The peak commercial television industry group, Free TV Australia, has appointed Greg Hywood as its new independent chairman.
Hywood is a Walkley Award-winning journalist and the former CEO and managing director of Fairfax Media. He is widely regarded as having been instrumental in the turnaround of that company in the face of a changing media environment.
Hywood said: “Free of charge to all Australians, commercial television is highly valued by the community; even more so through these stressful times. It is the major investor in Australian entertainment content and is a centrepiece of our creative economy. As a trusted source of news and current affairs, free to air television provides a critical role in keeping our community open and transparent. I am excited by the opportunity to champion such an important contributor to our culture and economy.”
Hywood will work closely with the Free TV board and with the organisation’s chief executive officer, Bridget Fair, on matters affecting the commercial television industry.
Fair said: “We are delighted that Greg has agreed to take on the role of chairman. He has shown that he has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Free TV sector and the media landscape more broadly. There is no doubt he will add significant insight and value to the work of Free TV in supporting and advancing the important contribution commercial television makes to Australia’s culture and economy.”