The Australian Federal Government’s consultation on the future of free-to-air television delivery is underway with the release of a discussion paper – Technology scenarios for free-to-air television.
The paper sets out three possible technology combinations that could be used to provide free-to-air television in the long-term.
Technology scenario 1 – partial online
The partial online scenario would involve minimal change to the technologies used to provide commercial free-to-air television services. It would be based on the premise that television services should be provided in broadly the same manner as they are now, although with efficiencies pursued and with the online medium augmenting, rather than replacing, broadcasting.
The key change under this scenario would be a modest consolidation in the infrastructure used to provide commercial television broadcasting services. Specifically, commercial television services in each licence area would be provided via two (rather than the current three) multiplexes, using the Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard and the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-4 video compression format.
It is assumed that BVOD services would be provided as they currently are, and that a satellite-based ‘safety net service’ – currently the government-funded Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service – would continue to operate, providing viewers in remote areas, or those in areas with inadequate terrestrial reception, with access to television services.
Of the scenarios depicted in this paper, partial online is the closest to current arrangements. It would effectively extend two processes that are already underway in the Australian television market:
- the transition of all terrestrially-broadcast services from the MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 video compression format; and
- the consolidation of the channels of more than one commercial broadcaster on a given multiplex.
However, if progressed in all licence areas, this scenario would require a reduction in the number of commercial television program streams (channels) provided in larger regional markets, and in metropolitan areas. The assumptions underpinning this scenario could be varied, including through additional multiplex consolidation involving other broadcasting services, or by pursuing market-specific consolidation (i.e. a different approach in different markets).
Technology scenario 2 – online-dominant
The online-dominant scenario would constitute a significant change to the technology used to deliver free-to-air television, based on the premise that the online medium should take the lead role in providing free-to-air television services.
The key change under this scenario would be a significant reduction in the infrastructure used to provide all free-to-air television broadcasting services. The primary online-dominant approach considered in this paper would see terrestrial broadcasting operate as a ‘nightlight’ service – supplementing the online medium and maintained for viewers unable or unwilling to adopt online-delivered television services.
BVOD services would (ideally) be enhanced and expanded (i.e. additional content or channels) as the online medium becomes the main distribution mechanism for free-to-air television.
Choices would need to be made regarding the ‘core’ services on the nightlight offering, and the technology and infrastructure used to deliver it. To support consideration of a tangible option, this scenario assumes that the nightlight service would comprise: one program stream (or channel) per broadcaster; operated terrestrially as part of a single, shared multiplex in each area using the DVB-T standard and the MPEG-4 video compression format. As a starting point, it is also assumed that a satellite-based safety net service would be provided using one or more geostationary satellites (akin to the current VAST platform).
A variation to this online-dominant technology configuration would see the full migration of free-to-air television services to the online medium. This is canvassed in more detail in Appendix A. Other variations could include providing a satellite-only nightlight broadcast service (i.e. with no terrestrial broadcasting), or operating more multiplexes in some or all markets.
Technology scenario 3 – broadcast enhancement
The broadcast enhancement scenario would also mark a significant change in the technology used to deliver free-to-air television, albeit in the form of upgrades to the capability of broadcasting, rather than greater reliance on the online medium.
This would involve a planned upgrade of broadcasting networks to a newer, more efficient standard: DVB‑T2. This would be a significant and complex undertaking and require investment in new transmission infrastructure. It would also require all Australian households to have DVB-T2-capable reception equipment (televisions or other connected television devices) if they wished to receive broadcast services.
To support the consideration of a tangible option, this scenario assumes that the enhanced broadcasting medium would comprise: the provision of terrestrial free-to-air television services using the DVB-T2 standard, and the MPEG-4 and (potentially) the HEVC compression formats; the continuation of the satellite-based safety net service using geostationary satellites (akin to the current VAST safety net service, or an equivalent); and the provision of BVOD services in parallel to broadcast services. These assumptions could be varied or replaced by others. For example, utilising a different digital television standard, such as DVB-I, or operating a different number of multiplexes in different markets.
The deadline for submissions responding to the paper is 5:00pm, 24 November, 2026 (AEDT)
Visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/consultation-future-free-air-television-delivery