I’d always thought there were slightly more important things to the industry (quotas on streaming, Children’s TV, accurate EPGs, audio descriptions -to name a few) but yesterday there was some movement around the importance of Free to Air networks being visible on Smart TVs home pages.
This is a concern to networks who fear they are being elbowed out by Streamers.
A government-backed Future of Broadcasting Working Group held its first meeting yesterday and agreed to prioritise the issue of the “prominence” of Australian content on smart TVs and other connected devices.
The Working Group — comprised of free-to-air broadcasters, consumer and broadcast technology bodies, transmission infrastructure providers, and smart television manufacturers – was one of the undertakings in the Morrison Government’s Media Policy Statement issued in February.
Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher, said the Working Group was established so that the free-to-air television sector, the government and other stakeholders can work together to address the issues facing the sector, many of which are driven by rapid technology change and the rise of the internet.
“This issue of the ‘prominence’ – or the availability and visibility – of particular channels on smart TVs is an important one because of its potential to guide consumer decisions,” Minister Fletcher said.
“I look forward to receiving the advice of the Future of Broadcasting Working group on ‘prominence’ and other issues.”
Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair said “Today’s meeting of the Future of Broadcasting Working Group was very constructive. We thank Minister Fletcher for commencing work on this important initiative prior to the election.
“Free TV Broadcasters particularly welcome the prioritisation of the work on prominence of Australian television services on smart TVs and other connected devices. Ensuring that all Australians have access to their free television services is the most urgent regulatory issue for the television sector.
“Audiences are increasingly dependent on smart TV operating systems for how they find their local television services, and we strongly believe that a regulatory solution will be required.
“Australians from all walks of life rely on Free TV services. Regardless of the election outcome, politicians will need to make important decisions on the future of the industry that will affect what Australians can watch on television, and how it can be accessed.”
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “Seven commends the Government and Minister Fletcher in taking this step to ensure that Australians continue to get free to air services on all their TVs wherever they are in Australia.
“Today’s workshop showed the commitment the Government and Minister Fletcher has to an enduring and thriving Australian TV industry.
“It’s time for the TV manufacturers to commit to ensuring free prominence on all TV sets and not wait for government regulation. This will ensure Australian content remains freely available to all Australians.”
The $7.3 million Television Research and Policy Development Program, will provide government and industry with the information needed to make choices about the future of free-to-air television in Australia, including analysis of:
prominence issues associated with connected devices;
the technical capability of Australia’s television receiver fleet and how this is expected to change over time; and
the attitudes, preferences and habits of Australian television consumers and how they are likely to evolve over coming years.