Senate defeats proposed legislation to allow SBS to double advertising in prime time

This is a bit of a shame frankly, and TBH I feel for SBS.

No doubt they’ll continue to bolster their digital and online properties as these likely sit outside of the rather out-dated screen mandate. Their eurovision companion website experience was a fantastic example of what can be done by broadcasters on the second screen.

Good public policy??? How about protecting the big boys bacon just a little bit longer, so more of the fat cats can sell down their investments.
The big three want protection against anti siphoning, reductions in broadcast licences and?(some want) changes to reach rules. All of which benefit them.

The moment there are some alternatives put on the table that would be good for TV they shoot it down.

They use a “logic” that TV advertising revenue is flat, therefore we shouldn’t have more competition. How about that audiences are moving away from TV and if SBS can’t adjust their commercial model this will further push advertisers off TV all together on to other mediums.

At least by opening up the odd minute in peak on SBS that can be sold instead of it going to waste at 3am it may take a bit of pressure off the other networks and maybe allow them to deliver the promised results for advertisers and maybe restore a bit of confidence in the medium too.

Given Harold’s influence here, I’m sure Seven will be very happy with him being able to stop reach rule changes too (if his past history with Tennis Australia is anything to go by).

I expect the Labor Party and Greens will find they start getting a lot of positive comments and stories on the commercial broadcasters that matter. (News Corp’s Channel ten doesn’t since no one watches it)

Great news !!!!!!!! What’s the use of shoving MORE ads into shows when more and more people are zapping through them or getting onto social media during the break?

This is a bad decision because if their revenue is not going to come from more advertising, they will want more from the taxpayer instead. No thanks.

SBS radio has lots of efficiency standards they could address..as I understand it, if someone from ,say the Italian language program, does a one hour program on a Sunday, he or she gets paid for 24 hours work….worth checking…..

Heres a good contingency plan to balance the budget:

1) merge back offices like payroll, marketing, publicity
2) Lose some executives – SBS is very top heavy with high paid thumb twiddlers
3) Stop using aussie taxpayer money to import english chefs to make shows here. e.g. Rachel Coo, Heston. Doesn’t seem very multicultural to me. Or on charter. Or a good use of the production budget.
4) Get rid of SBS2
5) Stop firing journalists without a good reason. Will probably save you some legal fees.
6) Start commissioning edgy, creative shows again – like you used to.
7) Don’t fly MD’s partners around the world in business class
8) See item 2.

If SBS need to generate a new revenue stream quickly they should look at monetising their Regional TV signal which is already set up?? Agencies rarely include SBS Regional in their TV media briefs for either ad hoc campaigns or annual deals, and this might be the opportunity for SBS to finally become the 4th Regional TV network in the eyes of the media agencies and national marketers the same way they are considered in the Metro markets. If set up properly and run by a separate sales team (either internally or externally) that can chase and respond to regional briefs and budgets would likely see most of the $28.5m shortfall realised over the next 4 years….surely a sales team of a truly national TV network with a 4% share could write at least $7m pa??