ASTRA begins search for new CEO

Buchanan: Moving on

The CEO of Australia’s pay TV body  is to leave the organisation. Petra Buchanan has been boss of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association since 2009.

Her contract ends in September but at the request of the ASTRA Board she will stay in the role for another six months to assist with the transition period as the new CEO takes the reigns. Recent months have seen Australia’s two major subscription players merge with the coming together of Austar and Foxtel.

ASTRA chairman Steve Bracks said in a press release: “During her leadership of ASTRA, Ms Buchanan has pioneered significant developments in the organisation across policy and regulation, government reviews and inquiries including STV’s position and input to the Convergence Review, new legislation of captioning and issues regarding spectrum access for STV.”

Hogan: Out

Buchanan is not the only player from TV marketing bodies to be on the move. It comes weeks after both the Regional Broadcasting and Regional Television Marketing associations, led by Brian Hogan, announced they had fulfilled their remit and would be ceasing operations. Regional TV will now be represented by Free TV Australia.

Cathie McGinn

topics ASTRABrian HoganFoxtelfree-to-air TVFTAPetra BuchananRegional TV

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Comments: 2

ant 9 Jul 12

As you have adeptly pointed out, there’s not really much of a reason for ASTRA to exist any more, is there? I mean, they could call it the lobbying arm of Foxtel, but surely Foxtel already has lobbyists. You can’t have an association of 1.

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Cat 9 Jul 12

I think you are right ant, it makes as much sense as a respresentative body for Australia Post. No representative body required.

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