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NZ On Air releases Local Content Report for 2009
Home grown television numbers still strong
NZ On Air, which invests in a diverse range of New Zealand broadcast content, has just released its annual Local Content Report measuring the amount of local programming on free to air television.
Over 11,000 hours screened on the six main free to air channels, with still more local programmes on Freeview and pay channels.
In 2009, notwithstanding the impact of the global recession, local content on the six main free to air channels reached 11,418 hours. Although this was a slight decrease (1.6%) on 2008 figures, the total is more than four times the amount of locally made television when NZ On Air began producing this report 21 years ago. Back then there were just three free to air channels: TV One, TV2 and TV3. Now there are six, including C4, Prime and Māori Television.
New Zealand programmes last year accounted for 15 of the Top 20 television programmes. They include Fair Go, Dancing with the Stars, Save Our Home and Country Calendar (now in its 45th year). Other successful series include South with Marcus Lush, Stars In Their Eyes and The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show along with popular local dramas Outrageous Fortune and Go Girls.
NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson said she was pleased the figures had remained stable. "Backing local content is a significant commitment for broadcasters", she said. "Foreign programmes cost much less to screen. The fact that the free to air channels all want more local content is testament to the quality and success of home grown programmes."
In the year ending June 2009 NZ On Air invested over $90 million in over 800 hours of local programmes.
"Continuing network support, combined with NZ On Air's investment, means that New Zealand stories and perspectives continue to be enjoyed by many different audiences," said Ms Wrightson.
View the full report. (PDF 464 KB)
For further information contact Glenn Usmar on (04) 382 9524.
Quick facts
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Local content increased on three of the six channels: TV2, TV3 and Prime.
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Total local content on six free to air channels was 33.7%, (34% in 2008).
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TV One screened the most local content: 3,812 hours. Māori Television is next with 2,544 hours.
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TV One screened the most first-run or new programming with 3,232 first-run hours. TV3 screened 1,926 hours, followed by Māori Television with 1,062 first-run hours.
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Māori Television screens the most local content in prime time.
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First-run hours increased in four genres: Children's, Documentary, Māori programmes and News/Current Affairs
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Drama/Comedy, Entertainment and Sports hours decreased. (The Olympic Games screening in 2008 boosted sports hours that year.)
Percentages of total local content hours by channel (6am - midnight)
|
|
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|
TV One |
58% |
60% |
57% |
53% |
54% |
52% |
|
TV2 |
17% |
17% |
18% |
20% |
23% |
24% |
|
TV3 |
32% |
30% |
24% |
19% |
21% |
22% |
|
Prime |
13% |
12% |
12% |
13% |
9% |
Not measured |
|
C4 |
22% |
25% |
23% |
22% |
Not measured |
|
|
Māori Television |
82% |
84% |
80% |
75% |
Not measured |
|
Māori Television and C4 do not screen 24/7 so percentages are higher)
Main variations by genre
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Children's programming increased by 20 hours to 1,067 hours, mainly on TV2.
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Documentaries reached a record with a total of 741 hours, an increase of 50 hours. In 1989 when the first report was compiled there were 34 hours.
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Drama/Comedy dropped to 600 hours (711 in 2008). Increases on TV2 and TV3 were offset by a decrease of 16 hours on TV One and 28 hours on Māori Television. TV2 increased its hours and still screens most drama with the popular weekday series Shortland Street.
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Entertainment figures fluctuated: in 2009 down by 275 hours to 1573 hours. Increases on TV2 and Māori Television were offset by decreases on the other channels.
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Information hours increased 34 hours to 1,742 hours. TV One continued to screen most local Information programming with 940 hours and Māori Television screened 608 hours. Both channels showed an increase over the previous year's figures.
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Māori programming for a general audience, (excluding Māori Television programmes) increased by 110 hours to 333 hours. TV One's hours increased mainly due to a longer duration for Te Karere.
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News/Current Affairs hours increased to 3753 hours (3660 hours in 2008), mainly due to a full year of ASB Business on TV3.
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Sports hours that increased in 2008 due to Olympic coverage, decreased in 2009 to 1613 hours (1754 hours in 2008).
- Download of copy of these highlights (PDF 27 KB)
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