Fed: Mixed reviews for digital TV rules

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
Fed: Mixed reviews for digital TV rules

The federal government's new digital television policy has receiving mixed reviews
from the big media players as they assess the be winners and losers in the new age of
broadcasting.

Communications Minister RICHARD ALSTON yesterday unveiled new measures for the introduction
of digital free-to-air television broadcasting and datacasting.

Under the rules, television networks will have to broadcast in both high definition
and standard definition.

HDTV offers cinema quality pictures as well as new datacasting services while SDTV
offers access to datacasting but the picture quality is not as clear.

The decision has angered the Ten Network and KERRY PACKER's Nine Network who had lobbied
intensely for only HDTV.

But Seven Network chief KERRY STOKES has praised the announcement, saying it would
provide greater scope for local programming, educational services and better coverage
of news and sport.

The most scathing attack has come from News Ltd chief LACHLAN MURDOCH who's described
the government decision as the latest round of protection for the free-to-air TV cartel.

Under the new rules datacasters cannot provide traditional television programs in the
areas of news, sport news, financial market, business information and weather.

They will also be prevented from showing most genres of televsion programs such as
drama, current affairs and sporting programs.

The federal opposition says the rules for datacasting are too restrictive and could
stifle the development of a new industry, but it supports the dual broadcast decision.

AAP RTV daw/msk

KEYWORD: DIGITAL (CANBERRA)

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