Byteside
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
Twitter Facebook Instagram RSS
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
Byteside
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
Byteside
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Free-to-air networks lobby for better placement on smart TVs

Chris ButtonBy Chris ButtonJanuary 17, 2022

Not happy with the competition from digital streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+, Australia’s free-to-air channels want guaranteed real estate on smart TV menus.

As mentioned in The Guardian, Free TV Australia – the peak industry body for commercial TV networks locally – made a submission to a parliamentary inquiry about social media and online safety, claiming TV manufacturers’ influence is putting free-to-air TV at risk.

Some of the discussion points include how many TVs come with remotes featuring quick-access buttons to popular streaming services such as Netflix, and how apps are displayed on TVs.

“TV manufacturers and operating system developers increasingly exert control over which options are displayed to consumers, directing viewers to those services that can pay the highest price for preferred placement on the home screen,” Free TV Australia’s submission mentioned.

Money talks, sure, but the most popular streaming services are also packed with a wider range of high-quality content than free-to-air networks could possibly keep up with.

It also conveniently omits Roy Morgan research from last year that found Australian broadcast video on demand (BVOD) services all saw significant viewership increases, so it’s not like fewer people are tuning in digitally.

Perhaps the omission was because both ABC iView and SBS On Demand far outpaced their commercial counterparts. Oops.

Although seemingly a strange thing to be lobbying for in an inquiry about social media, the majority of Free TV Australia’s submission did relate to the subject matter within the context of news and defamation.

Their sole recommendation, however, was to “ensure free-to-air services are prominent on connected TVs”, citing global competitors’ inability to cut to important news, including health updates and bushfire warnings.

Because we all watch on demand streaming services to get the news, don’t we?


Some Byteside outbound links may include affiliate programs to support Byteside’s operations. Our recommendations and review commentary remain independent of any potential revenue that may come through including such links.

Chris Button

Chris is an award-nominated writer based in Adelaide who specialises in covering video games and technology. He loves Donkey Kong Country, sport, and cats. The Last Jedi is the best one, no questions asked.

free-to-air streaming tv

Previously on Byteside...

Litra Glow review
Technology

Logitech Litra Glow makes your face look good in video calls

Cat Burglar screen - Netflix
Culture

Black Mirror creators’ Cat Burglar is Netflix’s latest interactive show

Sony Walkman music player
Technology

Want a $4,999 music player? Sony’s got you sorted

Comments are closed.

Get On It
Follow us
  • Twitter
  • Twitch
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
Latest
Hamster in the palm of a hand

Why one cute hamster says everything you need to know about what online learning should be

Best budget laptops for 2022

The best budget laptops for 2022

Apple iPhone SE 3rd gen colours midnight, starlight and red - best budget phones

The 5 best budget phones in 2022

LG C1 OLED TV - Best TVs

The best TVs: 4K, OLED, QLED and more

best laptops

The best laptops for work, gaming and more

Byteside mug ad
Twitter Twitch LinkedIn RSS Instagram Facebook
© 2022 Byteside Pty Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.