Australian Communication and Media Authority
broadcasting@acma.gov.au

[TODAY’S DATE]


Dear Sir / Madam

I would like to bring to your attention concerns that I have regarding the development of digital television (DTV) in this country that I would like you, the group responsible for licensing Australian television broadcasters, to address.  As Australia moves towards DTV as its primary broadcast medium, there are a number of factors required to make this transition a success.  At present one of these factors, the electronic program guide (EPG), is being ignored in terms of regulation. I believe this lack of a regulation is currently disadvantaging me and the general public, who you represent.

I am concerned that there is no freely-available, reliable EPG data currently available in Australia.  I am a user of current-generation electronic consumer devices that require this data to operate to their full and advertised potential.  In most other countries where digital broadcasting has been introduced, access to EPG data is freely and generally available, and forms the cornerstone of many of the services that provide the core benefits that DTV brings. Indeed access to this data is taken for granted by products such as Microsoft’s Media Centre.  This access is not currently assured in Australia.  Microsoft is a dominant player in the international media market and the lack of certainty around the provision of EPG data means Australian consumers are potentially denied the full benefits and value of its and other manufacturers products.  To find that the public acceptance of DTV in Australia is being restricted by the FTA broadcasters’ stance on licensing EPG data is worrying. 

The current situation where FTA TV broadcasters limit provision of EPG data to specific manufacturers of equipment, or use copyright laws to control the use of guide information, shows that self-regulation is not working.  In Australia aggregators of TV guide information such as TV Week have existed for many years and provided a valuable service to the public.  As we move to a digital age it is essential that modern day aggregators are allowed full and unencumbered access to guide information.  Only then will the public get a fair choice of devices and services, and be given an overall fair go.

I call on you as my representative, to ensure that I as a member of the Australian public receive access to a minimum of 7 days of accurate EPG data as a condition of all current and future DTV licenses.  The current voluntary code is insufficient and does not work for the public benefit, a circumstance that warrants the ACMA taking action.  Can you please reply and let me know what you are going to do to fix this situation.


Yours sincerely

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS]