News

Budget provides extra funding for ABC, SBS and The Conversation

Public broadcasters the ABC and SBS have both received extra boost in funding from last night’s federal budget.

The ABC will pick up an close to $100m in extra funding with $59.4m to go to news and current affairs and $30m for online content distribution, over three years. Meanwhile, SBS has received an additional $30m over five years.

The move has been welcomed by the managing directors of both broadcasters. ABC managing director Mark Scott last night issued a statement saying:

“This investment acknowledges two of the prime areas where the ABC is using its digital expertise to deliver on its Charter obligations to inform, educate and entertain Australians.”

“The funding will better equip the ABC to provide the mobile and online content that audiences are demanding in ever-increasing numbers. It will also allow our News Division to create new cross-platform content that showcases the best of the ABC’s journalism, including the work of our new specialist reporters, bureaux and regional resources.”

SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said:

“SBS is a lean and agile hybrid broadcaster which punches above its weight with distinctive and innovative content, despite operating on one fifth of the average budget of all the other broadcasters.”

“This funding will equip SBS to provide the services that are critical to its responsibility to be a broadcaster for all Australians, in a climate where commercial growth is subdued, content costs are increasing and audiences are fragmenting across the myriad of channels, platforms and devices available to them.

“It is recognition by the Federal Government that in today’s increasingly diverse communities, SBS has a continuing and vital role to play in contributing to social cohesion, and to Australia’s success as a migrant nation.

Online website the The Conversation has also received a boost in funding of $2 million over the next four years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.