Back off ABC / SBS merge, say readers.
Audience survey indicates merging public broadcasters is considered the least important issue in Free to Air right now.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Readers are backing the current standing of ABC and SBS as independent broadcasters in the TV Tonight Audience Inventory.
Voting in the annual survey closes on Friday, but current polling indicates viewers want both our public broadcasters to remain free from government influence -ranking it as a “Very Important” issue in Free to Air Television.
Similarly on the question of Merging Public Broadcasters, it ranks highest as “Not Important.”
Amongst reader comments:
“I love FTA TV and especially SBS and ABC.”
“It’s strange to me that people want only ABC and SBS to merge when there are so many other similar channels.”
“Aside from ABC, I never watch FTA TV now.”
“FTA commercial television is terrible in Australia. I feel like they treat us as though we have a mental deficiency. Too much focus on reality tv. ABC and SBS are good.”
“SBS2 has a unique brand identity which I hope it will continue to develop.”
There are over 800 completed surveys so far.
Voting on Free to Air, Pay TV and Streaming closes on Friday.
3 Responses
I am starting to think the “powers that be” in commercial free to air TV are the only ones who want this merger to happen.
Sadly, they are of the delusion that they run this country and would prefer it if there was no public broadcaster at all. Unfortunately they do have influence, particularly in elections, but hands off the ABC/SBS.
If the “merger” was restricted to purely back office and administrative functions and actually resulted in a boost of funding to ABC/SBS for more TV production then maybe.
SBS….ABC…Leave them alone…they are two completely different entities…’if the govt ensures’….They cannot even ensure their leaders are permanent…either side…If it aint broke…don’t fix it….
Survey done!!
Personally I cannot think why they can’t merge. If the govt ensure they operate a charter of service then what’s the problem. Lately SBS 2 are screening classics American movies, is that the brief of SBS? I remember a time when it was rare to see English speaking shows/movies shown on SBS but now it’s commonplace. It comes down to what there role is in the media landscape.