RADIO Ballarat Fined $50,000 - is that all?

The last thing you expect when you head off to work each day is the threat or act of violence. Naturally you would expect in the year 2004 that all work places would be 'a safe haven' with management leading by example. Hopefully with the decision handed down in the Ballarat Magistrates Court we have moved a step closer to stamping out what never should be.

 Radio Ballarat Pty Ltd, the company behind radio stations 3BA and Power FM, was  fined $25,000 for failing to provide a safe workplace and $25,000 for failing to provide instruction, training and supervision in relation to workplace bullying. It reads and stinks of a classic case of profit before people.

The decision is the first of its kind in Victoria and believed to be an Australian first. It comes three weeks after former Radio Ballarat employee, Reginald David Mowat, was convicted and fined $10,000 for workplace bullying. Mowat, 34, had pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Ratings

Melbourne  Sydney Adelaide Brisbane  Perth

Survey 5 has seen 3AW retain its crown in Melbourne up 0.3 to 15.7. Triple M retained second spot with 10.7 down ever so slightly. Gold 1043 overtook the heavily TV advertised FOX and 774 for third spot with 10.3. Alarm bells must be going off at FOX and 2DAY with both breakfast teams clearly struggling. Our rumour bank heard a strange one today that could see Kyle and Jackie used in a revamped networked breakfast between the 2DAY FM network, mmm jury is out on that one.  SEN breakfast and mornings took a dive - although their drive was up an impressive 1.3 to 4.7. Remember survey 6 will be SEN's moment of truth with their Olympic coverage the springboard. (more on that later this week)

 2GB continues to dominate Sydney stretching their lead over Nova taking 2GB out to a 4.2 point lead with 13.8. Nova comes in at number 2 with 10 ratings points followed by ABC702. Interesting to see 2GB's Alan Jones is almost doubling 2UE's Mike Carlton in breakfast, you have to ask how much longer Carlton will be there for. Hadley continues to hold court over John Laws. In 2UE evenings Stan has begun the climb back up the ratings ladder up with 2UE  evenings up 2.8 points this survey.

Adelaide has SAFM (19.2) with a solid lead over its nearest rival of Mix102.3 who tied with 5AA on 14.9. Although 5AA  tumbled in every session across the day with nights dropping a massive 5.1. 5DN breakfast rose 1.1 to 9 points. Brisbane had B105 retain top spot with 17.8 down 0.8 they were  followed by MMM up 0.3 to 15.1 and 97.3 returned with third spot again this period. Sister stations 4BC and 4BH  both came across the line on 9.1 each. 

Perth showed their faith in 94.5 FM again this survey demanding 19.3 with 96FM (12.2)  followed by ABC720 on 11.3.

Awards Food for thought

Some Music Directors who thought they were in the 2004 ACRA Finals
following their names being published in The Music Network a fortnight ago,
got an awful shock today when CRA Released more category finalists,
including Best Music Director, and their names weren't there. CRA says Music
Network printed an incorrect list and failed to correct it in the
following two issues. So why didn't CRA ring the " nominees " over the past
14 days to tell them themselves ?

Doesn't do much to improve the confidence in an Awards competition
where the judging process is far from transparent, AND the nominees have to
pay to enter despite major broadcast related companies falling over
themselves to sponsor the event.

If the more than 1200 entrants have paid on average $70-80 each to
enter for 30-odd trophies given out at the Awards, where's all the money
going ?

Singo and Tricky Dicky call a halt?

Speculation is spreading that the joint venture between Virgin Radio and John Singleton's Macquarie group has failed to take off. Although we know they have separately registered for the upcoming Melbourne auction, although this is nothing new in as a far as joint venture strategies go.  Word is they will not go ahead with any joint venture. Sir Richard has reportedly held talks with an established FM network and further talks have been rumoured.

Investigation into Youth Media Society of Western Australia Inc, licensee of Groove

The Australian Broadcasting Authority is proposing strict licence conditions (PDF file, 22k) for Perth community radio service Groove 101.7FM (Groove FM). The licence conditions are intended to address a range of problems with the service relating to representation of the youth community by the licensee, community participation in the service, and corporate governance. This action follows an ABA investigation of Youth Media Society of Western Australia Inc (YMS), the licensee of Groove FM. The ABA's findings are contained in its investigation report (PDF file, 620k). The terms of reference for the investigation can be found in the final report. Source ABA

World Audio capital raising closes oversubscribed

Start-up national radio broadcaster WorldAudio Ltd said today that its $8 million capital raising has closed oversubscribed. WorldAudio, which issued 40 million new shares at 20 cents each, said it is on target to complete the deployment of up to 40 transmission sites Australia-wide that comprise Radio 2 National AM commercial broadcast network. WorldAudio said the construction of its national digital network operations centre at the Homebush Olympic Park is underway and should be completed in November. 02 August