"The ACS quota and sub-quotas have been vital for the viability of the local audiovisual production sector in which television production (advertising and programming) and feature film production have cross-fertilised and cross-subsidized one another."

Translation: huge amounts of taxpayers' money have been spent on producing boring films and mediocre television.

Next time you come across a DVD for an Australian production that you wouldn't watch if they paid you, check the back for those magic words: 'Produced in association with... ' some government funding agency. It's pretty much a dead cert.

JonJ,

We were encouraged in our venture by channel 7, who assured us they would be happy to show it when finished if it met their expectations.
We went ahead with no outside funding. Professional photographers and sound recordists, - voiceover and music also done by well known professionals

When it was shown to the station director, he agreed that it was a professionally produced and interesting doco which should go over well, and at that stage it appeared to be a done deal.

Then we had the letter stating that they now produce these kind of docos 'in house'. Have to wonder if they applied for government funding when they did a similar programme to ours later on.

I would happily not have TV in the house

The News service is pathetic, especially on the Commercial stations. I get my News from the Internet.

Everything else is intended for those of low intellect. Namely "Reality shows"

What happened to good documentaries, political discussions other than Sunday on 10, variety shows?

Where is Canute when you need him?

Channel Ten is the canary, sent ahead in the mine that is "free-to-air" television, and is slowly expiring on its perch.

The medium "free to air" is a zombie, indistinguishable from being dead only in that it still moves. The concept of quality in this form of entertainment has disappeared completely, replaced by the more simplistic formula, "will it make money?". Which can, of course, only be achieved through advertising revenue.

The idea that it is even possible in this environment to improve the standard of output is, frankly, no more than the wishful thinking of the self-interested.

It has also led to the ridiculous situation where taxpayer money is frittered away on projects that are by definition loss-making; if they were able to make money, they would be broadcast on the main channels, and would attract the advertising dollars they deserve.

We are no longer and audience, there to be entertained. We are merely consumers, measured by our ability to absorb marketing messages.

We have become accustomed to being treated with the utmost contempt by the television channels, and are in the process of reacting accordingly. The viewing statistics in the present "non-rating" period (a concept that itself speaks volumes about the medium's problem) shows a flight to pay TV that is both understandable, and the shape of things to come.

Oh, and on the topic of Australian content, I suspect that worldwatcher has said all that needs to be said. Such a programme that he described would struggle to get a late-night showing on the Lifestyle Channel.

Australian content with the aid of the Great and Good, what a lot of cobblers. How do you clear a Cinema in an emergency? Just yell out "Australian Movie". People will not only watch less Australian with any support, they will deride it. Just keep the hand wringers out of the way and "stuff" will be made.

One just has to think of the utterly brainless incessant playing of promos on Australian TV. It is beyond insanity. Are Australians so thick that they can tolerate that ? It drives me mad with rage when the same promo is quite often played only a moment later. What morons are in charge of that ? Can't they be removed & let intelligent people organise programming ?
The promos take up more time then the actual program by the time it gets played. Is that just brainless or is it simply Australian ? Maybe if these promos were played on refugee boats it might discourage them from heading for here.
Make the best of what's left for 2013.