SPA backs regulation of streaming platforms
“This will ensure Australian stories and Australian voices are available to Australians," say producers.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Streaming, Subscription
Screen Producers Australia have welcomed support for new rules to guarantee online streaming services contribute to Australian culture on our screens.
CEO Matthew Deaner stated, “The Senate’s motion, moved by Senator Hanson-Young, is timely recognition of the urgency of this issue, and comes on the back of the welcome release of regulatory proposals in the Government’s Media Reform Green Paper.
“The support for this motion aligns with the increasing popularity of these services with Australians, and the need to ensure our regulatory framework for supporting Australian stories keeps pace with consumer and technological trends.
“With the watering down of requirements on commercial free-to-air television fast-tracked to start from 1 January 2021, it is vital that there is a rapid transition of regulation from legacy platforms to these newer streaming services, which are hugely successful and derive great benefit from operating in the Australian market.
“This will ensure Australian stories and Australian voices are available to Australians on the screens they are watching, and will help ensure a sustainable production sector capable of producing this content.
“SPA looks forward to working with members and the wider industry to develop a progressive and comprehensive response to the Media Reform Green Paper.”
One Response
To my mind parts of this SPA statement sound self serving, subscribers of streaming services are paying for entertainment no matter which country it comes from, the Australian TV and movie industry will always needs more funding and streamers like Netflix potentially offer that funding.
A reasonable amount of Netflix overseas content is purchased and then rebadged, in some cases it is funded for additional seasons if it proved popular, some recent Australian made Netflix releases indicate what shows Netflix are most after, showrunners and others need to provide product that will sell globally and not just for Australian audiences.