1. How must the convergeD media industry collaborate
to take advantage of the digital dividend
September 2018
Amoordalingum Pather
CEO – MCML

2. 1. Convergent Media Industry
2. Digital Dividend
3.Collaboration of the Convergent Media Industry ????

4. Backdrop - continual evolution of content models
Mass Media
(1950s onwards)
e.g. public broadcasting, national papers blockbuster movies
Portmanteau content geared to broad general markets
! Markets fragmenting, consumers aging
Niche Media
(1980s onwards)
e.g. MTV, CNN, Discovery Channel, niche radio stations
Content focused on specific issues for particular market segment
Continued growth from serving smaller segments
Social Media
(2000s onwards)
e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter
Interactive, consumer-generated, emphasis on contact and community
Vigorous growth, strong appeal to younger consumers
 Lucy Küng. 4

6. Yielding the digital dividend—the restack & reallocation processes
Restack completed
Broadcasters relocate to new digital TV channels
Broadcasters start to plan infrastructure & new equipment
Analog switch off
Digital TV restack planning
Restack legislative amendments
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Mid 2012
Mid 2013
End 2014
End 2013
Start 2010
This slide shows how the processes of ‘re-stack’ of digital television and re-allocation of the 700MHz band are proposed to proceed in parallel.
There is inter-relationship between the two processes, namely, the need for sufficient ‘product certainty’ before you conduct the spectrum auction.
A successful price-based allocation of the proposed new spectrum licences requires us to have reliable information about the timing of spectrum access, even if the actual clearance process may take years longer.
Clearance of broadcasting services from BSB spectrum is effected by a special kind of legislative instrument, called a television licence area plan.
The ACMA has issued draft TLAPs for large parts of regional Australia and it is aiming to finalise TLAPs for the whole of Australia by the end of this year (2012).
TLAPs will determine both a pre- and a post-restack channel for broadcasters at each site, also the date or range of dates (windows) within which broadcasters must vacate the pre-restack channel.
Re-stack is going to be a major logistical exercise. Choices will be needed at each site between the option of ‘hot-swapping’ services, that is, an overnight transition from the old to a new channel, or transition after a period of simulcasting.
There are pros and cons of both approaches, i.e. two rather than one re-tune issue for viewers and issue of converting community antenna systems in multi-unit dwellings.
These are all primarily questions of implementation for broadcasters, so the ACMA has adopted a ‘windows’ approach to final vacation dates. That is, the ACMA is proposing to make both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ channel available to the broadcaster for a window of typically around six-months. The same window may be used across large geographical areas. The exact sequence in which they then re-stack, and whether or not they choose to simulcast at each site, can then be left to the broadcasters or their program manager and the manager of the accompanying consumer advice program. Meanwhile, potential purchasers of 700MHz spectrum licences can take into account the end-date of the window as providing a level of assurance about when 700MHz spectrum would become available for other uses.
In draft TLAPs to date, the ACMA has proposed a series of windows based on an indicative re-stack timetable developed in consultation with broadcasters in the RPAG (the Restack Planning Advisory Group).
Broadcasters have not endorsed the dates shown on draft TLAPs released to date and discussions are continuing between the ACMA, broadcasters and the government about a timetable that has the endorsement of all parties.
Unlike TV digitisation, which has so far proceeded piecemeal at individual broadcasters’ own pace, we expect the re-stack to be undertaken in a coordinated way, with all services at each site restacked simultaneously. We also expect it to be managed as a single project, with a project manager to underpin an agreed nationwide timetable and reflected in TLAP instruments.
I expect to be able to update you on its status when the Authority releases a consultation draft of the Applicant Information Pack for the digital dividend auction, expected to be late this month.
FOOTNOTE: Draft TLAPs have already been released for regional South Australia and Broken Hill, Regional Victoria including Mildura/Sunraysia; Griffith and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area; and regional Queensland.
Digital Dividend Green Paper
Recom’
to Minister
Ministerial Declaration
Minister’s media release
Ministerial Direction
Issue Licences
Discussion Paper
Allocation Instruments
Spectrum
Auction
Technical Framework
Spectrum available for use
KEY
Minister
ACMA
Broadcasters
DBCDE

7. Collaboration of the Convergent Media Industry

8. Collaboration of the Convergent Media Industry

9. The media industry has progressively expanded over past decades
Social/mobile
Apps, Facebook, Google
Apps, streamed, YouTube
Digital/online
Website
On-demand
Niche
Print supplements
Niche channels
Mass
Print newspapers
TV channels
Print
Broadcast
For audiences, an amazing increase in choice, for media organisations, more complexity and stretched resources
@kuenglucy)

11. Technological change continues to drive change
Storage and processing expand and get cheaper
Content stored in clouds or network servers in multiple formats
Mobile broadband (via wireless ubiquity)
More devices internet and video enabled
Broadband networks
‘anytime anywhere’
‘anytime anywhere’ two-way over over greater area
three screen
On-demand video content feasible for mass markets
Content can be delivered to any device on any network
 Lucy Küng. 11

13. THANK YOU