Is the ABC not Good Enough for QF?

[kangarooflyer88]

Currently on QF494 up to Sydney and noticed they were playing CCTV (Chinese State Media) news on the infotainment. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they do wonderful transparent journalism but I did find it odd that Qantas an Australian Airline wouldn’t feature ABC news or other domestically produced new content.

Am I missing something here?

-RooFlyer88

 

[The black sheep]

I am also sure that they do "wonderful transparent" journalism But this is a cracker. Having said that, my opinion of ABC news is heading steadily downhill. Hard to read an article by them these days without glaring typos... But you say this was in the "infotainment" - not sure what this is as I do not fly often. But maybe there is actual genius behind such selection - catering more to the side of entertainment rather than information?

 

[RichardMEL]

[ content removed as potentially my sense of humour may offend and/or start a political debate which wasn't the intent ]

 

[The black sheep]

Ni hau Richard - is that correct chinese? I never debate politics, but in general I support dialogue to make our way through difficult times. I am unsure what the "QFF changes" are that you mention are happening, or not happening?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I am also sure that they do "wonderful transparent" journalism But this is a cracker.

What stood out to me having taken many QF flights is I’ve never seen News played on the front screens in J like that. This was the first time and it was CCTV of all things!

Maybe it’s because I’m Canadian, but this whole foreign news and foreign content sets me off. Back in Canada it’s illegal for broadcasters to broadcast less than 45% Canadian content

Having said that, my opinion of ABC news is heading steadily downhill. Hard to read an article by them these days without glaring typos...

This is the state of journalism globally. Everyone would rather get their news off Twitter than read print news and support gumshoe journalists.

But you say this was in the "infotainment" - not sure what this is as I do not fly often. But maybe there is actual genius behind such selection - catering more to the side of entertainment rather than information?

Wasn’t particularly entertaining either, just your standard news program.

 

[The black sheep]

I agree the state of journalism globally is finding ever new bottoms...

Regarding it not being particularly entertaining, perhaps there is evil with Qantas who want to subject passengers to this sort of thing. Sounds mean and "conspiracy theory - like" but I can simply not think of another explanation???

 

[dylarr]

Very strange as an ABC bulletin produced especially for Qantas should have been loaded onto the system.

Press Releases - Media Centre - About the ABC

Information about the Australian Broadcasting Corporation including history, management, corporate reports, plans and submissions and the latest news from our media centre.

about.abc.net.au

Perhaps some type of error? Or perhaps Qantas felt like getting in on the CNY festivities?

 

[RichardMEL]

QF have long played news broadcasts on domestic flights. IIRC used to be 9 news produced(?), sky for a long time and most recently ABC as the media partnerships have changed.

Definitely was a thing back in the day - specially without wifi or other easier means of news sources QF would have a morning and afternoon/evening "bulletin" currated to keep pax up t date. A bit less useful these days of course, but I had definitely recently seen them on some flights (but never paid too much attention)

 

[The black sheep]

Very strange as an ABC bulletin produced especially for Qantas should have been loaded onto the system.

Press Releases - Media Centre - About the ABC

Information about the Australian Broadcasting Corporation including history, management, corporate reports, plans and submissions and the latest news from our media centre.

about.abc.net.au

Perhaps some type of error? Or perhaps Qantas felt like getting in on the CNY festivities?

An "error" is not what I would suspect. There was a specific human out there, somewhere, employed by Qantas, who specifically and deliberately programmed the content.

 

[dylarr]

QF have long played news broadcasts on domestic flights. IIRC used to be 9 news produced(?), sky for a long time and most recently ABC as the media partnerships have changed.

Definitely was a thing back in the day - specially without wifi or other easier means of news sources QF would have a morning and afternoon/evening "bulletin" currated to keep pax up t date. A bit less useful these days of course, but I had definitely recently seen them on some flights (but never paid too much attention)

Yep correct. It was 9 News -> Sky -> ABC.

If the aircraft is IFE equipped you can access the bulletin on-demand via the News option on the IFE.

For non-IFE/Q Streaming aircraft with the drop down screens it is random whether the bulletin will be screened during the flight. Somtimes maybe yes, sometimes maybe no.

 

[SYD]

QF have long played news broadcasts on domestic flights. IIRC used to be 9 news produced(?), sky for a long time and most recently ABC as the media partnerships have changed.

Definitely was a thing back in the day - specially without wifi or other easier means of news sources QF would have a morning and afternoon/evening "bulletin" currated to keep pax up t date. A bit less useful these days of course, but I had definitely recently seen them on some flights (but never paid too much attention)

They used have those cute “What you missed while you were away“ News bulletins on even numbered international flights.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Very strange as an ABC bulletin produced especially for Qantas should have been loaded onto the system.

That's what I thought QF had all along (then again, I never use the IFE on QF flights unless of course I'm at the front of the bus on a 737 where there is a screen directly in front of you.

Or perhaps Qantas felt like getting in on the CNY festivities?

But I don't get how showing CCTV news has anything to do with CNY. It's basically English service which covers some global and domestic Australian news. That being said, I don't know what the culturally appropriate thing to play during CNY is, but I get the feeling it ain't the news!

QF have long played news broadcasts on domestic flights. IIRC used to be 9 news produced(?), sky for a long time and most recently ABC as the media partnerships have changed.

This is the first time I've ever seen QF play news on their flights be it domestic or otherwise. Now granted most of my flying with QF was during COVID times of 2021 and 2022 where no doubt services had to get "enhanced". Perhaps this is a signal that QF is beginning to return to normal service levels? One could only hope!

Definitely was a thing back in the day - specially without wifi or other easier means of news sources QF would have a morning and afternoon/evening "bulletin" currated to keep pax up t date. A bit less useful these days of course, but I had definitely recently seen them on some flights (but never paid too much attention)

I'd make the argument that ABC news is more relevant today than ever given all the junk that's on the internet where anybody in their mom's basement can fabricate news. And in my case, an internet native, the last time I owned a TV was when I was in high school in the mid-to-late '00s. This is one of the rare opportunities where I suspect many Aussies get to catch up on ABC news.

An "error" is not what I would suspect. There was a specific human out there, somewhere, employed by Qantas, who specifically and deliberately programmed the content.

Yeah there is no way in hell CCTV English language programming regionalized for Australia just dropped like manna from heaven. Still curious as to the reasoning.

They used have those cute “What you missed while you were away“ News bulletins on even numbered international flights.

I still think there is value in this type of content. I mean look, everyone and their grandma has an iPad loaded with movies and other content. What they don't have is live or time delayed news programming to stay up to date with what's going on. Especially if you are on a long haul international flight as apparently Qantas does not offer wifi onboard (a story for another thread I suppose! )

-RooFlyer88

 

[oz_mark]

An "error" is not what I would suspect. There was a specific human out there, somewhere, employed by Qantas, who specifically and deliberately programmed the content.

I don't know. I suspect that content provision is outsourced.

 

[dylarr]

I don't know. I suspect that content provision is outsourced.

This is very plausible. Some external provider sending the wrong content over to the wrong client would be a rational explanation.

 

[RichardMEL]

You should have taken some images to prove this - as it would probably be quite contraversial to some. Did you?

 

[Pushka]

Journalists aren't journalists anymore but click bait producers and wanna be influencers. No such thing as a journalist now but more galling are those who purport to be objective and are completely biased yet call out others bias.

Id have asked if they'd put the wrong entertainment cassette on as it wasn't relevant.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You should have taken some images to prove this - as it would probably be quite contraversial to some. Did you?

Sadly, I did not as the flight was in its climb when the CCTV segment came on and I generally don't like to have my smartphone out during that time. Hopefully some others on the forum can take note when they fly in the coming days and weeks to capture this when it comes on again!

 

[justinbrett]

The last time we had a thread about what news QF chose to show it ended in tears (and the thread locked).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The last time we had a thread about what news QF chose to show it ended in tears (and the thread locked).

And I think that's a good reminder here folks that the purpose of this discussion isn't to talk politics, but rather to scrutinize why QF decided to show news programming during flights and second why it chose foreign media over domestically produced content, particularly given their agreement with the ABC? Whether or not CCTV or Deustche Welle or France 24 provides better news coverage and journalism is not up for debate, what is up for debate is why they would be chosen over the ABC given the agreement QF has with them.

-RooFlyer88

 

[encryptededdy]

How long was the section? You sure it wasn't a short segment where the ABC was reporting on something in China (especially political speeches etc.) where they may just be using a clip from CCTV, as that's the only video available?