 13, the Next of the Best Awards return to Sydney, spotlighting the rising stars who are defining the future of media in Australia.
In just a few short years, Next of the Best has cemented itself as a unique celebration, where tomorrow’s leaders are recognised today.
Across 12 categories, the awards honour talent in creative, commercial, content, sales, strategy, AdTech and more, across agencies, publishers, brands and platforms.
You can buy your tickets here.
Here are the Next of the Best finalists (in no particular order).
Lisa-Marie Lavocah, Mamamia
Ari Petropoulos, News Corp Australia
Bree Tassell, oOh!media
Izabella Paoliello, GroupM
Madeleine Smith, oOh!media
Leona McConnell, oOh!media
Bryce Crosswell, SCA
Emily Clifford, oOh!media
Tara Peck,The Guardian
Rianna Danis, News Corp Australia
Jack Castles, Vinyl Media
Patrick Condon, Foxtel Media
Danielle O’Meara, oOh!media
Rachel Knight, dentsu QLD
Cleo Lam, Spark Foundry
Josh Fick, dentsu QLD
Danica Berjanovic, OMD
Monique Gerada, dentsu QLD
Courtney Cholakos, dentsu QLD
Cassie Broad, Starcom
Lennie Butler, Spark Foundry
Jun Sayabath, UM
Maddie Phillips, dentsu QLD
Liz Lonsdale, Howatson+Company
James Turner, Howatson+Company
Justin Arlt, Wavemaker
Michael Mellington, UM
Clare Todhunter, Nine
Matilda Boseley, Guardian Australia
Sharn Jaye, Mamamia
Emily McPherson, Nine
Krista Schade, The Riverine Grazier
Jess Eva, Maker Media
Holly Bryar, Bryar Casting
Justin Corbett, Perpetual Entertainment
Gia Moylan, Deadset Studios
Emily Tresidder, SCA
Ashleigh Smith, SCA
Nicola Dale and Di Edwards, Over the Backfence
Emily Vernem, Mamamia
The Hot Hits with Nic and Loren, SCA
Sean Brown, SCA
Lucy and Nikki, SCA
Jonathon Moran, News Corp Australia
Mary Karananos, Paramount
Meg Bellemore and Ciara Bowe, Guardian Australia
Mikela Burnham, News Corp Australia
David Vale, HSLR
Caitlin Lee, Steph Yin and Za Rathie, Total Sport + Entertainment
Winne Lui, Nine
Doy Moreau, Audience360
Andrew McKeown, oOh!media
Pranai Devulapalli, oOh!media
Annie Marendaz, The Media Store
Emma Petersen, Paramount
Drew Worthington, Vinyl Media
Rose McClelland, oOh!media
Holly Butts, SCA
Kate Hornstein, EVDirect
Angelina Das, News Corp Australia
Marcus Billingham-Yuen, News Corp Australia
John Guanzon, Man of Many
Nicole Douglas, Nine
Stephanie Rigg-Smith, Are Media
Ramon Rodriguez, News Corp Australia
Harry Parsons, Man of Many
Dianna Molinaro, News Corp Australia
Nan’s Favourites, The Gifted Group
Silk Cartwright, The Gifted Group
Sharn Jaye, Mamamia
Grace & Matt, The Gifted Group
Gabrielle De Ramos, The Gifted Group
Olivia James, Mamamia
Jenna Benson, ARN
Brittany O’Brien, The Gifted Group
Lily Nielsen, Wavemaker
Santosh Murthy, Identity Communications
Asier Carazo, Atomic 212º
Jazmaree Dawson, EssenceMediacom
Zoe Lassig, Havas Media
Nalina Tran, News Corp Australia
Alyce Wilson, SCA
Sharnee Rawson, Guardian Australia
Kiri Martin, SCA
Luke Amasi, iProspect
Julia Sheehan, Leo Australia
Madison Lawler, SQUAD (Mamamia)
Harry Badcock, Abe’s Audio
Jessica Nikolovski, oOh!media
Patrick Whitnall, AiMCO
Asier Carazo, Atomic 212º
Rebecca Ackland, SCA
Chris Ernst, dentsu QLD
Bryce Crosswell, SCA
Marilla Akkermans, Equality Media + Marketing
Jessica Miles, Integral Ad Science
Lorraine Woods, Atomic 212º
With a live set from Dayshawn and hosted by Jimmy, Nath and Emma from 2DAY FM’s The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma, this is more than just an awards night, it’s an unforgettable evening honouring the industry’s rising talent and those championing their success.
The event is sponsored by News Corp Australia, Rolling Stone AU/NZ, and LISTNR.
Jimmy & Nath with Emma
Held at W Sydney, the Next of the Best Awards 2025 promise to be an unforgettable night and our winners – judged by our independent panel – will be announced.
Date: Friday, 13 June 2025
Location: W Sydney, Darling Harbour
Hosts: Jimmy, Nath and Emma from 2DAY FM’s The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma
Entertainment: Afterparty hosted by Rolling Stone Australia with a live set from Dayshawn
Time: 6:30pm
Dress code: Formal
Tables, single tickets and group bookings are available.
Nova Podcasts has unveiled a fresh addition to its growing lineup with This is Chaos, a new weekly podcast hosted by Married at First Sight breakout star Carina Mirabile and hairstylist influencer Jacob Muller.
The show promises a bold mix of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and candid conversations, designed to appeal to listeners craving both glamour and genuine connection.
Created by AIIMS Creator Hub, the team behind the viral MAFS Funny podcast, This is Chaos aims to stand out by blending style and authenticity.
Mirabile, who rose to fame on the 2025 season of Married at First Sight Australia, will bring her insider fashion perspective alongside Muller, who has a reputation for deep, meaningful chats with his clients.
Mirabile shared her excitement about the podcast’s approach: “We’ll dive into beauty, lifestyle, and more serious topics with vulnerability and honesty.”
Muller added, “Many people are hungry for real, unfiltered conversations about everything from heartbreak to identity, and that’s what we want to offer.”
Joshua Fox and Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola, founders of AIIMS Creator Hub.
This is Chaos combines entertainment with relatable discussions, making it an attractive platform for advertisers targeting young, engaged audiences interested in fashion, wellness, and personal growth.
With hosts who already boast strong social followings, the podcast is well-positioned to create authentic brand partnerships and integrated advertising opportunities.
The podcast is produced by Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola and Joshua Fox, founders of AIIMS Creator Hub.
Since its launch earlier this year, the Hub has become a creative force behind successful digital projects like MAFS Funny.
Their collaboration with Nova Podcasts, announced in March, signals a commitment to expanding quality content offerings in the Australian market.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) has announced a major leadership restructure at LiSTNR, positioning the platform for its next stage of growth.
Launched in 2021, LiSTNR has quickly evolved into a key player in Australia’s digital audio landscape, boasting 2.25 million signed-up users and more than 10 million monthly listeners across its radio streaming and podcasting network.
The platform’s prominence in the Australian Podcast Ranker and its rising commercial performance underscore its growing significance within SCA’s broader “All About Audio” strategy.
To steer LiSTNR through this next chapter, SCA has appointed Chief Operating Officer Stephen Haddad to lead the platform, supported by a newly bolstered leadership team.
The restructure sees internal promotions for long-serving executives Grant Tothill, Sam Cavanagh, and Mike Williams, a move that not only reinforces continuity but also signals SCA’s intent to double down on content innovation, operational rigour and audience growth.
Haddad described the shift as a strategic realignment that integrates content leadership with operational focus.
“LiSTNR’s momentum is no accident, it’s the result of targeted investment in data infrastructure, premium content, and a clear future-facing vision,” he said.
“This new team structure allows us to enhance audience engagement and accelerate commercial outcomes for advertisers.”
In a newly created position, Tothill steps into the role of Executive Head, LiSTNR Operations and Audience.
He’ll oversee all operational facets of the platform, lead data-driven audience acquisition strategies, and develop a scalable distribution model that optimises reach across LiSTNR’s growing audio ecosystem.
With more than three decades in media, spanning radio, music, partnerships and podcasting, Tothill brings deep expertise in content-led growth.
His prior work as Executive Head of LiSTNR Audience and Growth and Director of Entertainment & Content Solutions has helped shape the platform’s audience strategy and commercial footprint.
Cavanagh, appointed Head of Content, LiSTNR Original Podcasts, will focus on developing and commissioning new titles.
His remit includes ensuring original content meets strategic targets and delivers performance across key verticals like entertainment, factual and sport.
Cavanagh’s creative credentials span two decades, most notably as the former Executive Producer of Hamish & Andy, as well as content leadership roles at Thinkerbell and influencer marketing agency Tribe.
Williams takes on the role of LiSTNR Head of Entertainment & Culture.
In this capacity, he will oversee the entertainment vertical, managing podcast producers and ensuring content meets the expectations of increasingly segmented, interest-driven audiences.
Williams, a former ABC content strategist and producer with more than 16 years in the audio industry, has been instrumental in driving LiSTNR’s editorial standards since joining in 2022 as Executive Producer of Original Podcasts.
At the heart of these structural changes is a clear commercial intent.
LiSTNR’s expansive listener base, combined with first-party data capabilities, gives SCA a potent proposition for advertisers seeking precision, scale and engagement.
The promotions also suggest SCA’s confidence in retaining and developing internal talent to meet advertiser expectations around accountability and ROI.
With the podcasting space increasingly viewed through a performance marketing lens, advertisers are demanding clearer attribution and content alignment, expectations SCA appears primed to meet.
In a rapidly fragmenting media environment, SCA’s decision to recalibrate LiSTNR’s leadership isn’t just about structure, it’s about intent.
On the Monday episode of his twice-weekly podcast WTF, host Marc Maron announced that the show will come to an end later this year.
Maron was one of the earliest podcasters to break out in the public consciousness, helping podcasts go mainstream. His podcast set a template for many of the long-form, confessional interview podcasts that have emerged from the medium.
He told listeners to his podcast that the reason he is planning to end the show was simply that he was burnt out. The WTF podcast has reliably been published every Monday and Thursday for 16 years straight without taking a break. For the entire run of the show, it was produced by Brendan McDonald.
Maron has not ruled out starting another interview show or podcast at a later stage. At a time where podcasts are making a pivot towards video, Maron has kept WTF as an audio-only show.
Almost every notable name in Hollywood have at one stage appeared as guests on the podcast, which will near 2000 episodes by the time it ends. He famously interviewed the then-US President Barack Obama from the garage in Maron’s home where he usually records the show.
After making his announcement in the most recent episode, Maron went on to interview comedian John Mulaney – one of the very few guests to have made multiple appearances on the show. They joked about the difficulties of Maron continuing to be interested in talking to actors about their craft.
Maron, a stand-up comedian, has become a prolific actor in recent years with roles in films like Joker and The Order, along with leading roles on TV series including Netflix’s comedy GLOW and the upcoming Apple TV+ Owen Wilson golf comedy Stick.
A new WWII survival thriller, Play Dead, has commenced production at Docklands Studios Melbourne, utilizing one of the world’s largest permanent LED volume stages operated by NantStudios. The project is one of the latest international productions drawn to Victoria through government incentives.
Docklands Studios Melbourne
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Black Adam, Carry-On), the film is set in 1940s Belgium, which will be digitally recreated using LED in-camera visual effects technology. The production will also feature scenes shot in South Gippsland.
Jaume Collet-Serra
Play Dead is projected to contribute more than $24 million to the Victorian economy and provide over 300 jobs, including 160 crew members, 40 cast and extras, and 100 positions in post-production and digital effects. Additionally, the film will offer 10 skills development placements for emerging professionals in stunts and virtual production.
The film stars Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place, Franklin), Matthias Schweighöfer (Army of Thieves), Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin), Andreas Pietschmann (1899), Juliette Gariepy (Red Rooms), and Sebastian Griegel (Young Woman and the Sea). Australian actors Joel Jackson, Sean Keenan, Harrison Quast, and Don Hany also feature.
Produced by Nocturnal Entertainment’s Akiva Nemetsky and Keaton Heinrichs, the project brings together industry veterans including Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert for Ghost House Pictures, JD Lifshitz and Raphael Margules for BoulderLight, and Dane Eckerle for Bad Grey. The screenplay is written by Peter Stanley-Ward and Natalie Conway.
Play Dead is supported by VicScreen through the Victorian Screen Rebate, and also accesses the Federal Government’s Location Offset. It follows other high-profile productions in Victoria such as The Dispatcher, Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky, and Netflix’s The Survivors.
Colin Brooks, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, said the production “creates jobs, builds our skilled workforce, generates millions for our economy and showcases Victorian innovation to the world.”
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher noted Play Dead is “yet another screen production to utilise Melbourne’s LED in-camera volume screens… engaging our world-class technicians and demonstrating Victoria’s capability for high end virtual production.”
Producer Akiva Nemetsky described working in Melbourne as “an incredible experience,” crediting the “exceptional crews, talented cast, and stunning locations” for elevating the production.
TEAM LEWIS has introduced a new biometric-based service, Training for Trust™ (TFT), which uses AI-powered analysis to measure and enhance communication integrity and credibility for corporate spokespeople.
Developed across the UK, US, and Malaysia, and now operational from a new London studio, TFT combines facial, voice, and eye contact recognition with proprietary modelling. It delivers real-time analysis of performance against criteria including trustworthiness, confidence, and authenticity.
Operating under studio conditions, TFT tracks eye movement, voice tone, and emotional responses such as tension or engagement. Delegates receive an overall quartile Trust Score and a tailored Training Needs Analysis (TNA), highlighting improvement areas for communication skills.
According to TEAM LEWIS, applications span shareholder and internal communications, crisis training, litigation preparation, and candidate vetting across sectors such as finance, health, government, and technology. The tool is intended for senior leaders and simulates scenarios including live media interviews and social media crises.
The launch coincides with the opening of TEAM LEWIS’s purpose-built London studio at Battersea Power Station. The facility, which also offers virtual production and Dolby Atmos mixing, will serve global clients initially, with plans to extend TFT capabilities to all 26 of the consultancy’s global offices by 2026.
TEAM LEWIS COO Yvonne van Bokhoven described the technology as a shift from subjective to objective assessment: “This is the first ever machine-based analytics that can test for integrity. We don’t know of a product like it anywhere in the world.”
Yvonne van Bokhoven
Steve Smith, VP Global Energy Management Communications at Schneider Electric, said the program simulates broadcast conditions and delivers actionable feedback: “Getting detailed reports analysing your performance, coupled with an immediate playback are powerful tools… I can highly recommend this training to any senior company spokesperson.”
Future iterations of TFT are expected to incorporate reputation scoring using online data scraping, according to the consultancy.
The Foxtel Group has confirmed a new season of The Great Australian Bake Off, with comedian and writer Tom Walker joining returning host Natalie Tran. The new season, which marks the eighth instalment of the Australian adaptation, will again feature judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese.
Walker, known for his improvisational comedy and appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee, brings a distinct comedic style to the role. His previous accolades include Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Director’s Choice Award at the Sydney Comedy Festival.
“To the little boy who grew up thinking he’d never see a biscuit city — you were wrong. I’m thrilled to be part of the Bake Off Family,” said Walker.
The upcoming season will feature 12 amateur bakers competing over 10 episodes, encompassing 30 baking challenges. These include Tropical Tarts, Biscuit Dioramas, and Edible Terrariums, designed to test creativity and skill under the guidance of Khoo and Purchese.
Natalie Tran returns following a well-received performance in Season 7, and her on-screen chemistry with Walker is expected to bring an engaging dynamic to the show.
Natalie Tran & Tom Walker
Rachel Khoo, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef and international food personality, continues her judging role with a focus on innovation and presentation. Fellow judge Darren Purchese, celebrated for his intricate pastry creations, provides technical mentorship to contestants.
Foxtel also announced the commissioning of Season 9, with casting currently open to aspiring bakers across Australia.
“The Great Australian Bake Off continues to be one of our most-loved titles,” said Howard Myers-Rifai, Head of Unscripted Originals, Foxtel Group. “Commissioning a new season was an easy decision.”
The series is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia. Kylie Washington, EVP and Creative Director, Global Entertainment, BBC Studios ANZ, highlighted Walker’s addition: “His sharp wit and infectious energy are the perfect ingredients to complement the magic of the show.”
The Bake Off format originated in the UK in 2010 and has since been adapted in over a dozen countries globally.
As Stephen Drill writes in The Daily Telegraph, the segment in question featured ex-reporter Seb Costello confronting an employee at Melbourne’s Rialto building, a move that sparked immediate legal heat.
The court win gives Oak Capital some breathing room as it battles ASIC in a separate case involving $37 million in allegedly fee-heavy loans.
As Charlie Lewis writes in this Crikey Op-Ed, Elizabeth Young, whose daughter Jade was one of six people killed, told the court her family were re-traumatised by seeing Jade’s dying moments broadcast on national television.
“Horrified” was how her sister and nephew described it.
As Thomas Henry writes in The Australian, he’s headed to the Centre for Independent Studies, where he’ll swap headlines for think tank strategy.
Stutchbury told AFR staff he’s taking on an “exciting opportunity” at the centre-right institute, which he’s long admired.
As Greg Brown writes in The Australian, Senator Andrew Bragg, the Opposition’s productivity and deregulation spokesperson, says it’s time to knock down the barriers keeping Australians from more flexible work.
The about-face follows the backlash over a policy that would’ve banned WFH for federal public servants, a policy Peter Dutton quietly dropped mid-campaign.
As Steve Jackson writes in The Australian, tasked with cracking into a city where rugby league barely registers, De Ceglie is facing a cold shoulder from the very power players he was hired to charm.
Despite being a Perth local and former Seven West Media news boss, he’s struggled to find friends in high places.
As Tim Biggs explains in The Sydney Morning Herald, at Google I/O last week, the tech giant showed off a flood of AI updates (100, to be exact) as it tries to prove Gemini is more than just a flashy chatbot.
But just down the highway, a much smaller player is gunning for the crown. Perplexity, a buzzy AI-powered “answer engine,” thinks it has the edge.
As David Claughton writes on ABC News, Telstra has flicked the switch on a new mobile-to-satellite messaging service, using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites to help customers connect when they’re beyond the reach of 4G or 5G.
It’s only available on Samsung’s Galaxy S25 for now and limited to SMS, but the telco is calling it a breakthrough for Aussies in coverage dead zones.
According to Yoni Bashan in The Australian, the brand confirmed it’s now in direct talks with Tame’s camp.
After days of sidestepping media questions, Nike issued a firm (if carefully worded) statement saying it “does not stand for any form of discrimination, including antisemitism” and was “taking the matter very seriously.”
As Kyle Laidlaw writes in TV Blackbox, The switcheroo happened just after 6.37pm, mid-ad break, as technical issues knocked out Brisbane’s local feed.
From there, Sydney’s bulletin took over without explanation, until sports anchor Mel McLaughlin finally broke the fourth wall.
The investment, roughly $1.5 million a pop, signals confidence that moviegoers still want the kind of sensory overload their lounge rooms just can’t deliver.
But, as Michael Bailey writes in the Australian Financial Review, the company, listed on the NYSE, isn’t just selling screens.
As Karl Quinn writes in The Age, that curiosity led her down the path of cinematography, a craft she’s now been mastering for over three decades.
Walker’s career sparkles with accolades, from BAFTA and Oscar nods to an AACTA win for Elvis. But last weekend’s milestone, being elected president of the American Society of Cinematographers, stands out.