A recent ACMA panel discussion at RadComms 2024, The Future of TV, affirmed that free, universally available television services will be strongly in demand for many years to come.
Hosted by ACMA Deputy Chair Creina Chapman, the event featured insights from Tom Harrington of Enders Analysis, who observed that in the UK broadcast TV declines are flattening, while SVOD viewing appears to have hit a plateau, driven by cost of living pressures. The panel also featured Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV, Damian Cronin, Chief Digital and Information Officer at ABC, and Gareth Tomlin, General Manager, Data, Insights & Analytics, Paramount Australia.
The panel discussed the shift towards accessing content online among younger audiences but also the continued importance of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) particularly for older viewers and the 15% of Australian homes still without a broadband connection. Challenges like affordability, accessibility and digital literacy make full internet adoption for TV viewing highly unlikely, further highlighting DTT’s relevance.
Looking forward, Fair stressed the need for a strategic roadmap to navigate these changes. As commercial TV revenue experiences ongoing challenges in the crowded competitive content landscape, the sustainability of DTT services in regional areas is at risk. She urged policymakers to address these challenges to ensure that free-to-air television remains accessible to all Australians.