DIGITAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING REVIEW

13 July 2004
107/04

Public submissions are invited in response to a discussion paper about the end of the moratorium on new commercial television broadcasting licences on 31 December 2006.

The discussion paper, released today, is the second issued as part of a series of reviews relating to the regulation of digital television.

The reviews are required under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and, as I announced on May 10 this year, they have been grouped into four broad themes.

The first thematic review is examining additional programming provided by free-to-air broadcasters, including multi-channelling. It will also examine whether the prohibition on free-to-air broadcasters offering other types of services, such as subscription TV channels, should be modified.

The discussion paper released today is part of the second review covering matters relating to the end of the moratorium on the issue of new commercial television broadcasting licences.

This review will examine how to implement the Government's decision that the power to allocate new commercial television broadcasting licences should be vested in the Government, rather than the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA).

It will also examine the conditions that should apply to commercial television broadcasting licences after the end of the moratorium and the arrangements for the conversion of any datacasting transmitter licences to other types of broadcasting licences.

As the Government has made clear previously, this review will not consider the desirability or otherwise of issuing a fourth television licence but will look at the processes under which that question could be considered.

While current arrangements for the three existing commercial licences appear to be working well in providing free-to-air television in Australia, the question of issuing any further licences after 2006 will be a question for the government of the day.

To ensure a wide range of views and interests can be taken into account, I encourage all stakeholders and interested members of the community to participate in the digital TV reviews by making a submission in response to the discussion papers.

Submissions on the second discussion paper are sought by 24 September 2004.

The discussion paper is available from the consultation link on the Broadcasting home page at www.dcita.gov.au.


Media Contact: Jane Seaborn (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373