News

TV STILL KEY TO AUSTRALIAN LIFE: LATEST MULTI-SCREEN REPORT

Australian Multi-Screen Report shows that TV is the HUB of Australians’ screen activity

Australians love TV: View 100+ hrs/month across all devices

Remaining digital switchover timetable announced

The Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced the proposed switchover timetable for the remaining television broadcast areas of Australia.

“The Digital Switchover is a significant moment in Australian television history and the biggest technological change in broadcasting since colour TV was introduced in this country more than three decades ago,” Senator Conroy said.

“Over 1.6 million people across five switchover regions are watching digital-only free to air TV and nationally, around 82 per cent of households have already converted to digital television.

“I am pleased to announce intended switchover dates for the remaining metropolitan and regional areas:

“I have also asked the Australian and Communications Media Authority to consider setting switchover dates for two remote areas: Remote and Regional Western Australia (25 June 2013); and Remote Central and Eastern Australia (10 December 2013).

“Setting these dates now gives broadcasters and viewers certainty as we enter the last 18 months of the national switchover process.

“Australia is well on the way to digital-only TV viewing by the end of 2013.”

To find out how to make the switch or what is happening in your area visit the Digital Ready website www.digitalready.gov.au or call the Digital Ready Information Line on free call 1800 20 10 13.

“I look forward to the next switchover in Northern New South Wales on 27 November 2012, and to counting down across the rest of the country next year,” Senator Conroy said.

NBN fixed wireless being rolled out in Far North Queensland

Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Queensland Senator Jan McLucas, announced today that planning has started to connect more local communities around Cairns to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

People in communities across the Aurukun Shire Council, Cairns Regional Council, Cook Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council areas will have access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband, with up to 5,000 homes and businesses expected to be switched on in stages starting mid 2013.

Through fixed wireless technology, homes and businesses in theses areas will access wholesale speeds of up to 150 times faster than dial up and eight times faster than ADSL.

The fibre rollout in Cairns is also scheduled to start shortly. For those living outside the fibre and fixed wireless footprints, fast broadband will be available via satellite.

“For too long, people living in regional and rural Australia have had to put up with slow, unreliable internet connections – if they could get a connection at all. But thanks to the Gillard Government’s investment in the National Broadband Network, all Australians, no matter where they live, will have access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband,” Senator Conroy said.

“Through the NBN, the government is also delivering uniform national wholesale pricing. This means people living in and around Cairns will pay the same prices for NBN services as people in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.”

Senator McLucas welcomed news that a number of Far North communities, including some on Cape York, will have access to fast and reliable broadband from next year.

“This is fantastic news for the Far North,” Senator McLucas said. “The NBN will change the way we live and work here in Far North Queensland and I am very excited by the progress we’ll see on the ground in the next 12 months.

“In many parts of the Far North, people cannot access adequate broadband so this is a great outcome for our region.

“This is a truly exciting time for families and businesses who want to get online in regional and rural Australia. Like water and electricity, the Gillard Government sees fast broadband as an essential utility that should be made available to all Australians.”

The Gillard Government is prioritising regional and rural Australia for the rollout of the NBN. The majority of NBN construction has taken place in regional and rural Australia, while NBN Co has brought forward the introduction of wireless and satellite services so that people in the bush can get access to better broadband as soon as possible.

Switchover effort ramps up across Northern NSW

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today encouraged people living in Northern NSW to get digital ready as the switchover across the region kicks into top gear.

"555,000 households in Northern NSW are switching to digital-only free to air TV on 27 November – and with just over five months to go, the Government's Digital Switchover Taskforce is ramping up activities across the switchover region to help people get ready.

"Five dedicated Digital Switchover Liaison Officers, 12 Indigenous Community Liaison Officers and Multicultural Ambassadors have been appointed and are all ready to help people and communities across Northern NSW make the switch," said Senator Conroy.

Former Rugby League great David Peachey has taken on the role of Indigenous Switchover Ambassador for the region.

"The Government is also providing financial and practical help to eligible people who need extra assistance to make the switch, through the Household Assistance Scheme and the Satellite Subsidy Scheme. Both schemes are now open for applications," Senator Conroy said.

"The Household Assistance Scheme has already helped over 100,000 households across Australia convert to digital TV, and 11,000 people have received a subsided installation of satellite equipment under the Satellite Subsidy Scheme."

If you are eligible for either Government program, you should have received a letter from Centrelink inviting you to apply. You can also check your eligibility by calling the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.

"We want to make sure that nobody is left behind in the switch to digital TV, so if you have questions, please call the Digital Ready Information Line 1800 20 10 13 or visit www.digitalready.gov.au.

"If you've already switched, you might want to help out a family member or friend so that they can start enjoying all the benefits that come with digital TV, including more channels, and better picture and sound quality," Senator Conroy said.

Local information and contact details for Digital Switchover Liaison Officers, Australian Government Endorsed Antenna Installers and your closest retail advisor are available by entering your address into mySwitch at www.digitalready.gov.au.

Digital Switchover for Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced the official switchover from analog to digital-only TV across areas of Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

“At 9am today, analog signals across Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area switchover region were switched off forever,” Senator Conroy said.

“Today’s switchover is particularly timely as we enter a peak period of television viewing,  with sports like Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union and the AFL well into their seasons and the Olympics and Paralympics just on the horizon,” Senator Conroy said.

Senator for the ACT and Federal Minister for Sport and Multicultural Affairs, Kate Lundy, hosted a sports themed event at Manuka Oval, Canberra, to herald in the historic switchover. Indigenous Switchover Ambassador David Peachey was on hand to kick off celebrations. Community events were also held around the region in Bega, Griffith, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.

“Today’s switch off brings the tally to 1.6 million households and five regions across Australia now enjoying greater choice as well as better picture and sound quality,”  Senator Conroy said.

Support is still available for people who haven’t switched to digital TV or are having reception issues. Visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13 for more information.

People across the region can also still apply for the Household Assistance Scheme until 5 July 2012. The Scheme provides practical help to eligible households to make the switch to digital TV. Assistance is available to people on the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement.

“The switchover has taken a massive effort by broadcasters, government, businesses and communities themselves. Congratulations to everyone across Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area for embracing the change to digital TV,” said Senator Conroy.

Northern NSW will follow southern NSW into the digital-only era on 27 November 2012.

Australian Multi-Screen Report Shows TV Viewing Strong, New Devices Create New Opportunities to View

Northern NSW: it's time to get Digital Ready

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that 540,000 households across Northern New South Wales will switch to digital only free-to-air television on 27 November 2012.

Northern NSW will be the sixth region in Australia to make the switch to digital only television, following on from Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area where analog signals will be turned off on 5 June 2012. Over one million households across Australia are now watching digital-only free-to-air television.

Areas covered in the Northern NSW switchover region include the Hunter, Northern Rivers, North West Slopes and Plains, and the Richmond/ Tweed area.

“More than 84 per cent of households in the Northern NSW switchover region have already converted at least their main TV to digital, according to the latest Digital Tracker survey.

“For most households, conversion will be relatively straightforward. Residents can choose to either connect a set-top box or digital recorder to an existing analog TV or upgrade to a digital TV,” Senator Conroy said.

Digital TV will provide Northern NSW residents with significantly better quality pictures and sound as well as widescreen format. There is also more choice – with 16 TV channels from the ABC, SBS and commercial broadcasters available – including all the new digital only channels such as ABC2 , ABC NEWS24, ABC3, SBS2, SBS HD, ONE, Eleven, GO!, Gem, 7Two and 7mate.

“Broadcasters are establishing up to seven new digital TV transmission sites across Northern NSW and upgrading ten community-operated analog self-help towers to broadcast the full suite of digital channels in readiness for switchover.

“Households in areas unable to receive terrestrial reception will certainly not miss out and will be able to access the Government-funded Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service from 27 May 2012,” Senator Conroy said.

The Government funded VAST service provides all 16 free-to-air digital channels plus a dedicated news channel that features news bulletins from regional commercial broadcasters.

“The Government’s Satellite Subsidy Scheme will be available to assist eligible households in communities that need to move to VAST because their self help tower is not being upgraded. The Satellite Subsidy Scheme reduces the cost of accessing the VAST service and has already assisted over 9,000 households across Australia switch to digital TV,” Senator Conroy explained.

Further practical support will also available through the Government’s Household Assistance Scheme. Assistance includes the supply and installation of a set-top box, a demonstration of how to use the equipment and where necessary, antenna and cable upgrades if the resident owns their house at no charge to the household.

“The Household Assistance Scheme has already assisted more than 80,000 eligible households across Australia switch to digital TV and will be open to eligible residents across Northern NSW in May 2012,” Senator Conroy announced.

“Eligible households across Northern NSW will receive a letter from Centrelink inviting them to opt-in. If you receive this letter, you should call or visit Centrelink to test your eligibility for the Scheme – and I strongly recommend that if you are eligible you sign up quickly to ensure a timely installation,” Senator Conroy said

For more information about the Digital Switchover visit the Digital Ready website www.digitalready.gov.au or call the Digital Ready Information Line 1800 20 10 13.

The latest Digital Tracker summary report is available from the Digital Ready Website at www.digitalready.gov.au

Analog TV switched off across regional Queensland

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today visited Rockhampton to celebrate the Digital Switchover across the regional Queensland switchover region.

“This is a great day for households across regional Queensland which will now enjoy the full suite of digital TV channels thanks to the Gillard Government’s Digital Switchover program,” Senator Conroy said.

“Today we switch off analog and switch over to our digital future in regional Queensland.

“It is a future in which television choice is increased for all Australians, as we harness new developments in technology and make better use of our broadcast space.

“I thank the people of regional Queensland who have looked to this future and worked so enthusiastically with us to make it happen.”

At 9:00am today, analog signals across the regional Queensland switchover region were switched off permanently.

Many households in regional Queensland did not have adequate reception of terrestrial digital TV services before switchover.

The Regional Queensland switchover means more than one million households are now converted to digital TV nationally. This marks a significant milestone in Australia’s transition to an era of digital only television.

New investment by the Government and broadcasters means households across Regional Queensland are enjoying the full suite of digital TV channels for the very first time.

“Regional Queensland is the fourth and largest region to switch to digital only TV,” Senator Conroy said.

“The Gillard Government’s investment in equalising TV services for regional and rural Australia includes the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service, which is available for those that cannot receive adequate terrestrial reception.”

The VAST service includes all 16 free-to-air digital channels plus a dedicated regional news channel.

Residents in regional Queensland who have switched to digital TV will have more choice - with 16 TV Channels now available - including ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC24, SBS1, SBS2, SBSHD, ONE, Eleven, Go!, Gem, 7Two, 7mate, WIN, Channel Seven and Southern Cross Ten. Digital TV also provides improved picture and sound quality.

The switch to digital only TV in parts of regional Queensland means that many towns will finally have the same number of channels as is available in city centres.

Support is still available for people who haven’t switched to digital TV or are having reception issues. Visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13 for more information.

The Household Assistance Scheme is available to eligible households. You may be eligible for the scheme if you receive the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement, have a functioning TV and have not yet converted to digital TV.

The Scheme includes the supply of, installation and demonstration of how to use a high definition set top box and antenna upgrades where required and eligible.

Applications for the Household Assistance Scheme are open until 25 January, 2012. Contact Centrelink if you or someone you know may be eligible to receive this scheme.

Date: 6 December 2011
Contact: Lyall Johnson: 0408 258 457.

Digital TV: closing the gap for regional WA viewers

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today congratulated commercial broadcasters for their ongoing work in closing the digital television divide in Western Australia.

As part of the Digital Switchover, the Gillard Government has provided $34 million over four years to enable commercial television broadcasters in terrestrial licence areas in remote and regional Western Australia, regional South Australia, and remote and central Australia to deliver all digital TV channels to their audiences via terrestrial broadcast.

“For decades, viewers in these smaller TV licence areas have put up with having only two commercial TV channels, often missing out on some of the country’s most popular programming,” Senator Conroy said.

“The funding was provided to assist regional commercial broadcasters to install 51 new transmitters throughout regional and remote licence areas, giving them the capacity to transmit all new digital TV channels.

“The new transmitters will mean that by mid-2012, 80 percent of Western Australians will have access to the full suite of digital television services – many for the very first time.

“The Government welcomes the cooperation and assistance of regional commercial broadcasters in making the full benefits of digital TV available to their customers.”

Four new sites in Western Australia are already up and running at Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Margaret River with another eight to be completed by the end of 2011.

Another 39 transmitters will be installed across Western Australia by mid next year, well in advance of digital switchover in the second half of 2013.

“The introduction of new terrestrial equipment by the commercial broadcasters, combined with the Government’s new Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service means that viewers in remote licence areas and reception blackspots, can access the full range of commercial free-to-air digital television services,” Senator Conroy said.

“Once completed, any viewer anywhere in Australia who cannot access the full suite of commercial digital TV channels via terrestrial broadcast will be able to access VAST.

“The Gillard Government is proud to end the digital divide in TV services between regional and remote Australians and those living in our cities.”

Date: 9 November 2011
Contact: Lyall Johnson: 0408 258 457

Talking set-top box making digital TV a reality

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced an Australian first with the commercial release of talking set-top boxes to help people who are vision impaired make the switch to digital-only television.

“For the first time in Australia, vision impaired people will be able to enjoy significantly enhanced benefits of digital television.” Senator Conroy said.

Talking set-top boxes are designed to help the blind or vision impaired to navigate electronic program guides, onscreen menus and settings of their television.

Text-to-speech technology is used to describe programs, menu items and menu layouts, and includes capabilities to change the style of the speech and a ‘key learn’ mode for the remote.

“This kind of technology has been developed in other countries, however, no talking set-top box was available in the Australian market until now,” Senator Conroy said.

“Today’s announcement coincides with Queensland Disability Action Week and marks a significant achievement for the Government and industry to make digital TV accessible to all Australians.”

The Government worked closely with industry in the development of the talking set-top box technology in Australia and recently carried out a trial as part of the Household Assistance Scheme rollout in regional Victoria.

“The talking set-top box trial was designed to test this innovative technology with vision impaired Victorians,” said Senator Conroy. “I am delighted to see this initiative result in the commercial release of a talking set-top box to the broader Australian community.”

The Household Assistance Scheme provides free help for maximum rate pensioners to switch to digital TV, with more than 50,000 eligible households already assisted in regional South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. Following the successful technical trial, the Government is now considering operational and funding requirements to provide talking set-top boxes as part of the Scheme.

“Australia is striding forward in the global migration to digital TV with 82 per cent of households across the nation already converted to digital TV,” Senator Conroy said.

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the switch to digital-only television.”

To find out more about the Household Assistance Scheme and the switchover in your area visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13.

Date: 22 September 2011
Contact:  Lyall Johnson 0408 258 457

Government announces Independent Media Inquiry

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced an independent inquiry into the Australian media.

"A healthy and robust media is essential to the democratic process," Senator Conroy said.

"The Australian Government believes it is incumbent upon government to ensure regulatory processes and industry structures are sufficiently strong to support the continuation of a healthy and independent media that is able to fulfil its essential democratic purpose, and to operate in the public interest."

Announcing the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, Senator Conroy acknowledged the pressures brought about by the advent of digital technologies and the 24 hour news cycle were threatening the traditional business models that support the essential role of the media in our democratic society.

Senator Conroy noted that this is a worldwide phenomenon, and one the Australian Government is already addressing through its Convergence Review.

"The Convergence Review is taking a broad and considered approach to a range of regulatory issues across the broadcasting, telecommunications and radio-communications sectors," Senator Conroy said.

"The Media Inquiry I am announcing today will focus on print media regulation, including online publications, and the operation of the Press Council.

"The Government believes a separate and distinct examination of the pressures facing newspapers and their newsrooms, including online publications, will enhance our consideration of the policy and regulatory settings Australia needs to ensure that the news media continues to serve the public interest in the digital age," Senator Conroy said.

The Inquiry will be conducted independently of Government, led by Former Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, Ray Finkelstein QC, with the assistance of Dr Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Journalism at Canberra University and a former practising journalist.

"The Government is delighted that these eminently qualified Australians have agreed to undertake this important task on behalf of the Australian people," Senator Conroy said.

The Inquiry will provide its findings to the Convergence Review early next year, and the Government will take a considered approach to the recommendations of both.

Terms of Reference

An independent panel will be appointed to inquire into and report on the following issues, while noting that media regulation is currently being considered by the Convergence Review:

a) The effectiveness of the current media codes of practice in Australia, particularly in light of technological change that is leading to the migration of print media to digital and online platforms;

b) The impact of this technological change on the business model that has supported the investment by traditional media organisations in quality journalism and the production of news, and how such activities can be supported, and diversity enhanced, in the changed media environment;

c) Ways of substantially strengthening the independence and effectiveness of the Australian Press Council, including in relation to on-line publications, and with particular reference to the handling of complaints;

d) Any related issues pertaining to the ability of the media to operate according to regulations and codes of practice, and in the public interest.

The panel will be required to provide a report to Government by 28 February 2012, while working with the Convergence Review committee to ensure that findings are able to be incorporated into the ultimate report of the Convergence Review by end March 2012.

Date: 14 September 2011
Contact: Lyall Johnson 0408 258 457

PRESS RELEASE: 27 APRIL 2011

New free to air channels driving regional TV audience growth

Regional TV Ratings Service Confirmed to 2015

Regional Television Audience Measurement today announced the renewal of its TV Ratings service with AGB Nielsen Media Research to run for an additional 6 years, commencing from 2010.

Announcing the contract, Chairman of RegTAM, Bruce Abraham, endorsed the selection and renewal of survey contractor AGB Nielsen Media Research. "I am confident that AGBNMR will continue to provide quality television measurement services in the five aggregated television markets of Queensland, Northern NSW, Southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania for the period 2010-2015."

David Ellem, CEO AGB Nielsen Media Research Australia, said: "Our reappointment as the Regional ratings provider in Australia is a great endorsement from RegTAM."

Toni Petra, Regional Director AGB Nielsen Media Research, said: "We are delighted in RegTAM’s continued confidence in AGB Nielsen Media Research and are committed to meeting their evolving broadcast measurement needs."

Mr. Abraham also commented that the new service will require AGB Nielsen Media Research to include time shift viewing associated with personal video recorders, as well as live viewing, in ratings figures from 2010 onwards. "With the rollout of a full digital audience measurement service from 2010, RegTAM will provide the same high standard of quality television audience ratings measurement data that Australian clients have enjoyed across regional television markets."

During 2009 AGB Nielsen Media Research will establish a network of TV channel reference sites throughout regional Australia to allow for a continuation of audience measurement for provision to current and prospective clients.

Peoplemeters have arrived in Regional WA.

AGB Nielsen Media Research has constructed a peoplemeter panel for Regional WA, inclusive of both remote and non-remote areas. The panel homes were installed at the end of 2006 and have been thoroughly tested over the past year. The Regional WA panel uses TVM4 and TVM5 metering technology to cover both analog and digital channels of all free-to-air broadcasters and subscription television.

The peoplemeter panel covers all parts of Western Australia outside the metropolitan TV survey coverage area. The service includes some innovative technical features, including:

• voice prompts to remind panelists to ‘log-in’ when the television set is on and they are in the room; and
• ‘calling-in’ meter for homes with complex communication features.

The allocation and selection of panel homes is based on a rigorous statistical design controlled by the Statistics and System Integrity departments of AGB Nielsen Media Research.

Ratings data for subscribers, including 12 months of back-data, is available now. Quarter hour data for buying systems will be based on 4 weekly averages and will be available for a wide range of demographics, including:

• Total Individuals and Total Households
• Grocery Buyers
• People 16+, 25+, 40+, 55+
• People 16-39, 25-54, 16-54
• Men 16+, 25+, 40+, 55+
• Men 16-39, 25-54, 16-54
• Women 16+, 25+, 40+, 55+
• Women 16-39, 25-54, 16-54

For Further Information, please contact: Maria Rossi 02 9490 6500 / maria.rossi@agbnielsen.com.au