ACETA Newsletter March 2021
Dear Colleagues
Greater freedom to gather and travel domestically is enabling us to deal more productively with emerging industry challenges, and there is more for us all to understand, but one reality is certain, we need cohesion in our life and industry. This month we address three critical issues, which singularly or combined will impact all industry participants in varying degrees. First up we announce the ACETA Strategic Planning Conference, then table the fragile agency partnership landscape, and finish with an overview of the Media Reform Green Paper published by the federal government.
ACETA Strategic Planning Conference 2021
The ACETA Board of Management is finally able to gather face to face for the first time in over twelve months for the ACETA Strategic Planning Conference, that will help propel industry sustainability and development programs over the next few years. The event will convene on the weekend of the 27th & 28th March 2021. You are invited to forward any industry subject matter you think should be included on the agenda to julie@aceta.org.au by 24th March 2021.
The Path to Market is a Changing Beast
Judging by input from the frontline, we are experiencing a degree of representation turmoil as some manufacturers are changing agents in increasing numbers. Many cases appear pointless, naïve and ultimately costly to both parties (except for the initial start-up order). Some distributors suggest they are only marking time, and many are concerned with shrinking and unsustainable margins. Some manufacturers feel they can service the market from afar, a flawed concept in a ‘value add’ industry, and others with a domestic presence are suggesting they may withdraw in part or completely.
The reasons for this could be seen as twofold a) corporate sustainability issues in a challenging market environment, and b) the instant demands of venture capital, and whilst we are hurting in Australia, the northern hemisphere where most supply emanates from, is hurting more. Therefore, it would be reasonable to suspect, many are making short term agency and policy decisions based on financial pressures caused by reduced sectorial demand, along with introverted, reactive and cumbersome management. However, this is no excuse for unethical and destructive behaviour.
What seems clear, the role and responsibility of the distributor is grossly under-valued by many in the manufacturing sector, and those who do value their partners, continue to prevail. However, it is also time for those distributors, vulnerable and already on the receiving end, to take stock of their relationships, get out of the trench’s and pro-actively take steps to increase their agency security. This is where ACETA can make an impact with programs such as accreditation and also ‘industry position’ documentation that comes from a robust and unified approach. This is another subject to be resolved during the course of the Strategic Planning Conference for the benefit of members.
New Rules for a New Media Landscape—Modernising Television Regulation in Australia
The Media reform Green Paper published by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications was received by ACETA in its recognized peak body role for the Entertainment Technology sector. ACETA has established processes to represent the industry and has also formed a collaborative relationship with Free TV, to defend the industry by addressing the issue with government in the most impactful manner possible.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications has published a Green Paper (the paper) detailing proposed media reforms intended to support and ease the financial and regulatory burden on Australian Free to Air TV broadcasters.
The paper proposes a reduction in license fees in exchange for a reduction in the amount of radio frequency spectrum currently utilised by Free to Air broadcasters. The paper proposes a reduction from the six (6) multiplex channels currently utilised in most markets to three (3). In other words, a reduction in utilised RF spectrum of around 50%.
This reduction of required spectrum for broadcast TV would enable a further clearance of UHF TV spectrum which could be re-allocated to alternate services.
The paper proposes a clearance of 84MHz of UHF spectrum. Most likely in the range 610 – 694 MHz, leaving 520 – 610 MHz for UHF Free to Air TV broadcast.
The paper does not specifically mention wireless audio devices (wireless microphones and in-ear systems) that share the UHF spectrum with Free to Air TV broadcasters. However, given such devices are granted access to the UHF TV spectrum on a secondary user basis, it is most likely that any reduction in allocated spectrum for TV broadcasters would also apply to wireless audio devices. Thus, wireless microphone uses would also need to vacate the reallocated spectrum and condense to within the range 520 – 610MHz.
The paper does not specifically detail a transition schedule but suggests a reallocation target date of 2025.
It is important to stress that this is a proposal document. It is still early days; nothing is confirmed yet. The paper is currently open for comments from industry and stakeholders. The deadline for submissions is currently the 23rd of May 2021 17:00 AEST (extended from 7th March 2021). ACETA will be making its submission on behalf of the industry and in collaboration with Free TV.
The paper is available here https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/new-rules-new-media-landscape-modernising-television-regulation-australia
ACETA is able to defend the industry in these matters by virtue of its membership and the resources they bring to the table. These industry enablers will be regularly acknowledged publicly. All members will be informed of developments as they occur through the member only ’Members Circle’ publication.
All the best
Frank Hinton
President
ACETA
Greater freedom to gather and travel domestically is enabling us to deal more productively with emerging industry challenges, and there is more for us all to understand, but one reality is certain, we need cohesion in our life and industry. This month we address three critical issues, which singularly or combined will impact all industry participants in varying degrees. First up we announce the ACETA Strategic Planning Conference, then table the fragile agency partnership landscape, and finish with an overview of the Media Reform Green Paper published by the federal government.
ACETA Strategic Planning Conference 2021
The ACETA Board of Management is finally able to gather face to face for the first time in over twelve months for the ACETA Strategic Planning Conference, that will help propel industry sustainability and development programs over the next few years. The event will convene on the weekend of the 27th & 28th March 2021. You are invited to forward any industry subject matter you think should be included on the agenda to julie@aceta.org.au by 24th March 2021.
The Path to Market is a Changing Beast
Judging by input from the frontline, we are experiencing a degree of representation turmoil as some manufacturers are changing agents in increasing numbers. Many cases appear pointless, naïve and ultimately costly to both parties (except for the initial start-up order). Some distributors suggest they are only marking time, and many are concerned with shrinking and unsustainable margins. Some manufacturers feel they can service the market from afar, a flawed concept in a ‘value add’ industry, and others with a domestic presence are suggesting they may withdraw in part or completely.
The reasons for this could be seen as twofold a) corporate sustainability issues in a challenging market environment, and b) the instant demands of venture capital, and whilst we are hurting in Australia, the northern hemisphere where most supply emanates from, is hurting more. Therefore, it would be reasonable to suspect, many are making short term agency and policy decisions based on financial pressures caused by reduced sectorial demand, along with introverted, reactive and cumbersome management. However, this is no excuse for unethical and destructive behaviour.
What seems clear, the role and responsibility of the distributor is grossly under-valued by many in the manufacturing sector, and those who do value their partners, continue to prevail. However, it is also time for those distributors, vulnerable and already on the receiving end, to take stock of their relationships, get out of the trench’s and pro-actively take steps to increase their agency security. This is where ACETA can make an impact with programs such as accreditation and also ‘industry position’ documentation that comes from a robust and unified approach. This is another subject to be resolved during the course of the Strategic Planning Conference for the benefit of members.
New Rules for a New Media Landscape—Modernising Television Regulation in Australia
The Media reform Green Paper published by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications was received by ACETA in its recognized peak body role for the Entertainment Technology sector. ACETA has established processes to represent the industry and has also formed a collaborative relationship with Free TV, to defend the industry by addressing the issue with government in the most impactful manner possible.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications has published a Green Paper (the paper) detailing proposed media reforms intended to support and ease the financial and regulatory burden on Australian Free to Air TV broadcasters.
The paper proposes a reduction in license fees in exchange for a reduction in the amount of radio frequency spectrum currently utilised by Free to Air broadcasters. The paper proposes a reduction from the six (6) multiplex channels currently utilised in most markets to three (3). In other words, a reduction in utilised RF spectrum of around 50%.
This reduction of required spectrum for broadcast TV would enable a further clearance of UHF TV spectrum which could be re-allocated to alternate services.
The paper proposes a clearance of 84MHz of UHF spectrum. Most likely in the range 610 – 694 MHz, leaving 520 – 610 MHz for UHF Free to Air TV broadcast.
The paper does not specifically mention wireless audio devices (wireless microphones and in-ear systems) that share the UHF spectrum with Free to Air TV broadcasters. However, given such devices are granted access to the UHF TV spectrum on a secondary user basis, it is most likely that any reduction in allocated spectrum for TV broadcasters would also apply to wireless audio devices. Thus, wireless microphone uses would also need to vacate the reallocated spectrum and condense to within the range 520 – 610MHz.
The paper does not specifically detail a transition schedule but suggests a reallocation target date of 2025.
It is important to stress that this is a proposal document. It is still early days; nothing is confirmed yet. The paper is currently open for comments from industry and stakeholders. The deadline for submissions is currently the 23rd of May 2021 17:00 AEST (extended from 7th March 2021). ACETA will be making its submission on behalf of the industry and in collaboration with Free TV.
The paper is available here https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/new-rules-new-media-landscape-modernising-television-regulation-australia
ACETA is able to defend the industry in these matters by virtue of its membership and the resources they bring to the table. These industry enablers will be regularly acknowledged publicly. All members will be informed of developments as they occur through the member only ’Members Circle’ publication.
All the best
Frank Hinton
President
ACETA