New Television Channels

April 1995

The question most asked about the new television services we are promised is not how we're going to receive them, but rather, just what new kinds of programming will we see? We viewers are not really interested in descriptions of the complex technology that lies behind the television set and the method of producing and distributing the programs. Our main concern has always been with the content and the program guide: the choices offered, the time programs are on and the way in which everything is packaged. Of course, with pay television we have a new concern: what will it cost?

In addition to Australia's arguably world class variety of commercial and government channels, the new Galaxy pay service offers several "thematic" and language-based channels. Thematic channels, where what used to pass as a single network program shown once or a few times each week becomes an entire stand-alone channel, are a product of the growth in number of new channels available.

In the US, with a mature cable and satellite television industry, thematic channels provide endless satisfaction for viewers who crave information and entertainment about their favourite special interest. Interest in an over load of Star Trek, Babylon Five, X Files and Time Trax episodes, like those currently on local networks, generated a 24 hour science fiction channel in the States. Ted Turner's CNN capitalised on our obsession with up-to-date news and proved a news-only channel could work. Local providers, including the ABC and the Fairfax Australian Information Media (AIM) twin channel service, will also offer news and other thematic channels.

Providers also plan many channels for "near" Video-On-Demand which schedules the same series of new release and classic movies and other programs to start at slightly different times across a number of different channels. Add in more thematic channels covering other special interests - everything from kids, "families" and fishing to movies, real estate and local issues - then the 100 or more channels proposed by pay television pundits quickly begins to fill up.

Genuinely new program ideas are thin on the ground which is one reason why television companies are developing interactive programs in the hope of finding new ways to make money from an old industry. The opportunity for local program makers to come up with new ideas is certainly there, but the cheap prices for quality programming from the US makes it difficult for risky and expensive new programs to be locally made.

If what we want from these new services is a better choice of fresh, relevant and definably Australian programs, then strong support is needed from viewers, government and station managers. Brian Johns, the new head of the ABC, blazed a trail for Australian writers when he ran Penguin Books here, and later, when he headed the SBS. If he can sustain it - and this remains a very big "if"- this is the kind of vision that will see us through the avalanche of overseas product so we can still see ourselves, our lives and our hopes in programs on the best of the new channels.