Mi3: Nine boss Mike Sneesby nods to 'tipping point' from linear to digital in five years as battle rages for app dominance, viewers, ad budgets on connected TVs between broadcasters, streamers
Nine CEO Mike Sneesby acknowledged in a media briefing last week that free-to-air TV would lose its 66-year control of big-screen viewing to digital streaming in about five years, just as a battle escalates with Foxtel and streaming platforms over the Federal government’s plans to legislate for broadcaster apps to have what rivals claim is "special treatment" on connected TV home screens.
It could sway the viewing preferences, ratings and allocation of billions in advertiser budgets if the law passes, ensuring commercial broadcasters and the ABC and SBS have their apps placed prominently on any connected TV operating system, including Samsung, LG and Sony, under the argument of public interest.