Reshaping Public Broadcasting: the New Zealand experience 1988-2003

1
Reshaping Public Broadcastingthe New Zealand
experience 1988-2003

• IPPR Seminar 2004
• Paul Norris
• Head, NZ Broadcasting School, CPIT
• norrisp_at_cpit.ac.nz

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Outline

• Overview of deregulation
• NZoA the contestable funding model
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Any lessons for UK?

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Deregulation 1988
TV3
BCNZ
TVNZ Ltd
RNZ Ltd
2 non-commercial networks
TV One
TV2
41 commercial Stations
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BCNZ/TVNZ Funding
Source BCNZ TVNZ Annual Reports
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Deregulation / competition

• Frequencies auctioned to highest bidder
• No programming requirements
• Ownership controls relaxed, then abolished
• Broadcasting Standards Authority to maintain
  programme standards

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Broadcasting Act 1989

• NZ On Air required to
• Reflect develop NZ identity culture
• Promote programmes about NZ interests
• Promote Maori language culture
• Ensure a range of broadcasts is available
• for women, children, the disabled and
• minorities, including ethnic minorities

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Broadcasting Act 1989

• Re TV, NZ On Air required to
• Ensure reasonable provision is made for the
  funding of television drama and documentaries
• Re funding, have regard to
• The level of contribution from the applicant
• The potential size of the audience

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NZ On Air 1989 - 2004

• Mission is local content (NZ programmes)
• Populist programmes in prime time eg Shortland St
  medical soap
• Minority programmes off peak

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Television Funding by Genre 1990-2003
Source NZoA Annual Reports
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Documentaries funded by NZoA
Source NZoA Annual Reports
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Documentaries

• Outputs
• Range too narrow commercial focus
• Impact
• Ratings adequate for prime time 10-15
• Value
• Valued for finding out how others face and
• overcome problems and challenges, also
• for the opportunity to learn something new
• and to be challenged intellectually

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Childrens progs funded by NZoA
Source NZoA Annual Reports
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Childrens programmes

• Outputs
• Stand-alone programmes or kiwi links within
  global cartoons?
• Impact
• Cartoons win the ratings
• Value
• Valued for giving children a sense of NZ
• identity
• Also for not being hyped

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Qualitative research by genre
Source Attitudes to NZoA Funded TV Programming
2002
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NZ model - strengths

• Contestability and competition
• Diversity of programming
• Growth of independent sector
• Significant impact for 60m

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NZ model -weaknesses

• Broadcasters are gatekeepers
• Range of programmes inadequate
• Emphasis on local content, not quality
• Subsidises private commercial interests
• Dilutes concept of public broadcasting
• Public broadcaster seen as cash cow by government
  

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TVNZ as SOE
Source TVNZ Annual Reports
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Reforms of 2000-2003

• TVNZ from SOE to CrOC
• TVNZ Charter from March 2003
• TVNZ direct govt. funding 11-15m
• NZoA additional funding
• Voluntary quotas for local content

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Lessons from New Zealand?

• Caveats
• Ecology of broadcasting in NZ very different to
  that in UK
• NZoA has been public broadcasting
• Quantum of public funding

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Public funding as of GDP
Source Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Report Jun 03
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Lessons from New Zealand?

• Use multiple mechanisms
• Funding agency must be proactive
• Contestability competition
• Efficiency competitive tendering keeps costs
  transparent and under control