The first stage of Australia’s digital transition and its implications for Australian television drama

Anna Potter; Amanda Lotz

doi:10.1177/1329878X211030370

Back

The first stage of Australia’s digital transition and its implications for Australian television drama

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The first stage of Australia’s digital transition and its implications for Australian television drama

Anna Potter and Amanda Lotz

Media International Australia, Vol.182(1), pp.95-110

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X211030370

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X211030370View

Published Version

Abstract

ad-supported television

Australia

children's television

commercial broadcasters

digital channels

digital television

drama

local content

policy

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

This article analyses how digitisation and screen policy reform altered the production of domestic drama and children's programmes in Australia. Focusing on dynamics that developed before widespread use of streaming services, it maps the disruptions and evolution that digital 'multi-channels' caused and how they challenged audiovisual policy frameworks intended to safeguard local television including drama on advertiser-funded broadcasters. The article reveals how the effects of fragmentation undermined commercial television's business model and eroded investment in scripted content. Shifting policy priorities also brought new support mechanisms for local programmes and led to adjustments to the ABC's drama funding practices, with significant effects on the form, content, and cultural visibility of Australian drama. This initial stage of digital disruption – spanning roughly 2001–2014 – is often overlooked but is crucial for appreciating the challenges facing Australian television drama production in the 2020s.

Details

Title: The first stage of Australia’s digital transition and its implications for Australian television drama
Authors: Anna Potter (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
Amanda Lotz (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Media International Australia, Vol.182(1), pp.95-110
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.1177/1329878X211030370
ISSN: 2200-467X
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99553506902621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

17 Record Views

6 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Communication