The nation's biggest media companies are battling over how streaming services are presented to audiences, arguing some apps are being given an unfair advantage.
Millions of Australians tune in each day to their favourite series and movies on streaming services – many directly through smart TVs, which are connected to the internet.
So, the federal government is drafting new laws to deal with the situation, which is already being labelled by critics as an attempt to control Australian TVs and sway viewing habits.
New smart TVs often have some streaming apps pre-installed – icons leading to subscription services such as Netflix, Apple TV+ and Binge flashing up the moment the television is turned on for the first time.
Under legislation expected to be introduced to parliament in the next fortnight, television manufacturers would be forced to ensure free Australian services sit at the top of the queue for viewers.
“Prominence means that a group of providers will get some sort of special access or dominance at the expense of another,” said Patrick Delany, ASTRA chairman and chief executive of Foxtel.
Mr Delany said subscription services invested heavily in Australian productions, and that millions of dollars of spending on television shows and movies could be at risk.
The original article contains 914 words, the summary contains 182 words. Saved 80%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Millions of Australians tune in each day to their favourite series and movies on streaming services – many directly through smart TVs, which are connected to the internet.
So, the federal government is drafting new laws to deal with the situation, which is already being labelled by critics as an attempt to control Australian TVs and sway viewing habits.
New smart TVs often have some streaming apps pre-installed – icons leading to subscription services such as Netflix, Apple TV+ and Binge flashing up the moment the television is turned on for the first time.
Under legislation expected to be introduced to parliament in the next fortnight, television manufacturers would be forced to ensure free Australian services sit at the top of the queue for viewers.
“Prominence means that a group of providers will get some sort of special access or dominance at the expense of another,” said Patrick Delany, ASTRA chairman and chief executive of Foxtel.
Mr Delany said subscription services invested heavily in Australian productions, and that millions of dollars of spending on television shows and movies could be at risk.
The original article contains 914 words, the summary contains 182 words. Saved 80%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!