SBS Statement – Media Reform Green Paper

SBS has provided a comprehensive submission to the Australian Government on the Media Reform Green Paper to reflect the needs of Australian audiences now and into the future.

Audience expectations are continually evolving, both in terms of content preferences and technological standards. As this process moves forward, any reforms must place the interests of audiences first, and enable the free-to-air sector to meet those audience needs.

SBS works carefully and efficiently to maximise investment in Australian content while delivering a broad suite of services for Australian audiences in line with our Charter, and has increased its output of Australian content in recent years. SBS tells stories of Australia like no other broadcaster, and has been clear about its ambition to produce more quality Australian drama, documentaries and First Nations children’s content. However, such an increase will not be possible without additional funding.

In planning a transition to future broadcasting technologies, the focus must be to ensure audiences continue to access the same range of high-quality services. The transition should ensure that SBS can continue to broadcast at least the same number of channels, with the same or better picture quality. The evolution of Australia’s broadcasting technology should also allow for broadcasters’ future enhancement of their services, to keep pace with evolving audience expectations and the competitive landscape in which SBS operates.

This is just the first stage of the consultation, and SBS looks forward to engaging constructively in further discussions that will have wide-ranging impacts for the audiences we serve.

Our submission can be found here.

ENDS

For a PDF version, please click here.

For more information, contact:
Paul de Leon
Head of Corporate Communications
Paul.deleon@sbs.com.au
0411 047 101