Original article by Max Mason, Dominic White
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 30 : 14-Mar-16

Australia’s free-to-air commercial TV networks argue that a reduction in broadcasting licence fees would result in increased local content. The networks’ CEOs also say it would make them more competitive against overseas streaming video providers, which are not subject to the same regulatory regime. Broadcasting licence fees were reduced by 50 per cent in 2013, but Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner says FTA networks should have to make a firm commitment to investing in local content in return for further licence fee cuts.

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SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, FACEBOOK INCORPORATED, YOUTUBE INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION AND RADIO ASSOCIATION (ASTRA) INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE, NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS)