SPAA President: ‘Why am I cynical of foreign-owned TV networks’ allegiance to Australian content?’

Brian Rosen, the President of The Screen Producers Association of Australia has accused the commercial networks of not showing an allegiance to Australian content, in his opening speech at the SPAA Conference.

Rosen said: “Two of our three commercial free to air television networks are foreign-owned. Why am I cynical about their allegiance to Australian content? Why do I feel that given half the chance they would do away with Australian content if the cost of acquiring it affected their bottom line.”

His comment came off the back of also questioning the Government’s slow pace to implement the recommendations of the convergence review that would see an increase in Australian content across the Freeview channels.

“The Convergence Review was delivered in March this year and gave a straightforward path into the digital future – a future that strongly supported Australian content and enhanced our business models. here we are in November just months away from the 2013 digital switchover with no clear indication from Government as to how they might implement these recommendations.”