Free TV Australia has announced the departure of its Chair, Greg Hywood, after close to five years in the role.
Hywood, the former CEO of Fairfax Media, was appointed in October 2020 and oversaw a period of significant industry and regulatory change for Australia’s commercial television broadcasters.
The industry body confirmed that the process to appoint a new independent Chair will begin immediately.
Key reforms under Hywood’s leadership
During Hywood’s tenure, Free TV secured several major policy outcomes, including the introduction of a new prominence framework to ensure visibility of free-to-air services on connected TVs, updates to the anti-siphoning scheme, and a 12-month suspension of the commercial broadcasting tax.
Free TV also played a prominent role in national discussions on media regulation, particularly in relation to the dominance of global digital platforms and their impact on local broadcasting revenues and audience share.
“Commercial television plays a vital, yet often under-recognised, role in our society, especially for those facing cost of living pressures,” Hywood said in a statement.
“The challenge for Government now is to deliver fair, integrated media regulation that reflects changing viewing habits and the impact of international players.”