No quotas for multi-channels: Free TV
Encore spoke with Free TV CEO Julie Flynn about the future of FTA broadcasting, local content quotas on the digital multi-channels and the announced license free rebate, as part of a special report on the changing television landscape and its impact on content creators – part one of five.
Free TV believes the multi-channels will not survive if the government imposed a local content quota on them, and that current regulations must be reviewed considering the increasing importance of pay TV, the NBN and IPTV.
Encore: What is Free TV’s stance in terms of content obligations?
Julie Flynn: We believe that the free-to-air digital multi-channels, which will drive the switchover to digital TV, are currently at a critical stage in their development, and if viewers are going to continue to receive the benefit of these additional free services, it is vital that the regulatory environment reflects the unique and emerging nature of these services and is not overly burdensome.
Of course, one of the important reasons why multichannels (particularly the commercial stations) have only reached 61% audience penetration, is that they are absolutely useless to deaf and hearing imapired people across Australia.
They have deliberately chosen to exclude 3.5 million Australians by not providing captions.
What a joke that the promotional publicity for FreeTV Australia spriuks its ‘greater choice for everyone’ ! No, it’s not really a joke, it’s blatant discrimination and an insult to millions of Australians.
With an unexplainable gift of $250 million from the Federal Government, they say they can’t affort to caption??
Come, on, who are they trying to fool !!
Lynn, on Friday, SPAA’s Geoff Brown will discuss the other side of the coin, and the organisation’s view on the rebate and the multi-channels’ quota. That will be part 5 of the series.
Australian TV is on the verge of the greatest revolution ever in broadcasting (merging of www and TV) and it would appear that a lot of people who should know & be aware – don’t?
Days when others could dictate viewer content – excercise control are fast coming to an end.
I would like to know why Network Ten refuses to air the award winning , H2o Just Add Water Season 3.
Network tTen said it would go to air after Easter , did Network Ten lie to the viewers ?
I would also appreciate an answer from Network 10 Terry, H2o is one of my guilty pleasures, and I am an avid fan of the series and those fine actresses.