Aussie media changes in brief

The Australian publication SBS has succinctly summarised the main elements in the Australian federal government’s upcoming media reform package:

* Licence fees and datacasting charges to be abolished saving broadcasters A$130 million. Instead, they’ll be charged a new annual spectrum fee estimated to raise around A$40 million;

* A$30 million over four years for subscription television to increase coverage of women’s sports and niche sports;

* Restrictions on gambling advertising during live sports events before 8.30pm;

* Anti-siphoning regime list to be reduced. This stops pay TV broadcasters from buying the rights to sports events before free-to-air broadcasters have the opportunity to purchase same;

* Two-out-of-three rule that prevents a company controlling more than two of three radio, television and newspapers in an area, to be scrapped;

* Axing of the rule which prohibits a proprietor from controlling a TV licence that reaches more than 75 percent of the population;

* A broad review of Australian and children’s content.