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Businesses, councils shoulder Today show costs

ABC reveals local councils & businesses subsidise "We Love Australia" visits but get plenty of exposure.

The Today show’s “We Love Australia” visit to Griffith last Wednesday pocketed a bucketload of cash from local council and businesses, while providing plenty of positive coverage.

Media Watch last night noted a story in local newspaper The Area News alleged Today expected a $100,000 retainer before committing to visiting the region.

“Yup, $100,000, with Griffith City Council kicking in $15,000 of ratepayers’ money and local businesses stumping up the rest,” said host Paul Barry.

But Nine’s Head of Publicity Victoria Buchan told ABC, “We don’t charge any of our partners a fee. We don’t make money. We do work with them to help cover our considerable production and travel costs.”

Amongst plenty of glowing coverage, ABC also noted local scandals which broke the day before the broadcast didn’t rate a mention and questioned endorsements by Karl Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys for local accountant Roy Spagnolo, who appeared as a guest.

Meanwhile Gladstone Regional Council also told ABC it had forked out for a “We Love Australia” visit.

“We contributed $36,364 for the opportunity to showcase our region to a national audience,” said Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett.

Victoria Buchan said, “Our partners see the immense value in having the attractions of their local area broadcast across Australia. They appreciate the huge amount of work and resources which go into every one of these programs. And they report increases in website traffic, enquiries and bookings.

“The production team, not our presenters, make the decisions on location, content and guests. Our
presenters gain nothing financially, or commercially, from We Love Australia.

“We’re proud of We Love Australia, and proud of the support we give to Australian tourism, local
businesses and jobs.”

One Response

  1. It’s great to see media watch catch shows like today out because I always wondered why these breakfast shows always go to the same cities every year every summer .yet my City and my region neither breakfast show has ever come in fifteen years .it’s all about payola at nine. And the Queensland govt are clearly the biggest spnders of all state govts as today show is in Queensland just about every month .we love Australia only applies if you show us the money first.

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