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Government reviews Aussie content on digital channels

As digital channels rollout the Government is asking whether they should be forced to include Australian and Children's Content.

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GO!Commercial Free to Air Networks will be nervous today with the Government asking whether digital channels should be forced to include Australian and Children’s Content.

Senator Stephen Conroy is calling for public comment on program standards and captioning requirements for digital channels.

He has released a lengthy discussion paper on the issue.

“Digital television provides a great range of new content and channels and it is important that we consider how program standards and captioning requirements apply as we move towards digital-only broadcasting at the end of 2013,” Senator Conroy said.

“Currently, Australian and children’s content requirements applicable to analogue channels and their digital simulcasts do not apply to other commercial digital multi-channels.

“Today, I am calling for comment on a review of these arrangements and encourage all interested parties to take part in the discussion.”

“Digital television viewers are enjoying unprecedented choice of free-to-air TV content and we want to ensure that standards continue to reflect public expectations.”

The discussion paper will review:

* the operation of program standards and captioning rules applicable to standard definition and high definition multi-channel commercial television broadcasting services; and
* whether program standards and captioning rules should be amended in relation to standard definition and high definition multi-channel commercial television broadcasting services.

Commercial networks will be very protective of their new digital channels that have cost them significantly to set up and are only just starting to build advertising clients and emerging audiences.

ABC3, which launched yesterday, kicks off with 40% Australian content and aims for 50%. So far GO! has the slimmest of Australian content of the new digital channels, comprised of mostly US and some UK programming.

Submissions close 5.00 pm Thursday, 31 December 2009.

36 Responses

  1. @Kirk – I don’t get why you seem to think it’s OK for Foxtel not to have AU content quotas yet the FTA multichannels should? Why the double standard? Let the existing arrangement stay on the main FTA channels and the digital multichannels have the same freedom as Foxtel.

  2. Please no more Children’s content – on 72 and Go, there is way too much (and shows like the Jetsons shouldn’t be called ‘kids shows’). There is cartoons for most of the mornings and even afternoons on both channels. Add to that ABC3, that is plenty.

  3. Absolutely they should have a prerequisite for Australian content.
    We get enough of the US and UK programming on Foxtel, the Digital Channels should provide Australia with the opportunity to screen more local content. We don’t get much on the main channels because they are filled with a lot of UK and US programming anyway…
    Everyone thinks all are capable of producing is reality TV and cop shows – which is a rubbish. Give us the chance to show some new and unique Australian content.

  6. I think they should leave the digital channels alone. I enjoy them as they are. And was pleasantly surprised that the networks put some effort into them.

    I don’t want GO have to cut programs out of their schedule to accommodate some token low quality australian show. Or face greater costs in running the channel.

    Local content is expensive so is more likely to be produced for the main channel.

  7. At all the people wanting local shows put into production on Go! I do believe that in the future we will see programs made for these channels take Skins for example in the UK that airs on a multichannel not the main channel! But I can’t see this happening until we’re 100% digitial in 2013 to get maximum exposure; I’m all for it; but enforcing quotas like the main channel is ridiculous.

  8. FWIW Yes there should be some quota requirements on the digital channels – not too onerous – suggest same as Pay – 10% increasing over time? Allow first run drama to count for quota points on the digital channels – that way we might get some risk taking.

  9. How would you be able to have childrens content on specialty channels like one? I agree, however that captions should be compulsary for all channels.
    As for Australian content, there should be a quota put on, though less restrictive than what it is on analogue. How about 1 hr a day in primetime and 3 hrs of Aussie programmig over the entire day.

  10. Conroy indicated no immediate quotas. But he also said, “That’s why I firmly believe that Australian audiences will demand Australian content on all the many, varied channels they will come to take for granted in a few short years.” The review is about asking what the community wants moving forward. Probably post 2013 but that remains to be seen.

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