Seven Threatens To Boycott Content Quota Obligations
Content quotas for Australian FTA broadcasters are again in the headlines, after Seven West Media threatened to cancel production of children’s content and Australian dramas.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Seven CEO James Warburton labelled the existing quota on children’s content as “not a sustainable one for us”.
“We’ve been clear for a long time that the children’s content quota was not a sustainable one for us and the wider commercial television industry in Australia,” Warburton said. “The substantial cost in producing this content, which in some instances is watched by such a low number of viewers that it falls under ratings measurement thresholds, further handicaps us against unregulated, foreign digital platforms.
“We remain in compliance with children’s quotas but it is clear, and has been for some time, that we need immediate action not more reviews and delays.”
Currently, the Australian Content Standard 2016 sets out minimum annual sub-quotas for Australian drama, documentary and children’s programs that all commercial free-to-air television broadcasters must meet.
There has been growing pressure on the government to update these regulations, which are seen by many as a disadvantage to FTA broadcasters, which are now competing with the likes of Netflix and YouTube.
For example, Netflix, which is believed to have upwards of 11.5 million Australian subscribers, only commissioned its second-ever Australian drama in August 2019.
A study by RMIT recently found Australian content accounts for just 1.7 per cent of the material found on Netflix.
It has widely been suggested the government will update these regulations in light of the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry.
The ACCC initially called for a review into whether these regulations need to be extended to digital platforms or removed altogether in July last year.
As part of ‘Phase One’ of the government’s response to the report, the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Branch has been instructed to assess the need for content obligations.
“We encourage the Government to move quickly to provide certainty to industry and put in place a new framework for content that better reflects commercial realities and the changed viewing patterns of Australian audiences,” Warburton said last year.
Network 10 CEO Paul Anderson is also on record as saying, “on Free to Air content regulation, the issues are clear and the answers are already there. We just have to get cracking and get it done.”
Latest News
“Bullsh*t!”: Sandilands Mocks Woman’s Day Over Claims Of A ‘Kyle & Jackie O’ Split
This "Kyle slams Woman's Day" story would've been almost perfect if B&T could've somehow tied Roxy Jacenko into it too.
Alpha Digital Snares Krispy Kreme Contract, Among Others
Elasticised pants suddenly all the rage among Alpha Digital staff after snaring Krispy Kreme's business.
ABC Slammed For All-White Presenters In 2021 Flagship Program Line-Up
ABC slammed for all-white presenters. Stranger still, not even one sarcastic tweet from Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
Creative Studios Bear Meets Eagle On Fire, SPEED Appointed By Wisr
Wisr looks past the preposterously silly name and appoints creative studio Bear Meets Eagle On Fire.
ABC Upfronts: Q+A Moves To Primetime, New Dramas, ABC TV Plus Launches & More!
Are you laissez-faire about the ABC's Upfronts? Well, it's your tax dollars their spending when walking off the job.
Kiwi BMW Campaign, Via Pead, Inspired By Amsterdam’s Red Light District
Agency evokes Red Light District for car activation. Surprisingly, the easily upset are yet to formally complain.
Asahi & Peroni Launch Major Campaigns In Time For Summer
Nothing but nothing screams "I'm a bit of a wanker" quite like a neatly stacked fridge full of Asahi and Peroni.
WATCH: Tourism NZ Reveals How ‘Play NZ’ Succeeded On YouTube
When you consider none of us have been allowed to leave the house for the past 10 months, this tourism ad is a triumph.
Google To Reveal How Much Our Politicians Spend On Ads
Google to reveal how much Aussie pollies spend on ads, giving us all the more reason to hate them even more.
Six Handy Tips For When A Client Or Customer Loses Their Rag
Here are six top tips for dealing with angry clients or customers, with grovelling and arse-kissing noticeably absent.
Wednesday TV Wrap: TV Viewers Show Little Love For The 2020 ARIA Awards
The ARIAs join the Australian Of The Year & the Melbourne Cup in things TV viewers decreasingly can't be bothered with.
Apple Spreads The Christmas Joy In New Ad Starring Rapper Tierra Whack
Top of B&T's Christmas wish list is Apple. Okay, Johnnie Walker first, a new rod and reel second, and maybe then Apple.
Frontier Advertising Rebrands, Wins New Clients & Boosts Teams
Frontier Advertising has rebranded to Frontier Media which, let's be honest, isn't really pushing too many frontiers.
How Starlight Children’s Foundation Relies On The Power Of Storytelling And Intelligencebank To Amplify Its Brand
Starlights is B&T's favourite-ever charity. Occasionally, yes, we do cross the road to avoid the bucket collectors.
Peak Season? Let’s Talk Peak Performance
Don't be confused by this headline, it's nothing to do with improving your jogging style & all do to with Black Friday.
Indie Agency Paykel Media Snares Dan Hojnik For Strategy & Planning Role
Dan Hojnik's hairdresser delivers superb blowout, fade, beard and brow trim just in time for press photograph.
GroupM Agencies Dominate Global New Business Media Wins For Q1-Q3
GroupM continues to prove the jewel in the WPP crown. Except for Sir Martin's actual crown, robes and sceptre.
Six Ways To Supercharge Your Service Standards & Value
Here's what B&T calls a "thought piece". Not that we thought long and hard about it, to be honest.
ACTIV Brand Management Strikes New Partnership With Nine’s The Block
Melbourne-based, boutique activations and brand experience company, ACTIV Brand Management, has secured a new partnership with Nine The Block, which saw them deliver a series of sensory brand experiences to support the show’s sponsorship engagement and virtual events calendar. In response to the changing events landscape, the team at ACTIV recently launched Brand Box, a […]
VERSA Expands Into India
VERSA staff quickly learning who Virat Kohl and Umesh Yadav are after announcing Indian expansion.
Alive – Pioneering The Transition From Live Events To Meet The Demand Of Virtual For The Last 10 Years
Alive are celebrating 10 years! Leaders in creative event production, and the launch of ‘Alive TV’ showcases the revolutionary concepts created for clients during this challenging year; such as the most recent virtual success stories with clients such as Luxoticca Brickworks and The International Rose Garden Festival. Alive Events have pioneered the virtual space for […]
Study: 68% Of Aussies Don’t Want Their Health Data Used For Marketing
B&T's editor is happy marketers use his health data and welcomes ads from Anusol, De-Gas and Canestan Anti-Fungal.
Adobe: Gen Z Believes It Is Australia’s Most Creative Generation
Apparently all the technology invented by the Boomers and the Xers have given the Zs delusions of grandeur.
The Ultimate Shoey! Iconic Aussie Brands VB & Volley Partner To Launch Must-Have Shoe Of Summer
The vegan, lactose-free tofu sausage aside, the must-have at any hipster BBQ this summer has to be the VB Volley.
Thinksmart Marketing Executes Campaign From Hot Air Balloon
Integrated B2B marketing agency Thinksmart Marketing (TSM) has managed to execute a campaign from 3,000ft up in a hot air balloon. NICE inContact, approached TSM earlier this year to build preference, drive demand and generate strong leads for the brand across ANZ, with a campaign focusing on showcasing the capabilities and agility of its global-leading […]
Study: 74% Of Aussies Believe Brands Lie In Their Marketing Communications
B&T doesn't tolerate lying in any form except when it comes to our weight, our Tinder profile & our annual tax return.
AppsFlyer Opens Sydney Office Amid Expected Surge In Mobile Marketing Spend
Global attribution and marketing analytics company AppsFlyer has expanded into Australia and New Zealand, with the official opening of its first office in Sydney. It marks the opening of the company’s 19th office worldwide, with AppsFlyer hoping to “support the region’s rapidly growing local app economy”. The company said it plans capitalise on ANZ’s mobile […]
Bushfire Survivors Tell Their Stories In Latest South Australian Country Fire Service Campaign Via Nation
The stories of Black Summer have the power to change the way we all prepare and plan for bushfires.
Carrie & Tommy To Return To Hit Network’s National Drive In 2021
Carrie Bickmore returns to the Hit Network's drive show. Thankful not to have to suffer Waleed for a few hours.
“More ABC Funding Cuts?”: Triple J & Radio National Suffer Horrendous Broadcast Malfunction
triple J listeners subjected to distorted, whiny noise following breakdown. Confused it for Lime Cordiale's new album.
