Since the beginning of the year, I have noticed a higher level of frustration from those in the South East Queensland region, in relation to ‘live’ television programming, when it’s not actually live.  These circumstances are not only a source of annoyance to viewers in South East Queensland, but also provide a headache for the TV stations, in having to make these programming decisions.  All of this is simply because South East Queensland does not have Daylight Saving.

For sports lovers, during the early months of the year the telecast of many major events is either delayed into South East Queensland, or viewers in the region miss out on some of the coverage.

For example, the One-Day International cricket matches are live into South East Queensland, however, the scheduled 6pm news bulletin impedes upon the full telecast and thus viewers in the region do not see half an hour of coverage.  However, on weekends a programming change is generally made by the station, with the news bulletin brought forward to 5pm to be aligned with the break in the cricket.  In addition, due to South East Queensland not having Daylight Saving, some of the Twenty20 cricket matches were shown on a one-hour delay.

The Australian Open Tennis coverage is also delayed into South East Queensland, except for the Grand Final matches.  In fact, in the lead up to this year’s Federer v Hewitt showdown, I had to laugh when Federal Liberal MP Peter Dutton Tweeted “is ch 7 serious delaying the tennis for home and away”.  This clearly shows that even MPs feel this frustration, however, maybe Peter should aim his dissatisfaction at his state colleagues for having such a negative stance towards Daylight Saving in South East Queensland.

Delayed coverage doesn’t stop at sporting events either.  Reality TV programs are screened into South East Queensland an hour behind the rest of the east coast states.  A number of viewers gleefully take part in Twitter ‘real-time’ banter regarding the contest; however the audience in South East Queensland joins in, only to be informed of results from southern counterparts, just as the show nears its close.

Programs that promote themselves as being ‘live & interactive’, may well be just that for viewers in southern states, but certainly not for the audience in South East Queensland.  Viewers also log in to Twitter to follow comments from others and participate in online discussion, but are left confused for the early parts of the show due to southerners commenting on the final stages of the program.  This is annoying for viewers when trying to interact with others, who become frustrated at being part of an echo within the Twitter world.

I am aware of a number of viewers who have dropped their participation in online discussions due to this continued frustration, and have vowed not to return until after South East Queensland is no longer behind the other eastern states.

There are even some programs that have their timeslot as their title, but could be more aptly named due to this delay into the South East Queensland region.

The integration of social media and television programming appears to be on the increase.  Given the rationale to promote and encourage ‘live and interactive’ debate, I know a lot of people in the South East Queensland region who would love to be a part of it all during the Daylight Saving months.

At the beginning of April, and after six months of once again having to endure the absence of Daylight Saving in the region, the belated echo of South East Queenslanders in these online forums will cease, as will being left behind…well for the next six months at least.

Live and Interactive into South East Queensland? – “It’s About Time!”

Jason Furze

Party Leader

www.twitter.com/ds4seq