Though not all that would need to be news presumably - if it’s just a local content points system?
Simplest way for SC Ten - chuck a camera in the studio of all their Hit network breakfast shows, and simulcast that on TV.
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Hahaha… I’d love to see that. Though it would be a bit embarrassing having everyone see just how old and run down some of those studios are.
That said though… done properly in more of a TV studio setup it could become like a local version of a Sunrise, and could even get good reach having it on radio and TV if the content was good… though it would definitely cost too much money and be too difficult for them to pull off effectively.
You wouldn’t need to know. A cheap green screen or background in each studio is all that is needed.
Turnbull cabinet approves new media laws
Summary of article:
Cabinet has approved changes to media ownership laws that include scrapping the population “reach rule” and the “two out of three” ownership rule but no changes to the sports anti-siphoning list.
New local content laws for regional areas but only after a “trigger event” - for example, if a regional broadcaster such as WIN was acquired by the Nine Network.
Note - not approved by Coalition party room yet (or parliament).
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If Prime7 and WIN’s News Studios after the Mergers do at least 20 Minutes of Pre-Recorded Local News for Each Market and then 40 Minutes of National and International News, Sport and Weather Live from the Same Studio as the Local News is Made, Nine Network Owned NBN do this Every Weeknight.
Continuing the discussion from Ten HD:
With the upcoming launch of WIN HD and 9Life in WIN O&O regions, I’d say that any chance of a Southern Cross Austereo and Nine Entertainment Co merger is well and truly dead, buried, and cremated.
Where is SCA losing money? Through its TV business.
If what this piece on SBS2’s The Feed predicts happens, then Ten will be absorbed by News Corp (or, more likely, 21st Century Fox).
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I completely agree. IMO, we’re more likely to see a WIN/Nine merger than a SCA/Nine merger when the reach rules are inevitably dropped.
And apart from Melbourne I’m pretty sure that the radio business isn’t doing spectacularly well either, ratings wise they’re struggling in most other metro markets IIRC.
Revenue seems to be up across the board, so while ratings tell a different story, I’d dispute that.
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Yes - I read a 25% profit increase including improved earnings from TV - the opposite of many media companies especially with a heavy exposure to the regions; quite an achievement in today’s media landscape.
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The SCA run radio stations perform very well across Regional QLD.
Ten Network Welcomes Media Reform.
Ten Network welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will introduce legislation tomorrow to repeal two of Australia’s most out-dated media regulations.
Ten Network Chief Executive, Paul Anderson, said: “Removing these archaic media laws is an important first step in dismantling a set of rules that are making Australian media companies less competitive in a global, converged media market.
“Ten Network is now competing directly for viewers and advertisers against large, global internet companies that are exempt from local media regulation, don’t pay television licence fees, pay minimal corporate tax despite taking billions in advertising revenue in this market, and in some cases don’t have a single local employee.
“Meanwhile, we pay the highest broadcasting tax in the world on top of our normal corporate taxes and we are held back by media ownership rules that don’t even recognise the existence of the internet,” he said.
“We welcome the Minister’s comments about addressing the onerous television licence fee regime.
“Addressing television licence fees and updating media laws are essential if we want to see a vibrant, diverse and competitive Australian media industry going forward. These changes are critical and urgent if we want to retain local voices in our media and a local content production industry,” Mr Anderson said.
Statement from Tim Worner, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seven West Media
Media ownership changes might be great for the deal junkies out there but they are not going to ensure a strong future for Australian film and television production. You won’t see one more minute of local content as a result of these changes, in fact you will probably see a lot less, especially in regional Australia.
It’s disappointing that the Government has not walked the talk when it says it wants to focus on innovation and the future.
These changes tinker with rules put in place by the Howard Government 10 years ago. They do nothing to improve competitiveness or offer better services. The regulatory change that this industry is crying out for is to address the 4.5 per cent gross revenue licence fee that is crippling our ability to invest in local news, live sport, drama and other programming. And that is something that the 70 per cent of Australians who rely on free television highly value and don’t want to lose.
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Would be good if it gets passed but sounds like Labor want the 2/3 rule to stay.
We know why news Corp are whinging but seven have been so negative about the potential law changes. I wish Tim Wormer would just stfu and let the industry get on with consolidation to ensure the industry grows.
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Regional broadcasters welcome the announcement today by Minister Mitch Fifield that the Government will be introducing legislation to reform the media ownership laws to abolish the 75% reach rule, which prevents a broadcaster from reaching more than 75% of the Australian population and the “two-out-of-three rule”, which limits ownership to two out of three of a printed newspaper, radio and free to air television licence.
Welcoming the announcement, John Hartigan, chairman of Prime Media, said:
“Abolition of the outdated media laws demonstrates the Turnbull Government’s commitment to television viewers in regional and rural Australia.
“The Prime Minister and Minister Fifield engaged deeply on these issues, and have demonstrated they have the fortitude to follow through.”
Grant Blackley, CEO of Southern Cross Austereo, said:
“I congratulate Minister Fifield, who, after extensive consultation, has announced a far-reaching package, which paves the way for meaningful media reform.
“We encourage all Members and Senators to embrace these reforms and support a swift passage through both houses of Parliament. It’s time for the rules to reflect media in the 21st century.”
Ian Audsley, CEO of Prime Media, said:
“I would like to thank Tim Fischer and the thousands of regional Australians who backed our ‘Save Our Voices’ campaign.
“The Minister’s reform package will enable regional media businesses to achieve the necessary scale to determine their own future and start to reduce their dependency on others.”
Andrew Lancaster, CEO of WIN Corporation, said:
“Regional Members and Senators have opened their doors, listened and taken the time to understand the complex issues facing regional broadcasters and the impact on viewers.
“The 75% reach rule makes absolutely no sense at a time when news, information and entertainment services are now being delivered via a diverse range of technologies and from a plethora of sources, rendering it and the ‘two-out-of-three rule’ blunt instruments."
In accepting new local content obligations as part of the reform package, Lancaster added:
“The new local content obligations strike a sensible balance between ensuring reasonable levels of local content are maintained upon the merger of a regional and metro broadcaster, while ensuring local news services remain financially viable in the meantime.”
Nine’s response to media reform
Nine CEO Hugh Marks commented:
“We have been consistent in our call for full reform for what is very outdated regulation. While today’s announcement starts a path for some ownership reform to us, that’s not the central issue. The central issue is how do we create a level playing field that enables us to compete effectively into the future with the global brands that have entered the market, and continue to provide Australian audiences with the very best free-to-air television service. This needs to be done in a way that stimulates Australian content and Australian jobs.”
Then Labor is stupid. Who cares if they don’t like News Corp joining with Ten. They obviously don’t want us not to be in 21st century. It is an outdated reform that needs to go. Simple.
If you ask me, the thought of News Corp owning newspapers, a radio network and a TV station is a very scary one.
News Corp have too much control of the media in this country without owning a free to air TV network or radio stations.
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Fairfax speculating that southern cross discussing selling tv assets to ten. Ten wouldn’t have the $120-150million required and would need to raise capital.
To make ten bigger this would be good. All sales out of MCN would be good for Foxtel and bring efficiencies.
Not sure what would happen to the Tasmanian affiliate of seven. Plus Darwin and Tasmanian digital are co-owned with Win.