TV Local Content Targets Set

Media Release – 15 July 2003

TV Local Content Targets Set

TV One, TV2 and TV3 have committed to screen minimum levels of local content in an agreement reached by the recently convened Television Local Content Group.

The group, set up last December, is made up of representatives of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA), TVNZ, TV3 and NZ On Air, and is chaired by former TVNZ Chief Executive, Rick Ellis.

"Getting a group consisting of rival broadcasters, independent producers and the main funding agency around the table and reaching agreement, has been a major breakthrough,” said Mr Ellis.

"The voluntary transmission targets vary from broadcaster to broadcaster, with TV One agreeing to 53%, TV2 to 17% and TV3 to 20%," he said. "This means that, in the case of TV One, for example, more than half of all programmes screened between 6.00 a.m. and midnight will be New Zealand-made.

“Below these overall targets, programmes are divided into four categories – children's programmes; drama and comedy; documentaries, information and entertainment; and news, current affairs and sport. Hours targets for 2003 have been set by the three channels for each category relevant to them."

The Television Local Content Group will meet again before the end of the year to set targets for 2004 and 2005, and to discuss progress towards the 2003 targets.

”Audience research conducted by NZ On Air over the last few years has shown continued growth in the number of people who appreciate locally produced programmes,” Mr Ellis explained. “More than 70% of people surveyed last year favoured minimum screening levels for New Zealand made programmes on the free-to-air channels.

"The radio industry's voluntary agreement last year to targets for New Zealand music has already paid dividends. While there’s already a healthy appetite for local programmes on television, the group is looking to underpin that with ongoing commitments. It will look for ways to encourage diversity, and at the various factors that impact on local content levels and genre trends," he said.

Ends

This media release and the Television Local Content Group’s report are available on the Internet at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

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