New Laws May Mandate Australian Free-to-Air TV on Smart TVs
The Australian Government is considering new legislation that would require smart TVs to display local free-to-air television and catch-up services. As part of amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, connected televisions would be required to make Australian TV content more visible and easier to access.
A Senate committee is currently reviewing the proposed changes and public hearings began on February 23. The committee will explore the benefits and implications of mandating the display of public broadcasters like ABC and SBS on smart TVs.
Associate Professor Ramon Lobato, an expert in television audiences and industries at RMIT University, has emphasized the importance of ensuring that Australians can easily find public service broadcasting content on their televisions. He argues that since Australians pay taxes to support these public broadcasters, they should not struggle to locate and access their content.
According to Lobato’s research, more than two-thirds of Australian households already own a smart TV capable of streaming online content. However, these devices often prioritize large US-based streaming services due to commercial arrangements between TV manufacturers and streaming platforms. As a result, services like Netflix and Disney Plus are prominently featured on the TV remote and home screen, nudging viewers towards these platforms and away from local broadcast channels.
Lobato highlights that local content is often overshadowed and less visible as a result. He found that about one-third of people never download local apps onto their TVs.
To address this issue, the government’s proposed “prominence framework” would compel smart TVs to pre-install Australian broadcaster video-on-demand apps. This would make it easier for consumers to find and access local content.
The aim of these proposed laws is to ensure that Australian TV channels are given the recognition and accessibility they deserve in the age of streaming.
Analyst comment
Positive news. Analyst expectation: If the proposed laws are implemented, the market for Australian free-to-air TV and catch-up services is likely to see increased viewership and engagement as smart TVs will be required to prioritize local content, making it more visible and accessible to viewers.
