From the AFR today talking about the networks plans for Upfronts coverage this year, basically saying they’ll all be scaled back events in light of the advertising market / job losses.
Nine’s is slated for October 24 or thereabouts – after dust settles from the Olympics.
MEAA press release
The Australian’s Media Diary says Sneesby is set to hit the streets in Essonne, in the Ile-de-France region, later today, running with the Olympic torch. Before that, he visited QTQ and 4BC studios in Brisbane last week, to have a chat with staff, before watching the State of Origin decider in Nine’s corporate box at Suncorp Stadium.
Journalists employed by Nine Publishing have overwhelming voted in favour to go on strike on Friday if the company is unable to reach a deal on a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
Journalists at the Sydney Morning Herald , The Age , The Australian Financial Review , Brisbane Times and WAtoday have today voted to stop work for five days, including the opening weekend of the Paris Olympic Games
Nine’s coverage of Paris Olympics has taken a pre-emptive hit. TV and radio may be firing on all cylinders come this weekend but print reports will be less.
The industrial action (if it goes ahead) could also mean The Age reporters won’t cast votes for the paper’s Footballer of the Year Award during this weekend’s AFL matches.
Will also impact online reporting for all publications for the games, including live blogging of events - could drive audiences to ABC’s online coverage.
Would be interesting to know what percentage of staffers are union members.
Wonder if Nine might cave in before Friday, terrible look at the eleventh hour of the Olympics and both Nine, stakeholders and fans wouldn’t want print/digital coverage affected
Reporting by one of Nine’s mastheads.
Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby carried the Olympic Games torch and waved to French locals hours after journalists in his publishing division voted overwhelmingly in favour of a five-day strike over pay and conditions.
Mr Sneesby was smiling and dressed in an all-white Paris 2024 Olympic Games tracksuit as he jogged past locals in the area of Massy, about 16km outside the city centre.
Again - is there no one else in France who can do it?
Apparently the Paris 2024 organising committee had reserved 1000 spots (out of 11,000) in the torch relay for Olympic partners and foreign dignitaries. Sneesby was chosen to represent Nine, the Australian broadcast partner of these Games.
It was reported last week that BTS member Jin also took part in the torch relay.
This is pretty common. The Olympic torch relay is a bit of a farce/sponsor puffery.
they couldn’t have sent over Scotty Cam or Hamish and Andy… or any of the News/ACA/Today presenters who are already there? 
Would have made a better photo op than the CEO
Rather than enjoying himself carrying the Olympic torch in France, Nine boss Mike Sneesby should be in Australia to sort out a new EBA for journalists in the company's publishing division. https://t.co/Odu4lpOVqW #MEAAmedia
— MEAA (@withMEAA) July 23, 2024
In his absence, journalists will be going on strike for five days from this Friday unless negotiations take a turn for the better this week. https://t.co/TJfFA7uxPm
— MEAA (@withMEAA) July 23, 2024
Nine journalists are still set to strike from tomorrow, but are open to meet again if management is willing.
Mark Phillips, MEAA’s communications director, confirmed this with Mumbrella this morning.
“MEAA representatives met with Nine management yesterday and are willing to meet again today if management wants to,” Phillips said.
Nine has offered its disgruntled journalists what it deems “a new and improved proposal”, as MEAA confirmed that industrial action began this morning.
Update
In a statement, Nine called the decision to go ahead with the strike “disappointing,” but confirmed that there are “comprehensive plans are in place to ensure the production and distribution of Nine Publishing mastheads will not be impacted and our readers will continue to have access to unrivalled coverage of the Paris Olympics.”
The SMH votes to strike
