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Set to retire at the end of the year, Graham opens up about the changing television landscape and the lessons learned over four decades at Seven. In this special edition of MEDIA McKNIGHT we celebrate the extraordinary career of my old boss at Channel Seven promos, Graham Donald. Graham has spent his entire career at Seven, and after 45 years, has announced he will be retiring at the end of the year. It's hard to overstate the impact Graham has had during that time. He's been there through the highs and the lows, and he's helped shape the network for over four decades. Graham joined me for an exclusive interview, which you can watch in the YouTube player below: https://youtu.be/wvWr6baCT4w ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:51 Can you believe 45 years at one company? 01:37 Starting as a trainee at Seven in the early ’80s 03:08 From pulling cables to revolutionising promos 05:03 The boss who shaped Graham’s career 08:09 Surviving the network politics 10:35 Seven’s “number two” attitude and the Big Brother panic 12:04 Blue Heelers: 2.5 million average, 3.5 million peak 13:31 Classic promo: Blue Heelers 16:55 The biggest misconception about network promos 23:24 Classic promo: Dancing with the Stars and Pauline Hanson 25:11 Why promo departments never leak 26:33 “Roast chook”: how a negative became Seven’s strength 30:14 The secret Y2K logo change 32:00 Lost, Desperate Housewives and becoming number one 34:05 What Graham is most proud of 37:59 Is Graham ready to retire? Media McKnight uploads every Tuesday at YouTube.com/@McKnightTonight at 9pm AEDT. Paid members get each episode as soon as it’s available, without waiting for the public release. Send your tips to [email protected]. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big Brother is in big trouble. Ratings are down 35% year on year, and sources say Endemol Shine Australia is worried the show won’t return. Intruders and stunts are coming fast. Then employment lawyer Michael Byrnes from Swaab joins Rob to unpack the new Federal Court documents in Jackie O’s case against ARN. They cover the privilege rulings, the March memo to the board, and why ARN says it accepted her repudiation of the contract rather than sacking her for a prohibited reason. Plus an update on the Meghan Markle Junior MasterChef petition, and the latest from the McKnight Was Right Files. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:15 Big Brother ratings crisis 2:25 Meghan Markle Junior MasterChef petition update 3:42 Jackie O v ARN: the sacking timeline, with Michael Byrnes 18:30 McKnight Was Right: Australian Survivor: Rivals ✍️ Link to Meghan Markle petition: https://www.change.org/p/remove-meghan-markle-from-junior-masterchef-australia 📰 Read the TV Blackbox story: https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2026/11/01/why-was-a-meghan-markle-junior-masterchef-petition-censored-by-change-org/ 📩 Send your tips: [email protected] 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #BigBrother #JackieO #KyleAndJackieO #ARN #Channel10 #MeghanMarkle #JuniorMasterChef #AustralianSurvivor #AustralianTV Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Married At First Sight is under the spotlight after police were reportedly called in over revenge porn allegations, so why is Endemol Shine Australia staying silent? Rob McKnight on how production companies handle a crisis, and how this one isn’t being handled. Plus: Monique Ryan’s call to marginalise One Nation after the alleged attack on Helen Haines, radio futurologist James Cridland on Time Spent Listening, and the Meghan Markle Junior MasterChef headache for Channel 10. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 MAFS investigation: Endemol’s silence 1:28 Monique Ryan, One Nation and the Helen Haines attack 8:51 James Cridland on Time Spent Listening 20:28 Channel 10, Meghan Markle and Junior MasterChef 21:34 McKnight Was Right: The Voice delayed 📧 Sign up to James Cridland’s Radioland newsletter: james.cridland.net 📰 More details on MAFS in Rob’s Inside Mail column in the Daily Mail. 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #MAFS #MarriedAtFirstSight #MoniqueRyan #OneNation #PaulineHanson #JamesCridland #AustralianRadio #MeghanMarkle #JuniorMasterChef #Channel10 #TheVoice #AustralianMedia Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite complaints from viewers, integration might just be the saviour we need.In this edition of Media McKnight: Product placement boomGQ Men of the Year Awards axedScreen Queensland’s Willy Wonka Sydney slip-upWho was really the first person on Australian TV?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The little AM station that could has done it. 4BH has taken the No.1 spot in Brisbane in the latest GfK Metro radio ratings (Survey 6). Rob McKnight is joined by broadcasting legend Spencer Howson to pick through the results in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 📻 In this special edition: 4BH hits 12.3 (+1.4) to lead Brisbane, Triple M is second on 11.3 and B105 slips to third Triple M goes No.1 for Brisbane breakfast on 13.6 (+1.9) 4BC steady at 4.1, but drive is down at 3.0. Is a relay of 2GB on the cards? Sydney: smoothfm leads, 2UE is the biggest mover, and KIIS waits on Dr Chris Brown's 9 November start Melbourne: 3AW leads, Triple M surges and Christian O'Connell moves to second at breakfast Adelaide: Triple M leads, FIVEaa falls and KIIS gets a slight lift Perth: NOVA93.7 leads and 6PR breakfast fires Regional radio: local v networked breakfast shows, and Albury's 2AY survey delayed ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro: GfK Survey 6 0:28 Spencer's snake encounter 1:19 Sydney station share 1:56 Sydney breakfast 2:28 Spencer reacts: KIIS, Nova and 2GB 4:55 Clinton Maynard and 2GB 7:39 Melbourne 10:41 Brisbane: 4BH takes the lead 14:46 Brisbane breakfast 17:09 4BC dayparts and the relay question 23:17 Adelaide 24:56 Perth 27:07 Regional radio 28:43 Albury survey delayed 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #GfK #RadioRatings #4BH #Brisbane #4BC #TripleM #KIIS #smoothfm #2GB #SpencerHowson #AustralianRadio Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

White House Hides Trump Falling Asleep | Jackie O Court Case Delayed Until April | Hugh Riminton Farewell The Jackie O v ARN Federal Court showdown has been sensationally pushed back to April next year. Employment lawyer Michael Byrnes from SWAAB explains why the October hearing collapsed, what the delay means for a settlement, and the privilege fight that's still going ahead on 19 and 20 October. Plus, a White House press pool ban comes back to bite. Rob shows how the official White House feed cut to a wide shot while Donald Trump was seemingly falling asleep, and why that's a warning about relying on footage controlled by the administration. And as Hugh Riminton calls time on a 48-year journalism career at Channel 10, Rob shares the Kerry Packer story that "certainly wouldn't happen today." 🎙️ Watch Hugh Riminton's full interview on McKnight Tonight: youtube.com/@mcknighttonight 📺 New episodes of Media McKnight every Tuesday at 9pm AEDT. Members get it early, usually in the afternoon. #MediaMcKnight #JackieO #ARN #KIIS #DonaldTrump #WhiteHouse #HughRiminton #Channel10 #KerryPacker #AustralianMedia #RadioRatings 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nine has sacked executive Amanda Laing just 18 months after she was appointed to lead its new streaming and broadcast division. Was she a scapegoat, or a threat to CEO Matt Stanton? Plus, the TODAY show's Shop Today segment has Tom Steinfort selling hoodies on air, and staff are revolting over the Future News changes. Also this week: the White House press tents revealed, Bob Katter on whether he has any regrets a year after the Josh Bavis showdown, why radio is losing the car to the smartphone, and why 70 UP is well worth your time. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 BBC News cuts to an empty studio 0:38 Welcome 0:45 Nine sacks Amanda Laing 1:50 TODAY show's Shop Today advertorial 4:41 Why journalists' workloads could get scary 7:47 White House press tents revealed 8:56 Katter v Bavis: one year on 13:36 Radio loses the car to the smartphone 15:33 70 UP 16:32 Daylight saving publish times 📌 Employment lawyer Michael Byrnes joins Rob on McKnight Tonight on Thursday night to unpack Nine's new contracts. Rob has more on the Nine staff revolt in Thursday's Inside Mail column in the Daily Mail. 📺 70 UP airs in Australia on October 7 on SBS and SBS On Demand. 🎙️ James Cridland's radio research: james.cridland.net ⏰ DAYLIGHT SAVING PUBLISH TIMES QLD 8pm | NSW, VIC, TAS 9pm | SA 8.30pm | NT 7.30pm | WA 6pm Paid YouTube channel members get the episode as soon as it's finished. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #AmandaLaing #ChannelNine #TodayShow #BobKatter #JamesCridland #70UP #AustralianTV #AustralianRadio #Nine Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump BANS Media From White House, Networks Fight Back | Nine's Upfront Fallout With Molk Donald Trump has banned CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House — and now other networks, including FOX, are boycotting the pool camera in solidarity. Rob breaks down the escalating war with the press, the launch of "Trump TV," and draws the line to Pauline Hanson's own history of banning outlets like the ABC and The Guardian. Plus, Steve Molk from TV Blackbox joins to unpack Channel 9's Upfront — the TODAY Show shake-up, the new shows, and what didn't make the cut. – Trump bans CNN, MSNOW & Politico from the White House – Networks boycott the pool camera in solidarity – Pauline Hanson's press ban parallel + One Nation/Channel 9 fallout – Nine's Upfront wrap with Steve Molk (TV Blackbox) #MediaMcKnight #Trump #WhiteHousePressBan #Channel9 #Upfront #PaulineHanson #AustralianMedia 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ABC's Easter Cover-Up EXPOSED: The Texts They Didn't Want Found | Channel 10's Survivor Gamble | Why footage from parliament could soon be banned from social media | A lucklustre 70th birthday for TV Rob McKnight breaks down the biggest media stories of the week on Media McKnight. This week: Channel 10 gambles on a new timeslot for Australian Survivor 2027 as it goes head-to-head with the Australian Open and Married At First Sight. Plus, Media McKnight's exclusive FOI documents finally expose the ABC's Easter cover-up, including a text exchange between former News Director Justin Stevens and Head of Regional, Rural and Metro News Donna Field that proves the network changed its bulletin plans — and then lied about it. There's also outrage in Senate Estimates after the Defence department demanded censorship of committee footage, and a look at whether officials actually have a point about protecting witnesses on social media. And television turns 70 this week — so why doesn't the industry care? 🎯 Topics this week: Channel 10's Australian Survivor 2027 timeslot gamble EXCLUSIVE: ABC's Easter news cover-up — the texts that prove it Defence vs Senate Estimates: the fight over committee footage Television turns 70 — and no one's celebrating – Australian Survivor 2027 timeslot news – ABC Easter FOI cover-up exclusive – Defence footage censorship demand – TV turns 70 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianSurvivor #Channel10 #ABC #FOI #SenateEstimates #Defence #AustralianTV #TVTurns70 #MediaNews Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metro radio ratings Survey 5 has landed, and Spencer Howson joins Rob McKnight to break down every capital city. KIIS Sydney breakfast keeps sliding since Kyle and Jackie O's exit, gold's Christian O'Connell is quietly holding both Sydney and Melbourne, 4BC's Jason Matthews posts a strong number, and 6PR delivers Perth's standout result for Tapped Radio. Plus: Tapped's traffic team gets axed in favour of the Australian Traffic Network, and a hint that change could be coming to ABC Brisbane breakfast. 00:00 – Survey 5 preview 00:42 – Sydney station shares 04:35 – Sydney breakfast numbers 06:41 – Melbourne station shares 07:59 – Melbourne breakfast numbers 10:31 – Tapped Media axes traffic team, outsources to ATN 14:14 – Brisbane station shares 15:25 – Brisbane breakfast — KIIS 973's slide continues 19:13 – Why did 4BC really dump Sophie & Dean? 23:45 – Adelaide station shares 24:17 – Adelaide breakfast numbers 25:50 – Perth station shares 26:53 – Perth breakfast — 6PR's big story 32:36 – Final thoughts: ABC Brisbane on notice, Tony Martin's sacking revisited 38:19 – Wrap #RadioRatings #AustralianRadio #GfKSurvey5 #KIISFM #2GB #3AW #6PR #MediaMcKnight 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seven's Bullying Tactics EXPOSED | ABC Caught Lying Over Secret Easter News Plan | Kyle Day 2 Verdict | Media McKnight Ep 54 Kyle Sandilands' day 2 was a big improvement — but the Mad Witches drama, an FOI inquiry that catches the ABC out in a lie about their secret Easter news plan, Amanda Rose's bombshell exit from Sunrise, and a growing Seven Network underpayment class action. Plus: where has all the local content gone on Australian TV? – Kyle Sandilands' Day 2 turnaround, Mayo's producing instincts, and the truth behind his Idol exit and the Mad Witches – Where did Australian TV go? A week of the TV guide shows how little local content survives primetime – Amanda Rose vs Sunrise: the exclusivity ultimatum, Seven's denial, and the Adero Law class action over underpayment claims – ABC's Easter news FOI saga: extension after extension, and the email trail exposing the spin 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #KyleSandilands #AustralianTV #Sunrise #Channel7 #ABC #FOI #AmandaRose #MediaNews Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kyle Sandilands joins Rob McKnight for a wide-ranging chat ahead of the launch of his new streaming service, KSLive, this Monday. Kyle reveals the new venture has already pulled in nearly $2 million in subscriptions before a single episode has aired — including a strange spike of signups out of the EU large enough that European tax authorities contacted his accountants to check the business was legitimate. Rob puts it to Kyle directly: is he in denial about the collapse of his on-air partnership with Jackie O? Kyle admits he "just refused to believe it" even after seeing the paperwork, and opens up on what he says was a fifty-fifty relationship, the lawyers, the Zoom calls, and why he still says he'd "die for Jackie" despite it all. Nearly $2 million in the bank before KSLive has even launchedEU tax authorities contact his accountants over a surge in overseas subscriptionsAdmits he "refused to believe it" when told Jackie wanted to leave the showSays he'd still "die for Jackie" despite the falloutOn staff taking down photos of him and Jackie — and why he put them back up📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 📺 Media McKnight streams weekly with the latest media industry analysis. Subscribe, hit the bell, like and comment — join the conversation live! #KyleSandilands #JackieO #McKnightTonight #KSLive #AustralianRadio Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Netflix Accused of 'TOXIC' Treatment of Aussie Crew | The Voice AXED On Seven | Today Extra's Woke Problem Netflix is facing serious allegations from Australian crew on its new reality series Wonka's The Golden Ticket, shot at Warner Bros Movie World — plus The Voice looks set to be axed on Seven to help fund I'm A Celebrity, Today Extra's panel picks draw scrutiny, and OzTAM's new Streamscape data reveals how Aussies are really watching video. - Netflix's Wonka's Golden Ticket — crew treatment allegations - The Voice axed on Seven to fund I'm A Celebrity - Today Extra's left-leaning panel problem - OzTAM Streamscape Q2 2026 data breakdown 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. #MediaMcKnight #Netflix #TheVoice #TodayExtra #PaulineHanson #AustralianTV #OzTAM #TVRatings #KyleSandilands #ChannelSeven Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

KYLE'S REVENGE? Has Kyle Sandilands thrown Jackie O under the bus in her Federal Court case against ARN — and did he do it on purpose? Employment lawyer Michael Byrnes from SWAAB joins me to break down Justice Stewart's ruling, the suspicious timeline of Kyle and Bruno Buchet's affidavits, and whether Kyle and Jackie's secret texts could blow up her case entirely. Plus — News24 (the rebranded Sky News) has a shocker on the day of the Victorian Labor Leader spill, missing Ben Carroll's Victorian Labor leadership win live on air while running an advertorial, then suffering a six-minute-48-second audio meltdown. We compare it side-by-side with the ABC's coverage. And 9News Melbourne claims the ratings crown for 2026 with win number 21 — but is the traditional weekly win metric still relevant when ratings run all year round? - News24's election night disaster - 9News Melbourne's ratings crown - Kyle's Revenge? Michael Byrnes on the Jackie O affidavits 📺 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #KyleSandilands #JackieO #MediaMcKnight #News24 #9News #ARN Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pauline Hanson: "I'll Put Ads on the ABC" | 9News' World Cup Blunder | YouTube's Aussie TV Archive Copyright War Pauline Hanson tells Media McKnight she'll allow ads on the ABC if One Nation wins government — turning it into a subscription service. Plus: 9News Brisbane's awkward World Cup graphics mix-up, a bitter copyright fight breaking out between Australian TV archivists on YouTube, why McKnight Tonight called the Ninja Warrior move before anyone else, 4BC's brutal ratings-driven shake-up, and why Nine has quietly killed off SHARK! for good. – 9News' World Cup graphics blunder – Pauline Hanson: ads on the ABC? – ABC's YouTube livestream ad controversy – YouTube copyright war: Australian TV archivists – I'm A Celebrity lands at Seven, Ninja Warrior to 10 – 4BC axes breakfast team after shock ratings – Nine not bringing back SHARK! #MediaMcKnight #PaulineHanson #ABC #9News #YouTube #AustralianTV #ImACelebrity #NinjaWarrior #4BC #RadioRatings #SHARK 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.