The TV industry ain’t out of the woods yet
Ahead of various media bigwigs and CEOs heading to Canberra tonight to push for the Turnbull government’s proposed media reforms, Path 51’s Simon Larcey argues the networks need to do far more than just wait for the legislative changes.
The television industry must have let out a collective sigh of relief with the news that onerous license fees are set to be scrapped. Network Ten in particular. It’s no secret the beleaguered business has been hanging on by a thread for some time, and now it looks like they will have an extra hundred million or so in their pocket, provided the government can get its progressive media reforms through the Senate.
Simon Larcey: “The proposed legislative changes are just the tip of the iceberg”
And it’s not only the license fees. The anticipated scrapping of the two-out-of-three rule could see News Corp make a play for Ten, which would also lead to a much-needed capital booster.
The demise of Ten over the past few years has been something of a surprise for someone who still sees enormous value in the television industry, and who believes a vibrant local industry needs multiple free-to-air operators to remain competitive. I’ve been watching the share price decline and was shocked to see its market cap go south of $100 million (and this just a few years after Lachlan Murdoch paid $128 million for just 9% of the company).
this article would have been much better if the writer had spoken to someone at a TV network.
As it stands, it’s shallow, under researched and self serving.
Or to put it another way… I take a train to work in the morning, but I don’t profess to know how to build one.
Good read Simon. Valid points. Television is going to have a tough time of it but these reforms should help. Lets hope tonight is another step in the right direction.
Really said:
[quote]”As it stands, it’s shallow, under researched and self serving.”[unquote]
It is an opinion piece, and as such has credibility and value, it also makes good sense and feeds further thought.
Really then decides to “put it another way”… [quote] “I take a train to work in the morning, but I don’t profess to know how to build one.” [unquote]
Wine tasters don’t necessarily make wine, but they know a good from a great from a plonk, Theatre critics generally can’t act, write, or direct, but they can spot a stinker or a winner, and give an informed opinion of plays.
I couldn’t build or fly an airplane, or run an airline, but I can easily understand why certain airlines are not popular or not doing well.
Television networks ( including Ten) need to rethink programming and revert to a wider range of information and entertainment platforms, or they simply will not survive. The problems and the changes are less a case of progress, and more a case of changing ideas fed by bullshit that people are prepared to accept. “Alternative facts,” “Fake and repetitive non-news,” So-called “Reality TV,” and even Mr. Trump, are all facets of the enforced change of ideas fed by bullshit. Each day, our journalism gets worse, our storytelling gets worse, our political leaders get worse, and life in general suffers.
If the newspapers are right and One Nation, Labor, and Greens vote no – 39 out of 76, will the Minister separate the Bill and allow 75%, and all the other things be voted on separately?
The tight bonds between many ad agencies and the television networks. The corporate entertainment put on for the agency execs, the Olympics, the world cup, the (enter a million other events here).
Some would say that bribery is rife?
Mostly Rear Window is just a scurrilous and very often inaccurate gossip column where Aston’s pals (or former bosses) or those whom he gets an invite from get the the white gloves treatment: a little jovial nudging about so and so’s boat or who ate at Global HQ or somebody’s wedding.
In the CPA story, he actually did some gossip column journalisting and exposed something truly terrible. Credit where it’s due.