Bruce McAvaney telling people to “stay close” in his all together 7 ad. Um okay.
2 Likes
-
Tax Relief – A 12-month waiver of spectrum tax for commercial television and radio broadcasters
-
Investing in Regional Journalism – A $50 million Public Interest News Gathering program
-
Short-Term Red Tape Relief – Emergency suspension of content quotas in 2020
-
Harmonising Regulation to Support Australian Content – Release of an Options Paper developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, commencing a fast-tracked consultation process on how best to support Australian stories on our screens
2 Likes
so how does this affect regional tv news??? does this mean that 9 news regional must return next week??? and that no australian drama will be made between now and the end of the year??
1 Like
The quota suspensions are in regards to drama, children’s and documentary content this year. However, the suspensions could be extended into 2021 - a decision about whether that’ll happen will be made before the end of the year
2 Likes
so what does this mean for regional tv news like 9 news regional and win etc?
Regional networks will still have to meet their local content quota requirements this year
1 Like
Free TV Welcomes Immediate COVID-19 Relief Package
Free TV has welcomed the urgent relief package announced today by Minister Fletcher which will greatly assist the commercial television broadcast industry to deal with the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair said “While we are still working through the details of the package, the suspension of content quotas for 2020, waiver of spectrum fees and support for regional journalism are very positive for the immediate pressures being experienced by the industry. However the ongoing requirement to meet the overall 55% Australian content quota remains a concern for the industry in an environment where there is less sport, drama and entertainment programming available due to the suspension or cancellation of many productions.
The COVID-19 crisis is having significant financial and operational impacts on our sector and these will take years to play out. It is therefore pleasing to note that the Minister has flagged that further consideration of content quotas for 2021 will occur later this year as we expect that further relief will be required in future years.
We also welcome the immediate release of the Options Paper and expedited consultation period for long term Australian Content quota settings. We are still working through the detail of the Options Paper and look forward to responding as part of the consultation process in coming weeks.
Free TV would also urge the Government to expedite the process for the ACCC Digital Platforms Code of Conduct. It is clear that negotiations between the parties to date have been deeply unsatisfactory. These platforms derive value from the news and Premium Australian Content generated by commercial broadcasters, but their market power means they do not pay a fair price for it. The Government must step into this process and drive a speedy resolution to the bargaining imbalance between the parties.
As the world cranks into post-isolation reality, commercial television will need an operating environment that provides certainty for the future. We need a new regulatory framework suitable for a world where broadcasters compete with unregulated online content providers and digital platforms that don’t have any of the same rules that apply to Free TV broadcasters.
We look forward to working with Minister Fletcher and the Morrison Government to achieve regulatory settings that are suitable for the post COVID world. Free TV broadcasters still account for the lion’s share of spending on film and television production in this country. A sustainable commercial television sector is crucial to the health of the broader production sector.”
2 Likes
I don’t see why the 55% Australian content requirement needs to be lifted
Do repeats count in that 55%
Drama is hard to make and sport non existent
But news, magazine, lifestyle can all be made. Us networks are being incredibly creative in getting new content to the air.
The networks need to think outside the box.
They can expand news. Buy Australian content from Amazon, Netflix and foxtel. Buy Australian movies. Schedule repeats.
Lots of creative things can be done
3 Likes
Yes, repeats count towards the 55% content quota but not towards other quotas like the drama quota which needs to be first run.
2 Likes
Yes, the 55% includes repeats.
2 Likes
I wonder if tv shows like Have You Been Paying Attention and The Project could still have ‘live audience’ and get people to connect in online.
This is a time to be really inventive.
I thought this was a clever idea but James Cordon
1 Like
Statement from ViacomCBS and Network 10 on the Federal Government’s COVID-19 relief package for media businesses
ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand chief content officer and EVP, Beverley McGarvey, said:
“The measures announced by the Communications Minister are a great first step in helping us keep our focus on delivering important news and entertainment to our growing community of Network 10 viewers during these uncertain times.
“It’s important to remember that we are only at the beginning of this global crisis and the impacts to our industry, in both the revenue and production capacity, are likely to be felt well into the future. We need to look at further measures in the short-term that will help us plan ahead so we can continue to deliver free, high-quality content to our audiences.
“The Minister was right to release the local content options paper without delay because it gives us the chance to shape the long-term future of our important industry before the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis make the decisions for us.
“We hope that all stakeholders can work together on outcomes that not only build a flourishing local production sector but allow the commercial free-to-air broadcasters to thrive amongst the growing global competition for Australian audiences.”
1 Like
Surely they could’ve just bought the video from 10 or AAP?
3 Likes
Maybe, but filing reports from within the Sydney metropolitan area for WIN News isn’t completely unchartered territory for Samara Gardner.
The most obvious one which comes to mind was Day 1 of last year’s final pre-Coronavirus era Royal Easter Show, but more recently in November there was this media scrum outside Picton Courthouse (probably around the Borderline of the Sydney & Illawarra TV markets) to cover the case in relation to a Fortnite player who was caught inadvertedly livestreaming a domestic violence incident between his pregnant partner:
I have to say this screencap (incase you’re wondering why it’s an NBN News one - I was on the Central Coast at the time) is also a very good example of the competition between the two highest rating news services - note how Seven’s Evan Batten and Nine’s Airlie Walsh got the prime interviewee spots while 10 News First’s Lia Harris and Samara had to settle for a spot behind them! 
2 Likes
Wouldn’t it make sense for a regional reporter to have the opportunity to ask questions about an area they have expertise in rather than obtain the footage of what city media might want to know?
2 Likes
I presume you mean Fortnite?
2 Likes
3 Likes
1 Like
Just out of interest… are our game shows now in repeat mode over Easter ?
1 Like