ABC head wants overhaul of regulations for TV broadcasters

With broadband and mobile devices giving rise to potentially cheap international programming in Australia head of ABC, Kin Dalton, has called for an overhaul of regulations for TV broadcasters.

Broadband and mobile devices have made a big difference to the way in which programming in broadcast and viewed in Australia, and head of ABC, Kim Dalton, has recently suggested that an overhaul of regulations may be needed for TV broadcasters to ensure that the local production industry was not crippled as a result of cheap international programming.

There are concerns that the “number of platforms, business models and technologies” that can deliver television services to viewers could pose a big risk to the regular television and Australian production industry. Mr Dalton said that if the regulations were not looked at the problem could become huge, because international programming was cheaper for TV providers to acquire.

He added that the NBN could make the problem worse, stating: “Because it will be open access, television providers of any stripe can purchase wholesale broadband access and use it to deliver television services – be they IPTV or something else – directly to the home at a quality of service and speed not possible over the internet.”

He added: “Ultimately the NBN will provide the basic delivery platform to significantly change the television industry by opening the door to as many new TV providers as the market can support. Television content will be delivered via multiple channels and multiple platforms to multiple devices. It is time to start articulating a new communications and broadcasting policy and regulatory framework fit for the digital era.”

An official for the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, said that it was likely that these regulations would be looked at as part of a media industry review in 2011.

Source – SMH