"Information - our most valuable personal commodity. It affects our lives every day more than anything else. In a world of ever increasing choice, where we choose to get our information - the quality and quantity of what we're told can affect us far more than we realize," channel Nine news commercial, 'Be Sure', trumpeted in 1994. "More Australians still choose to get their news and current affairs from channel Nine - the best people, unequal resources, continuing a total commitment to the best coverage on any given events and issues, setting the agenda, setting the standard - day by day, hour by hour. When you need to know exactly what's happening, the choice has never been clearer."
The 6:00-7:00pm time slot was regarded the talking point of the week on Australian television. In Sydney, Brian Henderson held "the attention of the majority of news viewers for channel Nine." Sydney residents relied on the single news authority delivered by "the best newsman in the business." It was said nobody could bring Australians closer to what was happening in their world than 'National Nine News.' Like Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Brian Henderson's "long-time presence in an ever-changing (news) world" played a big factor. As the world changed, Brian was the "one thing remains constant."
In the world of television, the "sweeping success" of Brian Henderson's news and 'A Current Affair' had allowed channel Nine to a "comfortable lead" in the ratings. Robin Oliver observed, "To get within 4 points of Brian Henderson's seemingly invincible news on Nine was achievement indeed." Richard Glover of 'Fairfax Media' reported in 1989, "Brian Henderson has been part of the furniture in Australia's living rooms since he first was hired by channel Nine in 1957 (to host 'Bandstand'). He's been reading Nine's evening bulletin for 25 years (since 1964) and has helped turn it into Australia's most-watched program. Some at Nine reckon ratings would slump by an instant 30% if he left."
Leslie Falkiner of 'The Age' explained in 1989, "The main ingredient of each news service is the stories, the 'product'. Each year, all 3 big networks fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bid to first attract and then addict the viewers to their particular brand of news." Neil Miller of channel Ten clarified, "Your presenters are your shop front." In order for the network to sell commercial time, "It really doesn't matter how good you are behind the scenes; if the presenters are not up to presenting the news in a professional manner, you've got a problem." Leslie continued, "Consider the money that comes with high ratings. The most–watched news station, channel Nine, charges $7000 for a 30-second advertisement slot on its news. Given that there are about 6 minutes of ads per bulletin, that's $84,000, seven nights a week."
Bill Carter of the 'New York Times' told readers in 1994, "For years, economic issues drove the expansion of the news magazine business. The programs are much cheaper to produce than dramas (about $450,000 an hour, compared with about $1 million for a drama), and they are owned outright by the networks. But news magazines, especially those that are not yet well established, do not go into repeats, which means they have to produce twice as many 'episodes' as dramas do. The costs even out."
David Poltrack of CBS insisted, "Even if you have 2 news magazines against each other and they're both doing a 12.5 rating, given the economics of the news magazine, that's still a successful franchise." It was mentioned Americans' fascination with the Olympics also translated into a win for the evening news, especially 'ABC News' back in 1984, which averaged 45% of the audience in the first 9 prime-time broadcasts, or 25% of the audience in the first week.
Barbara Holsopple of 'The Pittsburgh Press' reported some 135 million Americans watched all (the full 9 days) or part of the coverage of the 1984 Summer Olympics. "So strong are the ratings, ABC says it may not seek its rebate on rights fees – a rebate written into the broadcast contract in the event of a boycott. ABC's final payment of $15 million on the $225 million total is due September 1 1984, and if the Olympics ratings holdup, an ABC spokesman says the network will pay it."
Tony Vinciquerra of the Pittsburgh local station, WTAE, enthused, "We're sold out at huge premiums over our regular prices. We sold our commercial time at 2 to 3 times the normal price. We had a couple of calls Friday and Monday from advertisers trying to get into the Games, but we have nothing left to sell … oh, a little in late-fringe, after 12.30am. That's all. In fact, we were 50% sold out last Thanksgiving. Both the Winter and Summer Games exceeded our expectations."
Clive James told Kevin Childs in 1981, "Australian television is the best in the world, from that angle (commercials). Whether the programs in between the commercials are good is something I can only guess at. I can see how Australian television has become the incubator for the Australian film industry: the directors are obviously getting their training making commercials."
In March 1997, two Virgos wrote to Eugenia Last of the 'Sun-Journal' in Lewiston, Maine. "Dear Eugenia: I was born on August 30, 1967, at 1.58pm. I am moving into my Saturn return this year (in 1997) and it will be squaring my natal Moon in Cancer. My Saturn is in the 5th house. I guess winning the lottery is out of the question. I'm going to have a big year ahead of me. I'm going back to school in Australia for 10 months. I just need to know if any surprises are in store for me. My husband was born the same day/month/year as I and has Taurus Rising. He will not be accompanying me."
After some considerations, Eugenia replied. "Dear Two Virgos: Had you tried to do this before your Saturn return, I'd have been doubtful as to whether or not the marriage would have survived. However, at this time it could actually work quite well. Saturn gives people added discipline to withstand and to accomplish the goals that they set. Although it won't be easy, I'm sure that the 2 of you will manage to hang in there and make the best of the situation."
The 6:00-7:00pm time slot was regarded the talking point of the week on Australian television. In Sydney, Brian Henderson held "the attention of the majority of news viewers for channel Nine." Sydney residents relied on the single news authority delivered by "the best newsman in the business." It was said nobody could bring Australians closer to what was happening in their world than 'National Nine News.' Like Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Brian Henderson's "long-time presence in an ever-changing (news) world" played a big factor. As the world changed, Brian was the "one thing remains constant."
In the world of television, the "sweeping success" of Brian Henderson's news and 'A Current Affair' had allowed channel Nine to a "comfortable lead" in the ratings. Robin Oliver observed, "To get within 4 points of Brian Henderson's seemingly invincible news on Nine was achievement indeed." Richard Glover of 'Fairfax Media' reported in 1989, "Brian Henderson has been part of the furniture in Australia's living rooms since he first was hired by channel Nine in 1957 (to host 'Bandstand'). He's been reading Nine's evening bulletin for 25 years (since 1964) and has helped turn it into Australia's most-watched program. Some at Nine reckon ratings would slump by an instant 30% if he left."
Leslie Falkiner of 'The Age' explained in 1989, "The main ingredient of each news service is the stories, the 'product'. Each year, all 3 big networks fork out hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bid to first attract and then addict the viewers to their particular brand of news." Neil Miller of channel Ten clarified, "Your presenters are your shop front." In order for the network to sell commercial time, "It really doesn't matter how good you are behind the scenes; if the presenters are not up to presenting the news in a professional manner, you've got a problem." Leslie continued, "Consider the money that comes with high ratings. The most–watched news station, channel Nine, charges $7000 for a 30-second advertisement slot on its news. Given that there are about 6 minutes of ads per bulletin, that's $84,000, seven nights a week."
Bill Carter of the 'New York Times' told readers in 1994, "For years, economic issues drove the expansion of the news magazine business. The programs are much cheaper to produce than dramas (about $450,000 an hour, compared with about $1 million for a drama), and they are owned outright by the networks. But news magazines, especially those that are not yet well established, do not go into repeats, which means they have to produce twice as many 'episodes' as dramas do. The costs even out."
David Poltrack of CBS insisted, "Even if you have 2 news magazines against each other and they're both doing a 12.5 rating, given the economics of the news magazine, that's still a successful franchise." It was mentioned Americans' fascination with the Olympics also translated into a win for the evening news, especially 'ABC News' back in 1984, which averaged 45% of the audience in the first 9 prime-time broadcasts, or 25% of the audience in the first week.
Barbara Holsopple of 'The Pittsburgh Press' reported some 135 million Americans watched all (the full 9 days) or part of the coverage of the 1984 Summer Olympics. "So strong are the ratings, ABC says it may not seek its rebate on rights fees – a rebate written into the broadcast contract in the event of a boycott. ABC's final payment of $15 million on the $225 million total is due September 1 1984, and if the Olympics ratings holdup, an ABC spokesman says the network will pay it."
Tony Vinciquerra of the Pittsburgh local station, WTAE, enthused, "We're sold out at huge premiums over our regular prices. We sold our commercial time at 2 to 3 times the normal price. We had a couple of calls Friday and Monday from advertisers trying to get into the Games, but we have nothing left to sell … oh, a little in late-fringe, after 12.30am. That's all. In fact, we were 50% sold out last Thanksgiving. Both the Winter and Summer Games exceeded our expectations."
Clive James told Kevin Childs in 1981, "Australian television is the best in the world, from that angle (commercials). Whether the programs in between the commercials are good is something I can only guess at. I can see how Australian television has become the incubator for the Australian film industry: the directors are obviously getting their training making commercials."
In March 1997, two Virgos wrote to Eugenia Last of the 'Sun-Journal' in Lewiston, Maine. "Dear Eugenia: I was born on August 30, 1967, at 1.58pm. I am moving into my Saturn return this year (in 1997) and it will be squaring my natal Moon in Cancer. My Saturn is in the 5th house. I guess winning the lottery is out of the question. I'm going to have a big year ahead of me. I'm going back to school in Australia for 10 months. I just need to know if any surprises are in store for me. My husband was born the same day/month/year as I and has Taurus Rising. He will not be accompanying me."
After some considerations, Eugenia replied. "Dear Two Virgos: Had you tried to do this before your Saturn return, I'd have been doubtful as to whether or not the marriage would have survived. However, at this time it could actually work quite well. Saturn gives people added discipline to withstand and to accomplish the goals that they set. Although it won't be easy, I'm sure that the 2 of you will manage to hang in there and make the best of the situation."
