Perhaps it’s because I am officially a professor of media studies (for a little while longer), or perhaps it’s because I love books that explore the politics, personalities and powers that lie behind huge corporations, or perhaps it’s a mixture of both. Whatever the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Bodey’s Broadcast Wars.
As a respected media and film journalist with years of experience, Bodey is well-placed to cast a critical eye upon Australia’s major media players. While the focus of the book is primarily on free-to-air (FTA) networks and then, mainly channels 7 and 9 (though 10 comes into its own towards the end of the book), the book also delves into the national and international relationships and businesses, as well as the politics and policies, including those that inform pay TV, that make up TV in Australia.
Bodey discusses both unfamiliar (to general readers) government and internal policies and behind the scenes machinations as well as the general day-to-day business that when all is said and done, culminates with what viewers consume on screen. In this regard, the purchasing of series, films and basic programme packages at home and abroad is explained – so is why some shows, despite our interest in them, are pulled from air after only a few episodes, and why others are given more than a fair chance to find their demographic. The chutzpah of some of the production companies is mind-boggling and quite wonderful – but how particular shows even get to air, the salesmanship and favouritism, never mind the risks that are taken, is also fascinating. Sales meetings, private ones and the relationships between Australian networks and their international partners are all there and are very interesting to read about.
However, what really makes this book is Bodey’s no holds barred examination of the toxic personalities behind the screens – the CEOs of 7 and 9 especially. From the indomitable will of Kerry Packer and his beloved Channel 9, to the seeming indifference of James and the seething purposefulness of Kerry Stokes, the abusive and cocky CEO of 7, David Leckie, who’s idea of people management was to shout, scream and demean them – often in public – it’s sometimes, jaw-dropping reading. Drunken antics and threats, secret meetings and promises, the poaching of star personalities from one channel to another, it’s all there. So are some of the more infamous moments in contemporary television – such as the ‘boning’ of then Today co-host, Jessica Rowe, the rise of Eddie Maguire to 9′s CEO, the Beaconsfield miners’ story, the good behaviour and the bad of various media personalities and shows, and how the stations were perceived over that, the ‘turkey slap’ incident on Big Brother that everyone from the Prime Minister down calling for Big Brother to be taken off air – it’s all there and Bodey explores these more salacious pieces of information with seriousness but without spoiling the effect that you’re being given not only some wonderful gossip, but a fly-on-the-wall access to the big personalities and machinations that keep our TV stations humming.
He also discusses the lack of understanding that executives from FTA (but not, it seems subscription TV) had/have about HD TV and multimedia platforms – amazing in this day and age where interactivity and cross-platform media is so embedded in daily life.
At the heart of the book, however, is the ascent of 7 at the expense of “still the one” channel 9. From the rise of Sunrise (which became known by the media pack at Beaconsfield as “Scumrise”), to their luck in buying both Desperate Housewives and Lost when there was a lack of depth in their programming, to all the problems with the 
personalities on Channel 9′s morning show, Today. There’s also the tale of how 10 trumped many of the stations with the 16-39 demographic through what we call reality TV with Big Brother, Australian Idol and how Channel 10 took the biggest gamble with a show about, of all things food – Masterchef – a risk that paid off and continues to do so.
If you enjoy your TV and want to understand the people who bring our beloved and loathed programmes into our living, bedrooms and onto our mobile devices and what makes them tick, then this is the book for you. Full of information and richly entertaining, I found it hard to put down. My only criticism (apart from a little repetitiveness as some of the chapters cover similar territory – the book is not linear and I feel it might have been better had it been), is that there is no conclusion. The last chapter ends with literally a two sentence flourish that, I guess, is meant to be the summary. Pity, I would have liked Bodey to inject his wit and insights one more time and felt the book would have been even better for a few more pages. But then, it also begs a sequel in a few years, doesn’t it? Because if one thing is made clear, a battle may have been won, but the broadcast wars are not over.
Belated Happy New Year and look back to 2011
Jan 17, 2012
Hi everyone and a belated but no less sincere happy New Year to you. After a tumultuous 2011, I am looking forward to 2012 – to finding the time to write and read. With this in mind, and before I start uploading some reviews for books I have read over the Xmas and New Year break and even before I post some photos and write about the holiday I took, I thought I would post my final column for 2011 and which appeared in the Courier Mail on December 21st last year.
This is the unedited version:
There’s something about Christmas, never mind the encroaching New Year that invites you to pause and think back on the past twelve months.
As a state, nation and world, so much seems to have happened.
From the devastation of the Queensland floods and cyclone Yasi, to the tsunami and earthquake that rocked Japan; from the death of Osama Bin Laden to the Arab Spring that saw leaders topple; from the massacre in Norway to the London riots; from the remarkable bravery of Bruce and Denise Morcambe in the face of finding Daniel’s remains to
the continuing loss of life in Afghanistan; from the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton to the birth of Princess Mary’s twins; from Obamarama and the American President’s whirlwind visit Downunder to Queen Elizabeth’s tour of royal duty; from the starving in Somalia to the Occupy protests throughout the world; from Julia Gillard’s performance in the polls to Tony Abbott’s negativity, so much goes on around us, drawing us in, touching our lives briefly before spitting us out with indifference.
While these events are significant, it’s those that directly impacted upon my life and those of my loved ones that I find myself reflecting upon in the last days of 2011.
On the positive side, my daughter returned home to Brisbane after three years living in the United States, my son settled into a fabulous career in Sydney, and the second book in my adult fantasy trilogy, Votive, was finally published after an eight month delay due to cancer. On the downside, a dear friend, Greg, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but so far, has quashed this demon, and a very-loved cousin died while overseas.
I’ve also had many post-cancer complications. Now, after two operations, I’ve a pacemaker. There’s ongoing pain and problems (not withstanding airport security checks!), but I’ve had the support of my wonderful partner, Stephen, kids and friends to shore me up when I held a pity party.
But, something else happened this year that puts all this in perspective.
Two months ago, one of my dearest friends, the writer, Sara Douglass, died. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008, she endured so much in terms of operations, chemotherapy and care; even so, she was a rock to me throughout my own treatment. When she had a major recurrence of cancer early this year, my husband and I made a decision.
In February and, between my operations, we put our stuff in storage on the Gold Coast and moved closer to Sara to care for her.
It was the best and worst thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Best, because we got to spend the last nine months with Sara – joyous and terrible times, filled with love, laughter, pain and fear.
Worst, because we watched her slowly die, helpless to change a thing.
Her last days in a palliative care ward were quiet and caring. The staff was so kind. You were listened to; spoken with. The nurses and doctors were open and frank in a manner that was both refreshing and confronting but always gentle and respectful.
We knew Sara didn’t have long. We didn’t waste a moment. We talked, held hands, wept, comforted each other, spoke of our love for each other and of a future of which, while we knew she wouldn’t be a part, we pretended she would and she played along.
Our last conversation was about Tony Abbott (she loathed him) and brussel sprouts (she loved those).
Then, she died.
It was quick.
Too quick.
Stephen and I, despite all the signs, weren’t ready.
Two months on and we’re still grieving. Not in a maudlin way that makes us inert, Sara would hate that, but at the unfairness of life that, at 54, with so much to give, this beautiful woman was taken.
Currently, under legal instruction, I’m sorting her possessions. The life that these represent – a brilliant mind and imagination is boundless. Sara, however, also leaves behind her magical novels, stories that have captivated readers worldwide and will continue to for generations to come.
While death and dying is something I’ve experienced this year, it’s living that I want to focus on now. That’s what the last months have taught me, this is what Sara’s demise has brought home. That I must live a good life, a life without fear or regret and one filled with love. I want to collect great memories and ensure that my partner, children, family and friends share them too.
Every time I moan about the driver in front of me, the queue at the supermarket, money, the weather, politicians and bad TV, I want to remember that at least I’m here to do that and put my complaints in perspective – and then whinge louder.
Part of me wants to wish this year away, but another wants to relish Christmas. I also want 2012 to come so I can embrace a new year with verve energy and, hopefully, good health.
Above all, I want to cherish the memories that Sara has left others and me and honour them by living in the best way I know how.
My Christmas and New Year wish to each and every one of you is to live well too.
See you in a few weeks.
Well, I am back now and determined to live and love well. I hope you do as well.
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