Free TV and Foxtel, perhaps unsurprisingly, have taken different views on the move by the Federal government to regulate the prominance of broadcaster apps on connected TV home screens.

Free TV, the representative body for Australia's commercial free-to-air television broadcasters, welcomed the Australian Government's move for new legislation aimed at implementing a 'prominence framework' to level the playing field for local broadcasters on connected TVs.

Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV, has criticised the current system, where viewers are often directed towards services that favour the commercial interests of big tech companies and TV manufacturers. According to Fair, this practice results in limiting viewer  viewing choices based on who has paid the most money to be in the line-up of home screen apps on connected TVs.

"This legislation is a step towards ensuring viewers are not served incomplete viewing choices based on who has paid the most money to be in the line-up," Fair stated.

Yes and no

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, also welcomed the changes, with a caveat on changes to broader anti-siphoning legislation: "The new prominence framework ensures that free local TV services are easily discoverable and acknowledges the importance of these service in a modern TV environment.

"We appreciate the Government updating the anti-siphoning scheme to ensure online services cannot acquire the free-to-air TV rights before the broadcasters have had an opportunity." However,  he also noted, "By not including the free digital rights, Australians who only access free TV services through the internet may be deprived of free iconic Australian sports."

Lost opportunity

Foxtel meanwhile said it was still assessing the changes to home screen app prominance rules.

According to a Foxtel Group spokesperson: “We are pleased to see the Government has taken on board our concerns with restricting search and customisation on smart TVs which would have led to significant frustration for consumers. We will need to examine the detail of the legislation and in the meantime will continue to advocate for Australian’s right to control their TVs and connected devices they spend thousands on every year and enjoy with their families. Research shows that 1 in 2 Australians with a smart TV don’t know how to change the layout of their apps. This needs to be considered along with the implications of changing a user interface we have invested millions in across both our Foxtel and soon-to-launch Hubbl operating systems.”

On the changes in anti-siphoning legislation, Foxtel said: "This could have been a great opportunity for the Government to bring anti-siphoning laws into the 21st century to reflect viewing habits of Australians today and to protect the future value of much-loved Australian sport. The regime is already anti-competitive and clearly favours free-to-air broadcasters above Australians and above the needs of sporting bodies whose ability to invest in grassroots will be limited.

“Foxtel Group was advocating that truly iconic events of national significance could be streamed free via our free streaming platform that has been built and invested in locally and is used by more than a million Australians. The outcome adversely affects technology platforms like ours that have a greater capability to invest in world-class innovation to enhance the broadcast experience for Australians.”