Government’s 'gift' to commercial TV

The digital transition, strongly promoted by Freeview, provides a once in a 50-year opportunity for free-to-air television. These new channels don’t have to offer more repeats more often if between $230 million and $250 million is made available for the production of new and innovative programs for all networks, government and commercial. A decision to channel these funds into production of quality programs would return dividends both political and cultural, at no fiscal cost to government.

We must not forget the potential for export profits for original TV ideas by way of program sales and concept syndication. Big Brother started on a new Dutch TV station called Veronica in 1999. The program was franchised to some 70 countries worldwide and was a financial windfall for its originators. Just one program concept like that could bring in $240 million in franchise fees to the local industry.

And in terms of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, this proposal would not increase Australian content, just increase its creative scope and production quality.

To many observers, this massive gift to commercial television licensees looks like a sweetener in an election year. Let the government show that it is really behind Australian content, by investing the rebate in Australian production and building a fund to support fresh and groundbreaking work - something the wider public, not just those with financial ties to the commercial stations, could benefit from.