Comments on: Digital channels not quite Made in Australia

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:55:59 +0000

If we produce more drama it would get better. and make high concept shows

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:29:17 +0000

well this is a win for FTA, I wonder what Conroy will taketh away? Can’t wait for the anti siphoning legslation to come out.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:08:05 +0000

Thank god – the last thing we need is more drama quotas for the rent seekers who wouldn’t be able to get anything made without the government strongarming the nets, the quota rules cause too much distortion and bad drama as it is without adding to the problem.

By: David Knox

David Knox — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:59:01 +0000

Local quota points pertain to scripted drama, comedy and documentary, although I see increasing blurring between factuals and docos. Foxtel ‘drama’ channels are already required to spend 10% of their budget on first run Australian drama.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:13:33 +0000

The thing is with Australian content it is mainly reality or factuals, that are either police, medical, animal or competitions. After a while it gets stale, and boring. “Oh look that idiot is speeding” or “Oh look that dog is getting treated badly”. Instead of pouring money into these, why dont they put the money into the Australian Dramas or Comedies. That would increase the Australia content, without subjecting us to various and tedious factuals/realities. The government should make Foxtel, release Australian made shows on both Foxtel, and normal channels.

By: James

James — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:54:48 +0000

I agree with Russell – there should be some requirement for local content even if not as high as for the main channels. The almost complete lack of it on new channels shows that the commercial networks can’t be trusted to show it unless compelled by legislation. Most of what is shown are repeats anyway, so why couldn’t they be of local programmes rather than US ones? It would be easy to fill 25% with local content – some repeats of older shows, some that were shown recently on the main channel, and some NZ shows that either would not be shown or put on at a late timeslot on the main channel.

By: Mike Retter

Mike Retter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:53:40 +0000

It sucks.

By: Stephen H

Stephen H — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:48:38 +0000

After 2013 I would like to see atleast a couple of Australian Dramas made especially for these digital channels. However I don’t want them to be filled with Factuals or Lifestyle programs.

Also would like these digital channels not to have classification restrictions so shows like Dexter and Nurse Jackie can be on at earlier timeslots.

By: Russell

Russell — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:12:26 +0000

I find 23 hours a day of American programming very disturbing. And I find it very disturbing that Australians are interested in it.

Why not put some simple laws in place. Give each new digital channel 2 years from their launch date free of any Australian content requirements.

Then 2 years after they have had the opportunity to get the channels off the ground and build them up, I say subject them to 25% Australian content between 6am and Midnight (that would be 4.5 hours a day) and allow repeats to count. So Packed to the Rafters, Border Security, The Apprentice, Sea Patrol, Underbelly etc would all count towards that 25%.

Then Once analogue is switched off in 2013, and digital is in 100% of homes, raise the Australian content requirement to 30%, of which half must be original content. That would mean about 2.5 hours a day of new Australian content and 2.5 hours a day of repeated Australian content.

Something like that.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:28:10 +0000

The thing has been go! is finishing what was axed on the main channel which the majority is US content a view I haven’t read yet since listing the shows that had yet to show/finish.

7two and the others didn’t have as much to finish off that is US content except for Ten which decided to keep them on the main channel.

Particularly with Go! will be interested when the catching up finishes then the Australian content may start coming.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:43:52 +0000

well 7two is crap cause of its home and away catch up, go rocks most nights except for survivor and well oneHD is the boots with a great mix of international sports that most would need to pay for.

By: David Knox

David Knox — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:21 +0000

Well I certainly remember joining protest groups and rallies over this one some years ago, so I suspect you are correct.

By: D

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:47 +0000

I thought increases in Australian content laws for TV were illegal under the free trade agreement with the US…

By: ryaneco

ryaneco — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:23:34 +0000

I don’t think the digital channels should be subject to Australian Drama Quota Limits at all; there is pleanty going around on the main commerical networks. The networks won’t spend the money in investing in a local show until they can attract similar audiences; though I’d like to see repeats of Aussie Cable shows on FTA if the rights can be aquired like Love My Way, Satisfaction, Tangle, Dangerous etc etc.

By: bindi

bindi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:23 +0000

I watch way more american stuff than australian anyway so it doesn’t bother me. the biggest reason for this is probably that australian stuff doesn’t really venture beyond the medical, legal, crime, soap and reality genres. I usually stay away from those types of shows.

By: KFed

KFed — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:50:26 +0000

Nurse Jackie? What time is that on now?