Future of Broadcasting Working Group holds first meeting

The Future of Broadcasting Working Group held its first meeting today and agreed to prioritise the issue of the “prominence” of Australian content on smart TVs and other connected devices.

The Working Group -- comprised of free-to-air broadcasters, consumer and broadcast technology bodies, transmission infrastructure providers, and smart television manufacturers – was one of the undertakings in the Morrison Government’s Media Policy Statement issued on 7 February 2022.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Working Group was established so that the free-to-air television sector, the government and other stakeholders can work together to address the issues facing the sector, many of which are driven by rapid technology change and the rise of the internet.

“This issue of the ‘prominence’ – or the availability and visibility – of particular channels on smart TVs is an important one because of its potential to guide consumer decisions,” Minister Fletcher said.

“I look forward to receiving the advice of the Future of Broadcasting Working group on ‘prominence’ and other issues.”

A detailed statement on the first meeting of the Working Group is attached.