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First Platinum Fund projects announced
Broadcast funding agency NZ On Air today announced the first
projects to receive funding from the new Platinum Fund.
The Platinum Fund was established in March this year to stimulate
new high-quality locally made television programmes.
The fund is available for projects to screen on any of the six
free-to-air broadcasters. NZ On Air's Board met this week to
consider the first Platinum Funding round.
"The priority this year is for drama, documentary and current
affairs programmes that are demonstrably different from anything
we've funded before," said NZ On Air chief executive Jane
Wrightson.
"This is an aspirational fund and we are setting the bar
high.
"We received a good range of proposals, and have decided to go
ahead with funding for development or production for a number of
projects.
"We have provided funding for the development of several prime
time drama concepts. In early 2010 we will announce which of these
will go on to receive production funding.
"We have also allocated funding for two current affairs series,
which will screen in 2010. TV One's Q&A will be joined by a new
programme for TV3 called The Nation."
"Providing for two studio-based interview series, both different
in format and style, will bring excellent choice for New Zealand
audiences," she said.
Ms Wrightson said it was likely that both series would screen on
Sundays, but at different times. NZ On Air will assess the success
of both series towards the end of 2010.
"We will look at audience feedback, quality of journalism and
whether these funded programmes are clearly different from other
current affairs programmes. Depending on this assessment, both,
neither or just one series could receive funding in the
future."
Platinum Funding has also been allocated for four compelling
historical documentaries for TV One (applications to be called for)
and an arts documentary for prime time screening on Maori
Television.
NZ On Air is still finalising the amount of funding for each
programme. Final funding decisions will be released in around two
weeks.
Ends
For further information:
Jane Wrightson
Phone 021 226 4553
