Commercial TV exceeds Australian content quotas: ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that all metropolitan and regional commercial TV licensees exceeded their Australian content quota in 2009.
“The key, going forward, is to ensure that the success is carried over onto the digital multi channels post 2013 with appropriate regulation put in place to secure that future,” Antony I. Ginnane, SPAA president, told Encore.
“News that the free-to-air TV broadcasters exceeded their Australian and children’s content requirements last year continues to spotlight the extraordinary success of the independent Australian television production industry in all segments of the market,” he added.
ACMA revealed that the Seven Network broadcast 65 percent Australian content – more than the 55 percent requirement between 6am and midnight – in the five mainland capitals, while Ten averaged 57 percent.In Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Nine broadcast 62 percent local content.
The networks also exceeded their 20 hours for first release documentaries – 113 at Seven, 47 at Nine and 38 at Ten – as well as the 250 points for first release local drama – Seven with 387, Nine with 300 and Ten with 265.
ACMA announced that the licensees had also met their children’s programs quota, but did not release any further data.