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https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/nov/21/free-to-air-group-rubbishes-claims-australian-government-wants-to-control-your-tv>
"Australia’s free-to-air broadcasters have hit back at a campaign from the
subscription media lobby that claims the federal “government wants to control
your TV” through its new laws for smart TVs.
The government’s prominence framework for connected TV devices will likely mean
smart TV free-to-air apps such as 10play, 7plus, 9Now, ABC iView and SBS On
Demand are offered ahead of those from paid streaming services such as Netflix,
Binge and Stan. It might also affect searches for content.
Astra, the subscription media industry’s lobby group, has been campaigning
against the changes, including through a series of full-page newspaper
advertisements that declare: “Now the government wants to control your TV.”
Astra advocates on behalf of the likes of Foxtel, Binge, Disney and the
Australian Christian Channel.
Bridget Fair, the chief executive officer of Free TV Australia, said Astra’s
campaign was “highly misleading”.
“It suggests that what people have at the moment is choice, whereas what they
have at the moment is a subset of services that is chosen for them by the TV
manufacturer or by the service operator and that isn’t choice,” she told
Guardian Australia.
“Manufacturers have taken over the screen and they are using it to their
commercial advantage.”
Free TV Australia, which represents commercial broadcasters including Nine,
Seven and Ten, states in its counter campaign: “Don’t let big tech take your
free away. When big tech controls your TV, you’re the one who pays.”
Fair questioned how Astra could run a campaign against the framework before it
is clear how the legislation might look. The government’s proposal is expected
to be announced in coming weeks.
It is intended to address outdated ways of delivering on the 1992 Broadcast
Services Act’s policy objectives, including the provision of Australian
content.
Free TV Australia research, published in October, indicated that a majority of
Australians were against commercial interests dictating which apps are
prominent on their TVs. The survey also found 84% of respondents believed a
smart TV should come with broadcasters’ on-demand apps already installed."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
