With the government's injection of $250 million into the Australian television industry, Urban suggest film needs to get more political in order to claim a share in the big dollars.
When television had a significant influence on politics, governments threw money at them. According to Urban this is no longer true but politicians hold some kind of loyalty to the networks. Film however still holds the power to affect political change so they need to play the threat card in order to squeeze the dollars from government.
I'm not exactly sure I believe in this form of blackmail but if it works....
There is another side to this $250 million injection. Besides having 'no strings attached' it promotes a laziness amongst the television networks who do not have to innovate to compete. Protection laws have meant Australian content has remained on TV but this financial gift has no regulations attached to it. There are no protectionist laws that need to be adhered to. It certainly is a gift and TV didn't even need a birthday to receive it..what did they do to deserve
What would you do with a 'no strings attached' gift of $250 million?