2011 Henry Mayer lecture television - Convergence and local content: The national broadcaster in the digital world order

Abstract

The long-discussed convergence of communications devices, platforms and content is happening. Digital multi-channels, IPTV, intelligent hand-held devices, EPGs, VOD, PVRs and a range of new social media applications are making the experience of consuming what was once simple linear television content so much more complicated, dynamic, fragmented and compelling. As a participant in these major shifts and as a public broadcaster, the ABC has its own perspective and stake in both traditional models and the evolution to new models of production, distribution and consumption. Central to the role of the public broadcaster in this changing landscape is commissioning and distributing local content. How can the local content industry survive in a market limited by scale and inundated with cheap foreign content? How have the changes we see happening impacted local demand and local production? More importantly, how can the regulatory and funding support mechanisms that successive governments have developed over the years remain effective? And finally, where does the public broadcaster place itself in this new world?