A rare bipartisan plea has been made to safeguard local television news in Tasmania, as the Seven Network moves closer to acquiring full ownership of Southern Cross Austereo’s 7 Tasmania TV station.
The proposed takeover, reported by the Australian Financial Review earlier this month, would give Seven exclusive control over the Tasmanian operations, currently run under an affiliate agreement with SCA.
While Seven reportedly anticipates ratings growth from both local news content and live sports broadcasts when the Tasmania Devils join the AFL in 2028, concerns have been raised that the new ownership could lead to significant cuts to local operations.
Under the current arrangement, SCA broadcasts Channel 7 programming statewide and produces the top-rated 7 Nightly News bulletin from its studios in Launceston and Hobart.
However, the recent sale of the Launceston studio by SCA and the uncertain future of the facility have sparked fears among staff that new owners may move news production interstate.
In response, a group of senators from across the political spectrum have sent a joint letter to SCA Chairman Heath Mackay-Cruise expressing their concerns.
The letter, signed by Labor Senator Helen Polley, Jacqui Lambie Party Senator Jacqui Lambie, Greens Senator Nick McKim and Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam, calls for assurances that Tasmanian jobs and services will be maintained.
As reported by TV Blackbox, the senators are requesting a commitment to ‘keep or expand ‘the local 7 Tasmania News service.
They say the news must be produced and broadcast within Tasmanian studios and reject any plans to move part or all of the operations interstate.
They warned that any reduction in services would weaken the local media landscape, potentially damaging the state’s interests and social fabric.
“A weakened media market is not in Tasmania’s interests and, essentially, any such weakening would be seen as a breach of faith to the many thousands of viewers in our state,” the letter read.
It comes after Tasmanian Digital Television, the local Channel 10 affiliate co-owned by Southern Cross Austereo and WIN Network, recently made its entire team redundant and shut down its offices in Hobart and Launceston.
