We cannot ‘hibernate during these events’: Industry responds to government relief package

The industry has welcomed the government’s urgent relief package to help media companies battling the ramifications of COVID-19 – including the suspension of content quotas for the rest of the year, $41m in tax rebates, and a $50m regional journalism program – but says further action is necessary.

Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany was particularly outspoken about the pressures the subscription TV business is facing, claiming current regulation is “effectively a discriminatory tax on Foxtel” and has created a “toxic competitive environment”.

“We are the most disrupted part of the television industry, a trend that is amplified with the impact COVID-19 and the lack of recognition in the package highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of industry dynamics within government,” Delany said.

Delany: Current regulation is discriminatory