TV One, TV2 and TV3 have once again agreed to screen significant amounts of local content in 2005, and this year Prime TV has also set a local content target. Television Local Content Group Chairman, Rick Ellis, welcomed the networks' commitments to locally made programmes when he announced the targets today.

However the reality is that much local programming is confined to the hours when most of us are asleep, at work or otherwise engaged and in the evening kick back time we are still watching a lot of crappy British and American TV.
TV One, TV2 and TV3 have once again agreed to screen significant amounts of local content in 2005, and this year Prime TV has also set a local content target. Television Local Content Group Chairman, Rick Ellis, welcomed the networks' commitments to locally made programmes when he announced the targets today.

However the reality is that much local programming is confined to the hours when most of us are asleep, at work or otherwise engaged and in the evening kick back time we are still watching a lot of crappy British and American TV.

"The TV One and TV2 targets, at 55% and 23% respectively, are showing an increase on those agreed last year, and TV3 is maintaining a strong 20%," said Mr Ellis, "When you consider that TVNZ won't have an event like the Olympics in its schedule like last year, and TV3's sports coverage has
reduced, they're impressive commitments.

"And Prime TV's first year target of 5.5% is another indication that its management are serious about being a strong performer on the New Zealand television landscape. Prime has already been screening locally made programmes, but this is the first year they've actually committed to a
minimum level. With the support of some NZ On Air funding, Prime is looking to grow the local component of its on screen line-up."

The Television Local Content Group - made up of representatives of TVNZ, TV3, Prime TV, the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA),
and NZ On Air - sets targets in four genres: children's programmes; drama and comedy; documentary, information and entertainment; and news, current affairs and sport.

The results are measured in NZ On Air's annual Local Content Report, with the 2004 figures due out towards the end of next month.

" NZ On Air research shows that 85% of those surveyed say there should be a set amount of local content on free-to-air TV," said Mr Ellis. "It also concludes that New Zealanders watch local programmes, and they like them."

TELEVISION LOCAL CONTENT TARGETS - 2005

TV One: 55%
TV2: 23%
TV3: 20%
Prime TV: 5.5%