18 August, 2017

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending August 18th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

Kevin Jennings Vice President This week saw the Australian government tip-toing its way thru the broadcast reform bill which  has moved one step closer after securing a deal with  burka-clad One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.  The move  will force the ABC to be more transparent about staff wages and “fair” and “balanced” in its reporting, provide greater community radio funding and foreign ownership reporting. The government phrased it slightly better, acknowledging they had agreed to pursue a number of measures to ensure the public broadcaster increased its regional focus, financial transparency and political impartiality. Earlier, in a move designed to cut One Nation from negotiations, the Green Party stepped up their demands and declared it will only back the package if funding for the ABC and SBS is increased by “millions”. Negotiations over the media reform bill, which has broad  industry backing, have reached a critical stage but with Labor opposed to the legislation, the government will need to gain the votes of the Greens or One Nation and the Nick Xenophon Team  (who are themselves holding up the bill and pushing for tax breaks) to drive the reforms through parliament.

 

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer

Australian courts have issued a pair of major site-blocking orders, answering pleas from Foxtel and Village Roadshow. Reactions were predictable: Foxtel was happy. The tech press was shocked, shocked that so many sites could be “alleged” to be pirate. Industry group Creative Content Australia said taking out these sites blocks 95 percent of traffic to infringing sites (okay, my skepticism alarm went off at that.) CCA also launched a major effort to deter consumers from seeking out substitute pirate sources. 

Christopher Slaughter CEO

Let’s mix some metaphors. Apple is finally reaching into its rather substantial pockets to essentially dip its toes into the waters of original content creation; after years of rumors, the other shoe has finally dropped. Granted, a billion dollars is still a billion dollars, but the tech giant will probably only buy about ten original series with that cash, and will still only be spending a fraction of what Netflix, Amazon, and HBO shell out annually. (Although it’s an open question as to whether Netflix’s US$7 bln spend is rescuing or ruining Hollywood.) Granted, the company certainly has the money to burn if it so chooses, but some critics also question whether Apple’s risk-averse corporate culture will prove a liability in the decidedly edgier world of modern TV programming.

 

 

Mark Lay Vice President, Singapore

After the tsunami of BIG news in the OTT space last week it took a lot more effort to uncover interesting stories for you this week…and here they are. Turner has signed a three-year, multi-platform deal for U.S. rights to UEFA European soccer games beginning with the 2018-2019 season and as a core pillar plans to launch a new stand-alone premium sports streaming video service. An interesting look at Nielsen’s Total audience initiative “as the notion of “TV” has fractured, becoming video entertainment delivered across dozens of devices through countless over-the-top apps, video on demand, DVRs, mobile services as well as broadcast, basic and premium cable/satellite services.”  For the massive sports fan, ESPN’s new Apple TV app lets you watch four screens of live sports at the same time….naturally, while tweeting on your phone.  And to finish off, a couple critical looks at the recent launch of Facebook Watch with The 6 Most Important Things To Keep Your Eye On and Are They Smarter than the TV Guys?  More OTT related news at CASBAA OTT Group Newsfeed.

 

 

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer

Taxes, taxes, taxes…….last week I noted that Facebook’s office opening in Jakarta was all about getting them to pay taxes. Now the word filters out that – despite the enormous ad revenues they earn in Indonesia and everywhere else – their Jakarta office is licensed as a “management consulting” outfit. Hmmmm.

 

 

Cathryn Chase Regulatory Assistant

Vietnam is one step closer to its goal of fully transitioning to digital broadcasting by 2020. On Tuesday, analogue TV signals were switched off in 15 cities and provinces across the country. The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) had given citizens advanced warning about the termination of analogue services, and has also set up a support program to help poor households manage the transition.

 

 

Jane Buckthought Advertising Consultant

The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) in the UK has formally called on YouTube and Facebook to work with it and ISBA to bring safety, measurement and viewability of online video up to acceptable industry standards.

 

 

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer

In uneasy coexistence with the business of international broadcasting there is always an element of “state messaging,” sometimes called propaganda. This week’s ham-fisted Chinese attempt at anti-Indian propaganda drew attention to the use of online media by state-owned media outlets to advance political agendas. It’s mildly funny in a racist sort of way, and totally transparent. But one has to wonder – who is the audience for such Chinese attempts to wield “soft power”? Bhutan???? (Twitter, Facebook and Youtube are all blocked in the mainland, so it’s clearly supposed to be “external” messaging.) Or is it a “united front” effort aimed at ethnic Chinese millennials in the western world?

Cathryn Chase Regulatory Assistant

India’s TRAI say it has successfully developed an interoperable set-top-box (STB). The new STB is compatible with multiple Pay-TV service providers, and would allow consumers to only purchase a single box, instead of having to replace their box each time they switch providers. The TRAI cites increased technological innovation, improvements in service quality and sector growth as benefits of this new technology, and hopes that it will also help to reduce e-waste in India. However, both industry members and government officials have voiced their concern over how the regulator will manage the issue of piracy that is inherent with this type of technology. Before the STB are released to the public, the TRAI will carry out an industry consultation, workshop and pilot implementation project, which will hopefully address the concerns about piracy.

 

 

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer

The Thai authorities have ordered the “red shirt”-oriented satellite TV broadcaster Peace TV to suspend operations for a month. But relax, everybody, it has nothing to do with politics.

 

 

 

Kevin Jennings Vice President

I’m not usually one to talk about American politics or the U.S. President but this caught my eye, and imagination.  The first high-profile political thriller to broach the Trump era could be coming from an unexpected direction — China.   Award-winning Chinese auteur Wang Quan’an has signed to write and direct American Wall, a U.S.-set feature that will delve headlong into the current politically charged moment. Wang is no stranger to scandal himself and is likely to deliver an explosive interpretation.  Dubbed “a tale of greed, vengeance, sex and ambition,” the film is set around President Donald Trump’s infamous U.S.-Mexico border wall…