Australia’s streaming business sector is stacked. With new players like Paramount+, BINGE, Disney+ and Apple TV+ joining the now veteran platforms Netflix, Prime Video and Stan, getting to premium amusement content is simpler and more reasonable than it’s ever been. A close comparison of what each streaming platform offers and the amount it costs could save you a fortune over the long haul. The first things to consider are value, content, quality, and compatible devices. But

The introduction of television in Australia in 1956 brought with it a host of economic and cultural dividends, aided by government incentives, regulations, and protection from international broadcasters because of Australia’s geographic isolation. Commercial access to its TV market and the development of networks have been controlled by government in waves across decades, underpinned by an intention to safeguard national sovereignty over its institutions and perceived cultur

“It still just blows my mind every day that people are so invested in this. I just hope they’ll continue to be, as it keeps unravelling.” When Iris Rogers, 28, returned home to her family’s farm in New York state to start her own business, she became caught up with the hunt for the original deed to the 235-year-old property. Her unfolding story uncovered secret written notes, a message in a bottle, mediums, a bible under a staircase, old poems, mysterious postcards, gold ring

What do the biggest sports in the world have in common? Stadiums filled with cheering fans, millions of viewers around the world, and billion-dollar industries. While this might make you think of soccer, cricket or rugby, there is an emerging contender in the world of sports that might not be on everyone’s minds just yet, but it should be. Esports as a competitive sport In esports, professional gamers compete against each other in organised tournaments. Team size depends on

Marvel continues to pursue their current trend of recruiting indie filmmakers by placing Destin Daniel Cretton ( The Glass Castle ) at the helm of its recent addition to the universe, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings . Sadly, the movie suffers from an abundance of all too familiar tropes, removing any possibility of injecting the franchise with the director’s unique style. Shang-Chi follows the titular character, martial arts master Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), as he con

Most people remember the anti-smoking ads on television in the early 2010s. The bubble-wrap lungs being burnt and melted by a cigarette and Terrie H with her barely there voice as a result of her smoking. Caleb Spackman, 19 from Melbourne, said he understands why so many of today’s young people have been turned off smoking and have instead taken up vaping. “I used to hate smoking because of those ads,” he says. He admits he smoked socially for a bit because it “tends to br

On October 22 – Melbourne’s 262nd day of lockdown – restrictions began to ease in Victoria. For 21-year-old student Tom Dickinson, anxiety came soon after Daniel Andrews’ announcement. “Initially, I was really excited when I heard the announcement,” he says. “Then, the thought of being in a big group actually sunk in a bit more … it’s a situation that I knew was going to make me a bit anxious, especially as I was used to only seeing one or two other people at a time.” In th

After years of rewrites, stalling and delays, Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond has arrived. No Time To Die follows Bond (obviously) on one final mission after being forced out of a self-imposed retirement in Jamaica. An old friend in the CIA asks him for help, which sends Bond on a rescue mission that pits him against a powerfully armed foe. Cary Joji Fukunaga, of True Detective fame, brings a clear and confident sense of direction for the film, doing well to ap

“There are lots of moral panics around the innocence of children,” says Dr Joanna McIntyre, a lecturer in media studies at Swinburne University. McIntyre is part of the Swinburne research team working with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation on a four-year research project into Australian children’s television. “In Western culture, children are understood to be asexual and must be kept away from certain things – the framing of childhood is seen as a time of inno

In an age where superhero movies are churned out at an industrial rate, it’s a breath of fresh air when a movie in this genre gives you something new. Eternals follows a family of superheroes sent to earth to protect humans from predators known as the Deviants. The film explores how and why they came to Earth 7000 years ago, as well as the necessity for teaming up once again to save the day. Chloe Zhao, who won an Academy Award for Directing Nomadland , is an inspired choic

Experts from Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens believe a marketing campaign could protect the natural world. Executive director of science Professor David Cantrill says people are increasingly more disconnected from nature, but if they can identify with it, they’re more likely to act to protect it. “A social marketing campaign is something that could achieve this,” he says. Marketing experts say a campaign like this would cost in the millions, but if pulled off correctly, c

Melbourne International Games Week wrapped up last month, having provided a distinctly Australian celebration of the evolution of a growing local video game industry. Curated by Creative Victoria, Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW or “Migwa” as it is affectionately known) is held every year to commemorate the local industry and act as a touchstone for both casual fans and industry workers alike. Michelle Shepherd, a senior project officer with Creative Victoria, says i