8
August 2017
NEWS & VIEWS
Australia redefines media ownership , pushes for promotion of local content
CANBERRA – The Australian government has announced a series of reforms to the country ’ s media laws , including the Broadcasting and Content Reform Package , aimed at supporting Australian organisations as they face increasing global competition in a rapidly changing digital landscape .
An online post on the Department of Communications and the Arts states : “ Australia ’ s media ownership laws were drafted during an analogue era before the Internet , when the landscape was dominated by print newspapers , commercial radio and TV services .
“ In this digital environment , Australia ’ s ownership laws prevent traditional media outlets such as TV , radio and newspapers from restructuring their businesses efficiently or achieving the scale necessary to adapt and compete more effectively with newer unregulated services .”
As part of the “ most significant ” reforms to Australian media regulation in a generation , two media control and ownership rules in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 will be repealed .
Previously , no person can control commercial TV licences that collectively reach in excess of 75 % of the Australian population ( the ‘ 75 % audience reach rule ’); or more than two of the three regulated forms of media ( commercial radio ,
TV and associated newspapers ) in the one commercial radio licence area , ( or what is known as the ‘ 2 out of 3 rule ’).
While this may bring more foreign investment into the sector , this may yet benefit Australian broadcasters needing a financial boost , suggested Andrew Anderson , head of broadcast operations , Seven West Media .
He told APB : “ Also , remember that any potential media owner needs to comply with all content regulations and indeed ‘ compete ’, which in effect protects consumers .”
In addition , the Australian government will be introducing changes that will “ protect and enhance ” the amount of local TV content in regional Australia , as well as introducing an incentive for local content to be filmed in the local area .
The changes will also introduce obligations on commercial TV broadcasters in smaller markets , as well as markets in South Australia and Western Australia , which are
New reforms to Australia ’ s media laws will see a restructuring of media ownership rules , as well as a focus on creating more local content .
not currently subject to local content obligations . In these markets , broadcasters will be required to provide at least 360 points ( minutes ) of local content . The reforms will also provide a new ‘ local filming ’ incentive , which will provide three points for every minute of local news that is also filmed in the local area .
Irrespective of the new rulings , it is in the interests of broadcasters to invest in good Australian content , which remains the most popular among viewers , said Seven West Media ’ s Anderson , who added : “ Having said that , the protection does ensure that a broadcaster doesn ’ t just re-broadcast an international service .
“ The additional points requirements are an additional burden on those broadcasters that expand beyond the 75 % reach ( by acquisition of metropolitan and regional broadcast licences ) but requires the broadcaster to re-invest some of the operational synergies into local content .”
Multi-format DVB-T2 standard ‘ perfect ’ for VTC
1 8
Although 4K / UHD content may not be widely available and accessible in Vietnam , many consumer devices are already supporting 4K / UHD , said Phan Tien Dung , CTO of VTC . He added that for broadcasters like VTC , 4K / UHD offers an opportunity to provide audiences with a more compelling and engaging viewing experience .
Phan also pointed out that while 4K / UHD videos can be found on platforms such YouTube , Facebook and Vimeo , the larger data traffic associated with 4K / UHD means consistent Internet connection is required to stream videos . “ Also , viewers on these platforms are unable to fully exploit the benefits of 4K / UHD content catered for big screens ,” Phan added .
Although VTC has its own DTT network , he acknowledged that bandwidth limitation remains an issue , as VTC has to concurrently support other SD and HD channels . “ We are mixing 4K / UHD , HD , SD and radio channels in one transponder on DVB-T2 ,” Phan said , adding that the DVB-T2 standard is “ perfect ” for VTC because of its ability to support a combination of video formats .
As to how broadcasters can mitigate the issue of bandwidth limitation , Phan told APB : “ Due to bandwidth limitation , some operators think that DVB-T2 might not be ideal for 4K / UHD transmission .
“ However , our trials have proven that 4K / UHD does not require much bandwidth , if implemented with the high efficiency video cod
An ongoing 4K / UHD broadcast trial is gearing Vietnam Digital Television ( VTC ) up for the official launch of a 4K / UHD channel in 2018 .
ing ( HEVC )/ H . 265 video compression standard .”
VTC adopted playout servers that are integrated with HEVC / H . 265 , to compress the 4K / UHD signals to 10Mbps bandwidth . The compressed signals are then output to an IP multiplexer , before being sent for distribution . Phan elaborated : “ Our network diagram was simple as our programmers developed the playout software that was able to process uncompressed 4K / UHD signals in one server . Hence , we did not require high bandwidth for the delivery of 4K / UHD programmes to our viewers .”
The major concern leading up to VTC ’ s scheduled official launch of its 4K / UHD channel next year , is content , revealed Phan , who is nevertheless , confident in VTC ’ s ability to produce more 4K / UHD programmes .
“ Our 4K / UHD broadcast trial is allowing us to test for technical issues in a 4K / UHD ecosystem . Although professional 4K / UHD equipment is still expensive , we are now more confident with 4K / UHD technology ,” he concluded .
New Mediacorp Campus committed to ‘ unified digital strategy ’
|
1 8
menting SDI in some of our workflows , especially for live video , as the standards for IP are still evolving .”
Alongside the MOC , Media corp Campus is also fitted with an integrated newsroom staffed by some 700 journalists producing content for digital , TV , radio and print .
A recent visitor to Mediacorp Campus was Dr Amal Punchihewa , director , technology and innovation , Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union ( ABU ). Deeply impressed , he particularly lauded Mediacorp ’ s implementation of an “ open office concept ” at its integrated newsroom .
“ Having a flexible working environment breaks down silos across different units , and provides opportunities to drive collaboration , knowledge sharing and creativity among staff ,” he explained .
“ This resembles modern facilities , such as the BBC Broadcasting
|
|
|
|
|
House in London , where studios are open , and offers visitors a view over the central newsroom . The resources such as workstations are not assigned to individuals , hence are optimised for utilisation .”
The new Mediacorp Campus also allows Mediacorp to push on with its “ unified digital strategy ” across its online and mobile properties , aimed at commercialising business lines , improving the user experience and creating strategic partnerships .
This strategy is driven by Media corp ’ s Digital Group , formed in 2015 to bring clarity and direction to the broadcaster ’ s overall digital strategy . The focus of the Digital Group , said Parminder Singh , Mediacorp ’ s newly appointed chief commercial and digital officer , is to strengthen digital expertise across the organisations
It also underscores Mediacorp ’ s commitment to staying relevant in the digital age while driving
|
revenue growth and digital transformation , he added .
As part of Mediacorp ’ s digital roadmap , Singh pointed out three strategies aimed at broadening the organisation ’ s engagement with online audiences , and delivering a “ complete and compelling ” solution to viewers .
He elaborated : “ Firstly , through better personalisation of our user interface and with the latest technologies deployed , we aim to create a more compelling digital experience for our audiences .
“ Secondly , through our content marketing arm — Brand Studio — and our Content Creator ’ s Network , we intent to provide more relevant digital advertising for consumers .
“ Lastly , we can provide greater value for advertisers on their digital investments through better storytelling capabilities with our crossmedia audience planning solution , Customer360 .”
|
Singh acknowledged that technology has transformed the way viewers consume media with an increasing usage of digital platforms . To cater to viewers in the digital space , Mediacorp launched Toggle in 2013 to provide a full complement of linear and nonlinear services .
He , however , was quick to stress : “ The development of Toggle isn ’ t a shift away from our traditional linear channels , but rather an expansion of our content offerings across a full range of platforms .
“ With the increasing consumption of media on digital platforms , Toggle ’ s offerings are being enhanced both in terms of content and user features . For instance , Toggle Originals is placing an increasing focus on content offerings that are targeted at digital audiences .
“ We plan to double our output of original content this year , with a primary focus on English and
|
|
Mandarin drama , thrillers and comedy , in both short- and long-form formats . In addition to the Toggleit-First and catch-up TV offerings from our free-to-air ( FTA ) channels , Toggle Originals provide a wide range of additional content offerings to audiences in Singapore .”
Toggle is currently available on several devices , including Web , mobile devices , smartTVs , AppleTV and Goggle ’ s Chromecast . To further enhance its FTA channels , Mediacorp has also launched the Toggle Red Button service , which is powered by hybrid broadcast broadband TV ( HbbTV ).
“ The Toggle Red Button service combines live broadcast TV and Toggle ’ s catalogue of video-ondemand ( VoD ) services all within a single TV screen .
“ In addition , viewers are able to record the programmes and watch it on catch-up via the Toggle menu , all in the TV environment ,” Singh concluded .
|