The subscription TV industry is believed to have all but given up on substantive media ownership reform from Canberra, but is urging the Government forward despite recent leadership turmoil.
Peak body Subscription Television Australia has been lobbying the Federal Government to change TV laws, media ownership rules and anti-siphoning legislation.
While it is believed the coalition Government is sympathetic to such a move, it has not had the political capital to implement changes.
The latest leadership turmoil from Canberra has only darkened the mood of the peak body, and industry insiders have privately all but given up on any hopes of substantive reform while the coalition Government remains deeply unpopular.
However, ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden told AdNews this morning that the body remained hopeful that the Government would find a way to push forward, despite the lack of political capital enjoyed by the coalition.
“We're disappointed so little reform has taken place,” Maiden said.
“We remain hopeful that action will take place, and we're all looking toward Canberra to take leadership on that issue.”
Maiden also called on the government to fulfil its mandate, despite recent turmoil making any sort of reform on the issue a difficult sell to the electorate.
“This Government was elected on a platform of reform. Reform is always difficult for a variety of reasons, but that's no reason for the Government to give up.”
The subscription TV industry is facing a number of challenges over the next year, including competition from subscription video on demand platforms such as Presto, Stan, Quickflix, and Netflix.
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