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Decision provides vital certainty for Australian commercial television and the communities it serves Free TV Australia today welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement that the suspension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax (CBT) will be extended in the forthcoming Federal Budget for a further two years until 8 June 2028, delivering $111.3 million in savings for the commercial broadcasting sector.

Free TV Australia has acknowledged the Government’s announcement of new restrictions on wagering advertising while calling on the Government to deliver meaningful mitigation measures to protect the long-term sustainability of free television services. Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said the industry understood and respected the community’s concerns about gambling advertising and has advocated for a proportionate response.

Free TV Australia today announced the launch of PacificAus TV in Timor-Leste, expanding access to trusted, high-quality Australian television content for Timorese audiences. PacificAus TV is an Australian Government initiative delivered by Free TV Australia, providing broadcasters across the Pacific and Timor-Leste with free access to Australian television programming.

Free TV Australia is proud to announce an agreement for PacificAus TV to deliver National Rugby League (NRL) matches to its Pacific partner broadcasters, expanding the availability of live and free-to-air coverage of Australia’s most popular football competition to communities across the region.

Free TV has welcomed the Government’s consultation on the News Bargaining Incentive–a mechanism designed to ensure global technology companies pay for Australian journalism that delivers significant value to their platforms. Australian commercial broadcasters invested $408 million in trusted news during FY24, including $35.2 million in regional Australia. Yet global tech giants continue to profit from this content, often without paying for it.

Free TV Australia has welcomed the Government’s decision to rule out a text and data mining (TDM) exception to copyright, describing it as an important outcome for Australian content creators and the news media sector. Introducing a TDM exception would have legalised unauthorised content theft by artificial intelligence providers, with multinational Big Tech platforms becoming the primary beneficiaries at the expense of Australian news media and creative industries.

Free TV’s Parliamentary Showcase concerns validated as streaming giant secures exclusive cricket rights Free TV Australia says today’s announcement that Amazon Prime Video has secured exclusive rights to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup proves the warnings raised at this week’s Parliamentary Showcase were spot on.

Australia’s leading commercial television networks will unite at Parliament House in Canberra tonight to demonstrate their critical role as the nation’s trusted news source and cultural unifier, at a time when free TV broadcasters face outdated regulatory frameworks and mounting competitive pressures.

Free TV Australia welcomed today’s ACMA report showing commercial television continues to lead the industry in Australian content delivery, with no other platform matching this extraordinary investment in local stories. Commercial television broadcasters are required by law to broadcast at least 55 per cent Australian content between 6.00 am and midnight on their primary channels, and 1,460 hours of Australian content on non-primary channels.

Free TV Australia today announced that its Independent Chair, Greg Hywood, has decided to step down from the role. Appointed in October 2020, Mr Hywood has chaired the Free TV Board during a period of substantial change in the Australian media and regulatory landscape. During his tenure, Free TV has secured major policy reforms, including the introduction of a new prominence framework, enhancements to the anti-siphoning scheme, and a 12-month suspension of the commercial broadcasting tax.