cover image Turning Off the Television: Broadcasting's Uncertain Future

Turning Off the Television: Broadcasting's Uncertain Future

Jock Given. University of New South Wales Press, $40.95 (328pp) ISBN 978-0-86840-500-1

The technological, economic, programming and regulatory evolution of Australia's digital broadcasting system is explored in this well-organized and carefully documented study. Givens (The Death of Broadcasting?) offers extensive technical information and a reasonably balanced view of British and United States broadcasting systems, as he compares and contrasts their digital transmission development to the accomplishments and potential future of Australian broadcasting. The book focuses on the historical parallels of the three broadcasting systems, political and social uncertainties surrounding conversion to digital systems, the tech crash of 2001-2002, Australia's broadcasting regulatory progression, the economic bases of Australian broadcasting, the compatibility of new technology, the adoption of digital systems worldwide (and especially in the U.S. and Great Britain), and alternatives for Australia's digital conversion. Despite its thorough coverage, the book offers nothing substantially new, and the detailed discussions of the technical development of digital systems will distract all but the most committed readers. More interesting is Given's consideration of the political and social agendas that he sees as shaping the technological innovations. He unravels the complex web surrounding Australia's conversion to digital broadcasting systems, in the hopes that history will offer readers hints about the future. The book has limited value except to technical historians, those interested in Australian broadcasting development, or readers interested in parallels between three international broadcasting systems.