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Govt reviewing local content rules

Govt is looking at whether NZ content on multichannels is a loophole that needs to be closed.

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The government is reviewing local content rules after complaints by Screen Producers Australia that networks are screening New Zealand content on multichannels as a way of meeting local content quotas.

The combination of allowing NZ content under the Australia – NZ Economic Trade Agreement, and multichannel first-run content as counting towards local quotas, means that networks can screen cheaper, ‘off Broadway’ shows rather than commission more Australian productions.

Producers argue this isn’t in the spirit of the rules and want the rules modified to reflect ‘first release’ worldwide premiere and not just a program’s initial screening in the licence area.

Fairfax reports the Department of Communications has prepared a briefing for Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull on options proposed by SPA to reduce or exclude New Zealand content from being used to meet content quotas.

Government sources warn that any legislative changes could be difficult to negotiate.

Meanwhile the Australian Financial Review notes the minister has invited the chief executives of Seven West Media, Nine Entertainment Co, Ten Network Holdings, Southern Cross Media, Prime Media and WIN Corporation to his constituency offices on Thursday to make their case as to why licence fees should be reduced or abolished.

Source: Fairfax, AFR

13 Responses

  1. This is not just about multi-channels. Prior to their introduction the commercial networks bought NZ dramas and put them into non rating periods. The Screen Producers Association has been incredibly remiss in not pushing this issue years ago. It is not difficult to solve legally. It is just the broadcaster lobby camping at the doors of the minister to quietly keep this scam going. Yes the same guys who want to pay nothing at all for their spectrum licences. Let’s see if Malcolm Turnbull has any backbone at all with the free to airs and either says no to cook up a deal which ensures more local drama production.

  3. I have spoken about this before. The commercial TV networks are a joke. Ten uses 4 percent of its Aussie content from New Zealand, Seven uses 7, and Nine a whopping 51. Another issue is financial assistance from the tax payer. Shows will be axed as soon as the assistance runs out and they just start with a new show and they get the assistance starting again.

    1. I wonder what makes up that 51% of NZ content from nine cause it wasn’t Step Dave. A couple of eps of that show aired in January late at night on GEM and it disappeared without a trace.

  4. The Government signed a trade deal that made NZ products local content and changed the rules to comply with that, after losing a court decision. That isn’t a loophole its the law. What the SPA is proposing is loophole to lessen competition in violation of the trade deal which is law.

    Networks are making more Australian drama on prime-time on their main channels than ever before. If NZ content is blocked, and it stands up to appeal in the courts, the networks will just go back to redoing the voice overs on NZ docudramas (as they used to) and showing repeats on secondary channels which count as Australian content.

    Viewers will get less variety, Networks will loose money and make lower budget shows. SPA think they will get rich forcing people to buy their shows, but they will end up making junk for lower margins. The better approach would be to simply make stuff that viewers want…

    1. TEN isn’t making more than ever before. Neighbours + 1 telemovie is all the drama that is in production, with announced projects such as Batavia dumped. But at least they were not the network to screen 51% of NZ content. The govt could leave NZ as local content to honour trade agreement. But it could redefine how quota points are awarded, such as “first release worldwide” meaning both Aus and NZ are on same playing field and remain local content. A subtle change….

      1. Ten’s drama has indeed stalled. Pertinax do you not remember the days when Nine had 22 x 1 hour of Stingers, Water Rats, McLeods Daughters, and a mix of compelling high end mini series and telemovies. Seven used to have 40 weeks a year of Blue Heelers ( I know this because that is where I started), and they made 40 weeks of All Saints. Then there were all kinds of risks taken – some paid off, some didn’t, The Young Lions, The Strip, Last Man Standing, etc. They used to try a range of genres. People skilled up and there was more demand for a wider range of writers and actors. The Networks are making significantly less Australian drama and no kids live-action which was an important part of the ecosystem.

  5. The Networks will hide their Corporate Jets and Limo’s, send their $Million “stars” on hols, put on their 5th best suits, a touch of capsicum spray in the eyes, a visit to the makeup dept for that “down and out” look, a visit to props for a blue tie and a begging bowl, and with the latest Netflix figures in their top pocket they’re all set. Let the show begin!

    1. Try
      acma.gov.au/Industry/Broadcast/Television/Australian-content/australian-content-television
      and open the link
      They are all “digital nets”.

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