First steps underway toward a new local TV prominence framework

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, has today tasked the Future of Broadcasting Working Group to contribute to the intitial design work for a new prominence framework, a key election commitment of the Albanese Government.

The new – and legislated – framework will ensure Australian TV services can easily be found on connected TV platforms.

Minister Rowland also said the Albanese Government will commence a parallel engagement process with a range of additional parties at this early design stage.

These parties will include operating system and set-top-box providers such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Foxtel, Telstra and Fetch.

These are the first steps in the development of the prominence framework and will be followed by a wider public consulation process.

Informed by the views of stakeholders and interested parties, the Government intends to make a final decision on the form and construction of a framework by mid-2023, and move through to the drafting of legislation.

The Future of Broadcasting Working Group, an industry-led forum, was established in early 2022 to consider future television technologies and related market reforms.

It is comprised of free-to-air broadcasters, consumer bodies, transmission infrastructure providers and smart television manufacturers.

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

“This is the first stage of an ongoing process to improve the prominence of local TV in Australia and I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Working Group today to set out our views and seek their input toward the new framework.

“Broadcasting services play a crucial role in supporting our sense of cultural identity and informing and entertaining all Australians; from news services to sport to entertainment and more.

“I am committed to modernising regulation for a sector that continues to deliver value for Australian citizens and consumers, and the economy broadly, and I welcome the views of industry ahead of a broader public consultation process later this year.”