Seven Group chief Kerry Stokes is looming as the wildcard in the battle for Australia’s pay TV industry, with reports today suggesting Stokes could take on Rupert Murdoch by launching a counter offer for James Packer’s pay TV group, Consolidated Media.

News Ltd CEO Kim Williams is having the biggest day of his career. The man's already launched a $1.97 billion takeover of James Packer's Consolidated Media Holdings and, after breaking for lunch, will tell staff about his plans for a major restructure of the business.

If you want to see a pretty pack of pollies, you need look no further than James Packer's new political mates. The billionaire's offices in Sydney's Park Street are now becoming a stronghold for the Labor Party in exile.

Incoming News boss Kim Williams, as well as the man replacing him at Foxtel, Richard Freudenstein, have both been granted some help for settling into their new gigs from the competition watchdog of all places.

You may not know him, but Patrick Delany plays a major role in determining which sports you watch on free-to-air, and which are restricted to those willing to pay for the privilege.

Sports rights agent Ian Frykberg believes live coverage is the current big trend in sport broadcasting because it's helping drive audience and revenue numbers. And clearly Foxtel thinks the same.

You probably hate the club and you may hate the man, but you can't deny that Collingwood president and all-round media loudmouth Eddie McGuire is a power machine.