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M E D I A R E L E A S E FAIRFAX SUPPORTS ABC AND SBS MULTICHANNEL SERVICES ON DIGITAL TV SYDNEY, February 17, 1998 – John Fairfax Holdings Limited, in its latest submission on digital television to the Department of Communications, has endorsed multi-chanelling broadcast services by the ABC and SBS. Mr Nigel Dews, General Manager, Online Services for Fairfax, said, "The introduction of multi-channelling by the ABC and SBS will help make digital television a mass audience medium – essential to the overall growth of digital. We strongly support permitting the ABC and SBS to take the lead in this new frontier." In its submission to the Department, Fairfax said: "Multi-channelling by the ABC and SBS is an important component in making digital TV a compelling consumer offering. Fairfax supports multi-channelling by the national broadcasters because it will enhance the quality and variety of Australian television and will encourage consumers to convert to digital, thus creating a large market for Fairfax’s datacasting services." Under the digital television legislation, the free-to-air commercial television stations are barred from broadcasting multiple channels on their digital spectrum. Fairfax said that multi-channelling by the ABC and SBS is not a threat to commercial broadcasters because of the restrictions on advertising on the national broadcasters. Fairfax said that multi-channeling for the ABC and SBS would provide "better service" for their audiences.
The text of the Fairfax submission is attached. -- ENDS -- For further information, please contact Nigel Dews (02) 9282 2830 Note: John Fairfax [ASX:FXJ] is Australia’s leading publishing group. Its mastheads include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, The Age, The Sun-Herald and BRW. In addition, the Company publishes financial and consumer magazines, and provides online services. In 1998, the Company had revenues of over $1.1 billion. Fairfax is Australia’s leading content provider on the Internet, with more than 20 million page views per month, and 100,000 site visits per day.
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Fairfax > Corporate Affairs & Media Releases > Announcements > DIGITAL TV
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