Australia consults on prioritising local TV services on connected TV devices

Australian Government seeks feedback on framework to prioritise Australian TV services on connected TV devices

The Albanese Government has today delivered on a key commitment by launching public consultation on the design of a prominence framework to strengthen access to Australian media services on connected TV devices.

The significant uptake of Smart TVs and other connected devices in Australian homes demonstrates the challenge that exists for Australian TV services. Establishing a prominence framework will ensure that local TV services and content can be easily found on TV devices, so that they can continue to contribute to Australia’s public and cultural life.

The Government engaged with a range of stakeholders earlier this year, including the members of the Future of Broadcasting Working Group, to seek initial views on the framework. This included broadcasters, transmission infrastructure providers, set manufacturers, consumer groups, and operating system and set-top-box providers.

The Proposals Paper released today was informed by this process and canvasses a range of specific design issues, including:

• the TV services to be afforded prominence under the new framework, and the devices that should be included in the regulatory framework;
• the entities that should be responsible for compliance with these new obligations; and
• the regulatory model at the heart of the framework and the legislative mechanism to implement it.

The final design of the framework is expected to be finalised by mid-2023, and will be followed by the drafting of legislation.

Interested parties are encouraged to have their say on the Proposals Paper to inform the development of the framework. Public consultation closes on Friday, 24 February 2023.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“The Albanese Government recognises that Australian TV providers are operating in an increasingly crowded field. We want to ensure that we support their prominence on connected Smart TVs so Australian audiences can easily enjoy nationally significant local content.

“Enshrining access to local and original TV content will be a core principle in this new framework.

“We have already laid the foundation of a strong prominence framework through consultation with industry stakeholders and this next stage of public consultation will help to shape this important initiative.”