Australia - Pay TV - Content - Programming

Synopsis

The greatest attraction of pay TV is the diversity and exclusivity of content made available. In many markets around the world, this is typically sports and Hollywood movies. The range of special interest programming is also attractive to many. Because of the range of content producers, particularly the power of Hollywood and sports rights mangers, a host of issues arise with obtaining rights to broadcast such programming. This report takes a look at some of these issues, particularly sports content, and also examines the related issues of distribution and access provision. The channel overview was updated in December 2002 when Foxtel and Optus began sharing content.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Channel overview
• 3. Programming
• 4. Analysis of programming
  • 4.1 Expensive contracts and monopolised content
  • 4.2 No pay TV for regional operators
  • 4.3 From pay TV content to broadband monopoly
  • 4.4 Multiple distribution platforms
• 5. The programming deals
  • 5.1 Revised supply deal for Optus - 1999
  • 5.2 Foxtel-Optus content sharing - 2002
  • 5.3 Analysis
    • 5.3.1 Effects of the Foxtel-Optus deal
    • 5.3.2 The crux of the problem
    • 5.3.3 Related effects
• 6. Sports programming
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 The Super League saga
  • 6.3 The Dockland Stadium battle
  • 6.4 Final winner: Foxtel
• 7. Related reports

• Table 1 – Program arrangement for Australians pay TV – 2003

• Exhibit 1 – Northgate the first regional victim of the regime