Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
Special Broadcasting Service Amendment
(Prohibition of Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2009
Explanatory Memorandum
Senator Ludlam
The Special Broadcasting Service (Prohibition of Disruptive Advertising)
Amendment Bill 2008 will prohibit non-program content being shown during
programs on SBS television.
Non program content includes but is not limited to commercial advertising
and station promotional material. The bill does not ban advertising between
programs.
The Bill responds to widespread public opposition to the decision by SBS in
late 2006 to proceed with interrupting programs with advertisements and
station promotions.
In-program advertising disrupts the integrity of program particularly since
many programs shown were not made with 'natural breaks'.
Paragraph 45(2)(a) of the Special Broadcasting Service Act (1991) is
amended to omit the phrase 'or during natural program breaks'.
SBS indicated in Senate Estimates in February 2008 that the revenue that
could be attributed directly to interrupting programs for advertisements
was $10 to $20 million gross in the first year of the practice (Overall
advertising and sponsorship revenue for 2008/9 is budgeted to be $46
million gross).