An Era Ends !

A dwindling number of Australians remember when television first launched in Australia.  At that time in 1956 the government was worried about the financial impact of this new medium as households rushed to buy television sets on " hire purchase ", the form of finance that was available at that time.  It was thus decreed that television broadcasting would be restricted to just the state capital cities for its first year of operation.

The following year a small number of affiliate stations with connections to one of the main city networks opened in regional cities and thus the nation was assured of being able to view at least one commercial channel - and the ABC.    The viewing hours were atrocious.  Programmes commenced at 10 am and shut down at 10 pm.

Television in Australia soon revolved around the three main networks - Channels 9, 7 and 10.  The service extended when by government fiat all areas received coverage by local affiliate stations mainly repeating the networks offerings, plus local advertising and news segments.  A new service - SBS - was added in addition to the ABC offering multicultural programming.

All this was at a time of a very different Australia.  It was a time when most Australian households read a daily newspaper - and in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, newsboys were on the streets selling two late afternoon newspapers.  It was generally conceded that obtaining a license to operate a television network was simply a way to " make unlimited money " !

Those afternoon newspapers are long gone and the mighty dailies are struggling to remain afloat.  New ways of distributing news - and the almighty advertising dollar that is its companion - have shattered balance sheets.  The advent of the " Smartphone " - together with Facebook and Twitter - see both news and conversation intertwined in the hand of the average user.

Now we are seeing distress in the television world.   The Channel 10 network has sought administration protection and desperate measures are under way for it to be recapitalized.  It has been a long struggle and Ten has always been the weakest member in attracting viewers.   Several billionaires are giving short term support, but there is a possibility that 10 transmitters may wink out into silence if negotiations fail.

Viewer numbers may be falling, but television is still an important news source and entertainment vehicle.  It is important that the three channel system be retained and the government needs to look at the licensing fees it imposed when television was a new and exciting medium.  What was demanded then is not relevant today and the entire industry has reason to renegotiate with overseas sources which produce many of the shows seen in Australia.   Costs can be contained and the troubles at Ten should bring adequate warning that change is necessary if this service is to remain in its present form into the future.