Networks exceeded local content quotas in 2018
Seven screened the most local content in 2018, although 10 pipped them in local drama.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News, Top Stories
Networks have been given the tick by the media watchdog for screening more than the minimum requirement in local content in 2018.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority found Seven, Nine and 10 all exceeded the minimum quotas in Drama and Documentary.
Seven screened the most local content, but 10 screened more first run Australian Drama in 2018.
In the contentious area of New Zealand content Nine screened the most in Drama, while Seven screened the most in Documentary. But Seven far exceeded its requirements in Documentary meaning many NZ titles were multichannel programming and not drawn upon to meet quotas.
Similarly Nine’s proportion of NZ content counted as Australian content was also small. Pleasingly, 10 didn’t draw upon any NZ titles for points on its primary channel.
Local Content:
All networks are required to broadcast a minimum of 55% in local content on their primary channel from 6am – midnight.
Seven broadcast the most, at up to 79.94% for HSV7 Melbourne.
Nine was next, at up to 74.69% for TCN9 Sydney.
10 was third at up to 69.04% for TEN Sydney.
Drama:
Networks are required to screen 250 points in first release Australian Drama across their network (primary + multichannels). A points system is applied to Serial (1 point per hr), Series (2.5), Feature Film (2.5), Miniseries (4) and Telemovie (4).
10 screened the most at 289.96 points, equal at all of its licensees.
Seven was next at up to 266.41 for TVW Perth.
Nine was third with 254.08 points across all licensees.
Documentary:
Networks are required to screen 20 hours of first release Australian Documentary across their network.
Seven screened the most at up to 96.50 hours at BTQ Brisbane.
10 was next with 47.33 hours at each of its licensees.
Nine was third with 34.75 hours.
Children’s:
Networks are required to screen 130 hours of first release Australian children’s programs across their network.
10 screened the most at 132.50.
Nine and Seven each screened 130 hours.
Networks are also required to screen 25 hours of first release Australian children’s Drama across their network.
10 screened 32.00 hours.
Seven screened 26.50 hours.
Nine screened 26.00 hours.
All networks equally screened 130.50 hours in Australian preschool programs, just above the required 130 hours.
NZ Content
Drama:
Nine screened 19.2 % of its total Drama from NZ
Seven screened up to 6.65% of its total Drama from NZ.
10 screened 1.72% of its total Drama from NZ.
Documentary:
Seven screened up to 22.99% of its total Documentary from NZ
Nine screened 3.60% of its total Documentary from NZ.
10 screened 0% of its total Documentary from NZ.
Free TV Australia CEO, Bridget Fair said: “Commercial television broadcasters are proudly Australian, bringing viewers more local content than any other platform.
“These numbers show that in 2018 all Free TV members met their requirement to show 55% Australian content on their main channel in a canter, with some broadcasters reaching almost 80%.
“Free TV broadcasters delivered over 25,000 hours of Australian content across their main and additional channels. This includes around 1800 hours of first release adult drama, documentaries and children’s programming,” she said.
“This has been made possible by a record investment by Free TV members in Australian content. In 2017/18, our members invested $1.63 billion in powerful Australian storytelling. Over 84% of total programming expenditure is now directed to Australian content, also a new record.
“Our investment has delivered great Australian dramas such as 800 Words, Doctor Doctor and Playing For Keeps and hugely popular programs such as Married at First Sight, My Kitchen Rules and The Bachelor Australia. It also ensures we can provide all Australians with free access to Australia’s iconic sporting events such as the AFL and NRL Grand Finals and the Melbourne Cup,” she said.
But Free TV Australia did not commit to more Children’s Television, with networks already on record as wanting content obligations overhauled, to no longer produce first run Australian’s Children’s Television.
“We are committed to bringing Australians the great local drama, trusted local news and current affairs, entertainment and live and free sport that they love.”
8 Responses
These figures are “feelgood” and obscure the reality [sic]. I would like to see the real-life figures when most people are watching TV on the “main” channel, say from 6pm to 11pm (where the ad rates are highest).
“First run drama” this week in my window:-
Sat – Zilch.
Sun – Harrow 50mins.
Mon – Home & Away 20 mins.
Tue – Home & Away 20 mins.
Wed – Home & Away 20 mins, The Let Down (comedy) 25mins.
Thur – Home & Away (2) 40 mins.
Fri – Zilch
A better system would be to allocate Drama “points” on the basis of viewer numbers to encourage quality productions.
BTW I don’t count reality, panel shows, sport , talent shows, Current Affairs or adverts as Drama although the Writer’s Guild may think differently. (Zilch was made in NZ and doesn’t count either.)
See Ratings pages I guess?
Good on the networks for showing lots of Aussie content. I note there is more news which helps and too much reality style tv.
I’ve always had an issue with the drama points system. The move to mini series like the 8 episode arcs of dramas like 800 Words, Doctor Doctor and Playing For Keeps, while I enjoy them they garner more points and are less risky than something like Winners and Losers or All Saints which used to air for 22 weeks. So the networks may meet drama quotas, but that equates to less weeks of dramas on TV which I dislike.
I think it’s a win-win if Australia invests a little into NZ programming, it keeps their industry going too. They get to offset that against their obligations. As we can see, it’s not huge but Im sure the NZ industry appreciates it.
shame most of it was rubbish
I totally agree that the Drama category is almost non-existent in the 6-11pm timeslot. Thank heavens for shows like Harrow and the great British dramas shown on ABC/SBS . Home and Away is really a soap aimed at the under thirties. Australian actors must have given up trying to get acting jobs. It was quite different years ago . Now we have rubbish reality programs domination after 7pm. Thank heavens that there are the ABC and SBS still to watch.
It’s great those rules are in place, it keeps a lot of people employed.
I disagree with counting New Zealand content as Australian content on the basis that NZ is actually a foreign country. Most New Zealanders also do not like to be thought of as an Australian outpost or colony. I can see how including NZ content as Australian could be offensive. The amount of NZ content counted as Australian may be small, but it’s the principle of doing so.
There was also an incident a while ago when an invade NZ advertising pitch on Gruen Transfer had sparked a diplomatic row.