Stokes stoked by Seven year

Seven held its Annual General Meeting today in Sydney with Executive Chairman Kerry Stokes telling shareholders the network was well positioned.

“We lead the market in news and public affairs, breakfast television and prime time,” he said.

“We are the leading source of news and information for Australians. Sunrise, Seven News and Today Tonight continue to build on their leadership. And we are planning further developments.”

Stokes said Seven would continue further appeal of its C7 case, develop its multiple-channel TV business next year and launch TiVo in the new year.

And as an intrepid TV Tonight reader tells us, Seven also confirmed the new comedy, Packed to the Rafters and a new observational medical series filmed at a Dubbo hospital.

Stokes also had words about The Chaser dubbing the ABC stunt as “stupid.” According to one observer, Stokes’ showed little interest in picking up the comedy show.

Read on for a bird’s eye view of the AGM.

Submitted: “Upon entry we were given a free showbag (which was really just one big ad! with magazines and a keyring and badge for the Olympics) and offered coffee, tea, juices and muffins.

The meeting went for around half an hour which was pretty short. However, this does not mean that it was top quality!! Kerry Stokes addressed the meeting. He spoke of the wonderful year that 7 has had ‘… the best ever’ and that the future holds nothing but excitement and optimism. Highlights included the Olympic Games next year as well as the launch of TiVo and two more channels to brought into the 7 spectrum, which will be used to ‘retain and build audiences’.

‘Seven News, Today Tonight and Sunrise are Australia’s leading source in news’ Kerry Stokes said. Seven have also impressively won the year of 2007 in all demographics – total people, 18-39 years, and grocery buyers as well as 39+, mainly thanks to the shows – Dancing With The Stars, Kath & Kim, Border Security and City Homicide. Did you notice something all those shows in common? They are all Australian-made!! Therefore in 2008, as well as international content, Seven will be also very focused on Australian made content – including shows ‘Packed to the Rafters’ (where mature sons and daughters of a middle-aged couple come back home to live with them, just as that couple were excited to have their kids all off and the house finally to themselves) and a new medical show focused on the bush-land medical emergenices (from Dubbo Hospital).

In other developments, Stokes today confirmed that they would be appealing the C7 case, as they were ‘extremely disappointed’ with the outcome of their loss this July. Unwired and Engin will continue to evolve next year, especially with the introduction of TiVo early next year. Western Australian Newspapers and engineering firm GHD are also continuing with momentum. The year ahead looks very promising, especially considering the amount of capital (remember last year they sold half of Seven Media to KKR, which got them millions of dollars).

All resolutions were approved by shareholders, with a large majority.

….. and CEO of Seven Media Group asked where the Chaser boys where. He labelled the trespass in Martin Place studios ‘stupid’, further implying that Seven would not like the rights to the show next year.”

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