BATTLE STATION SBS


Hey all,

Im here discussing the current issue within and surrounding SBS, in particularly from August 2007 which resulted in Mary Kostikidis walking out. For those who are not farmillar with the issue, SBS has recently been struggling with funding and as a result, has made changes in their programming. The changes in programming format with the inclusion of in-program commercials have also resulted in a loss of viewers who get their daily refuge from the stations series of programs. The Australian (2007, 22) argues the loss of 38,000 viewers to the new one hour long world news which was once a 30 minuets in duration prior to this change in January. There were suggestions from the ABC to merge with SBS but the government recently dissmissed this idea, and is considering reviewing SBS'S funding prior to the 2007 election (The Australian 2007, 22). Mary Kostakidis, a well known vetran newsreader, although walked out mid August after arguments with SBS station management, hasnt left the network, but has taken 'sick' time off, and has hired a top Barrister in Sydney to represent her as she sues the network for breach of contract.

I beleive there are many implications of this, as this network has been around since 1980, introduced my Malcom Fraser, as the first Multicultural special broadcast station.

Im currently studying Government Business and Society, and have chosen this issue for an assignment, linking it with the Capitalism Ideology, however, due to the duration of the issue, am falling short to discuss the implications of this...

Does anyone have any general personal subjective ideas in relation to how this impacts the government, businesses and the society of Australia?



P.S. In the overview i gave of the issue, i trust i have all my facts straight, but if im incorrect in any way, feel free to correct me

Yea, the new policy is 5 minuets of advertising per hour of programming. For now anyway. Its expected to bring in another 10million in annual revenue. It does suck! But hey, i guess as all the other Commercialised networks evolved, SBS didnt evolve alongside, therefore falling short. However SBS's purpose isnt to become an evolving commercialised network, it was created to serve the niche multicultural segment of people within australia, with news and shows.

From other fourms ive brought about this discussion, people have said, who needs SBS anymore when cable TV has channels which serve Australias multicultural public but more specifically, E.g. news, movies, the arts.

Yea your right. It is taxpayers which fund the station.

"Fraser says he always planned for SBS to be a tax-funded broadcaster and says the Government stands condemned for not providing more money to protect SBS."(The Australian 2007, 22)

"Government funding, which comprises 80 per cent of SBS revenue, has not collapsed. It has remained steady in recent years, rising marginally from $186 million in 2006-07 to $188.2 million this financial year and projected at $190.9 million for 2008-09. " (The Australian 2007, 22)

"The decision last year to introduce commercials during programs (as opposed to between programs which has occurred since the early '90s) was aimed at bringing in an extra $10 million in annual revenue. "

I have no figures to say how much or how sucessful the change of introducing in-program commercials, but as it says in the article, it was expected to be 10 million. It would be interesting to see what difference it made. However this was definately an unintentional yet expected trade off of viewers.

The Article - theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22302711-7582,00.html

I totally agree, hence why SBS shouldnt become commercialized. Dont blame Mary Kosdakidis for walking out. SBS is going beyond what it was intended for. Can you think of any ways this issue could impact or influence the government (other than presure to provide funding), business (other than advertising opportunities) and society (other than loss of viewers over inclusion of commercials) ?