The free-to-air television networks are the big winners from the convergence review. And bloggers may be the big losers.
Free-to-air TV
The growing cost of the gift to TV networks
The government’s gift last year to the free-to-air TV networks is costing us tens of millions more than forecast.
Conroy’s convergence review must surrender control
The challenge for the government’s review of convergence is to let go of the idea that we can control the media like we could before digital.
Anti-siphoning isn’t new paradigm-friendly
All the huffing and puffing on anti-siphoning doesn’t change that the opposition and minor parties have virtually no options if they don’t like what the government offers.
The great lie of anti-siphoning: it doesn’t work, and it rips off sports
It’s pretty simple: anti-siphoning isn’t about protecting free-to-air viewers, it’s about ripping off sports and stifling competition. Too bad politicians and the media don’t get it.
More movies, more news or more Two and a Half Men? Australia’s new channels
Each commercial broadcaster will offer three unique channels by the end of 2010. So what can we expect? Dan Barrett wraps the rumours and speculation.
On-the-run decision making aside, Senator Conroy, where’s our media policy?
Surely, surely, it is time Stephen Conroy and his department took a deep breath, sat back and actually tried to come up with a media policy. One with a coherent philosophy and clear aims.
Government’s FTA TV bonus could have better spent elsewhere
Last week, without any hint or debate, the federal Government dramatically changed the settings and priorities of Australian media policy.
Tips for Tony Abbott
The Opposition has two big issues on which it could inflict real damage on the Government — and it is wholly ignoring one and feebly prosecuting the other.
Crikey Says: Won’t someone think of the rich TV execs!
The Government’s decision to rebate free-to-air television networks’ licence fees, ostensibly to assist them in meeting the cost of local production, is appalling.
Bartholomeusz: Will Conroy kill free TV?
The National Broadband Network could see a range of competitors to free-to-air TV emerge, as internet TV and video become more accessible and profitable. But whose interests will the Broadband Minister be protecting? asks Stephen Bartholomeusz.
Free-to-air ad revenue plunges $300m
Australian advertisers spent $300 million less on free-to-air TV advertising last year than they did the year before — a drop of 7.8%. With the launch of more free-to-air digital and pay-TV channels coming this year, things may only get leaner.
Why is free-to-air TV still hogging sports coverage?
The Federal Government’s anti-siphoning list amounts to direct, government-approved theft from sports bodies, writes Bernard Keane. When is that going to change?
