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Regulations on television programming in Australia

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority regulates content on Australian television to promote programming which reflects Australian identity and cultural diversity. Commercial networks must adhere to content quotas of Australian programming, in the categories of Australian content quotas, children's content quotas, commercial broadcasting quotas, community broadcasting quotas, public broadcasting quotas and subscription television quotas. Regulations are based on the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

Types of content quotas

Australian content quotas

The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 requires all commercial free-to-air television licensees to broadcast an annual minimum transmission quota of 55% Australian programming between 6:00am and midnight (12:00am) on their primary channel.[1] Commercial networks must also broadcast 1460 hours of Australian programming yearly on their non-primary channels.[1]

Children's content quotas

The Children's Television Standards 2009 were published as an amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, and enforced on 1 January 2010.[2] The standards were implemented for Australian commercial television stations to broadcast a specified minimum amount of children's programming annually.[3] Programs must be classified as either C or P by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) before broadcast; deeming them as specifically appropriate for the needs of children at different ages.[3] These programs differ to series with a G classification, which are aimed at families, but not specifically intended for an audience of children.[3] Classifications for C and P programs last for five years, and any one episode may not be broadcast more than three times throughout this period.[note 1][2] Each 30 minute broadcast of a C-classified program may not contain more than seven minutes of appropriate advertising, and P-classified programs must be broadcast without any advertisements.[2] Programs must not contain prizes or endorsements for commercial products.[2]

Symbol Abbreviation Name Description Quota Time band
C-rated (orange) C Children's Programs deemed to specifically meet the educational needs and interests of children who are younger than 14 and above preschool age.[3] 260 hours of C-classified programming each year within a nominated time band, with at least 50% (130 hours) of first release content.[3][4] This must include:
  • 25 hours of first release C drama programs.[note 2][4]
  • 8 hours of non-first release C drama programs.[4]
  • Monday to Friday – 7:00am to 8:30am
  • Monday to Friday – 4:00pm to 8:30pm
  • Saturday, Sunday and school holidays[note 3] – 7:00am to 8:30pm[3]
P-rated (pink) P Preschool Programs deemed to specifically meet the educational needs and interests of preschool children (children who have not started school).[3] 130 hours of C-classified programming each year within a nominated time band.[note 4][3]
  • Monday to Friday – 7:00am to 4:30pm[3]

Response to regulations

Response to Australian quotas

In October 2017, the Environment and Communications References Committee of Australia began an inquiry into the viability of Australia's screen and television industry.[5][6] The "Make it Australian" campaign argued for no cuts to the content quotas to be made, tax incentives for local productions to be raised, and proposed that a new regulation for Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) providers such as Netflix and Stan to be implemented.[6] Commercial free-to-air networks Seven Network, Nine Network and Network Ten opposed the campaign and proposed replacing the 55% quota with a new "points" scheme, due to the unsustainable cost of local productions.[6] Denis Muller of The Conversation noted how investment in local content by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and other networks had decreased, due to lack of funding and the rise in prominence of digital platforms.[7]

Inquiry into children's content quotas

In 2017, commercial free-to-air networks Seven Network, Nine Network and Network Ten argued that children were no longer watching the C and P-classified programs produced under the Australian content quotas.[8] The executives of the networks requested to be relieved of the quotas which they described as "heavy and restrictive" and "no longer sustainable", while stating that the obligation to produce children's content was a waste of money and resources.[8] Executives noted the change in viewing patterns of children to alternative television services, and suggested that the quotas be abolished and transferred to public broadcasters such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who were still experiencing success with their children's programs.[8] The Australian Children's Television Foundation supported the proposal of applying children's quotas to the ABC, complemented with adequate funding to produce quality programming.[9]

The Inquiry into Film and TV found that networks were fulfilling their obligations for children's drama by mainly broadcasting animated series rather than live action programs.[10] The Australian Children's Television Foundation expressed concern that the animated series were being produced with intentions of worldwide broadcasts, rather than contributing to the development of Australian identity for its local audiences.[10] They noted how the amount of Australian drama for children was declining compared to earlier years.[10] Researchers argued that "international-style" animations went against the original intent of the quotas to support content which was "identifiably Australian".[10] The Inquiry proposed that the sub-quotas be refined with a larger focus on live-action drama.[10]

Notes

  1. ^ There is no restriction on the amount of times a single episode of a C-classified drama series is played.
  2. ^ Networks must broadcast a minimum of 96 hours of first release C drama programs over a period of three years.[4]
  3. ^ School holidays are defined as the public holidays and government primary school holidays in the television licence area.
  4. ^ There is no restriction on the amount of P-classified programs which must be first release, however, a single episode of P program cannot be broadcast more than three times over a five year period.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Australian TV content". Australian Communications and Media Authority. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Children's Television Standards 2009" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "C and P Programs". Australian Communications and Media Authority. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Broadcasting Services (Australian Content) Standard 2016" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Australian content on broadcast, radio and streaming services". Parliament of Australia. 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Broinowski, Anna (30 April 2018). "The industry will be gutted': why Australian film and TV is fighting for its life". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  7. ^ Muller, Denis (30 April 2018). "In the debate about Australian content on TV, we need to look further than the ABC". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  8. ^ a b c Quinn, Karl (20 July 2017). "Australian commercial television networks want to scrap children's content quota". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  9. ^ Knox, David (27 July 2017). "ACTF: Put kid's quotas on ABC, increase funding". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e Knox, David (24 December 2017). "Networks turn to animation to fulfill Children's quotas". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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