TELEVISION BROADCASTING – AUSTRALIA – REGULATION

New Australian free-to-air TV rules could allow alcohol ads from 10am, even on weekends and school holidays

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Amanda Meade
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 21-May-25

Free TV Australia has proposed a revised code of practice for the nation’s commercial broadcasters. Amongst other things, the industry lobby group is pushing for M-rated TV programs to be broadcast for five hours during the daytime, rather than three at present; alcohol advertisements are permitted during M-rated blocks of programming, and Free TV Australia wants there to be no restrictions on such ads during weekends and school holidays, when children are most likely to be watching TV. It also proposes retaining the current loophole that allows alcohol ads to be shown during live sports broadcasts. The Australian Communications & Media Authority is currently reviewing the proposed changes to the code, which has not been updated for about a decade.

CORPORATES
FREE TV AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY

Buy Australian, streaming services told

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Tom Burton, Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 12 : 12-Jun-20

A draft options paper from Screen Australia and the Australian Communications & Media Authority has outlined a range of possible changes to broadcasting rules. Amongst other things, the industry options paper proposes that subscription video-on-demand providers be subject to the same local content rules that apply to traditional broadcasters. Screen Australia and ACMA have also suggested that commercial networks could be released from their obligation to broadcast children’s content, given that many younger viewers now prefer to watch content online; the ABC would become the main provider of children’s programming on linear TV.

CORPORATES
SCREEN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Catalano takes aim at irrelevant rules restricting rural TV

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by John Stensholt
The Australian – Page: 24 : 25-Nov-19

Antony Catalano contends that a rule which limits media companies to one TV broadcasting licence in a single market is "antiquated" and "completely outdated". He notes that the so-called ‘one-in-a-market rule’ does not apply to radio stations, newspapers or news websites. Catalano adds that he has discussed the issue with Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and is prepared to launch a campaign for reform via Australian Community Media if the federal government does not take action. Catalano and Alex Waislitz bought the regional newspaper business earlier in 2019.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY MEDIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, PRIME MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX PRT, WIN CORPORATION PTY LTD, SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL

Fifield hints anti-siphoning rules redundant

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Jake Mitchell
The Australian – Page: 23 : 14-Mar-16

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has ruled out changes to the anti-siphoning list for sports events as part of the Australian Government’s cross-media ownership reforms. However, he has conceded that online streaming has made the anti-siphoning list less relevant, as the restrictions do not apply to companies that supply such services. Fifield also maintains that abolition of the "reach rule" and the "two-out-of-three rule" must be put to Parliament in a single bill.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, YOUTUBE INCORPORATED, FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Media shakeup: extra points for local TV news

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Laura Tingle
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 16-Feb-16

Proposed changes to Australia’s cross-media ownership laws will be presented to Cabinet ministers shortly. The National Party is believed to be close to accepting a deal to ensure that regional TV broadcasters continue to provide local content if the "reach rule" and the "two-out-of-three rule" are abolished. The Federal Government has proposed the introduction of a points system which would require regional broadcasters to provide around 30 minutes of local content each day.

CORPORATES
NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY

Ten backs regional networks on news

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Dominic White
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 7 : 21-Jan-16

Ten Network CEO Paul Anderson says the Australian Government’s cross-media ownership reforms should include measures to ensure that regional broadcasters continue to provide local news content. He also cautions that regional broadcasters should not be subject to "onerous and non-commercial obligations" which will not apply to online rivals. The National Party of Australia wants to ensure that regional broadcasters are required to maintain a local presence if media laws are relaxed.

CORPORATES
TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

Lion’s share of complaints against Aunty

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Rosie Lewis
The Australian – Page: 4 : 22-Jan-15

The annual report of the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) shows that ABC programs attracted the most complaints among TV viewers in 2013-14. However, 33 complaints against the public broadcaster were dismissed, while only one was upheld. Meanwhile, ACMA investigated 25 complaints about the Seven Network and upheld six, while 17 of the 24 complaints against the Nine Network were dismissed

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, ABC TV, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), SKY NEWS, AUSTRALIAN NEWS CHANNEL PTY LTD