The Government has announced a review of the broadcast spectrum band.
Spectrum licences are due to expire from 2028 to 2032.
Speaking at ACMA’s RadComms 2024 in Melbourne Communications last week, Minister Michelle Rowland (pictured above) said Free-to-Air television broadcasting was entering a period of unmanaged transition.
“I am on the record & I reiterate it here – I believe in the broadcasting platform. A central goal of our media reform program is to support the important role of free-to-air television broadcasting in Australian society,” she said.
“But there is significant uncertainty as to what television broadcasting will look like in 10, or 20 years.
“What we can be sure of, is that it will not be what it is now. Audience and technology trends are clear. There is an ongoing shift from linear content consumption to on-demand.
“But – that does not mean a ‘lights out’ moment for broadcasting. We know most Australians are hybrid users, utilising on-demand services alongside linear consumption.”
Minister Rowland also referred to recent spectrum changes by broadcasters that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
“In South Australia, WIN Television has consolidated the services of two networks onto one television multiplex in two regional markets,” she said.
“WIN has realised cost savings without eroding services available to audiences. This is a portent for the future.”
But there was also falling revenue leading to the closure of Mildura Digital Television in July.
“Allowing a sector that delivers so much to Australian consumers to grind to a halt, for services to blink out, is not in the interests of local communities,” she said.
The review will also consider the role of spectrum pricing as the Government assesses the future spectrum needs of broadcasting.
“But let me be very clear here, about what I am announcing, and what I am not announcing,” she continues.
“I am announcing that the Government will explore pathways for the future of television, shaped by the possibility of realising a digital dividend.In doing so, I am putting, front and centre, the important question of what the future of television may be – because the television broadcasting is an essential platform in Australia, and we need a mature and measured discussion to plan its future.
“I am not announcing that the Government has identified, or decided to yield, a digital dividend. We have not. And I am not announcing any details on the issues or options or pathways today.
“I am announcing that Government will commence the process of exploring these pathways, in consultation with industry, and that this will commence in earnest, with a discussion paper, early next year.”
Free TV Australia:
Free TV CEO Bridget Fair (pictured above) said: “Free TV has a strong future over the next decade and beyond. Our services reach more than 20 million Australians every week. It is essential that the Government recognises and supports this through this latest consultation process and we will be playing an active role in this process to ensure the best outcome for Australian TV viewers.
“While many Australians are now delighting in being able to watch their Free TV services by streaming live channels and catching up at their convenience or exploring all the on demand free content that could never have been conceived as possible to access even one decade ago, millions of Australians will continue to rely upon having access to television that’s delivered over the air using broadcast spectrum. This will still be the case 10 years from now.
“Planning for the future is sensible, and understanding how or if high quality free TV services can be delivered with less demand on spectrum but no reduction in quality or quantity will be critical in ensuring free Australian TV remains available to everyone.
“Free TV delivers vital services that no other platform does – free locally relevant services available to every Australian no matter where they live, or how much they earn.
“We spend $1.67 billion on Australian content, deliver live and free sport that brings the country together and produce trusted local news. We are the cornerstone of the Australian production industry and our news services are vital to Australian democracy. The upheaval in the media sector dominated by global digital platforms means that our services are more important than ever. No other platform is going to replicate these contributions to the Australian way of life.
“Right now, the industry needs the Government to recognise that Free TV services are a critical element of our media mix and act decisively to support their sustainability. The most important thing the Government can do is to remove the onerous and outdated Commercial Broadcast Tax that should have been addressed before 2022. We are still waiting for a Government response to Meta pulling out of the News Media Bargaining Code which has seen millions of dollars bleed from our sector,” Ms Fair said.
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