Regulatory Review of Digital Broadcasting Public Q&As

What is the Regulatory Review of Digital Broadcasting?

Introduced by the previous government in 2007, this was a wide ranging review of government’s regulatory regime for broadcasting in the context of the transition to digital television and increasing convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the internet.

Terms of reference for the review directed officials to consider the issues raised by digital broadcasting and convergence within three broad areas of: competition; standards and copyright, and at three points in the value chain: content, distribution and networks.

One of the key pieces of work included in the review was a competition study to consider potential risks to access to premium content and to platforms.

Why has government decided not to undertake the competition study of the broadcasting market?

Over 80 submissions from a wide range of interested parties were received on the discussion papers and these provided a great deal of information about the broadcasting market. It was decided, therefore, that rather than spend $300,000 on consultants to undertake a further study, officials would complete an analysis of the comprehensive information provided in the submissions to assess the state of competition in the broadcasting market.

What was the outcome of the departmental analysis?

A departmental analysis of submissions on the review discussion documents concluded that there is no strong case for the introduction of specific new regulation for the broadcasting sector. It noted that the current market appears workably competitive and that there are no compelling indications of future issues. Ministers have accepted this conclusion.

Why is government not proceeding with other areas of the review?

Government has a clear set of objectives for broadcasting as outlined in its pre-election priorities. This is where officials will be focussing their attention. One of our top priorities is the early and effective transition to full digital switch-over, and in this area we are in fact continuing work begun under the previous government. We will also be continuing with the associated work on a policy for post-DSO spectrum allocation and for the future of regional television broadcasters post-DSO. We will also be continuing with an examination of services for people with sensory disabilities.

Other areas of the review may have had merit, but are not necessarily priorities for this government in this economic environment. Some of these may be considered for inclusion in a new broadcasting programme of action if they are compatible with government priorities.

Given the uncertainty and pressures on businesses in the current economic environment, it is important that government doesn’t add to that uncertainty by continuing a process of ongoing review and change.

What are government’s broadcasting priorities?

Government has a clear commitment to public broadcasting and we want public money to fund the best possible local content for New Zealanders. To this end we are making the $15.1 million ‘charter funding’ for TVNZ fully contestable and available to other free-to-air broadcasters on a competitive basis so that the best projects get onto our screens.

Government’s other key priority is the early and effective transition to digital switch-over with analogue switch-off to occur by 2015.

Government is also committed to improving the transparency of and accountability for public funding for broadcasters, including Radio New Zealand and TVNZ 6 and 7.

The Minister of Broadcasting is currently developing a programme of action for broadcasting policy aligned with government’s pre-election commitments.