Corey Delaney

Cool or a Crud?

So the teenage brat now has a celebrity agent, Max Markson... what a joke!

I cannot really believe I am wasting my time even writing about this 'kid' who is the antonym of Australian society. Now he stands to earn $100 000 a year from commercial arrangements because he optimises the 'new age' and 'the Internet era' and all this other balderdash that media and social commentators are carrying on with.

STOP giving him air time and editorial.

He is a goose and should not be given the time of day. He is not a role model and not a picture of society and any company that wants to use him as an image will find their profits decreasing.

A Current Affair, Today Tonight and all the major newspapers STOP giving this no-hoper airtime.

Did he just have an innocent party that got out of control?

If you believe that you will believe anything. It was a stunt, a public relations exercise to launch this kid into the spotlight and what sort of career ambitions might one like him have?

Let's see a place in Big Brother wouldn't look out of place. He may then go on Dancing With the Stars and probably revolutionise the show with some break-dancing. Then there will be more celebrity tv-shows and eventually he will host late night quiz shows like The Mint, perhaps try his hand at being a v-j on MTV or Channel V and finally he will be the next Kyle Sandilands.

Credit where credit is due for the crud, he has perfected a public relations stunt to launch his career but maybe if the media stopped giving him time and air then we could all forget about him and concentrate on a host of much more important things.

On your marks...

Channel 9 gearing up for 2008

Ninemsn.com.au is showing a video previewing Nine television in 2008 with a recurring heart theme involving Catriona Rowntree, Livinia Nixon and Ken Sutcliffe.

They preview the following programmes:

Please note my analysis is fro the short previews...I am not fortunate to have viewed entire episodes.

Drama

Underbelly – looks good with strong Australian cast, set to hit our screens in February, I think Nine are all ready on a winner here.
Possible Timeslot: 8.30PM. Sunday would be good, going head to head with Grey’s Anatomy. Maybe protected from such an event happening. Tuesday is my other option against It Takes Two. Something has to stop it!
Prediction: Highest rating Australian produced show of 2008

Canal Road – probably not a typical Channel 9 production with a ‘Secret Life Of Us’ genre meeting comedy meets a medical practice. It looks a gamble that could succeed. Worth a look.
Possible Timeslot: Wednesday/Thursday at 8:30PM.
Prediction: Will rate well initially but will not sustain high enough ratings for a second season.

Pushing Daisies – odd enough, American drama that could hit and miss with Aussie audiences.
Possible Timeslot: 9:30PM Wednesday
Prediction: flop but may get a run in late night slots.

Cashmere Mafia – Australians love watching other Australians in International dramas so Cashmere has ticks with Miranda Otto and XYZ. Sex and the City-esque, the show should work. Possible Timeslot: 9:30PM Monday, that old Sex and the City time...
Prediction: Ratings success

Chuck – bizarre show, may also get a bit of a late night run
Possible Timeslot: Tuesday 7:30PM.
Prediction: will initially rate OK but will not sustain a prime-time slot.

Secret Diary of a Call Girl – ‘Satisfaction’ has debuted over the Summer on Showcase. This show looks like a dark horse in the Nine schedule. Could develop quite an audience but again with the nature of its content, don’t expect to see the show much before 9.30PM.
Possible Timeslot: Monday 10:30PM or 9:30PM Tuesday
Prediction – own sustainable audience that will have a consistent audience around 800 000 if shown at 9.30.

Big Shots – looks like an Entourage clone which is a different market that Channel Nine is targeting with this show.
Possible Timeslot: Monday 9:30PM (after Cashmere Mafia Season)
Prediction – another good started that will struggle to hold a loyal audience.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – very segmented market that would be interested in this type of series. A cult audience.
Possible Timeslot: Thursday 9:30PM or Saturday 7:30PM
Prediction – cult audience following that will be loyal and love the show but want make headlines as a ratings success.

Heroes & Villains – I hadn’t seen this show until the preview and don’t think much of it... probably will be a weeknight show for the 7:30PM slots.
Possible Timeslot: Monday 7:30PM
Prediction: Another one of Nine’s failed 7:30 shows...

Canterbury’s Law – the preview skipped over this show a bit but looks O.K. Cannot see it being a runaway success but could surprise a few people. Trouble will be where to put it. Best off the back of a successful show like CSI, so maybe after the franchises return.
Possible Timeslot: Sunday 9:30PM
Prediction: Could be another Cold Case. Ratings are consistent but not outstanding.

Rock Rivals – from the creator’s of Footballer’s Wives this show looks different and interesting. Will gain a small loyal audience.
Possible Timeslot: Tuesday 7:30PM
Prediction: Not quite your traditional Nine show but a good effort.

The commercial then advertised its returning dramas for 2008 with all new seasons of:
Sea Patrol
McLeod’s Daughters
CSI
CSI: NY
CSI: Miami
Cold Case
Without A Trace
Hotel Babylon
Primeval
Damages - returning? It failed!
ER – surely ER will not be returned to prime time ratings period!

enter Catorina Rowntree explaining what ‘heart’ means to her

Lifestyle/Reality

The Chopping Block – Restaurants competing for transformation. Don’t know about this as My Restaurant Rules was never a high rating series but I could be wrong.
Possible timeslot: Sunday 6:30PM
Prediction: Strong ratings at start of series that will gradually fall

Animal Emergency – Nine’s version of RSPCA: Animal Rescue. I think Seven have done this one, unfortunately not an original thought.
Possible timeslot: Monday 7:30PM
Prediction: bomber

Search & Rescue – I like this one more. New, original concept (although not many left) in this reality environment that should command an audience.
Possible timeslot: Monday’s 8PM
Prediction: surprise ratings success, around 1-1.1 million.

The Waiting Room – Nine have really flogged their hospital, medical series. I think this one won’t rate as highly as others but will follow the Thursday night, medical night with The Gift and RPA.
Possible timeslot: Thursday (anytime)
Prediction: won’t work... overkill

Hunted – new one to me. re-enactments of murders, killers, police crime... looks like all the unemployed actors who use to appear on Australia’s Most Wanted doing the re-enactments... I liked it as a kid. It’s good to see Nine trying to bring back a police information series.
Possible timeslot: Tuesday 7:30PM
Prediction: may be hit and miss at least it’s not Commercial Breakdown or Surprise Surprise: Jackie O’s on television... quick turn off!

Royal Flying Doctor Service – was tried last year in the dumb time of 9:30PM Monday. It has potential if used at the right time.
Possible timeslot: Tuesday 8PM
Prediction: can work with the right scheduling.

Domestic Blitz! – another take on Renovation Rescue and as the name suggests, Backyard Blitz. Seen it all before but its a good concept with a good host, Scott Cam. He is funny, very likeable and well received, Shelly Craft will partner her well.
Possible timeslot: Monday 7:30PM/Sunday 6:30PM
Prediction: I’ll back it as a winner!

Weddings: Where are they Now? – what is next, Bert’s Family Feud Competitors: Where Are they Now? Boned – those fired by Eddie McGuire: Where Are they Now?... please, did I miss a show from 10 years a go called ‘Weddings’? I mean who cares? Unless of course it’s alarming that out of 10 couples 9 are divorced! Maybe not such a good idea for a show...
Possible timeslot: Sunday 3AM
Prediction: don’t waste time producing this...

Fire Fighters - Another original concept that sounds good. I reckon this won could work.
Possible timeslot: Monday 8PM.
Prediction: It will work

Power of 10 -Don’t know about all these weather men and women going onto new tasks... Steve Jacobs hosting a game show... hmmm... I don’t know...
Possible timeslot: Tuesday 8:30PM
Prediction: Could work, might fail... I think it’s fate will be all too similar to Millionaire and 1v100

I Know My Kids A Star – Reality series following Australian kids wanting to make it. I’m looking forward to the ‘ugly parent syndrome’
Possible timeslot: Sunday 6:30PM
Prediction: rating’s success

Here Come the Newlyweds – It is like a Temptation Island show where couples test their love.
Possible timeslot: Monday 10:30PM
Prediction: May win a late-night timeslot but won’t be anything special.

Hole in the Wall – well this Japanese game show looks interesting. Might work with some Australian viewers. Looks stupid but funny. Would suit Saturday night audiences of Australia’s Funniest Home Videos. I could see Paul Vauttin hosting this one.
Possible timeslot: Saturday 7PM/Friday 7:30PM
Prediction: will win its slot but the novelty may wear thin.

There was also note of a new surprise reality sit-com that is ‘so top secret’... hmmm.. I wonder

Plus a whole host of returning series:
The Gift
The Farmer Wants A Wife
RPA
Missing Persons Unit
This Is Your Life
Temptation
The Footy Show(s) (NRL/AFL)
20 to 1
Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show – needing a new host
Getaway – with a new preview showing Natalie and Jules, no Catorina Rowntree

Livinia Nixon then explained what heart meant to her...

David Attenbrough's Life In Cold Blood: this series could work and will be a surprise packet.
Possible timeslot: Sunday 6:30PM
Prediction: Surprise success

Monarchy- will attract older viewers
Possible timeslot: 7:30PM Saturday
Prediction: small, loyal audeince

Scorched – hadn’t heard of this one... looks ok
Possible timeslot: Tuesday 7:30Pm
Prediction: might work...

The Academy Awards
The 50th TV Logie Awards

News
all the presenters of National Nine News across Australia explain ‘heart’ and the new who’s who of news, standing by you theme explained... all the regulars and hosts back, no changes.
Today
National Nine Monring News
National Nine Afternoon News
National Nine News
A Current Affair
Nightline
Sunday
60 Minutes

Sport

And then it was Ken Sutcliffe with the what ‘heart’ means to sport and the live sport including:

NRL
Cricket
Horse Racing: Spring and Autumn Carnivals
Tennis: US Open & Wimbledon
Swimming: Beijing Olympic Trials
Golf: British Open
2010 & 2012 Olympics

then the voiceover... ‘with over 30 BRAND NEW PROGRAMS’ plus new series including:

The Salon – competition between budding owners of a hair salon, which sounds like a good concept.

The Strip – another Police Drama set for filming in the Gold Coast.

Jingles - ???
Amnesia - ???

Despite the prelude of ‘much more’ there was nothing mentioned about

Monster House
I think this show will be a flop!

Flying Doctors
No cast has been named yet, to early to call but I like the sound of it. Former Australia's Funniest Home Video host Toni Pearan has been whispered as a potnential recruit.

Burke’s Backyard
???????? – Is Donny getting his show back??? Come ON!

Not Returning?

What’s Good For You – won a logie last year and was not a bad show... they must have run out of thing’s that are good... maybe a new ‘What’s Bad For You Series’

Millionaire – not advertised

1 v 100 – not advertised

Eddie McGuire – what’s Eddie going to do? He doesn’t even get to host The Power of 10

Commercial Breakdown – I hope it doesn’t...

The Lost Tribes - good idea

Surprise Surprise: Gotcha – had such potential. very poorly executed

Overall

David Gyngell said he was prepared to have a go and gamble and that he has. There is some excellent television in there. Nine are definitely having a go and with the US Writer’s Strike taking effect, Nine has cleverly and luckily ordered a lot of local content to fill the void.

I remember they did something like this last year and we never got to see Invasion, ...MANIA or Monarchy (which is about to appear now)... so which previewed shows this year will not make the cut?

This years ratings war will be close, very close and Nine could even grab it back... the car’s are still in neutral... not long until GO GO GO!

Instruments A Plenty

the Arcade stole my Fire

Tonight I took myself and a mate a long to see the Canadian outfit, the Arcade Fire. At the front left of the stage near the PA system I witnessed in an hour and a half the childish naivety that appeared from the band yet the total professionalism from an International outfit.

My mate commented that they didn't make around with a fancy light show, rather filled the Enmore theatre with their unique sound.

The Arcade Fire returned music to its purist form, expressing the band members inner emotions and making that connection with the audience.

While their gig was appreciated by all their fans, I was overawed by the event.

10 members on stage with violins, trumpets, saxaphones, drums, organs, guitar, glock, voice... you name it the Arcade Fire used it.

The childish antics of the band, playing, wrestling, fighting and throwing their equipment at one an other while during their encore the drummers were hitting the hi-hat so hard it fell over and they decided to play a bike helmet instead.

At various times the guiatarist found himself running backward and forward along the stage front and the lead singers would collapse in exhaustion because they gave it 100%

These people produce music, they feel the music, make the music, they are the music, for you and for me.

A unique act with a unique sound.

The ‘Bolly’-line Series

Australia: Where's your loyalty?

I’ve held back on commenting on the cricket controversy with this current ‘Bollywood Series’ between Australia and India but it has angered me as an Australian to see many of our sporting heroes and journalists become turn coats and criticise on of our greatest sporting teams ever.

Ricky Ponting and the Australian team play tough, serious, hard cricket but behind their determination is a successful machine that is the equal world record holding consecutive test winning team as well as being the current holders, for the last 12 years of the World Cup.

All the ‘monkey business’ over Harbhajan Singh’s racist taunt to Andrew Symonds and then the Indians counter-claim that Bradley Hogg used the word ‘bastard’ was blown out of proportion and was a sore point for the game. If ‘monkey’ was deemed a racist taunt by Australia-India and the International Cricket Council then the Indians should have accepted Harbhajan’s punishment because they is NO place for racism in the game.

The Board of Control of Indian Cricket are far too powerful at the detriment of the game. No player and no organisation is bigger than the game of cricket and when the BCCI flexed there muscles claiming they would pull out of the Australian tour if umpire Steve Bucknor was not replaced and Harbhajan’s decision overturned.

Please, BCCI back off and let the ICC make an independent judgement. Accept the laws and the Spirit of Cricket which we are all encouraged to accept the umpires decision.

The BCCI do however have enormous influence on the ICC not only because of the revenue they raise but also their representation being boosted by Bangladesh being accepted as a full member country playing test cricket.

Unfortunately Steve Bucknor made some terrible decisions but you cannot blame a 61 year old veteran who has umpired in over 125 tests, three consecutive world cup finals but he is asked to travel from South Africa to Australia in the space of ten days and umpire 5 full days of cricket.

I don’t care how fit you are physically, the mental toughness on umpiring is difficult enough and does not need unrealistic time and travel constraints on your job.

For Bucknor to have to travel that distance at his age, the ICC have only themselves to blame when umpiring standards drop to such a standard because they only have 8 officials accredited to umpire test match cricket.

Where is the sense and logic in that?

The ICC must fix this now and develop younger umpires to a standard capable of umpiring with the elite panel which includes Bucknor, Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar.

What is more disgraceful in the BCCI’s handling of the Sydney Test fiasco is the example or lack there of that they have set for children playing the game. What are kids meant to do when they receive a ‘bad’ umpiring decision?

Further controversy was created by Sydney Morning Herald cricket writer Peter Roebuck when he accused the senior Australian players including Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist as dishonest and arrogant whilst calling for Captain Ricky Ponting to be sacked.

Roebuck writes eloquently and is a pleasure to read his metaphorical recollections but this article went too far and was well off the mark.

Ricky Ponting has inherited a legacy from Steve Waugh who was loved by Australians but installed that determination that has driven success. Ponting has excelled as Waugh’s replacement and leads from the front.

The respect that Ponting commands around Australia is unmatched for any other sportsman or woman so Roebuck’s remarks were some what surprising.

It did of course open a can of worms and a number of former Australian sportsmen came out from the woodwork to comment on the perceived Australian Cricket teams arrogance. They should ALL go back under the doona and enjoy their celebrated retirements leaving one of the greatest Australian sporting teams of all time to have a crack at the world record.

You can’t win in this country, when your down the media criticise you, turn on you and call for your head. Then when you are a world record-holder they call you arrogant and claim that you’re not playing in the spirit of the game... PLEASE!

I’m celebrating the Australian cricket teams success and I hope they dominate for many years to come. They are fine athletes, respected gentlemen and Australian ICONS, after all why would almost every world cricket team employ an Australian coach?

It says something for the way we play the game, we are coached, our approach and our mentality. When you’re at the top everyone wants to beat you, kick you down and they will try anything, even getting your own country’s media to turn on you.

Maybe that is just sport and competition, but why don’t we leave the Australian cricket team alone and CELEBRATE their success and achievements.

At last some GOOD NEWS

Channel Ten have today announced that Paul McDermott will be returning the former public broadcast turn commercial success ‘Good News Week’ to the stable of programs in 2008.

This follows the nostalgic paths that Nine started in 2007 returning ‘Burkes Backyard’ be it only season specials but Seven followed suit with a return of Gladiators and now Ten have confirmed a new series of Good News Week.

Genius management or stale programming?

Gladiators was never a ratings success, Burkes Backyard was dropped because it appeared stale and Don Burke was ‘too old’ while Good News Week was superseded by The Glass House and The Chaser.

To some it will please them that GNW is back, all that is now missing is GMA with Bert Newton and Hey Hey It’s Saturday with Daryl Summers.

Never say never... the path the commercial networks are taking and with the impact of the USA Writer’s Strike taking effect our commercial networks face the challenge of not having content available to screen.

Should this trend of resurrecting programs from the grave continue, then we could be flooded with all sorts of ideas... Hey Dad, A Country Practice, Water Rats, Police Rescue...

Anyone thought of that?

Watch your back Fergo...

My brief remark was made more as a joke because I think Mark Ferguson is an excellent news reader who can read National Nine News for many years to come... but have a look at Peter Overton's ratings....

WED 16/01/08
NINE NEWS Nine 425,000
SEVEN NEWS Seven 362,000

TUES
SEVEN NEWS Seven 374,000
NINE NEWS Nine 363,000

MON 14/01/08
NINE NEWS Nine 380,000
SEVEN NEWS Seven 357,000

2/3 is not bad and last night was a convincing win. Maybe it is because the Australian Public prefer cricket over tennis...

Radio Ratings Race

This summer, we have not seen anything that has grabbed the attention of program directors to gamble on a summer ratings success. 2UE moved Tim Webster into his own Afternoon shift after doing the fill-in duties of John Laws for the last few years.

It was only mid last week that 2UE confirmed Sandy Alioisi as co-host on the breakfast show. Alioisi had been filling in on NewsRadio as she gets her breakfast gig off the mark.

So far, so good. Alioisi is very knowledgeable, intelligent, calm and easy listening across a number of news items.

Unfortunately for Carlton, the ‘fun’ element may disappear that he had with good mate Peter FitzSimons but Alioisi looks the goods. In fact she will probably host her own show somewhere down the track.

It will take some time for a synergy to develop and the show will evolve over the coming weeks. The Newspapers reported that ‘Mike and Sandy’ will have a greater emphasis on news which can be noted through the return of the ‘voice’ at 2UE, Ken Sparkes and the various stings he has recorded.

It’s a brave gamble by 2UE partnering Carlton and Aliosi which will hopefully bring ratings success.

Over on the FM band, 2DAYFM experimented with ‘The Summer Fling’ featuring Ryan, Jules and Tamsyn. I don’t expect a permanent gig for this unlikely trio but Ryan Shelton could have an on-air role across the medium in the future.

Cal Wilson has taken five days off for her wedding leaving Akmal Saleh with the similar ill-feeling he had twelve months ago when the Matthew Newton-Brooke Satchwell allegations were reveled. De ja vu Akmal?

This time former ‘Get This’ co-host Ed Kavalee is playing the role of ‘best man’ while Cal Wilson is getting married.

Which leaves Tony Martin scratching his head and wondering why he does not have a show in 2008? Without a doubt he is Australia’s best radio talent who is not on air at the moment, DMG could use him and Ed and Richard Marsland... let’s Get This back on the air.

Summer Experiments

Cat and mouse games are always being played by Seven and Nine with Nine returning its balls right across the network this week and also dropping the word ‘Channel’.

Subtly when you now listen to a promotion for Nine, all it says is... “Coming Up...Cold Case 8.30 Wednesday... On Nine”

While Sunrise and the Today Show seem to rotate summer presenters to the minute and to the genre with Cameron Williams taking the male co-host role on Today and Matthew White taking the Sunrise stool at Seven.

Funny isn’t it that both networks decided to use sport anchors to host sunrise will leaving their leading ladies, Lisa Wilkinson and Melissa Doyle on air over the Christmas break.

When the new year arrived, so did a new summer team with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies from the Morning Show take over Sunrise while Nine have used regular fill-ins Richard Wilkins and Georgie Gardner.

Summer schedueling is a scary time for presenters because someone can take your job...
Seven’s Mel and Kochie need not worry and I note their slap in the face to Nine using both Sharyn Ghidella and Jessica Rowe at times during the summer as fill-in newsreaders on Sunrise.

On Nine a fresh team lead by Georgie and Richard with News provided by Sarah Harris. This formula looks good, new and fresh and get my vote.

Karl Stefanovick works well when he fills in for Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair while Tracy is wasted fronting that show. She should be given her own midday type show or even Sunday.

Whilst National Nine News is being read by Peter Overton these past two weeks and what a good job he is doing. Good suits, ties and shirts, similarly with Cameron Williams.

Mark Ferguson always dresses smartly but remember when a certain Jim Waley took his summer vacation Fergo...

One thing Nine still has over Seven is the wardrobe... seriously, Nine’s presenters always look professional while Seven’s still need some work including Ian Ross’ tie selection.

Some things may evolve out of summer news and current affairs scheduling which assist networks with future projects. Nine has been the winner with summer experiments.

Michael Usher, Brett McLeod, Peter Overton and Sarah Harris are more than capable of having wider on-air news reading roles.

Cameron Williams is versatile and could potentially do other projects having amicably co-hosting the Today Show.

Matthew White is still too fresh faced and young, typecast as a Sports Broadcaster on Seven and didn’t deliver on Sunrise or reading the Weekend News.

Nevertheless the people whom the networks experiment with over summer are in the thoughts of programmers so lets see what evolves in 2008.

Does anyone want to partner Carlton?

Radio 2UE are set to resume regular programming on January 14 but their on-air line-up for 2008 is still not confirmed.

Steve Price has been confirmed for the morning show, vacated by the now retired John Laws with John Stanley to resume hosting Drive.

Stanley is too bland for Drive. He is a good presenter but he was perfect in Afternoons and did a very good show there, likewise Prices suited Drive.

Breakfast is currently hosted by John Stanley and Tim Gilbert over summer. It is not really working as Stanley generally appears tongue-tied and Gilbert does not say much. Obviously there is no synergy but both presenters are talented in their own right at what they do.

2UE have known about Laws decision for 9 months so to still not know their on air line-up show signs of weak management, dare I say a station in disarray?

Ellen Fanning, Ken Sutcliffe and more recently Deborah Thomas were linked with to the co-hosting chair with Carlton on Breakfast but none have signed.

Carlton may have to go breakfast alone which would be a back flip on the stations decision in 2006 to partner Carlton with Peter FitzSimons because he ratings were sliding. The ratings have not improved.

Perhaps 2UE should have launched a new breakfast show and moved Mike Carlton to either Drive or Mornings?

Steve Price has all ready started bickering with Ray Hadley but his comments may be deemed useless if 2UE do not have a strong performing Breakfast show to launch the platform for the day.

Unless 2UE can pull a rabbit out of the hat, 2008 appears to be looking dismal as they start on the back foot with No Laws and No replacement for FitzSimons. In turn this will affect potential advertisers.

Believed 2UE ON-AIR Line-Up 2008

5:30-9 Mike Carlton & ????

9-12 Steve Price

12-3 Tim Webster

3-6 John Stanley

6-8 Sports Today with Greg Alexander & John Gibbs

8-12 Stuart Bocking

12-5:30 Clive Roberston

With Breakfast not being confirmed yet advertisers may look elsewhere will across the schedule the line-up is not all that flattering and will struggle to compete with 2GB and ABC 702.

So, what would I do?

If the decisions that have been made so far in regards to programming be taken into account and it looks like top-rating weekend breakfast hosts George More and Paul B Kidd will not get a weekday slot, then I would change that first because if 2UE don’t use them, don’t be surprised if they jump ship to get a permanent weekday gig somewhere else.

My suggested 2UE ON-AIR Line-Up 2008

5:30-9 Mike Carlton & John Stanley

9-12 Steve Price

12-3 George More & Paul B Kidd

3-6 Steve Liebmann

6-8 Sports Today with Greg Alexander & John Gibbs

8-12 Clive Robertson

12-5:30 Stuart Bocking

Partnering John Stanley with Mike Carlton may if fact work because Carlton would lead the discussion allowing Stanley to fill the co-host Fitzsimons role which he would perform amicably.

Steve Price has all ready been given Mornings so there will be no back-flip there, yet.

Tim Webster in Afternoons is not right. George and Paul have an excellent weekend formula that is desperately needed in Afternoons which to some extent is provided by Stanley.

Afternoons is a slower news time until Drive where news breaks and news is being wrapped up for the day. Afternoons should be lighter, informative yet entertaining. All that 2UE need to do is condense the weekend breakfast formula to afternoons with George and Paul and their show would rate.

Steve Liebmann is professional and polished and is always easy to listen to when he fills in on drive. He may not want the shift permanently but he is smart enough and a very good interviewer which compliments the Drive time audience.

Nights have not been set alight by Stuart Bocking but its a hard gig. Bocking is becoming a better presenter, shift by shift but Nights are not him. He would be better in a Afternoon show or weekend breakfast.

Bocking has that laid back easy listening voice and presentation style which I like but not at nights. So either return him to mid-dawn or present weekend breakfast because Clive Robertson is needed on nights.

Robertson has a brilliant speaking voice, he is quick whited, funny, irreverent and cheeky. He has some similarities to the late Stan Zemanek. The night show is Clive Robertson.

We are only 10 days away from the start of the first ratings period with a number of radio stations launching new breakfast shows or new members to their breakfast shows particularly on the FM band with MIX 106.5, NOVA 969, VEGA 95.3 and TRIPLE M hedging their bets on new teams but their decisions were made in 2007.

2UE go into 2008 without a confirmed breakfast show, they have 9 days to find someone...

Nine's Balls are back!

The First Australia India cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground re-instated the famous Nine's Wide World of Sport logo including the treasured 9 balls.

In a return the logo may also bring about new badges on the cricket commentators jackets, perhaps Richie Benaud can dust off the cream, white, the off white and the bone which were stitched with the old logo.

Cricket, men, balls and Channel 9 is perhaps the networks most treasured asset nostalgically connected to the former later owner of the network, Kerry Packer.

Channel Nine is cricket coverage and the game has kept its tradition with the commentator’s suits and ties, gentlemanly approach but with ever innovative technology unseen anywhere else in the world.

Hot Spot, Snicko, Hawk-Eye... what's next?

Billy 'the 12th Man' Birmingham has for years been parodying the Channel Nine Cricket technology suggesting a 'scrotometer' to measure the players comfort level in their jocks... who knows maybe Billy's tongue-in-cheek (excuse the pun) idea may be a reality before we know it.

Cleverly scripted returns of the Balls for Nine in a year where the network will attempt to hit back and re-discover that golden programming that had the premier Australian network as market leader. With David Gyngell returning to work and the new ratings year almost upon us Nine will launch some excellent new series sure to lure viewers back to the network.

Underbelly is based on the Melbourne Gang Land warfare that has plagued the city for the past decade. This thirteen part series, believed to be male focused will surely grab media attention with a strong cast lead by Robert Mammone and Martin Sacks.

In a continued push for a return of Australian drama, Nine are also launching Canal Road, The Strip and a remake of The Young Doctors. Viewers will also be viewing the final series of McLeod's Daughters and the second series of Sea Patrol which will surely create interest with the Australian viewers.

Nine's Australian drama stocks look promising but their lifestyle and reality documentary series have not been as well received as viewers compared with Seven who boast Border Security, Medical Emergency and RSPCA Animal Rescue to name a few.

Nine have had success with RPA and Missing Persons Unit but not quite the same success with The Gift or The Royal Flying Doctor Service which is going to be re-launched. One hopeful for the network however is The Chopping Block which has the potential and the creative team to be a success.

The network will be challenging Seven in 2008 and could close the widening gap but Seven still have the momentum with their Australian dramas City Homicide and All Saints. Seven will be backing their new drama Packed to the Rafetrs which will fill the void of the 'rested' Kath & Kim.

With Kath & Kim resting in 2008, Seven's ratings dominance could be challeged as the 'jewel in the crown' will not be on our screens. Although, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives are all returning and a re-make of Gladiators will be broadcast from February.

It will be a interesting year nonetheless and we the viewers are the fortunate ones with competition between the networks only producing more quality television programs for us to choose from.

***Top NEW Shows to watch in 2008***
1. The Chopping Block (9)
2. Gladiators (7)
3. Underbelly (9)
4. City Homicide Series 2 (7)
5. Packed to the Rafters (7)

I predict these five Australian programs to be the ratings success in 2008 at of the new batch of shows.