TV has changed, so must the way we support local content
Australians have enjoyed watching Australian stories on the small screen for generations. From Number 96 to Offspring , House Husbands to Mystery Road , Australian television has reflected Australia back to Australian audiences. As the government notes in its recent options paper, issued through the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Screen Australia: “Screen stories are uniquely powerful”. But the future of these stories is in question. Released at the end of March, the options paper aims to modernise how Australian content is supported. It suggests four options – no change, complete deregulation, minimal change or significant change – with responses due by June 12. Three of these options would eliminate the local quotas that have underpinned Australian drama, documentary and children’s television production since the late 1960s. Our research examines the role of television storytelling, especially the importance of local television. So it’s with great sur