Pay TV and Broadcasting Diversity in Australia

Abstract

One of the major debates surrounding the introduction of new broadcasting services in Australia has been the extent to which they can be expected to enhance the degree of diversity in the broadcasting system. This paper considers the various dimensions of diversity in media policy discourse, drawing attention to differences between approaches with a socio-cultural focus and those with a more economic focus. It considers the importance of modes of financing as a factor in determining the degree of diversity and the plurality of service types. The significance of these questions becomes apparent when consideration is given to the question of whether multichannel pay TV services can be expected to provide a greater degree of program diversity for Australian television audiences.