Media law shake up on the cards
New communications minister Mitch Fifield has signalled the government could abolish ownership strictures which limit industry consolidation and examine anti-siphoning laws now that he is in the portfolio.
In the Australian Financial Review, Fifield said he would seek “broad consensus” on any changes rather than “unanimity” from moguls regarding media ownership laws.
He also said it was a case of when, not if, media regulations would change, but would not commit to a reform timetable, nor confirm changes would occur before the next election.
Stan original comedy wins over Hollywood
Stan CEO Mike Sneesby has said Hollywood studios are keen on the streaming service's original series, No Activity, according to the AFR.
Sneesby was fresh from a plane to LA for a private preview screening of the show and said the series has garnered considerable overseas interest.
“The feedback from every studio executive was overwhelming,” Sneesby said. “The response was always 'this is absolutely hilarious' and 'who is buying this internationally?'”
Fifield: ABC should be “best possible steward” of tax dollars
Fifield has also dashed hopes the ABC might retrieve some of the $254 million cut from its budget, telling the broadcaster to focus on being a more efficient steward of public money, according to The Australian.
“We will always ensure the ABC is appropriately resourced to do its job, and I think it is, but that doesn’t mean any commonwealth agency shouldn’t seek to be the best possible steward of taxpayer dollars and should look to be as efficient as it can be,” Fifield told the paper.
The ABC's three-year funding arrangement is due to be announced in next year’s budget.
Television hasn't sold itself
Also in the Australian, Network Ten executive general manager Russel Howcroft has said television hasn't sold itself well enough while digital disruptors have been evangelical about their strengths.
Howcroft said: “The traditional media, through modesty, has been less inclined to be evangelical."
Howcroft said that the industry undervalues the worth of traditional media such as print and television but said he still believes commercial television is in a strong place.
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