Broadcaster video-on-demand in Australia: Platforms, policy and local content

Over the last decade Australia's free-to-air commercial networks Seven, Nine and Ten have undergone a protracted digital transformation with development of their online, ad-supported broadcaster video-on-demand (BVOD) platforms 7Plus, 9Now, 10Play. The present article considers some questions these BVODs raise for television policy in Australia, specific reference to local content regulation. Through audits 9Now 10Play, we assess localism BVODs’ catalogues terms availability discoverability Australian titles. We find that BVOD services – which are not presently regulated less programming than networks’ linear channels, but more competing subscription such as Netflix Prime Video. also reflect on how position themselves newly expanded market, they reconcile historical status protected national broadcast institutions newer ‘just another app’ streaming ecosystem.