Tuesday 12 March 2024
Media environment
This newsletter comes to you at a time of serious upheaval in the local media ecosystem. The staff losses being proposed at TVNZ alongside Warner Bros. Discovery’s consultation with staff around the closure of Newshub clearly show that our local media industry is facing significant challenges.
Alongside providing news and current affairs, these broadcasters play a vital role in commissioning oversight and investment in local content, and the delivery of that content to a broad audience. For all these reasons we are in active discussions with the broadcasters and the wider sector to understand what the implications of their cost-cutting might be.
This is a complex and developing situation and whilst we acknowledge the uncertainty, we will be doing what we can to ensure our funding is utilised in the best possible ways to serve local audiences. We are also mindful of maintaining stability and capability in the sector and will keep our funding processes moving, including the publishing of round guidelines for Round Tahi next week, as outlined below. Please rest assured that we will keep you informed as things become clearer.
Cam Harland, CEO
Diversity Report 2023
Since 2016 NZ On Air has been reporting on the diversity of creatives in key roles in funded Scripted and Factual/Non-Fiction content. This reporting helps us to identify areas where additional industry support and capability funding may be necessary to enhance representation in funded content for audiences in Aotearoa.
The 2023 report, released today, notes an increase in ethnic diversity in these roles, improvements in gender parity, and a better geographical spread of principal photography around the motu.
NZ On Air continues to look to these reports for opportunities to uplift creatives where representation is lacking, and you will often see these statistics quoted in capability initiatives we back. Even modest improvements, when sustained, reaffirm the value of our investment in supporting equity across the industry.
The 2023 NZ On Air Diversity report is now available to read here.
A separate Music Diversity report will be released shortly.
Round Tahi
Round Tahi - the first funding round of the 2024/25 financial year - opens on Thursday 4 April. This round will prioritise General Audiences. Applications for Screen Production Rebate (SPR) projects will be accepted in this round.
The full guidelines for Round Tahi will be available on the Funding page of our website from next Monday 18 March.
Round Tahi Webinar
The Funding team will host a webinar the day after the guidelines are made available – on Tuesday 19 March from 3-4pm on Zoom, where they will answer any questions you have about Round Tahi. The intention with these webinars – which now kick off each funding round – is to be as helpful as possible to applicants so that you can navigate the application process.
If you are interested in attending, please pre-register for the webinar by emailing funding@nzonair.govt.nz. A Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the time.
Round Tahi Timeline
- Thursday 4 April 2024 - Funding round opens. Applications must be made through our funding portal. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted.
- Wednesday 24 April 2024, 4pm - Round closes. Late applications will not be considered. In very exceptional circumstances and with prior agreement, the Head of Funding may grant an extension to the application deadline.
- Friday 5 July 2024 - Decisions confirmed, applicants notified. Please note, this date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.
All the application deadlines for 2024/25 can be found here.