Free TV Australia weighs in as government maps out broadcast future

Free TV Australia has welcomed the Federal Government's discussion paper on the future of free-to-air television delivery.

The paper, Technology scenarios for free-to-air television, was released by Communications Minister Anika Wells at the Uniting a Nation Parliamentary Showcase in Canberra.

It outlines three possible scenarios for how free TV could be delivered over the medium to longer term and seeks input on the future balance of broadcast and online delivery, spectrum use, and the investment required to sustain the sector.

Free TV said the interests of the 20 million Australians who watch free TV weekly should remain central to the review, and that it will press this point throughout the consultation process.

“Australian viewers must come first”

Bridget Fair, Free TV Australia CEO, said the paper's release marks the start of a critical process.

“We thank Minister Wells for starting this important work today, at an event where our Towards a More United Nation: The economic and social benefits of commercial television report demonstrated just how much value free television delivers for Australians,” Fair said.

"The Government’s paper rightly recognises that technology change is a normal part of media markets, and that the key task now is planning in partnership with Government and industry counterparts for the future to ensure the value free TV provides continues to be delivered for all Australians. Whatever technology choices are ultimately made, the interests of Australian viewers must come first.

“Free TV broadcasters are already investing in both broadcast networks and online services to meet the future the paper describes, and Government has a role to play too, in setting the right policy and regulatory settings and supporting the infrastructure Australians need.

“Free TV will engage fully and constructively with this process, working closely with the telecommunications sector and other stakeholders, because getting the answer right matters enormously – not just to broadcasters, but to the millions of Australians in metro, regional and remote areas, who depend on free, universal access to the TV content that matters to them.”

The paper's release coincided with new Deloitte Access Economics research, also launched at the Showcase, which pointed to commercial television's role as a source of news and a shared civic space, alongside its economic contribution.

Free TV Australia said it will make a detailed submission to the consultation and continue to engage with the Government as the process progresses.