McKnight Tonight & Media McKnight

Robert McKnight
  • 4.1 (320)
  • TV Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

McKnight Tonight brings you a hot take on news events every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 9pm AEST at youtube.com/@mcknighttonight. Media McKnight delvs into the world of media every Tuesday night at 9pm AEST. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. MKR ABUSE SCANDAL - THE REAL STORY | MEDIA McKNIGHT

    2 days ago

    MKR ABUSE SCANDAL - THE REAL STORY | MEDIA McKNIGHT

    My Kitchen Rules Abuse Scandal | Pauline Hanson Wants SBS Axed | Beetlejuice Musical Cancelled | Free TV Switch-Off Looms | Hot Podium Guy Strikes Again | Don Lane Show Throwback. Rob McKnight breaks down the week's biggest media stories on Media McKnight, from his garage on the Gold Coast. My Kitchen Rules contestant Anthony — found not guilty of historical sexual abuse charges — joined McKnight Tonight with daughter Paige for an exclusive interview, revealing how Channel 9 played up the celebrity angle on the way in but went quiet on the not guilty verdict. Pauline Hanson used her National Press Club address to call for SBS to be axed and the ABC defunded — Rob reacts. Beetlejuice the Musical has cancelled its Australian run after its final Brisbane show, reigniting the conversation around star power, stunt casting and the cost-of-living squeeze on live theatre — including the Nat Bass and Rob Mills casting backlash in Waitress. A UK proposal to switch off free-to-air TV signals as early as 2034 is flying under the radar amid Keir Starmer's resignation — and Rob asks what it means for Australia's anti-siphoning rules. Plus: the UK's "Hot Podium Guy" sound engineer has now gone viral at five separate PM resignations, and a deep dive into a forgotten gem from The Don Lane Show. - My Kitchen Rules abuse allegations and the McKnight Tonight exclusive interview - Pauline Hanson's SBS and ABC funding stance - Beetlejuice the Musical's Australian shows cancelled - UK's free-to-air TV switch-off proposal - Hot Podium Guy's viral resignation streak - Classic Australian TV: The Don Lane Show 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #RobMcKnight #MyKitchenRules #PaulineHanson #Beetlejuice #FreeToAir #AustralianMedia Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  2. Robert Irwin's Logies Backlash - and Dr Chris Brown's future at Seven | MEDIA McKNIGHT

    17 June

    Robert Irwin's Logies Backlash - and Dr Chris Brown's future at Seven | MEDIA McKNIGHT

    Rob McKnight, from his garage on the Gold Coast, covers the big media stories of the week on Media McKnight, episode 45. Robert Irwin has been named host of the 2026 Logie Awards, and the reaction in the comments has been overwhelmingly negative. Rob breaks down what the appointment might signal for Channel 7's longer-term plans — and what it could mean for Dr. Chris Brown. FIFA has introduced mandatory water breaks at the World Cup — and broadcasters are allowed to run commercials during them. Fans are furious, calling it a money grab. But Rob argues the real story is the financial reality facing free-to-air broadcasters competing for every ad dollar in a fractured media market. Plus, a spidercam fell 20 metres onto the pitch during a football friendly in Hungary — and the footage is terrifying. Reports are emerging that Kyle Sandilands and ARN could be close to a settlement in their Federal Court dispute. Rob makes a bold prediction on tape — and acknowledges there'll be no hiding if he's wrong. And in Rob's Rant: Doctor Who has been effectively canceled under Russell T. Davies, with the BBC Christmas special scrapped and the show put out to tender. Rob argues the audience wasn't against diversity — they were against being lectured. - FIFA World Cup ad breaks debate - Spidercam falls at Hungary match - Molly Meldrum health fears - Robert Irwin named 2026 Logies host - Kyle Sandilands vs ARN — settlement on the cards? - Doctor Who cancelled — Rob's Rant 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #FIFA #WorldCup #RobertIrwin #Logies #KyleSandilands #ARN #DoctorWho #RussellTDavies #AustralianMedia #MollyMeldrum Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  3. Ep 44 - Why Nat Bassingthwaighte Got NOTHING When Doctor Who Used Her Song

    9 June

    Ep 44 - Why Nat Bassingthwaighte Got NOTHING When Doctor Who Used Her Song

    Media McKnight: Nat Bass dudded by BBC? | When Australian Ninja Warrior is filming | Big Brother Brisbane Location Confirmed | Guy Ashford Out | Nine & the NRL | Qld Govt False Advertising | Darren Sanders On tonight's Media McKnight: Nat Bassingthwaighte reveals her song Voodoo Child was used in one of the most iconic Doctor Who episodes ever — distributed to more than 200 territories — and the Rogue Traders received not a single cent. We dig into why. Plus, Nat on the ageism backlash she faced when cast in the musical Waitress. Guy Ashford is out at 2HD and newFM following the radio awards groping incident. The right outcome — and a sign the industry is finally moving on. Big Brother is confirmed to be moving to Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane. And Australian Ninja Warrior is heading to Channel 10 in 2027, with Queensland production also likely. The Australian newspaper runs a story suggesting Nine couldn't afford the NRL rights because of its EPL deal. We call it out for what it is. The Queensland government is still running ads calling themselves "the new government" — 18 months after the election. Time to update the messaging. And Darren Sanders — comedian, former talk show host, and the man who once danced next to Whitney Houston — has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia. We wish him well, and there's a GoFundMe link below. 🔗 Darren Sanders GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-comedian-darren-sanders-fight-acute-leukaemia?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e227_tv2_tp1_a1demo0dr049da&fbclid=IwY2xjawSUPAJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE1Vll3U1ZFVnVrOGZXYlhsc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvktoITny-2EVLrLDWcJQQs0SkcvvcG58vus4A7p6163TyAfuVmAXjGAfhfp_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  4. No, it wasn't just 'speculation' | Media McKnight

    27 May

    No, it wasn't just 'speculation' | Media McKnight

    Ch 10 axes I'm A Celebrity | Angus Ross returns to 7 | Kyle & Jackie O staff sacked | Colbert's bizarre finale | Eurovision TV tech Rob McKnight, television and radio producer-presenter with over 30 years experience, brings you the week's biggest media industry stories from his garage on the Gold Coast. - Channel 10 confirms I'm a Celebrity axing — Rob broke it first - Angus Ross returns to Seven in expanded MD role - Kyle & Jackie O staff redundancies — Intern Pete speaks out - Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale and the $40M question - NBC reporter mocked for White House shooting reaction - Behind the scenes of Eurovision's world feed graphics system Channel 10 has confirmed the axing of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! — and Rob broke the story over a week before the official announcement. Despite other outlets calling it speculation, his trusted sources were right. Again. Angus Ross is back at Channel 7 — and in a bigger role. After being sacked in March following 27 years at the network, the popular programmer returns as Managing Director, Television and Streaming. Meanwhile, veteran commercial director Bruce McWilliam has quietly become Southern Cross Media's second-biggest shareholder, setting the cat among the pigeons after the 7/SCA merger. The fallout from the Kyle and Jackie O axing continues, with three more team members — including the show's censor — now made redundant. Rob's recent interview with Intern Pete gives an inside look at how the team is coping, with the Kyle/Jackie O legal action against ARN still playing out in court. Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale was, by Rob's assessment, a bizarre farewell. With Paramount citing $40 million in annual losses and speculation about Trump's influence, Rob examines whether the show's enormous overheads — including custom-made Armani suits for every appearance — contributed to its demise. And what does it mean for the future of late night TV? Plus: an NBC reporter gets mocked online for her measured reaction to gunshots at the White House — and Rob has something to say about that. And a fascinating look at the extraordinary broadcast technology behind Eurovision's global graphics sync. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #RobMcKnight #ImACelebrity #Channel10 #AngusRoss #Channel7 #KyleAndJackieO #ARN #StephenColbert #LateShow #Eurovision #australianmedia Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  5. MEDIA McKNIGHT | Episode 41

    19 May

    MEDIA McKNIGHT | Episode 41

    Live TV Chaos, Channel 10's Regional Retreat, Karl & Eddie's New Show, Fair Dealing Explained + Logies Salute & Slap - Live TV chaos — Sky News UK and CBS News meltdowns dissected - Channel 10 dropped in three regional markets — WIN Network exits - Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire launch The Long Weekend video podcast - Meta book piracy lawsuit — fair dealing law explained for Australian media - Salute & Slap — BAFTAs vs the Logies, and why the industry needs to back itself Rob McKnight, television and radio producer and presenter with over 30 years' experience, breaks down the biggest stories in Australian and international media from his garage on the Gold Coast. This week, live TV chaos strikes on two continents — Sky News UK gets tangled in its own wiring during a major political moment, while CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil is stranded in Taiwan due to a visa issue as Trump meets Xi in Beijing, and a medical emergency unfolds live on air. Rob unpacks what went wrong and what the control room should have done. WIN Network has confirmed it will drop Channel 10 services in the Riverland, Mount Gambier and Griffith markets from June 30, following a similar exit from Mildura in 2024. Rob says this is just the beginning — and the numbers tell a grim story for Network 10's parent, Paramount. Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire are teaming up for a new Friday night video podcast called The Long Weekend, broadcasting across the Gold Radio Network and streaming on iHeart, 9Now and Stan. Rob explains why this is a smart play, and why Jam TV deserves more credit than it gets. Five major publishers have alleged Mark Zuckerberg personally ordered Meta to pirate millions of books to train its AI system, Llama. Rob takes a deep dive into fair dealing under Australian law — what it covers, what it doesn't, and why Nine's use of a Daily Mail photo during the Bondi Beach shootings is actually legal, even if it feels wrong. Sam Pang won't be hosting the Logies this year. Rob salutes Australian production teams after watching the BAFTAs, and delivers a pointed slap to anyone at the Logies who uses the stage to talk the television industry down. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianMedia #ChannelTen #KarlStefanovic #EddieMcGuire #Logies #FairDealing #CBSNews #SkyNews #VideoPocast Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  6. MM040 - Kyle & Jackie O - New court documents bring new twists

    13 May

    MM040 - Kyle & Jackie O - New court documents bring new twists

    In this special edition of Media McKnight, Rob McKnight — television and radio producer and presenter broadcasting from his garage on the Gold Coast — goes deep into the latest batch of Federal Court documents in the Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O case against ARN. The Federal Court has released the initial claims, the defence, and the applicants' replies — and there's a lot to unpack. Rob is joined by employment lawyer Michael Byrnes from Swaab to work through the claims and counterclaims paragraph by paragraph. In this episode: Did ARN have different expectations of Kyle — and does the court language actually say so? The February 20 broadcast: Kyle's team admits Jackie was visibly upset — then points straight to the censor Kyle was never told there was a complaint about his relationship with Jackie — and never given a chance to fix it Why is Kyle's team agreeing with ARN that Jackie repudiated her contract — and what's the legal play? ARN says Kyle was an independent contractor they couldn't control — so who was responsible? ARN's "serious misconduct" case goes beyond February 20 — can they broaden the argument now? The 14-day remedy notice: ARN says "reasonable" means time, not opportunity quality Kyle's team fires back: ARN encouraged the very conduct it's now calling misconduct Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. McKnight Tonight streams live Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm AEST at youtube.com/@mckknighttonight #MediaMcKnight #KyleAndJackieO #ARN #KyleSandilands #JackieO #FederalCourt #EmploymentLaw #AustralianMedia #RadioNews #MichaelByrnes #Swaab #InternPete #GoldFM Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 6min
  7. S01E39 - Why FaceBook shouldn't have to pay for news

    5 May

    S01E39 - Why FaceBook shouldn't have to pay for news

    News bargaining incentive: social media vs AI | Screen Forever: Bluey IP, Stan, Channel 10 | Sarah A*o's maternity leave play | Channel 9 job cuts | All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane | Tony Jones: 40 years at Nine Rob McKnight brings his three decades of broadcasting experience to this week's Media McKnight, with a pointed take on the federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why politicians are confusing social media promotion with AI theft. Plus, fresh insights from the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, and the latest from inside the networks. The federal government has released draft legislation for the next stage of the news bargaining incentive, aimed at making big tech pay for journalism. But Rob draws a clear line the legislation doesn't: social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram aren't stealing journalism — they're driving traffic back to news sites for free. It's AI platforms like Google that are actually scraping and serving up content without sending users anywhere, and that's where the focus should be. Rob attended the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast, where ABC managing director Hugh Marks addressed the Bluey merchandising rights miss, Nine's Adrian Swift talked up new Stan IP including an OnlyFans series, and Ten/Paramount's Sarah Thornton made clear the network won't be taking big swings on untested formats. Rob also delivers a blunt verdict on the new Shark Island series. Sarah A*o has made a smart public move — declaring her intention to return to the Today show just three months after the birth of her baby boy, making it very difficult for Nine to push her out amid reports of a potential host refresh. Meanwhile, Nine has confirmed 20 redundancies in the first stage of its Future News overhaul, with automation coming to the Today show control room. Rob reviews indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — made for just $13,000 and starring newcomer Nell Lee and Home and Away's Dan Ewing — and offers his recommendation ahead of screenings in Brisbane (May 29–31), Sydney (June 18) and Melbourne (July 9). And a big congratulations to Nine Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones, celebrating 40 years at the network — with an on-air moment as awkward and endearing as you'd expect. Federal government's draft news bargaining incentive legislation — and why Rob thinks it's got it wrong on social media Screen Forever Gold Coast: ABC, Nine/Stan, Ten/Paramount on IP, risk and the state of Australian TV Sarah A*o's maternity leave play — and why Nine can't easily move her on Channel 9 announces 20 redundancies in Future News overhaul; automation coming to Today Indie film All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane — Rob's review and upcoming screenings Tony Jones celebrates 40 years at Channel Nine 📰 Media McKnight drops every Tuesday. Subscribe for more media analysis, interviews and opinion. 📺 McKnight Tonight streams Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm AEST. #MediaMcKnight #AustralianMedia #NewsBargainingIncentive #ScreenForever #ChannelNine #SarahAbo #TodayShow #ABCaustralia #RobMcKnight #AustralianTelevision Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  8. Breaking down K&J's court hearing with Michael Byrnes

    26 Apr

    Breaking down K&J's court hearing with Michael Byrnes

    Michael Byrnes from SWAAB joins Rob McKnight to break down today's proceedings in Federal Court. The pair are taking on their old employers - ARN - in separate cases. Today we heard news details about the evidence each side will present. This is a live special taking place at 6pm AEST on Friday, 24 April 2026. #mediamcknight #medianews #mediacommentary #kylesandilands #jackieo #radiodrama #radionews #australiannews #australianmedia #court #federalcourts Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 33min
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4.1
out of 5
320 Ratings

About

McKnight Tonight brings you a hot take on news events every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 9pm AEST at youtube.com/@mcknighttonight. Media McKnight delvs into the world of media every Tuesday night at 9pm AEST. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tv-blackbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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