Spectrum Review – Terms of Reference

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Spectrum Review Issues Paper outlining the proposed terms of reference for the review. Free TV Australia represents all of Australia’s commercial free-to-air television broadcasters. In 2014 commercial free-to-air television remains the most popular source of entertainment and information for Australians, with our members providing 15 channels of content across a broad range of genres, as well as rich online and mobile offerings, all at no cost to the public. While the proposed terms of reference for the Spectrum Review provide a broad scope for the consideration of spectrum management issues, Free TV members consider it absolutely critical that any such consideration recognises the ongoing value of free-to-air television broadcasting to the Australian public. Free–to-air television broadcasters are the major investors in Australian television content, technology and people. This investment is unique to free-to-air television. Commercial free-to-air television services are highly valued by the Australian public for their sustained delivery of important public goods, such as Australian content, children’s content, news services and current affairs and major sporting events – all of which are delivered for free. Free-to