After investigations by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), OzTAM will appoint an independent director and chair.

The appointment occurs after allegations from the ACCC that OzTAM’s structure had the potential to be anti-competitive and thereby in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

Under the arrangements, an OzTAM nominee director representing the interests of a particular shareholder could affect the reporting and marketing of new digital channels by other free-to-air broadcasters by refusing consent to the separate reporting of ratings data for those new channels,” said Graeme Samuel, ACCC Chairman.

Seven, Nine and Ten, OzTam’s shareholders, will ensure that OzTAM management is authorised to release and report on new digital channels upon request by any free-to-air broadcaster and comply with technical specifications relating to ratings data without board or shareholders’ approval.