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Kia ora tatou

Fifty years of television in New Zealand this month! Now that makes many of us feel very old, especially those of us who remember (only just) life without the tube. NZ On Air turning 21 this year makes us simply sprightly by comparison. Watching some of the older programming on TVNZ's Heartland channel,  on our funded 50 Years of Television in New Zealand on Prime (well done team!) the various TV specials and, of course, the terrific collection on NZ On Screen, gives us a wonderful insight into how we've developed as an industry and a country.

We've just completed the final funding decisions for this financial year and the results are listed at the end of this newsletter. As you might imagine there were only limited funds remaining and a fairly heavy demand for them - but we're proud to support some great new ideas. Along with Digital Content Partnership Fund allocations, we've made the annual investments in access radio, NZ music for student radio, sound archiving and regional television programming. We'll be running a small information piece on each across the next few newsletters and we start this month with access radio.

We were very pleased to retain our current funding level in this year's Budget and grateful for the support of Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and his Cabinet colleagues for our investment work. The Government has some pretty tough choices facing it and its support for local content and New Zealand broadcasting is well appreciated. Our funding will be tight next year but we'll be as careful as always to invest in the best priorities to extend audience choice.

It's also good to see some debate about what New Zealanders might want for their television and how public broadcasting might fit in the 21st century. NZ On Air commissioned a report discussing issues like this from Paul Norris and Brian Pauling which we published in late 2008. To an extent the issues remain constant: how can a small country give its citizens the best range of local and international content in the face of a global onslaught.

Here at NZ On Air, we've always argued that public funding is best concentrated in providing for local content. International content is cheap, by comparison, and the only barrier to screening is a broadcaster's assessment of whether enough of its target audience will choose to watch that programme as opposed to the myriad of other content and recreation options available.

A criticism of the NZ On Air contestable funding schemes we hear sometimes is that we are 'constrained' by the broadcasters acting as gatekeepers, meaning nothing gets made without a broadcast commitment. It's always confused me, that one, as there are constraints in any model.

 If broadcasters were directly funded, whether non-commercial or commercial, programme makers would still be constrained. Simply put, there are many more ideas around than can ever be funded (a funding constraint); and broadcasters will always hold the last card because they ultimately, and quite properly, choose what they'll screen (a creative constraint).

What NZ On Air does is add a voice to that mix: the voice that says "hang on, what about doing something different, like………." while holding an often-attractive cheque book. And requiring a broadcast outcome means there is no waste.

It's a cunning model - simple, transparent and focused on providing audiences better viewing and listening choices.

And yes, I would say that wouldn't I :)

Jane Wrightson
Chief Executive

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In May long serving member and Deputy Chair Edie Moke completed her final term.

Edie gave sterling service to NZ On Air and her patience, intense interest in the sector, and wicked sense of humour will be missed. But with the cloud of farewell there's also a silver lining.

Caren Rangi

We're delighted to welcome new member Caren Rangi. Caren hails from Napier, is a consultant and auditor by trade, and is also a former trustee of the National Pacific Radio Trust (which oversees Niu FM and 531PI). Current member Murray Shaw has now been confirmed by the Board as Deputy Chair.

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We help fund 12 stations from Auckland to Invercargill, investing over $2.8 million each year.

Our funding for access radio is mainly aimed at providing direct access to the airwaves for special interest audiences. These include people living with disabilities, ethnic and language minorities, spiritual programmes and programmes by women, youth and children. These groups are often the least well-represented in mainstream media.

Access radio programmes are made by the communities themselves and, after broadcast, most are available online through Access Radio (seven regions) with over 30 languages and cultures, or Planet Audio (Auckland) with over 40 languages and cultures. For a window on the diversity of modern New Zealand, and also to spot some up-and-coming broadcast talent, there's no better place to start exploring than here.

The oldest station is Wellington Access radio and the newest station, the first funded for over a decade, will begin broadcasting next month in Taranaki. This is one of the largest remaining regions currently without such a service. The Trust board behind this move has worked extremely hard to secure an impressive level of community support and we wish them well during the complexities of the start-up - not the least of which is siting a transmitter on a rather large snowy mountain in inclement weather.

Access radio funding now confirmed for the year beginning 1 July 2010 is included in the funding decisions below.

 

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Last August we issued a request for proposals, in conjunction with TVNZ, for a strand of four Historical Docu/Dramas to screen in the Sunday Theatre slot on TV One. This was one of the initial commissions for the new Platinum Fund. After the RFP process several projects were put into development and subsequently three have a green light for production. We have been unable to confirm a suitable Rautaki project for this strand and are seeking new applications to fill this slot. Applications close on 23 July 2010.


 Download the full RFP

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From 1 July funding previously allocated by NZ On Air to the NZ Film Archive for broadcast archiving has been transferred to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The same process is being followed by the NZ Film Commission and, eventually, by Te Mangai Paho. This is so Government funding can be centralised: it will cut down on red tape for the Film Archive (reducing four of its core Government funders to one) and improve monitoring and transparency. This was one of the recommendations from the Horrocks report initiated and funded by NZ On Air last year, which examined how to improve archiving arrangements and funding.

The Film Archive also received an additional $2 million grant in the Budget for urgent film preservation work. We're delighted with these developments and wish our Film Archive colleagues well.

 

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We released our planning document for 2010 - 2013 in May after the Minister tabled it in the House.

Nearly $127 million will be available for broadcast funding including plans for investing:
- Over $66 million in general television programmes
- Over $15 million in the television Platinum Fund
- Nearly $33 million in radio, of which $31.8 million will go to Radio New Zealand
- $5.5 million in NZ Music activities
- $2.6 million in digital initiatives and to sound archiving
Just over $3 million (under 3%) is budgeted for funding administration, including research and accountability activities.
Read the SOI here.

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We've commissioned a review of our domestic music funding and promotion

Hot on the heels of Chris Caddick's excellent review of our international music work, which led to significant refocusing of this work, we have asked him to review the domestic music funding schemes. The new review kicked off in March and Chris will report in December. Chris will be conducting many one-on-one interviews with broadcasters, musicians, record companies and music managers (around 100 at last count!).
 
Take a look at the full terms of reference for this new review. We've also set up a simple online survey, to which anyone with views on how audience-based music funding should best be allocated can contribute. All views are welcome. This is the first major review of our domestic music funding schemes since 2002. We'd appreciate it if you would spare the time to help with this important study.

 

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We've set up a Facebook page which we intend to use for occasional updates, links, and broadcast scheduling information. Check it out.

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For this third year of the Digital Content Partnership Fund, we received 49 applications seeking over $14 million funding for the $1 million available.

Proposals ranged from children's to sports sites and proposed delivery across a variety of platforms. The overall standard of applications showed high quality research and creative ideas, resulting in many appealing applications. In assessing the applications the Board looked for proposals that complemented our wider local content funding. Genuinely innovative ideas were preferred, with user interaction for significant audiences.

The successful proposals were:

Snort; downlowconcept $298,100 - this project involves the creation of an interactive New Zealand comedy portal hosted on the TV3 website. 32 weeks of original comedy content will be created with users able to win prizes and interact via twitter and blogs.

Everyone Lies: Reservoir Hill 2; KHF Media $449,400 - a sequel to the Emmy-winning online interactive drama series hosted on the TVNZ website. Extra layers of audience interactivity mean that this project will extend the format of the successful 2009 series with new elements.

Mixtape; Mixtape Ltd $332,388 - a music site which will allow users to create their own mixtape of songs, and listen to other users mixtapes. Among the many strong music proposals this year, Mixtape shone out by allowing users to mix music creatively, legally and to share by linking.

Read the press release for more detail

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We invested over $3m at the June meeting in several very different TV projects, from architecture to popular science.

Our funding will also enable television audiences to delight in the spectacle of both Wearable Arts and Style Pasifika. See the funding list below.

Platinum Fund

Q+A

Additional funding of $64,200 was confirmed to enable Q+A to extend its current season to 45 episodes.

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We've completed a review of the mix of radio programmes

We invest in a small number of spoken programmes for commercial radio audiences. These help extend listening experiences and provide services to those radio audiences who may not listen to public radio. These programmes mostly comprise content for special interest audiences (eg children, spiritual, ethnic) or mainstream audiences (mainly comedy).

The review examined the mix of programming to see if we are getting the best value for money for these audiences. In general we are, but the Board has now agreed that some refocusing would be useful. New criteria for this funding are now available.

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As you know GST is increasing to 15% on 1 October. In order for us to pay your invoices promptly we must have correct tax invoices.

This means invoices dated up to 30 September 2010 should have the GST at 12.5%. Invoices dated from 1 October 2010 should have the GST at 15% (irrespective of contract date).

Sometimes organisations occasionally have to issue credit notes to us - in that situation the GST rate applicable is the date of the earlier invoice which is being credited. We haven't yet seen any information from the IRD on the practicalities of the rate change but no doubt they will be issuing some soon - keep a look out. We'll update you again in the next newsletter.

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Plains FM

Brian Hunter is retiring after 22 years associated as a founding member of the CBS (Community Broadcasters' Society) and the Trust.

Sound Archives

Kapoi Mathieson has been appointed to the position of Accessions Archivist, Christchurch.

For the past year, Kapoi has been working on a fixed-term project at Nga Taonga Korero, Auckland, working with the Christchurch team on the Vernon Collection Management System implementation.

Kapoi has a broadcasting background, including six years as the General Manager of Radio Tainui in Ngaruawahia. She has a Bachelor of Maori (First Class Honours) from the University of Waikato, and during her university years also worked on a project to establish a database to catalogue Maori audio archives for the University.

 

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Varying Drawdown Dates

Your funding contracts give us the right to vary drawdown dates.
If we reasonably consider that there are sufficient funds in the production account to meet immediate production costs and expenses of the programme we may change the drawdown date.

To decide whether a drawdown should be paid, we look carefully at your cost reports to see how much you have spent to date, and how much we have paid out. If it seems that you have a reasonable surplus, we may delay payment of your invoice, despite the drawdown milestone being met. We will contact you before withholding payment of an invoice if we feel this may be justified.


Sales Income Reporting

We have reviewed our standard contractual provisions relating to reporting and returning sales income. We believe these provisions can be improved to cover the realities of the distribution industry. As such, we intend to consult with stakeholders shortly as to how these provisions might be improved to provide greater fairness and clarity to producers, while still protecting our investment in programmes. If you would like to give feedback on sales income matters directly, please contact the Assistant Television Manager.

We'll be looking closely at programme sales income over the next few months and may be conducting ad-hoc audits.

If you have earned money from programme sales, please ensure you are up to date with your revenue sharing and have returned any portion due to NZ On Air in accordance with your funding agreement.

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NZ On Air hosted a Music 21st birthday in June to thank our music colleagues for 21 years of great local content.

The black-clad crowd of musicians and music industry executives, along with key radio and TV broadcasters joined the Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman and the Board and staff of NZ On Air for a truly special night at the Power Station. Iconic band Shihad was the secret surprise act, and they played a very rare acoustic set with star backing from Anika Moa and Julia Deans.

But the biggest surprise of the night was reserved for NZ Music Manager Brendan Smyth who has been with NZ On Air for our entire 21 years. He was honoured with surprise tributes and speeches by the Broadcasting Minister, head of APRA Ant Healey, and an AV compilation of congratulations from across the music and media industries. Special thanks to our sponsors The Langham, Antipodes water, Kapiti ice cream, Tiger beer, Wild Rock wines and 42 Below for helping create such a fun night.

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Join the TV team

Naomi Wallwork is jumping ship to the NZFC (lucky them), so NZ On Air is looking for a new Business Affairs Executive to join its busy TV funding team. You'll have a law degree and around 1-4 years PQE. Experience in the television, film or new media is desirable; a deep interest in local content is essential. You'll assist the Television Manager by taking responsibility for high quality drafting, negotiation and execution of funding contracts, contract monitoring, producer and broadcaster liaison, and preparation of funding papers for NZ On Air Board consideration.
 
You'll be a self-starter, be stakeholder-focused, and be a team player who's not afraid to roll up your sleeves. You'll have excellent writing and analytical skills, and be IT-adept.
 
NZ On Air is a Crown entity investing in content creation for television, radio, music and new media. We are an equal-opportunity employer. More about us and a job description is at www.nzonair.govt.nz
 
Send a CV and a covering letter saying why we need you to reception  by 9am Monday 5 July.

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Television Funding Decisions

Genre

Programme

 Amount Approved

No. Of Episodes

Length of Episodes (minutes)

Production Company

Channel

Special Interest

TVNZ CAPTIONING 2010-2011

1,900,000

0.0

0.0

TVNZ

 

Arts/Culture

MONTANA WORLD OF WEARABLE ART AWARDS 2010

144,100

1.0

60.0

Media Inc

Prime

Arts/Culture

QANTAS FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS 2010

150,000

1.0

90.0

TVNZ

TV One

Arts/Culture

STYLE PASIFIKA 2010

153,323

1.0

60.0

Drum Productions

TV One

Arts/Culture

THE ART OF THE ARCHITECT

1,125,397

8.0

60.0

TVNZ

TV One

Documentary

BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

648,543

10.0

30.0

 The Down Low Concept

TV3

Documentary

WHARE MAORI

650,000

13.0

30.0

Scottie Douglas Productions

MTS

News/Current Affairs

* Q & A 2010 - ADDITIONAL

64,200

9.0

60.0

TVNZ

TV One

Special Interest

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS 2010

144,852

1.0

60.0

Arts & Entertainment Productions

TV One

*This programme was supported by the NZ On Air Platinum Fund

 

The Inside New Zealand 2010 Working Group has made the following funding decisions for TV3 documentaries:

 

Genre

Programme

 Amount Approved

No. Of Episodes

Length of Episodes (minutes)

Production Company

Channel

 

Documentary

TAXING CANNABIS

TBC

1.0

60.0

Top Shelf

TV3

 

Documentary

A CULTURE UP IN SMOKE

TBC

1.0

60.0

Top Shelf

TV3

 

 

The TV One Docs Working Group has made the following funding decisions for TV One Documentaries:

Genre

Programme

 Amount Approved

No. Of Episodes

Length of Episodes (minutes)

Production Company

Channel

Documentary

ALONE AGAINST THE TASMAN

TBC

1.0

60.0

The Gibson Group

TV One

Documentary

WHO KILLED TRENT KEEGAN

TBC

1.0

60.0

Project Melting
Pot

TV One

 

Radio Funding Decisions

Funding Type

Genre

Description

 Amount Approved

No. Of Episodes

Length of Episodes (minutes)

Channel

NZ Music Programmes Radio

 

bFM 10/11

180,000

52.0

120.0

95bFM

 

 

Kiwi FM - Radio shows 10/11

300,000

40.0

480.0

Kiwi FM

 

 

Radio Active 10/11

100,000

52.0

240.0

Radio Active

 

 

Radio Control 10/11

55,000

52.0

60.0

Radio Control

 

 

Radio One 10/11

75,000

52.0

120.0

Radio One

 

 

RDU 10/11

90,000

52.0

240.0

RDU

 

 

THE SLAB 2010

36,000

1092.0

4.0

The Edge

 

 

THE WORD 2010-2011

45,000

1400.0

4.0

ZM

 

 

WIRED 2010

50,000

1248.0

4.0

MORE FM

Radio New Zealand

 

Radio NZ 2010/11

31,816,000

0.0

0.0

Radio New Zealand

Radio Programme Production

Children

THE GREAT BIG KIDS SHOW series 3

116,055

53.0

60.0

Big FM

 

Special Interest

ASIAN RADIO SHOW 2010-11

96,500

50.0

15.0

Radio Live

 

Special Interest

PAAKIWAHA 2010

75,000

48.0

120.0

Radio Waatea 603AM

 

Special Interest

SCRUBCUTTER 2010

70,000

240.0

1.5

NewstalkZB

 

Access Radio Funding Decisions

Funding Type

Region

Station

 Amount Approved

Access Radio Capital Fund

Taranaki

Access Radio Taranaki Trust

80,000

Access Radio Capital Fund

Waikato/Lakes

Community Radio Hamilton

36,716

Access Radio Stations

Auckland

Auckland Access Radio Planet Fm 104.6

250,000

Access Radio Stations

Canterbury

Plains FM

230,000

Access Radio Stations

East Coast/Hawke's Bay

Radio Kidnappers

170,000

Access Radio Stations

Lower North Island

Coast Access Radio

130,000

Access Radio Stations

Lower North Island

Manawatu Access

165,000

Access Radio Stations

Lower North Island

Wairarapa Access Radio

130,000

Access Radio Stations

Lower North Island

Wellington Access Radio

210,000

Access Radio Stations

Nelson Marlborough

Tasman Broadcasting Trust (Fresh FM)

195,000

Access Radio Stations

Otago

Toroa Radio (Hills Radio Trust)

165,000

Access Radio Stations

Southland

Southland Community Broadcast

159,600

Access Radio Stations

Taranaki

Access Radio Taranaki Trust

160,000

Access Radio Stations

Waikato/Lakes

Community Radio Hamilton

230,000

Pacific Radio Stations

Auckland

National Pacific Radio Trust

250,000

Pacific Radio Stations

Lower North Island

Samoa Capital Radio

180,000

 

Regional Television Programmes Funding Decisions

Genre

Programme

 Amount Approved

No. Of Episodes

Length of Episodes (minutes)

 Channel

News / Current Affairs

9 LOCAL NEWS - SOUTHERN NEWSWEEK

170,000

288.0

30.0

Channel 9 Dunedin TV

News / Current Affairs

CENTRAL NEWS 2010

150,000

240.0

30.0

 TV Central

News / Current Affairs

CHANNEL NORTH NEWS

85,000

5.0

12.0

 Te Hiku TV

News / Current Affairs

CHATROOM

85,000

138.0

30.0

Television Hawkes Bay Ltd

News / Current Affairs

CITY NEWS 2010

110,000

240.0

30.0

TV Rotorua

News / Current Affairs

FAR NORTH NEWS 2010

37,500

1440.0

5.0

Te Hiku TV

News / Current Affairs

LOCAL NEWS

75,000

45.0

24.0

Mainland Television Ltd

News / Current Affairs

SOUTH TODAY 2010

170,000

220.0

48.0

Cue TV

News / Current Affairs

TODAY IN CANTERBURY

190,000

250.0

30.0

Canterbury Television

News / Current Affairs

TONIGHT AT 7

300,000

480.0

30.0

Triangle Television Ltd

News / Current Affairs

UNDER CURRENT 2010

85,000

52.0

60.0

Tararua Television

 

Music Funding Decisions

Funding Type

Artist - Project

 Amount Approved

Production Company

NZ Music Albums

Kids Of 88

50,000

Dryden Street Ltd

NZ Music New Recordings

Anna Wilson - Say You Love Me

10,000

Anna Wilson

NZ Music New Recordings

Cairo Knife Fight - This Is Love

10,000

Loretta Recordings

NZ Music New Recordings

Knives At Noon - Violins and Violence

10,000

Liberation Music (NZ) Ltd

NZ Music New Recordings

K-One feat Junipah - Never

10,000

Illegal Musik Limited

NZ Music New Recordings

Six60 - Rise Up

10,000

Massive Entertainment

NZ Music Videos

Anika Moa - Love Me Again

5,000

Flightless Birds Music Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Artisan Guns - Without You

5,000

Raccoon Jacket

NZ Music Videos

BARB - Alcoholic Darling

5,000

New Adventure

NZ Music Videos

Candice Rhind - Mama Say Remix

5,000

Alazay Entertainment

NZ Music Videos

Concord Dawn - Easy Life

5,000

Dirty Management

NZ Music Videos

Deach - Make It On My Own

5,000

Move The Crowd Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Deceptikonz - Drama Queen

5,000

Dawn Raid Music Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Dukes - Paper Heart

5,000

Play Nicely

NZ Music Videos

Ekko Park - You Said

5,000

Ekko Park

NZ Music Videos

Gin Wigmore - Don't Stop

5,000

Universal Music NZ Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Glass Owls - Griffin Boy

5,000

Glass Owls

NZ Music Videos

Hollie Smith - Hiding

5,000

Soundsmith Records

NZ Music Videos

J Williams feat Dane Rumble - Takes Me Higher

5,000

Illegal Musik Limited

NZ Music Videos

Julia Deans - The Wish You Wish You Had

5,000

Isaac Promotions

NZ Music Videos

Kayo - I'm Wassup

5,000

Move The Crowd Ltd

NZ Music Videos

King Kapisi feat Richard Nunns - Safari

5,000

Border Music

NZ Music Videos

Kirsten Morrell - I Fly Away

5,000

Warner Music NZ Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Nightchoir - Waterfall Home

5,000

Elevenfiftyseven Records Ltd

NZ Music Videos

North Shore Pony Club - Sex, Drugs & a Drum Machin

5,000

Isaac Promotions

NZ Music Videos

P-Money feat Milan Borich - Falling Down

5,000

Dirty Management

NZ Music Videos

PNC - Let Your Lover Know

5,000

Dirty Management

NZ Music Videos

Shihad - Lead Or Follow

5,000

Warner Music NZ Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Sleeptalkers - Where The Sun Hides

5,000

Sleeptalkers

NZ Music Videos

Steriogram - Skinny White Runts

5,000

Let The People Speak Entertainment

NZ Music Videos

Sweet & Irie - The Love That Comes From You

5,000

Dawn Raid Music Ltd

NZ Music Videos

The Mint Chicks - Say Goodbye

5,000

The Mint Chicks

NZ Music Videos

The Phoenix Foundation - Pot

5,000

The Phoenix Foundation (WGTN) Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Timmy Schumacher feat Eden Mulholland - The Fire

5,000

Akrite Records

NZ Music Videos

Tyree - Want You To Know

5,000

Move The Crowd Ltd

NZ Music Videos

Vince Harder - What's The Problem

5,000

Illegal Musik Limited

NZ Music Videos

We Are Romans - Beauty & The Beats

5,000

We Are Romans

NZ Music Videos

Young Sid feat Stan Walker - Stuck In A Box

5,000

Move The Crowd Ltd

Phase 5 Campaign

Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke

20,000

BloodGroup

Phase 5 Campaign

I Am Giant - Neon Sunrise ep

3,400

CRS  Music Management

Phase 5 Campaign

Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling

20,000

Honorary Bedouin Records

 

Archives Funding Decisions

Project

Amount Approved

Production Company

RNZ SOUND ARCHIVES 2010/11

703,555

Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero

 

Digital Funding Decisions

Project

Amount Approved

Production Company

NZ ON SCREEN YEAR 3 2010

997,380

NZ On Screen Trust

Digital Content Partnership Fund

Project

Amount Approved

Production Company

RESERVOIR HILL 2

449,400

KHF Media Ltd

MIXTAPE

332,388

Mixtape Ltd

SNORT

298,100

The Down Low Concept

 

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