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ASTRA announces new chairman to succeed Steve Bracks

Business leader Tony Shepherd will replace Steve Bracks as chair of the subscription television peak body in November.

2013-07-29_1254Business leader Tony Shepherd will replace Steve Bracks as chair of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association.

Tony Shepherd is President of the Business Council of Australia, chairman of Transfield Services and the Greater Western Sydney Giants, a non-executive director of other organisations and a supporter of sports and arts organisations.

“I have long admired the subscription television sector because of its role in promoting competition, expanding consumer choice, adding to diversity of media voices and advancing Australian culture,” he said today.

“By advancing the interests of the subscription television sector and its seven million viewers, ASTRA plays a vital role in an industry that invests $667 million annually in local production, adds nearly $1.6 billion annually to GDP, and employs 6400 Australians,” Mr Shepherd said.

Outgoing chair Steve Bracks, who announced his exit in May, said, “Over the past five years the subscription television sector has grown considerably, reaching more Australians thanks to compelling new local and overseas content as well as technological innovation including time-shifting, on-demand libraries and tablet-based viewing.

“As one of Australia’s best connected and influential business leaders, Tony Shepherd will do a superb job continuing to advance the interests of subscription television sector businesses and audiences.”

Bracks leaves in role at the end of August 2013 with Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein as acting chair until Shepherd begins in November.

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