ArtView May 2014 | Page 5

We need a competitive cable market, and for an For the most part – and a very big positive part Aussie with deep pockets to establish an online platform that equals the standards available in the US. In some ways we have progressed as quickly as the international markets. – I believe the internet has created a pressure cooker of creativity, forcing TV writers and producers to compete with the limitless voices online. The contest to exclusively capture your eyeballs has delivered a diverse range of exciting TV and online We aren’t completely ignoring the Internet wave here in Australia. Australian networks have well and truly married themselves to social media and with that the succession of Social TV. Live events like The Voice and X-Factor force series. In the past five years we have witnessed TV reach new heights. Gems like Breaking Bad, True Detective, Mad Men and Game of Thrones are a result of the need to create gripping series that build us to tune in to a specified timeslot and tweet alongside the action. Social TV has become a big part of Australian TV. Whether we’re watching My Kitchen Rules or The Australian Open, we are encouraged to join in the conversation on Twitter, loyal audiences. And who can ignore the smash hits Netflix have been producing, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black – proving TV is not only getting better but it is now coming in all shapes and sizes. Facebook or the network’s own platform. I was lucky enough to engage with Digital producers on my last trip to America and witness the construction of Independent Online Channels. Seeing what the future holds in the US was incredibly exciting – I can only hope that we catch up and make our own future here, soon. Or, maybe we can have a geo-block free zone for a month so we can indulge in all their great online series! On the whole I think the Internet has made TV better, despite our current situation in Australia. Whether or not the Internet eventually kills TV is yet to be seen. I can imagine a world that gets all of its entertainment and news online, leaving the TV redundant. But that hasn’t happened just yet, so for The popularity and conservative budgets of unscripted shows have allowed Australian TV networks to keep their heads above water, but at the same time it has given way to a boom and dependence on reality series, to attract strong audiences and in turn advertisers. The rapid increase in quality of content cannot be ignored. now I’m sticking with the Internet being a friendly rival, egging TV on to be the best it’s ever been. This is one of my favourite topics, so you can always find me on social media and join the conversation with me! Facebook.com/Kristybestonline Twitter: @KristyBest Google+ google.com/+KristyBest