Day: October 31, 2024

ABC announces new roles in 2025 for Patricia Karvelas and Greg Jennett

The ABC has announced new roles in 2025 for leading political and public affairs journalists Patricia Karvelas and Greg Jennett.

As announced earlier this month, Patricia Karvelas is farewelling Radio National after 10 years to take up an expanded role for ABC NEWS across platforms. In addition to presenting Q+A and weekly political wrap The Party Room, and writing analysis for ABC NEWS online, in the new year she will take over as presenter of Afternoon Briefing each weekday on ABC iview and the ABC NEWS Channel.

After presenting Afternoon Briefing for the past three years, Greg Jennett is moving into a senior role in the Northbourne, Canberra newsroom presenting the ACT 7PM News from Sunday to Thursday and conducting Stateline interviews. He will also work with the Canberra Parliament House team on the federal election coverage.

After a terrific two years in the chair, including his key role in this month’s ACT election coverage, current ACT 7PM presenter James Glenday will be going on to an exciting new project next year. More details of that will be announced in coming weeks.

Afternoon Briefing, which Karvelas launched in 2018 and Jennett has led since he returned from the ABC’s Washington Bureau in 2022, continues to go from strength to strength. Its interviews with key decision makers and stakeholders routinely break news and set the agenda on politics and national and global affairs.

Karvelas will also launch a new ABC NEWS politics podcast, Politics Now, which will bring the best political analysis to the podcasting space via the ABC Listen app. Politics Now will be daily during the federal election campaign and can publish additional episodes any time major political stories are breaking.

Patricia Karvelas: “I’m so excited to be anchoring a daily national affairs and politics program, especially at a time when Australians are seeking not just accountability but explanation of really complex issues. Afternoon Briefing has become appointment viewing and is a key part of the news agenda daily.

“Being able to launch a podcast which is fast and responsive and engaging on moving political stories has been my dream. It’s how I consume content and I know there’s a strong desire from our audience for non-appointment content that meets people in their headphones when it suits them.”

Greg Jennett: “I’m proud of what we’ve done with Afternoon Briefing these last three years. It has become an accessible place for politicians of all stripes and levels of experience to discuss and debate the issues of the day.

“Over the years I’ve been privileged to report on some of the most remarkable events in the life of our nation. In 2025 I’ll devote my energies to other stories around the nation’s capital, while still being close enough to hear that thrum from the Hill that’s been a constant in my reporting for the last couple of decades or so.  I’m looking forward to what comes next.”

ABC Director, News Justin Stevens: “Patricia Karvelas and Greg Jennett are among the best political journalists in the country and will ensure audiences get the most up to date insights and analysis on offer, bringing their huge experience to the biggest stories of the moment, here and overseas.
“They will be integral members of our coverage as we gear up for the next federal election.”

LiSTNR LAUNCHES ENTIRE NEW SEASON OF AWARD-WINNING SERIES SECRETS WE KEEP: PRAY HARDER

– A POWERFUL INVESTIGATION INTO AN AUSTRALIAN DOOMSDAY PASTOR EXPOSES VIOLENCE, SEXISM AND RACISM –

Listeners will be taken into a secretive religious group where every aspect of members’ lives are tightly controlled by their hardline pastor in the new season of LiSTNR’s podcast docuseries Secrets We Keep.

Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder, a new nine-part investigation hosted by award-winning Australian investigative journalist Richard Baker, reveals the sinister truth about the pastor who led the Geelong Revival Centre (GRC), a regional Victorian church with tentacles across Australia.

Survivors and ex-members bravely blow the whistle on abuse, violence and sexism from inside the group, which operated under the late Pastor Noel Hollins.

Available now exclusively on LiSTNR, the series exposes how Pastor Hollins led the GRC, which has affiliated assemblies around the world, blended the racist doctrine of the “British Israel” movement with doomsday predictions that Armageddon would soon be upon us.

Pastor Hollins dedicated his life to the movement and convinced followers he had a direct line to God. Under his leadership, members were encouraged to use physical punishment to discipline their children, women and girls were routinely oppressed, and abuse was not reported to authorities.

Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder showcases exclusive audio obtained by Baker as part of his two-year investigation of Pastor Hollins’ teachings. Baker also secured testimony from ex-members who share intimate details of their lives growing up in a highly controlled environment, where a culture of intense surveillance meant everyone reported on each other and normal human urges such as affection and attraction were suppressed and replaced with rules, judgement, fasting and prayer.

According to Pastor Hollins, the answer to any hardship, ailment, fear or desire was simply to ‘Pray Harder’.

“It’s astonishing what these former members have shared with me,” said Richard. “The amount of human wreckage, particularly within families, is shocking and I’ve come away from several interviews kind of numb and in a daze.

“Celeste is a voice you’ll hear in the series. She first came to the church as a vulnerable young girl and later returned as a single mother looking for solace having escaped a world of drug addiction and gang violence. However, the oppressive and controlling nature of the ‘church’ under Noel Hollins meant it didn’t feel like a place of solace, and she became increasingly concerned for the wellbeing of her young autistic son after he fell victim to the church’s practice of using physical violence to discipline children. Now in her early 30s, Celeste has left the church and reconnected with other ex-members to speak out.”

LiSTNR Head of Factual, Clair Weaver, said: “While the podcast is shocking and revelatory, I hope it drives real change. We have strong principles that accurate journalism, combined with powerful and immersive audio storytelling, can have a lasting impact on society.

“Our goal with LiSTNR’s Factual docuseries is to use our audio storytelling skills to enable great journalists like Richard to publish their investigations in an impactful way that engages audiences and motivates them to call for change.”

All allegations and experiences in this podcast pertain to those under the control of the assembly of Pastor Noel Hollins. They do not relate to or represent the church under the current leadership of the Geelong Revival Centre.

Pastor Hollins died at age 93 earlier this year.

All nine episodes of Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder are now available exclusively on LiSTNR. Download the LiSTNR app and sign-up to listen for free.

Notes to editor:

This is the first owned and original LiSTNR podcast to be mixed in Dolby Atmos. While listening on regular headphones, Dolby Atmos creates a 3D sound environment, offering listeners a next-level sonic experience as they are immersed in the world of Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder.

Regarding the Dolby Atmos sound mixing technique, Head of Audio Production and Sound Design – LiSTNR Original Podcasts, Darcy Thomson said: “Mixing in Dolby Atmos has opened new possibilities for our creative audio storytelling at LiSTNR and enables us to work with spatial effects, atmospheres, and ultra directional sound to create unique, dynamic audio environments. Speaking in tongues has never sounded more real!”

About LiSTNR:

LiSTNR is a curated and personalised, free app offering radio, podcasts, music, and news, creating a new audio destination for all Australians. Featuring a fun and intuitive onboarding process, LiSTNR delivers an audio destination that is built for individual listeners’ routines and preferences. Highly personalised, it provides listeners a new world of audio entertainment, with their own daily feed of audio and easy discovery of new content through curated recommendations. Available across a large array of devices including both iOS and Android, CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Assistant and Alexa and Android TV, LiSTNR enables a fantastic listening experience, anytime and anywhere. Open your Ears to a new world of audio – download the free app today. LiSTNR.com

About Richard Baker:

Multi-award-winning journalist Richard Baker has partnered with LiSTNR’s in-house Factual team to develop new original investigative documentary series, continuing his reputation for compelling, narrative content. A long-time The Age and Sydney Morning Herald journalist, in recent years Baker has become renowned for his critically acclaimed podcast series, including Secrets We Keep: Baghdad Nights, Phoebe’s Fall, Wrong Skin, The Last Voyage of the Pong Su and The Confession, which sat at number one on the Australian and NZ podcast charts for several weeks in late 2022. Baker’s podcasts have garnered worldwide audiences, along with accolades at the New York Festivals, the Kennedy journalism awards and the Melbourne Press Club. Baker has won five Walkley Awards, Australia’s most prestigious journalism honour.

Richard Baker, Host of LiSTNR's Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder audio docuseries

9Podcasts launches Kids Cancer Conversations with Georgie Gardner

Every day in Australia, 3 families will hear the words: “Your child has cancer”.

In the daunting and unpredictable experience that follows diagnosis, a child needs as much stability and support from their family as possible. But when families are under pressure, it can be hard to hold it together, not only for their sick child but for the rest of the family

In Kids Cancer Conversations, 9News Presenter and Redkite Board Director, Georgie Gardner, Australia’s leading childhood cancer support charity, Redkite, and the 9Podcasts team have created a podcast that aims to help, educate and bring a deeper understanding of childhood cancer. The guest-led podcast provides listeners with insightful stories shared by those having lived experience of a child with cancer, supported with expert information from professionals.

Nine has been working with Redkite through its Nine Cares program since 2019.

This initiative connects charities like Redkite with Nine’s audience, fostering meaningful conversations around various social issues. Through Nine Cares, essential support is provided to organisations and individuals in need, amplifying their voices and making a positive impact.

Georgie Gardner has been an active Ambassador for Redkite since 2000. Championing their work, acting as MC at fundraising events, and lending her voice to campaigns to raise awareness.

Watch Georgie discuss the Kids Cancer Conversations podcast on Today Extra here.

“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it quickly becomes a family illness, because everyone is affected. It’s also incredibly isolating because few want to even contemplate something so bleak and terrifying. This podcast explores all aspects of childhood cancer, through raw and compelling storytelling. We want it to be a useful resource, offering help and hope, to ensure no one faces the childhood cancer journey alone”, said Gardner.

Redkite CEO Monique Keighery said, “Redkite is enormously proud of our partnership with Nine and our collaboration on this podcast. The raw and courageous storytelling throughout the series will take you through the highs and lows of a childhood cancer journey, providing a powerful resource for both impacted families and the broader community.”

KIDS CANCER CONVERSATIONS WITH GEORGIE GARDNER
LAUNCHES TODAY WITH NEW EPISODES DROPPING WEEKLY ON
APPLE PODCASTS & 

SBS challenges media industry on narrow 25-54s demographic focus

National broadcaster SBS mounts case that media buyers need to focus on 35-64s demographic at SBS 2025 Upfronts.

Launches “The Premium Effect” highlighting the incremental reach that a media buy with SBS achieves.

Highlights uncluttered ad environment with only five minutes per hour of advertising and the unique audience achieved across SBS and SBS On Demand.

Hybrid funded national broadcaster SBS has used its 2025 Upfronts to challenge the industry over their ongoing focus on “outdated” narrow demographics, such as 25-54s, when it comes to buying audiences on television and broadcast video on demand.

Speaking at the Sydney Town Hall event, Keiran Beasley, National Sales Manager – TV and Digital, argued that smart brands were increasingly changing their briefs to media owners to recognise that the historical 25-54s demographic is no longer the pre-eminent category for driving consumer spend.

“It is no secret that Australians are facing a challenging economy and, in particular, a cost-of-living crisis which is particularly affecting younger people,” said Beasley. “Our challenge for this room amid a difficult economic environment is: why are we continuing to make the historical – and daresay I say outdated – demographic of 25-54s the keystone of television buying?

“Smart marketers are already seeing the benefits of briefing us against a 40+ or 35-64s demographic. The research clearly highlights that 40+ demographics have a strong disposable income and are looking to spend.” Beasley highlighted recent research from CommBank which showcased how total spend was going backwards among younger demographics, but was strong among older age groups.

“The numbers don’t lie. In the current economy those aged 25-34 have reduced cash for discretionary items and are eroding their savings for daily essentials. Now compare that to those aged 40+ who have higher disposable incomes and greater financial security.”

SBS also launched “The Premium Effect” research, which highlights the cost-per-reach efficiency across TV and BVOD that can be achieved by allocating 10% of a client’s linear TV budget and 27% of the BVOD budget to SBS, delivering 19% and 18% campaign cost savings respectively.

“This independent research once again proves the value of including SBS as an important part of your campaign,” said Beasley. “We have updated our research – to validate the findings for a VOZ world. At a time of transformation in the TV landscape SBS remains an essential part of any TV and BVOD schedule.”

Commenting on the need for a demographic rethink and the new “The Premium Effect” research, Jane Palfreyman, SBS Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, noted: “For marketers and agencies, SBS needs to be part of their media schedule. We have a high value, hard to reach audience that is difficult to find elsewhere.”

The network also highlighted its unique advertising proposition of an uncluttered environment with only five minutes of advertising per hour and an audience which is very different to its free-to-air TV rivals.

“When you buy SBS you are buying a different type of consumer,” said Beasley. “The research shows clearly it’s not the same viewer as our traditional counterparts and especially with SBS On Demand we are playing in a premium pool of viewers who are not always easy to reach elsewhere.”