The broadcasting sector is a subject of continual debate in modern society. One of the
oldest segments of the rapidly-evolving information technology and communications
industry, it is still the most content rich and the most popular. Australians who watch
television spend more time doing so than doing any other leisure activity except those
who fish (ABS 1998). Broadcasting is highly pervasive. Some kind of service is
available and used in every Australian household. Everyone is an expert, everyone has
an opinion. Since the Federal Government decided to allow the introduction of
domestic subscription television in 1992, pay television has been broadly dismissed by
its media rivals as being unpopular, unprofitable and unnecessary. In turn, the
Australian pay television industry considers that it is over-regulated, especially
compared to the free-to-air sector, and that much of this regulation severely constrains
its ability to grow its subscriber base. This thesis examines whether the Australian
subscription television industry has achieved the aims set for it by the legislators in
1992 that is, whether it has met its promise. To achieve this, the thesis first
identifies the promises of an Australian subscription television industry. In assessing
whether the industry has met its promise, the thesis considers various aspects of the
industry, including what the industry has needed to do to make itself profitable and
ensure its longevity and the environment within which the industry operates. The thesis
examines the role that content plays in attracting subscribers and considers whether
minimal content regulation has resulted in a paucity of local content on subscription
television in Australia. The thesis draws on existing academic literature, government
publications, information released by the subscription television industry itself and
interviews conducted in the course of the project with the Australian subscription
television sector. It also uses and builds on ratings data to examine the programs and
channels that are offered by Australian pay television services. In concluding, this
thesis makes an assessment of whether the Australian pay television industry has met its
promise.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/221841 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | marmcc@bigpond.com, Marion McCutcheon |
| Publisher | Murdoch University |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.murdoch.edu.au/goto/CopyrightNotice, Copyright Marion McCutcheon |
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