After nearly five years at the helm of Free TV Australia, Greg Hywood is bidding farewell to his role as Chair. In his departure statement, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead and advocate for an industry close to his heart.
“It’s been a privilege to champion an industry that remains essential to Australians as a trusted source of news, sport, and entertainment,”
said Hywood. This sentiment reflects his deep commitment to the media landscape and the pivotal role television plays in society.
Hywood’s tenure saw significant transformations within Free TV. He steered the organization through crucial policy reforms, such as implementing a new prominence framework, enhancing anti-siphoning measures, and securing a 12-month suspension of the commercial broadcasting tax. These initiatives shaped the future trajectory of Australian television under his stewardship.
Reflecting on Hywood’s contributions, Beverley McGarvey, President of Network 10 and Head of Streaming for Paramount Australia and New Zealand remarked,
“The Free TV Board thanks Greg for his dedicated service as Chairman. His extensive media industry experience brought valuable strategic insight during a period of significant change.”
This acknowledgment underscores Hywood’s impact on driving strategic decisions within Free TV.
Amid evolving digital landscapes and changing viewer habits, Hywood emphasized the need for adaptive media regulations that address these shifts effectively. He urged policymakers to consider the impact of international players on audience engagement and revenue distribution while ensuring fair and integrated regulatory frameworks.
As Bridget Fair, CEO of Free TV noted, Hywood played an instrumental role in fostering collaboration among broadcasters and shaping unified strategies on critical industry matters. His leadership guided Free TV towards achieving key advocacy milestones during an era marked by dynamic challenges in the media sector.
Looking ahead, Free TV is set to embark on selecting a new Independent Chair following Hywood’s departure. The transition signifies a pivotal moment for the organization as it navigates future opportunities and challenges under fresh leadership.
In closing this chapter of his career with Free TV, Greg Hywood reflected on his journey with optimism towards new endeavors. His legacy as Chair will be remembered not only for steering policy reforms but also for advocating tirelessly for Australian commercial television amid a rapidly evolving media landscape.
As one door closes with Greg Hywod stepping down from his position at Free TV Australia,
it opens up possibilities for new leadership dynamics within the organization.
This transition marks a turning point that will shape the future direction
of television broadcasting in Australia under fresh guidance.
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