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Turnbull to ask govt to allow primary channels to switch to HD

Updated: Government is finally about to remove a dated regulation and give viewers what they want.

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Hopefully this won’t require a plebiscite or referendum, but the government is set to consider allowing networks to switch their primary channel to high definition at long last.

News Corp reports Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull will put forward the proposed change to the Coalition party room today.

It’s a move that has long been wanted by viewers, especially since the end of analogue switch-off. Even Free TV Australia has been advocating for the relatively simple change to legislation, with both Labor and the Greens supporting the idea.

Under the proposed laws, networks will be able to choose whether to transmit their primary channel in HD or SD and not be forced to choose one or the other.

Both houses of parliament would need to pass the bill by September 17 if sports fans have any hope of seeing the AFL Grand Final in HD on October 3 or the NRL Grand Final on October 4.

Ten Network Chief Executive Officer, Paul Anderson said, “TEN Network welcomes the Government’s proposal to remove the restriction on broadcasting our main channel in high definition. The legislation is catching up with technology. This is great news for viewers, as it will allow us to enhance our service by presenting premium content on the main TEN channel in HD – for free. It will take time to move the main channel to HD, but we are already working on the technical and rights issues.”

The Nine Network today congratulated the Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull on the Government’s proposal to remove the restrictions to broadcasting the primary free to air channel in high definition.

“This move by the Government will ensure the Australian public continue to have the best quality television service live and free in their homes. Our team are working to ensure all the appropriate rights and technical issues are resolved so High Definition on our main channel can proceed, to provide the audience with the best possible experience of all our premium content, from sport and drama to live events,” said CEO David Gyngell today.

A Seven spokesperson said, “It is pleasing to see our legislation being brought in to line with technology. We certainly hope to bring viewers more HD content in future. But there is still more to be done to address regulatory constraints on commercial broadcasters. In particular we still pay the highest licence fees in the world and are facing competition from international players who aren’t subject to the same rules and in some cases don’t even pay tax. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Government to address these imbalances.”

19 Responses

  2. Hopefully this is not something that only 72% of the population agree with otherwise “The People’s Prime Minister” might promise that he’ll consider looking into it after we vote his party back in again.

  3. You can never accuse Malcolm of shyness. The champion of all things art from Double Bay is now HD Sports best bud! Rubbing it into Tony’s North Shore constituents.

    Wonder if HD will now move towards MPEG4 and best pic/sound quality rather than cordless va and 70s country music CDs being flogged to death.

    1. Well Tony is a federal MP for Warringah last time I check, which isn’t even on the North Shore. The Northern Beaches and North Shore are different areas just like Kogarah and the Shire.

  4. as it currently stands can networks re-transmitt just some programs on both channels? e.g: show an afl match on both 7 and 7hd but show other programming on 7 only?

  8. Good news? Let’s hope so – but here’s the issues that will arise and hold it back:
    1. People still cannot receive HD channels
    2. They can’t run simulcast HD and SD main channel without losing another channel
    3. Will Foxtel carry main channels in HD? As an SD feed or not at all?

    1. 1. Correct, thanks to the government allowing the import and sale of SD STBs, sold by untrained (or uncaring) stores as “this is all you need for digital TV”.
      2. True. Close those endless-commercials channels for a start. No thy won’t. Too much revenue to lose.
      3. Dunno. Don’t do Foxtel but can’t see why they can’t continue to carry the primary channel in SD.

      1. @Jason, @andrewb: Foxtel is a interesting case. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are still stacks of SD boxes dating back to the original iQ rollout/multi-room, not to mention the clear majority of the metro satellite base still on the iQ2.

        Foxtel may have to be mandated to develop a HD transfer plan for the SD-only subscribers.

      1. I have Foxtel satellite in Sydney without any HD channels, and I receive ABC News 24 (which is in HD) through Foxtel. Not sure if Foxtel downconvert it or it’s a special ABC transmission, but presumably the same thing could happen for the primary channels if they do switch to HD.

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