Australian Broadcasting Corporation Corporate Plan 2021-22

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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Cover image: Wakefield, 2021. This page: Nik (Rudi Dharmalingham) in Wakefield. Photo by Lisa Tomasetti.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 CONTENTS Opening Statement 3 ABC Operating Plan FY2022–FY2025 15 The ABC’s Five-Year Plan 4 Deliver personalised digital experiences 15 Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source Purpose 5 of news and information 16 Strengthen local connections 18 Key Activities 6 Prioritise quality over quantity 19 Invest in the workforce of the future 20 Operating Environment 7 Creative, flexible, efficient, and accountable 21

Audience Trends 7 Measures 22 Media Market Environment 9 Regulatory and Policy Settings 10 Managing Risk 26 Financial Context 11 The Technology Environment 11 Risk management framework 26 Workforce Capabilities 12 Significant risks 26 Cooperation 13 Financial Information 14

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 1 Bennelong, Bangarra Dance Company. Photo by Daniel Boud.

2 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 OPENING STATEMENT The Board, as the accountable authority of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, presents the 2021–22 Corporate Plan, prepared in accordance with section 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) (PGPA Act) and associated rules.

This Corporate Plan is prepared for the 2021–22 In 2022 the ABC will celebrate its 90th anniversary. reporting period (FY22), and covers the reporting It will be a splendid celebration reflecting on how periods FY22, FY23, FY24 and FY25. far we have come since we were established in 1932. We are proud of our achievements and look forward The ABC is accountable to the Australian Government to continuing to serve all Australians across our through the Minister for Communications, Urban vast continent. Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts. As a Commonwealth entity, the ABC operates under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (Cth) (ABC Act) and the PGPA Act. The PGPA Act sets standards of governance, performance and accountability for the Corporation, with an emphasis on use of public resources, planning, reporting and risk management. The ABC is committed to meeting these requirements and its responsibilities as the nation’s independent public service media organisation. The ABC is a vital cultural asset and plays a critical role in preserving Australia’s democratic society. It provides trusted news and information, and powerful investigative journalism. It keeps communities informed, especially during emergencies. It also contributes to media diversity and shares Australian perspectives with the world. No other institution reaches as many Australians. Under its current Five-Year Plan, the ABC is focused on listening to, and reflecting the diversity of, Australian communities and making its services even more accessible. It will share Australian stories, showcase the arts, entertain all ages, and support education and science. It will also continue to adapt to technological change and pursue greater efficiency Ita Buttrose AC, OBE and sustainability in its operations. Chair, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 3 PURPOSE The ABC’s Charter requires it to inform, educate, and entertain Australians as well as share Australian culture and perspectives with the world. For almost 90 years, the ABC has created and shared stories that have helped to shape Australia’s identity, strengthen its democracy, and nurture its artistic and cultural life.

The ABC reflects the diversity of Australia’s people and communities in the wide range of services it provides and the content it creates. It is the nation’s largest producer of scripted content and delivers world-class comedy and children’s programs. It provides unique coverage of the arts, science, health, Indigenous affairs, and Australia’s rural industries. The ABC also discovers and celebrates Australian music and provides local radio and digital services for communities across the country. As Australia’s most trusted news provider, the ABC plays a critical role in holding those in power to account and ensuring free public access to accurate and essential information. Underpinning this is the ABC’s independence and its commitment to the highest standards of journalism, a vital capability that has increased in value with the rise of misinformation and “fake news”. These activities reflect the ABC’s purpose as a public service media organisation. It is a purpose with an important heritage, but one that is renewed daily, to create and share unique Australian stories and make them accessible to all.

Director Wayne Blair and Director-DOP Warwick Thornton behind the scenes of Mystery Road Season 2. Photo by David Dare Parker.

4 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 KEY ACTIVITIES The ABC makes its content and services accessible and available for free to all Australians, on traditional broadcast as well as mobile and digital platforms through a suite of websites and apps. It provides reliable services that inform, educate, and entertain, reflecting the diversity of Australian life and perspectives. More than two-thirds of Australians watch, read or listen to the ABC each week through the range of available services.

Communicating emergency information to Australians The ABC runs four broadcast television channels during critical times continues to be an ABC essential and is available on-demand via ABC iview. The ABC’s service. While the intensity and severity of natural main channel, ABC TV, known for its high-quality and disasters and emergencies vary year-to-year, the ABC’s distinctive programming, brings together drama, role in supporting and communicating emergency comedy, factual programs, and an array of news updates continues to grow to reflect the general programs. The secondary channel, ABC TV Plus, upward trend. A new ABC emergency website which launched in January 2021, celebrates Australian aggregates information from key national and state culture and arts. emergency services was launched in October 2020 and ABC News provides dedicated news coverage around will make critical information easier to access. the clock, and ABC ME offers a range of programs for The ABC provides independent high-impact news children. ABC Kids and ABC TV Plus share a channel to and information. Its reporters cover local, state, and deliver programs for the ABC’s youngest audiences, national news, and it maintains its own network of as well as diverse new programs for older audiences foreign correspondents, particularly in Asia and the alongside documentaries, and the best of the arts Pacific, to tell international stories from an Australian later in the evenings. perspective. The coverage includes in-depth reporting In addition, the ABC delivers screen content to and investigations into issues and events. The ABC 40 countries across Asia and the Pacific through its News website and app are the leading destinations international television service, ABC Australia. A for news and information. multi-genre, English-language service, ABC Australia The ABC’s audio output includes live broadcasts and is targeted at English language learners and programs on AM, FM and DAB+ radio, digital TV sets, speakers, including people wanting to visit Australia smart speakers and digital products including the for trade or study and Australians living or travelling ABC Listen app. People living in remote and regional abroad. Australia can also access a wide range of ABC audio In the Pacific, ABC Radio Australia provides a news through the VAST satellite service. ABC radio services and information service, increases awareness of range from local, regional, and national networks that Australia, and encourages English-language learning. serve many different needs and interests. It is broadcast via FM in 13 important population ABC Local Radio stations connect local audiences centres in the Pacific and Timor-Leste and is also with the news and issues of the day relevant to their accessible around the globe as a streaming service, communities. They create conversations and help to live and on-demand. connect communities, and the 48 regional bureaux The ABC also produces a broad range of on-demand are an integral part of providing support and vital content for both audio and video. ABC iview and ABC warnings during times of emergency. In the eight Listen apps provide access to ABC video and audio capital cities ABC Local radio stations reach two streaming and on-demand programs, from Bluey to million listeners each week. Backroads, Hard Quiz and Old People’s Home for 4 Year The ABC’s national radio networks and digital radio/ Olds as well as the popular podcast Conversations streaming stations offer a range of choices to match and specialist music stations ABC Jazz and Double J. audiences’ interests and moods. The ABC’s music A range of other sites and apps are dedicated to stations and audio streams include triple j, Double J, specific audiences and interests, such as the triple j ABC Classic, ABC Classic 2, ABC Jazz, and ABC site and app for music, the ABC Kids app for children’s Country. ABC News offers continuous national and content and ABC Everyday designed for younger and international news and RN is the place for in-depth digital-first audiences. The ABC also makes extensive analysis and thought-provoking ideas. ABC Kids Listen use of social media and other third-party platforms to caters for young children and ABC Grandstand for reach and engage with audiences. sports fans.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 5 THE ABC’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN The ABC will be more relevant to more Australians with a greater focus on accessibility and the on-demand digital services audiences now expect.

The pillars of the strategy provide the framework that Within the framework of its five pillars, the ABC will will inform and shape decision making over the next focus on six strategic priorities. These address the five years. Each pillar represents a goal that will keep changes the ABC needs to make and the areas where the ABC focused on its priorities and help to drive it needs to focus its efforts and resources. outcomes that will fulfil the corporation’s vision.

Purpose

To deliver valued services that reflect and contribute to Australian society, culture and identity

Vision

The home of Australian stories – accessible, bold, creative

Pillars

Reflect Build a lifelong Continue to Provide Make sustainable contemporary relationship with earn the trust entertaining, choices in Australia Australians that audiences culturally allocating place in the ABC, significant, and resources. safeguarding ABC on-demand independence content and integrity

Priorities

• Deliver personalised digital experiences • Prioritise quality over quantity • Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source • Invest in the workforce of the future of news and information • Creative, flexible, efficient and accountable. • Strengthen local connections

6 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 By 2025 we will

…have become a leaner, more adaptable …be more local. 75% of our content makers organisation that aligns its resources to will be located outside of Ultimo. We will have meeting audience needs and expectations. decentralised more of our operations and This will help enable new investments that will grown our presence in outer suburban and underpin the relevance and value of the ABC regional areas. We will better reflect the issues into the future. that are important to local communities.

…have increased the relevance of the ABC for …be recognised, in a sea of global content, as younger and newer Australians. Our digital the home of Australian stories. From drama services will be more relevant and personal, to music to the arts, we will reflect national and we will invest in ensuring audiences identity, celebrate Australian talent, and are aware of the great content we offer. support the local creative sector.

…be spending a greater proportion of …still be the most trusted source of news. In our budget on content for, including times of confusion, curiosity and crisis, the ABC developing more stories specifically for, will be there for all Australians. our digital platforms.

Foreign Correspondent filming on Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo by Greg Nelson.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 7 ABC South East NSW reporter Vanessa Milton covers an Indigenous Cultural Burn at Tura Beach NSW. Photo by Greg Nelson.

8 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 OPERATING ENVIRONMENT Last year, the ABC released its Five-Year Plan, designed to protect and strengthen the ABC’s role in the life of the nation. The ABC’s Five-Year Plan was designed to meet the ABC’s Charter obligations within its funding allocation and has a clear focus on delivering outstanding and relevant Australian content.

The Five-Year Plan identified three broad social Figure 1: Total TV Broadcast Reach trends that were central to informing the strategic 80% 77% pillars and priorities. The three trends identified 73% were: greater national diversity; the erosion of faith 70% in the efficacy of democratic institutions, leaders and 60% processes around the world; and the complex and fast-moving media landscape. These trends remain 50% relevant to the 2021–22 Corporate Plan and are expected to endure over the Five-Year Plan period. 40%

The following sections provide more details on the 30% environment in which the ABC operates. 20%

Audience Trends 10%

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an 0% accelerator of change in many aspects of 2019 2020

Australian life. Source: OzTam, 2020 Prolonged lockdowns and isolation triggered a lift Figure 2: Video-on-demand usage in the use of Video-on-Demand (VOD) as audiences sought a wider range of entertainment options, 80% driving digital growth years ahead of previous 70% forecasts. The increased use of VOD in 2020 is 64% 59% expected to result in long-term changes in audience 60% behaviour. In a survey conducted by the ABC, 64% of Australians claim to have used video-on-demand in 50% the past week, up from 59% in 2019. 40% Traditional television remains important to viewers, particularly for live events and breaking news. While 30% broadcast television reach declined on average 20% across 2020, from 77% in 2019 to 73% in 2020, weekly reach nonetheless peaked at 79% during April 2020 10% (OzTAM, 2020), which was the height of interest in 0% COVID-19, and the use of news on television as the 2019 2020 main source of news increased markedly to 51% (up Souce: ABC Video-on-demand Study, 2020 from 39% prior to the pandemic) (Digital News Report: Australia 2020).

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 9 In 2020, as Australians spent more time at home, The popularity of podcasts is growing, and weekly Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) services podcast listening has increased from 10% of thrived. Australians had a total of 16 million SVOD Australians in 2017 to 26% in 2021. Awareness of subscriptions in 2020, with forecasts predicting an podcasts in Australia is now at 91% (The Infinite increase to 23 million by 2024 (Telsyte). VOD users in Dial, Australia). Australia are accessing an average of 2.7 VOD services Smart speaker ownership has grown in Australia from per week, up from 1.9 in 2019 (ABC VOD Study 2020). 13% of Australians in 2019 to 26% in 2021, a significant Broadcaster Video-on-Demand (BVOD) services increase likely due to people spending more time at have also experienced growth, with total minutes home over the past year (The Infinite Dial). ABC News consumed across Australian BVOD services services on Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa have increasing by 36% from 2019 to 2020 (OzTAM). similarly experienced remarkable audience growth, and the ABC voice ecosystem continues to expand In this competitive media environment, with ever- to improve voice-accessibility of ABC content with proliferating choices, drawing audience attention to richer news experiences, live radio streams, podcasts, new Australian content is a challenge. The ABC will localised emergency information, ABC iview, and continue to create high-quality Australian programs interactive children’s content. and make them available to as wide an audience as possible across a range of platforms. Across the board, social media usage increased in Australia over the past year. Monthly audiences were More than half of Australian households now own up year-on-year for most social platforms, including a Smart TV, and it is the dominant device used Instagram (+9%), Twitter (+11%), WhatsApp (+21%) and to consume BVOD, SVOD and Pay TV services. Reddit (+9%) (Nielsen Digital Content Ratings). TikTok Prominence of platform apps within Smart TVs is was the standout in terms of growth, increasing its becoming increasingly important, and the ABC Australian monthly audience by over 300% while also is aware that Smart TVs and other connected-TV doubling its time spent per person in 2020 (App Annie platforms are becoming a new type of gatekeeper Mobile Report – APAC Australia). for Australian media services. This could have a negative impact on audience access to, and easy Interest in news surged in 2020, as the bushfires, discoverability of, ABC content. followed by the COVID-19 pandemic absorbed the Australian community. However, in 2021 there has The use of smart phones as the main device for been a concerning drop in interest in news among streaming all types of on-demand video content Australians, as shown in Figure 3. has also increased, from 16% in 2019 to 20% in 2020 (Telsyte). Figure 3: Interest in news 2016–2021 (%) With the success of VOD, consumers increasingly 100% expect to access relevant content at any time, in any 90% place, and in the format that best fits their needs. The 80% ABC has begun evolving ABC iview to better meet 70% audience expectations, and in the second half of 64% 64% 65% 58% 60% 2021 will commence the first phase of its audience 60% 52% recognition and personalisation strategy. 50% 48% Audio choices continue to increase but radio still 40% 42% 40% dominates, with 86% of Australians listening to 36% 36% 35% 30% over the air or online AM/FM/DAB+ radio or catch- up podcasts in the last month (The Infinite Dial, 20% Australia). 74% listen to online audio each month (AM/ 10%

FM/DAB+ radio stations online and/or audio content 0% available only on the internet, including podcasts and 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 streaming services). High interest in news Low interest in news Source: Digital News Report: Australia 2021 More than 12 million Australians now use music streaming services via websites or apps. Spotify is the clear industry leader, with nearly 8 million Australian users, more than doubling its user base since 2017 (Roy Morgan, 2020). Supporting its commitment to meet Australians when and where they are, the ABC offers curated playlists and podcasts on Spotify.

10 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 While the use of television as a source of news Digital services are replacing broadcast for many declined in 2020, it remains the most popular of all people, however the need to maintain some broadcast sources of news. Online news has also decreased in services will continue for many years, reflecting their 2021, along with print and radio, reflecting the overall ongoing importance to audiences. Opportunities to decline in interest in news. In contrast, the use of convert AM to FM will be explored wherever possible social media for news has increased from 46% in 2019 to deliver better quality outcomes for audiences. to 52% in 2021 (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). Maintaining broadcast operations while funding modernisation will be a critical challenge for the When it comes to news consumption, a significant Corporation over the life of this Plan. generational divide remains. Over half (54%) of 18–22 year-olds use social media as their main source of news, whereas only 10% of 75+ year-olds say it is their Media Market Environment main source (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). The ABC operates in a media environment that Facebook remains the most used social media continues to evolve rapidly. Global digital platforms platform for news, although the number of people continue to grow and displace traditional broadcast who use it for news has been declining (from 45% in media for both news and entertainment as audience 2016 to 33% in 2021). The number of people who use behaviour shifts across all age demographics. SVOD YouTube for news has plateaued at around 20% since services provide access to international content that 2018. Among 18–22 year-olds, more than one-third crowds out Australian content. At the same time, (35%) use YouTube for news (Digital News Report: music streaming has replaced, or supplemented, Australia 2021). The ABC is committed to reaching radio listening for many, and social media has become audiences where they are, and in 2021 ABC’s two news a common way people find news. channels on YouTube, ABC News Australia and ABC The disruption caused by technology and the growing News In-Depth, increased substantially in both unique dominance of digital platforms across a range of viewers per month and total hours watched. media service markets has created challenges The number of Australians going directly to news for traditional media business models. Audiences brand websites or apps for news is declining, while continue to spend more time on digital platforms to a growing number of people are accessing news source their news and entertainment. The ACCC has through mobile alerts and aggregator apps (Digital estimated that major digital platforms have more News Report: Australia 2021). Despite the market than 80 per cent of the digital advertising market.1 trend, the ABC News App gained over 160,000 new The challenge this has presented to traditional users during the eight days of the Facebook news ban media business models supported by advertising (18–25 February 2021), and since then has sustained has been particularly felt in certain segments of the higher daily usage than during 2021 prior to the ban. media market. The ABC has also experienced audience growth within Local media outlets have struggled with the loss of aggregator apps, with ABC News’s monthly unique advertising revenue to digital platforms and with the audience in Apple News up 20% year-on-year in 2020 impact of COVID-19. Small newspapers have closed (Apple News Analytics). or moved to digital-only and news organisations are In the take-up of digital media technology, there providing less local coverage. This has a direct impact continues to be a clear metropolitan and regional/ on communities in Australia’s regions and suburbs. It rural divide. This is highlighted in the Australian also has an impact on public interest journalism as Digital Inclusion Index, which is lower in rural areas issues in communities go unreported at both local across all areas measured; access, affordability and and national levels. digital ability. In regional and rural areas, VOD take-up The ABC plays a vital role in keeping communities lags metropolitan areas (ABC VOD Survey). Take-up informed via local radio and its regional coverage, of Spotify and podcasts is also lower among these especially during natural disasters. It continues to audiences, who are more likely to listen via AM/FM look for opportunities to strengthen its local and radio and have a higher level of listening to radio in rural coverage and this includes looking for ways to cars (ABC Audio Survey). News consumers in regional support other local news outlets. Australia are more likely to rely on TV as their main source of news (43%) than those in major cities (38%), The video content market remains highly competitive, and major city news consumers (28%) are more likely and audiences have a plethora of options to choose to use online news compared to those in regional from. Drawing the attention of viewers to Australian areas (22%) (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). content is becoming more challenging as audiences are fragmented, while at the same time, increased

1. Hansard, Senate Committee Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill, 22 January 2021, p. 53.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 11 production activity within Australia, together with an Regulatory and Policy Settings increase in production quality, have driven up the cost of making content. The ABC is committed to enhancing Over the past year, the disrupted media environment ABC iview to ensure it remains a compelling product has drawn increased attention from governments and proposition, as well as commissioning high quality regulators around the world as they look to reform content that reflects the nation and supports policy and regulatory settings to keep pace with Australian culture. market changes. Despite the focus on digital, the ABC expects linear The Australian Competition and Consumer broadcast content to remain significant for many Commission’s (ACCC) Digital Platforms Inquiry years to come, and to coexist with on-demand in the final report released in 2019 set the scene for the media diet of most Australians. Live content such as commencement of a wide-ranging reform program in sports, major events and breaking news will preserve Australia to attempt to modernise and harmonise the the high importance of traditional, linear television. media regulatory settings. Music streaming services are likely to continue A key plank in the reform program has been the evolving to become more “radio-like”. The rise of development of the News Media and Digital connected cars and smart speakers, together with Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code in Part IVBA sophisticated personalisation and machine learning of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) algorithms, will make online audio platforms (“the Code”). The Code establishes a framework increasingly compelling for listeners. The ABC must within which eligible news organisations could seek evolve its ABC Listen product to ensure that it offers payment for their content appearing in ‘designated audiences an equally compelling experience, while at digital platform services’, either though commercial the same time maintain analogue radio services. negotiation or (ultimately) arbitration. It also includes some minimum standards for designated digital The latest Edelman Trust Barometer (Australia, platforms services. Following the enactment of the 2021) shows trust in traditional media has fallen, Code, Google and Facebook have sought to negotiate reflecting the fracturing of many news sources into commercial agreements with several Australian news ever more partisan enclaves, the rise in volume media businesses to avoid being designated under of extreme voices, and the proliferation of “fake the code. The ABC has concluded letters of intent news” and misinformation. These factors will all with both companies and is hopeful that it will soon continue to put pressure on democracies and could conclude final binding agreements. The proceeds potentially weaken them badly. In this environment, from these agreements will facilitate additional the ABC’s news and current affairs content, which is investment in regional journalism. highly trusted, and offers a distinctively Australian perspective, is more important than ever. Several other regulatory and policy reforms processes are still underway that may have a significant bearing on the future media environment, including: Figure 4: Trust in traditional media for general news and • The Government’s Media Reform Green Paper, information, in Australia (%) released in November 2020, which sets out 61% 61% proposed reforms to the media industry, including 60% 56% potential changes to the spectrum allocated to 53% commercial and public broadcasters, introducing

46% investment obligation for subscription and advertising video-on-demand services, and 40% formalising the role of national broadcasters as key providers of Australian content. • An ongoing process for the review of the Privacy Act 1988 which reached the discussion paper

20% stage in late 2020, with submissions from various stakeholders now public. • Various Senate Committees exploring issues relating to Media Diversity, the role of the Creative and Cultural Industries, and proposed amendments 0% 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 to the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Source: 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer The ABC has participated, and will continue to engage, in these and other regulatory and policy processes.

12 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Financial Context The Technology Environment In 2020, the ABC implemented a range of initiatives Product and content technology is central to to address the impact of the indexation pause much of what the ABC does, providing the critical on operational funding for the current triennium backbone that supports and enables all parts of (estimated at $84m over three years, 2019–20 to the organisation, as well as providing the tools to 2021–22). The measures achieved ongoing savings in innovate and improve the audience experience. excess of $40 million per annum from 2021–22. Some Key drivers for this include rapid technological longer-term initiatives, including those related to the change that continues to transform the media ABC’s property portfolio, continue to progress. industry, competitive forces, greater demands on A key challenge is funding certainty beyond the ABC’s business, and audience behaviour changes. current triennium. This impacts the ABC’s ability to Increasingly, digital transformation is playing a major make longer-term funding decisions for large-scale role in the ABC’s operations – not only shaping and technology modernisation and property efficiency enhancing the ABC of today, but also positioning the projects. The ABC supports the certainty offered by ABC to better meet audience needs of tomorrow. long-term funding, as recommended in the Tonagh Underpinning the ABC’s transition from a traditional and Bean efficiency review. The ABC’s operating broadcaster to the nation’s most highly trusted, plan assumes that the indexation of the ABC’s valued, and leading digital content provider is operational funding will resume, and the enhanced a transformative program that includes further news-gathering program, a supplementary, local investment in key areas such as digital skills, products news-focused grant, will be renewed in the 2022–23 and systems, additional integration of digital and financial year. broadcast systems; and the expansion of cloud- The operating environment that the ABC works based and virtualised technologies. The ABC will within is bringing cost pressures to bear, particularly also continue to explore and trial new and innovative in relation to technology modernisation, content methods to produce and distribute content. acquisition and production. The ABC has prepared a Five-Year Capital Plan (2022– While technology increasingly provides more 2026), that covers the ABC’s technology investment efficient means of producing and delivering content, profile and supports ongoing modernisation to deliver technology developments in the way audiences a leaner, more resilient and seamless technology access content increase costs. Digital platforms environment. Some of the highlights include: require investment to establish and upgrade as • Audio network transformation: Providing content audience demands change, with a continuous makers with reliable, highly flexible audio network upgrade cycle required. capability to create and share content, regardless Increased production activity in Australia and of geographical location. Also enabling the shortages in Australian crew and screen practitioners hyper-localisation of markets, with the ability to have driven up the cost of production, while the halt individualise content in each region, and improved in productions globally due to COVID-19, together with emergency broadcasting capability. growth in the number of SVOD platforms, has created • Workflow and media management: Enabling content unprecedented demand for program acquisitions. makers to find, access and share content more easily and efficiently by replacing a multitude The ABC has continuously found efficiencies, not only of disparate systems with a streamlined multi- in response to funding challenges, but to ensure it is platform system. investing its operational budget in ways that meet the changing expectations of audiences. Providing the • Production enhancements: Delivering innovative highest quality products and services to audiences is and comprehensive workflow and technology a priority and will improve as the ABC’s infrastructure solutions to optimise operations, providing migrates onto newer technologies. Identifying and production efficiencies and empowering content delivering on efficiency programs is a core element makers with the tools to meet current and future of the ABC’s Five-Year Plan and will continue to be a broadcast trends. priority over the Plan period. • Digital products and personalisation enhancements: Evolving the ABC’s core set of digital products to grow reach, and expanding personalisation to increase relevance and engagement – for example, personalised recommendations across the ABC iview suite, ABC homepage and ABC Listen app.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 13 • People Hub Workforce: Delivering a new workforce Through the Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019–22 and management solution that includes rostering and the Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019–22 leave management to improve the ABC’s employee (Elevate RAP), the ABC sets out its commitment to experience, optimise business operations, reduce achieving its diversity and inclusion goals, and to costs, and meet compliance obligations. championing initiatives that recognise and embrace Australia’s Indigenous history and cultures. These The Five-Year Capital Plan will also see the ABC plans provide three-year strategic roadmaps to help continue to optimise and simplify its technology the ABC develop an inclusive culture throughout environment, including moving to a more sustainable the Corporation and in its content and services and technology footprint, enabling teams with the most sets out clear approaches and targets. The ABC has appropriate tool sets, and removing ageing legacy joined forces with a broad range of organisations technologies. Work will also focus on reducing the to work on diversity and inclusion initiatives and is ABC’s exposure to cyber attacks, and technology a proud member of the Australian Screen Diversity innovation will allow the ABC to increase efficiencies and Inclusion Network. Its Elevate RAP is endorsed and strategically reduce costs, while also being by Reconciliation Australia, and the organisation a catalyst for fundamental change in the way the partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ABC operates. The ABC will continue to work with bodies to support it in building a shared national the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the identity that recognises and embraces Australia’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) on security Indigenous heritage. incidents and threat intelligence sharing. The ABC’s Diversity and Inclusion Commissioning Despite an all-important focus on digital, the ABC Guidelines for Screen Content will deliver will invest in appropriate areas in support of linear outstanding content to audiences by requiring television and radio services – this critical distribution production companies to provide greater access technology continues to deliver ABC services across and opportunity to under-represented people and the country and overseas. perspectives – on and off screen. The guidelines build on the ABC’s commitment under its Charter to reflect Workforce Capabilities the cultural diversity of the Australian community. The ABC’s people are essential to delivering high- The ABC must continue to build staff capability in quality content and services. During the COVID-19 response to the increasingly complex technology crisis, the ABC quickly adjusted its operations to environment, and also look outside the organisation protect employees and continue to deliver the content for specialist expertise. This impacts all areas of and services that Australians rely on. These changes, the organisation, and staff must have the support, including social distancing and working from home, skills and information they need to do their jobs. are likely to have an ongoing influence on the work Continuous training will be necessary in every role as environment and may change the nature of office staff are required to adapt to new technologies and utilisation in the future. The ABC will need to adapt processes. Many areas will require new skills that are many of its ways of working to create sustainable in high demand across many industries. At the same change and ensure staff cohesion, connection and time, the ABC must retain some operational skills in collaboration are maintained. broadcast production that will inevitably become Over the period of the Five-Year Plan, the ABC will increasingly rare. be prioritising diversity and inclusion and placing it at the heart of everything it does. It is essential to the ABC’s success as a public media service organisation and to achieve its vision to look and sound like the Australia of today. The ABC’s broad diversity remit includes gender, cultural and linguistic diversity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, disability and LGBTQIA+. Other focus areas include age, carer’s responsibilities, work and life balance, geographic location and socio-economic status.

14 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Cooperation The ABC works closely with many Australian organisations, including Federal Government, State Government, local Government, non-Government, and community organisations, to achieve its purpose. These organisations are critical to the ABC delivering its content and services to audiences. Some examples are set out in the table below. The ABC would like to thank all its partners for their valuable contribution.

Who Why Examples of Organisations Government Agencies The ABC works in partnership with local, state and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade federal departments and agencies to bring large (DFAT) live events to audiences, to communicate critical City of Sydney information, and to deliver special projects to Department of Premier and Cabinet segments of the community. Department of Veteran Affairs National Australian Day Council Victorian Council of Social Service National and state-based The ABC collaborates with a broad range of National Gallery of Australia (NGA) galleries, orchestras, institutions across the arts, music, and science, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) libraries, museums, to share information, ideas, exhibits and Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) universities and science performances with audiences across all platforms. organisations Screen Agencies and Screen agencies provide funding support to ABC Screen Australia Screen Organisations productions and work together with the ABC State-based screen agencies to support broader policy objectives related Screen Producers Australia (SPA) to content, platforms, screen business, and development of screen practitioners. Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) The ABC also collaborates with a range of screen industry organisations on content Screen Diversity Inclusion Network (SDIN) initiatives, practitioner development, and Australian Film Television & Radio School policy considerations. (AFTRS) Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) Events, Festivals, and Local ABC teams collaborate with a diverse Women’s National Basketball League Sporting Organisations range of organisations to bring coverage of Cricket Australia important festivals, events and sports, with many Football Federation Australia longstanding relationships across the country. WOMADelaide Sydney Writer’s Festival Garma Festival Melbourne International Comedy Festival Emergencies The ABC works with emergency and weather The Bureau of Meteorology agencies across the country to deliver emergency State-based fire and emergency services broadcasting and other important information Australian Red Cross to communities during disasters and major weather events. Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal International The ABC engages with public media groups Public Media Alliance (PMA) to share information and support public European Broadcasting Union (EBU) media outcomes. EBU Music Exchange Music Bodies The ABC collaborates with music bodies on ARIA content opportunities, including concert recording Sydney Opera House and broadcasting, audience development and conferences. State Education The ABC works with state education departments State-based education departments Departments to deliver high-quality education content that Australian Media Literacy Alliance aligns with school curricula, and support materials for remote learning, as was the case during 2020 as a response to COVID-19. ABC Education is also a member of the Australian Media Literacy Alliance, and cooperates regularly with museums, universities, galleries, parks and others to deliver educative content to Australians.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 15 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

According to the Portfolio Budget Statements 2020–21, the ABC is appropriated funds to undertake two principal activities. These activities and the forward estimates are set out below:

1. Providing Australian and international audiences with radio, television and digital media services 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2021–22 Forward Forward Forward Resources Budget estimates estimates estimates

Program 1.1 – ABC General Operational Activities Expenditure ($’000) 931,222 922,998 934,487 946,152

2. Managing the broadcast and transmission of ABC radio and television services within Australia 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2021–22 Forward Forward Forward Resources Budget estimates estimates estimates

Program 1.2 – ABC Transmission and Distribution Services Expenditure ($’000) 191,852 193,094 195,304 197,524

A summary of financial information for the 2021–22 budget and the forward estimates for the ABC is set out below:

Forward estimates 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2021–22 Forward Forward Forward Budget estimates estimates estimates Revenue $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

ABC Government Appropriations Operational Appropriations 1,070,097 1,061,739 1,076,059 1,090,595 Total Appropriations 1,070,097 1,061,739 1,076,059 1,090,595 Own Source Revenue 50,422 52,430 52,430 52,430 Total Revenue 1,120,519 1,114,169 1,128,489 1,143,025 Operational Expenditure 1,123,074 1,116,092 1,129,791 1,143,676 Capital Expenditure 82,519 95,614 101,904 99,271 Borrowings 2,230 2,230 2,230 2,230

Source: 2021–22 Portfolio Budget Statements. Note: the inclusion of this table satisfies the requirement of s.31B(1)(b) of the ABC Act in relation to forecasts of revenue and expenditure

ABC cinematographer captures sunrise over the Dardanelles, Turkey. Photo by Greg Nelson.

16 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 ABC OPERATING PLAN FY2022–FY2025 In its Five-Year Plan, the ABC outlined the initiatives that it will undertake to achieve its strategic priorities to be more relevant to more Australians, with a greater focus on accessibility and the on-demand digital services audiences now expect. A number of these initiatives are complete, many are underway, and some will take until the end of the Plan period to complete. The section below outlines the key initiatives, together with progress to date, demonstrating how the ABC’s priorities will be achieved over the period of the Plan.

Deliver personalised digital experiences The ABC’s strategy over the Plan period has a clear focus on understanding its audience and improving their experience on digital platforms and devices. As digital media platforms grow in popularity, audience expectations for digital products that are easy to use and personalised are increasing. Personalisation and a focus on audiences will make finding relevant and interesting content easier, provide a superior product experience – including across devices – and help to highlight the ABC’s best and most distinctive Australian content. In the second half of 2021, the ABC will launch mandatory sign-in, signalling the next phase of its personalisation project. This has been a significant project, and further features and enhancements will continue over the Plan period to better inform, educate and entertain all Australians.

Key Initiative Progress Update Introduce personalisation across ABC ABC iview Login to Play, the first personalised product for the ABC, will commence products, giving audiences the option to roll-out in the second half of 2021. sign into one ABC account that records This initiative enables audiences to receive personalised content their preferences across ABC platforms. recommendations, as well as pause and resume watching across different devices. In preparation for personalisation, content teams across the ABC have worked together with the ABC’s Technology team to deliver valued content for signed-in users. For example, the ABC’s News team has created discrete, stand-alone audio and video items. Build ABC iview into the leading Additional effort and resourcing were applied in 2020/21 to boost the potential of showcase for Australian content ABC iview as a core product platform and will continue over the period of the Plan. and culture by enhancing its user Examples of enhancements include: experience, video offering and • An expansion in the volume of acquisitions content including: discoverability by audiences. − Performing Arts – more than 40 works of theatre, opera, ballet and classical music. − Over 200 additional hours of Australian on-demand content. • Improvements made to the user experience, including new ABC iview design, a rebuild across the big screen experience and synchronisation across devices. • Introduction of regional local news to ABC iview. • Establishment of a specialised unit within the News Channel to publish a greater volume of stories for on-demand viewing, and the introduction of a “Stories from ABC News” rail in ABC iview to showcase the best news stories from around Australia each day. The unit is also creating bespoke, on-demand explainers on the big news stories of the day. • Enhanced marketing efforts to raise awareness of ABC iview and the content available. Add robust profile management features Activities in this area include: across the ABC’s digital product • Implementation of Consent Management on all ABC websites and mobile apps ecosystem that respect and protect for logged-in users so they can provide informed consent and understand how audience privacy. the ABC uses their data. • Work in progress to enhance ABC Account profile experience and introduce more preferences that can be shared across ABC’s digital product ecosystem. • Robust encryption technology implemented for ABC logins.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 17 Key Initiative Progress Update Support and enable content-makers The ABC’s content teams are reviewing metadata protocols, and significant work to apply metadata to their content, is underway on keywords in programs for search and recommendations. Further providing information that helps training for content makers will improve metadata on audio and video content. audiences find the stories that interest The ABC is also expanding the digitisation of the ABC archive to continue the shift them more easily. towards greater self-service and automation. Offer personalised emails, alerts, and Activity in this area includes: other notifications to help audiences • An expanding suite of newsletters for local audiences, with eight additional stay up-to-date and in touch with newsletters across regional centres. breaking and daily news, new programs, • An increase in the number of notifications being sent to ABC News app users, and coverage of events. driving return visits and increasing engagement. • Building on existing app notifications, triple j to offer personalised notifications from the second half of 2021. • A refresh to the functionality and design of the ABC Yours personalised newsletter, which launched in 2020. The ABC Yours newsletter has excelled in all benchmarks and is the ABC’s most successful audience engagement tool. • Work is in progress to drive more users to add a saved location in the ABC News mobile app and enable more local news to be provided to audiences based on their location.

Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source of news and information The Five-Year Plan highlighted the threats to the democratic confidence of the Australian population, namely: growing distrust towards media organisations, changes in news consumption patterns, a decline in media diversity, and a reduction in the availability of local news. This environment creates an imperative for the ABC to remain a strong, impartial, trusted and valued source of news and information that all Australians can turn to with confidence. The ABC has commenced work on the initiatives that will maintain and further strengthen its trusted position and will continue to be implemented over the Plan period.

Key Initiative Progress Update Introduce new quality review processes There are a range of training activities in progress to support this initiative. to ensure stories are highly relevant and These include: consistent with contemporary better • The ABC’s Regional and Local Quality team is offering regular training to practice storytelling. support relevant and best practice storytelling. • ABC News is introducing whole-story training for taking control and responsibility for ensuring quality and impact of all stories. • The ABC News team have set targets for quality reviews and impact reviews in 2021. • The past year has seen an increased focus on social media, with a re-working of the guidance and policies on personal use of social media and through training and communicating a clearer understanding of the guidance for staff. Deploy audience insights and analytics New activities in this area include: to commission for greater impact. • The ABC News Impact Editor works with teams to enhance and report on story impact and is introducing a range of related training modules. • Daily analysis of the performance of News Digital to identify areas of opportunity for commissioning. • Audience data integrated into the Entertainment & Specialist content commissioning process. Generate more approachable Solutions-based or useful approaches to journalism were explored in 2020, in news stories by using a less response to the global trend towards news avoidance. A number of training formal tone, plainer language and modules are being delivered to all News teams in 2021 to support this initiative. providing more context.

18 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Key Initiative Progress Update Significantly increase the number of There are a range of activities across the ABC in support of this initiative. video and audio news stories created as Examples include: stand alone digital items for distribution • An increase in the number of video stories from the ABC’s Regional and Local in different ways across on-demand team being made available on-demand. Workflows are being developed to platforms and broadcasts, including allow for future digital-only storytelling. commissioning stories specifically for • The implementation of two projects in the ABC’s News division – the Audio News on-demand use. On-Demand Strategy and the Video News On-Demand Strategy. These projects will impact on structures and operations, commissioning and workflows within the News division. • In Audio, there will be a revamp of the NewsRadio on-air product to incorporate some on-demand elements, and experimentation with podcasts and briefings on third-party platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. A dedicated podcast studio will further develop the capacity for high-quality and efficient News podcasts. • In Video, the introduction of an on-demand video unit within the news channel, with stories to be created with an “on-demand first” mindset. ABC News will also develop a “Watch Live” section within the News website and app to showcase the best news video. Counter news avoidance with more ABC local radio teams incorporate positive news into their programming on a stories that go beyond “bad news” regular basis, such as ABC Sydney’s Afternoons program ‘Good News Bulletin’ reporting and explore context as segment which features positive and constructive stories recommended by well as efforts at finding constructive listeners within a Friday bulletin. solutions to issues. Solutions journalism is a solutions-based or useful approach to journalism that provides a more constructive news experience that contextualises “bad news” stories, highlights potential solutions at personal and/or societal levels, and provides information that people can directly use in their lives. In ABC News, solutions journalism trials are underway with targets to be set for all states and teams, and Solutions Journalism training is being delivered to all teams, mid-level managers, and reporters in 2021. Develop specialist reporting that Examples of activities in progress to achieve this initiative include: supports greater public literacy • The series Indigenous Seasonal Weather, being made in partnership with CSIRO. across topics such as weather, finance, • The remote media literacy program, which connects with school students science, religion and ethics, media, in remote parts of Australia to support them to be responsible consumers and technology. of media, and the digital interactive tool ‘Spotting misinformation and disinformation’ to educate students in how to identify misinformation. • Appointing two new specialist reporters to the ABC’s Regional and Local National Reporting and Weather Team. • Introducing the ABC News consumer finance newsletter, which aims to demystify business reporting. • Creating a data journalist position within the News Channel team to help better explain statistically-based stories. • Increasing science short form content that is engaging and accessible to all Australians. eg. Rad Experiments; How Deadly with Ann Jones. Raise awareness of the ABC as a The ABC Emergency broadcasting campaign, which ran over Summer 2020/21, reliable and comprehensive source of built community awareness and understanding of the ABC’s role as an emergency important safety information during broadcaster, and provided information on how to connect to ABC content during emergency situations. an emergency. The ABC partnered with local government, tourism bodies and emergency services across its regional and capital city local bureaux to extend the reach of the campaign. As a result, awareness of ABC Emergency platforms grew from 44% to 50% across all Australians. The ABC will continue to raise awareness of the ABC as a reliable and comprehensive source of important safety information during emergency situations.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 19 Strengthen local connections The ABC seeks to encourage national unity by representing all Australians regardless of location, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, social background, and ability. By focusing more on the stories that matter in more communities, and telling stories from their perspectives, the ABC will better understand the issues to explore, explain and share with the nation. Work on this strategic priority has already commenced, and over the Plan period the ABC will continue to find ways to better connect Australians to their communities, with reporters in more locations, voices from more communities in its programs, and special coverage that shares how different communities confront issues and face them together.

Key Initiative Progress Update Introduce new ways of reporting This work is underway and will continue to evolve over the Plan period. One and establish new outposts in outer- example includes the ‘pop-up’ newsroom established in Liverpool in March and metropolitan and regional centres. April, 2021, with the aim to increase coverage of local issues in Sydney’s South West and deepen engagement with communities in the area. A similar initiative will take place in Campbelltown mid-year. The ABC News division plans for ongoing investment in outer-metro bureaux, including in Parramatta, Geelong, and Ipswich. Listen to more voices from local An example of an initiative in this area is Takeover Melbourne, which started in communities to deliver more relevant 2020. Building on the success of Heywire in providing a platform for young people stories and support a “citizens’ agenda”. in regional Australia, 32 young people from Melbourne shared their stories and developed ideas to support their local community. Takeover will be running again in 2021. Further examples include the greater use of live blogs, in particular on COVID-19, to seek input from the audience, and the expansion of the “you ask, we answer” project within News beyond COVID-19 to examine other subjects. More than 200k audience questions have been received in relation to COVID-19. Introduce new services, such as Local news bulletins were added to the ABC Listen app in December, giving users personalised email newsletters and access to their local news of the day on the home page of the app. alerts, that deliver local news and news The ABC is also expanding its suite of newsletters for local audiences, with eight alerts on digital devices, especially additional newsletters across regional centres planned. Further work in this area for those with limited access to is planned. local coverage. The ability to localise in content modules within the ABC Yours newsletter launched in July 2021. Increase the distribution of ABC The work on this initiative has already commenced, with the ABC announcing in operations around the country, reducing June its intention to relocate up to 300 staff from its Ultimo headquarters to new the concentration of facilities in Sydney. facilities in Parramatta. Other examples of progress achieved to date include: • NSW Newsroom dedicating resources to the Western Sydney Bureau in Parramatta • Home of Sport Initiative increasing content makers and an editorial leader in Brisbane. Develop resources to help communities As part of this initiative, in October 2020 the ABC re-launched the ABC Emergency prepare for emergencies and build website, bringing together information from key national and state emergency resilience in the aftermath of storms, services and making critical information easier to access. This aggregation of vital floods and fires. data is the first of its kind in Australia. The ABC has also piloted improved localisation in Brisbane, which will be expanded across Queensland, to enable the ABC to flexibly insert local content at local radio stations and provide greater resilience when covering bushfires. Invest in emergency coverage to ensure The Emergency Broadcasting team was restructured in 2020 to better support it remains effective and sustainable for local teams to respond to their local emergency events. Further work in this area is ABC teams as natural disasters become planned over the Plan period. more frequent and severe. Work with local media outlets and other Some elements of this initiative have been placed on hold due to COVID-19 organisations to support local news and limitations on travel and capacity, with plans to re-commence when safe to do so. share ABC expertise in investigative and Early in 2021, the ABC News team partnered with Google News Lab to deliver data-driven journalism. search training to journalists and content makers across the business.

20 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Key Initiative Progress Update Commission more stories that show how As part of this initiative, ABC Regional is producing in-depth digital features different communities around Australia which explore issues facing communities. An example includes A Quiet Place, come together to tackle the challenges which explores the building of the world’s largest telescope in Murchison Shire, they face and support community Western Australia. building initiatives. The ABC’s Remote Communities initiative enables content makers to spend time in communities that are not often represented in media and tell their stories on national platforms. Commission more stories that reflect Examples of work undertaken to achieve this initiative include: and appeal to diverse communities and, • Launch of the ABC Queer Instagram account, featuring stories about and for where appropriate, provide them in Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community. languages other than English. • Expansion of ABC News’ 50:50 initiative to include broader diversity. • An increase in the number of titles available with Chinese subtitles on ABC iview.

Prioritise quality over quantity The ABC offers an important space where Australian voices and stories are heard, reflecting the lives and experiences of Australians. As fragmentation is likely to remain an ongoing part of the media landscape, the ABC must respond by offering a compelling proposition. To this end, it must ensure its resources are available for the most distinctive content across various categories. Digital content must also be prioritised in the commissioning process along with securing digital rights to ensure the ABC is meeting the needs of growing digital audiences.

Key Initiative Progress Update Increase focus on commissioning The Entertainment & Specialist team have undertaken a number of structural distinctive and high-quality Australian changes to support this initiative: programming and reducing content • The restructure of content teams in 2020, which gave the division greater that does not perform well for flexibility to commission content strategically in line with the Five-Year Plan. its intended audience. • Uniting the business operations into a single team (Content Business) across commissioned and acquired content, which brought together the necessary expertise to source and produce content to meet strategic goals. • Adjusting commissioned content hours and spend to allow the teams to increase focus on content that will drive audiences to ABC iview. Build a stronger and more strategic ABC The focus has been increased on securing back catalogue rights to content to iview catalogue through acquisitions strengthen the ABC iview catalogue. and targeted investment in rights to Investment in ABC iview titles for binge events has also increased, with a focus on ensure programs are available on the drama, premium factual and children’s content, as well as secondary content such platform for longer. as movies and features. Deliver stronger podcasts and programs There has been strong rating growth for key timeslots across Local Radio, and for ABC Listen and key timeslots on Podcasts are increasingly being optioned for television and/or companion Local Radio, Radio National and ABC podcasts for video content. Radio Australia. Changes also include the appointment of a Manager to oversee the specialist audio teams of RN and Audio Studios to strengthen the digital audio content offer. Help more people discover Australian To support this initiative, the ABC has: music, artists, and performers in a • Commissioned 25 new compositions across Classic and Jazz as part of the Fresh highly competitive market. Start Fund, celebrating new and emerging composers; ABC Classic and ABC Jazz will continue to commission new compositions in 2021. • Provided support to 16 emerging artists/bands through the triple j Level Up grants. • Continued to grow interest in the triple j Hottest 100, with 7 million Australians aged 16yrs+ engaged with the Hottest 100 in 2021. • Launched a new weekly Arts show, Art Works. • Launched channel ABC TV Plus, which premieres specialist content in prime time, including Arts and Documentaries. Align commissioning decisions The content commissioning teams will be continuously reviewing their more closely with audience data and commissioning processes over the Plan period. insights to better meet audience needs and expectations.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 21 Invest in the workforce of the future The Five-Year Plan identified that the workforce of the future is likely to be influenced by technology and economic factors, along with the need for greater flexibility and mobility. These factors remain front of mind in this year’s Plan, and in response the ABC must invest in training to improve digital capabilities and strengthen diversity in its workforce to better reflect the broader community. The ABC’s priorities in meeting these goals over the current Plan period are focused on attracting and retaining talented staff who can deliver the content and strategic objectives of the organisation’s Five-Year Plan.

Key Initiative Progress Update Strengthen the ABC’s learning culture The ABC delivered comprehensive training to staff across a range of skills. by providing on-demand resources that The ABC incorporated virtual training sessions to supplement face-to-face deliver engaging and easy-to-access training during COVID-19 restrictions, including through the ABC’s People Hub and materials that build lasting skills for LinkedIn Learning. Tech Hub, a new internal learning site that offers employees the future. comprehensive and accessible information about the various technologies used at the ABC, was also developed. Continue to build a workforce culture Gender diversity statistics are on track to meet KPI goals in 2021, and workforce that embodies diversity, inclusivity, representation is increasing in all underrepresented groups as of March 2021. flexibility, creativity and a shared vision A number of activities throughout the ABC further support this initiative. for change. Examples include: • Female sports commentary workshops to identify and mentor future AFL commentators. • Additional Indigenous and local-community reporters within State Newsrooms. • A staff-led diversity group to build a strongly inclusive culture. • A focus on and commitment to the Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019–22 and the Elevate RAP 2019–22. • Commissioning guidelines for diversity for screen (this applies to independent producers). • Pathway initiatives and traineeships for screen content. Identify further ways to improve 2020–21 team restructures, guided by People and Culture specialists and change collaboration, eliminate duplication, management plans, have delivered change that supports greater collaboration and foster creativity across teams. and more efficient ways of working. The Future Workforce project discovery phase is complete with recommended actions currently being rolled out to deliver improved ways of working. Other activities that support this initiative include: • Maximising the utilisation of the available workforce in production operations, with an improvement in alignment between workforce and production demand. • Implementation of the Content Cycle Initiative (CCI) and identification of duplication of technology and activities across content teams, with the goal to remove or reduce this duplication and ensure it is appropriately addressed in future technology investment. • Collaboration tools to support cross-team collaboration, including interactive virtual workshops implemented by the ABC’s technology team. • Collaboration between the ABC News and Capital City radio teams to deliver shared news content. • New and updated working from home guidelines, training and tools that support improved ways of working in the context of a new hybrid working model and build on the learnings from the ABC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Improve leadership development, Examples of measures implemented to improve leadership, development and talent management, recruitment, and recruitment strategies for retaining and recruiting diversity include: selection practices to attract and retain • Indigenous Cadetship Program. diverse and talented individuals. • Finance cadetship for diverse university students. • Women in management roles programs. • Establishing external relationships and professional networks to grow the ABC’s pool of diverse candidates. • Supporting the careers of internal talent through the Talent Development Roadmap and mentoring program.

22 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 Key Initiative Progress Update Deliver strategic workforce plans that As part of the Future Workforce Project two strategic workforce planning pilots ensure recruitment and training align concluded in June 2021 (with Audiences and Information Technology teams). with current and future output needs. Apply the lessons learned from The ABC’s Regional and Local division has experienced an increase in mobile emergency coverage and the COVID-19 journalism after the number of staff equipped with supporting technology crisis to improve workplace health and increased during COVID-19. Staff filing stories on regional issues for national safety management and processes, platforms has also increased, building on skills developed during COVID-19. including capabilities for working from Extensive use of cloud-based software has further supported location agility home and other remote locations. for staff.

Creative, flexible, efficient, and accountable Operating within a constrained budgetary environment, over the Plan period the ABC will transform into a leaner and more flexible organisation that ensures resources are targeted at meeting priority audience needs and expectations. The ABC will embrace new tools, ways of working, and processes that enable teams to be creative and flexible in response to changing audience needs and community expectations. By 2025, there will be fewer ABC staff in the Corporation’s Sydney offices, and more based in Australia’s suburban, outer-urban and regional centres, closer to the stories that matter to our diverse communities.

Key Initiative Progress Update Implement modern IP-based systems Work on this initative is ongoing. Examples include: and cloud services for distribution • Completion of the three-year cyber security roadmap, and continued and production to improve flexibility investment to ensure all ABC websites are brought up to the latest and efficiency. security capability. • An upgrade to the ABC’s web content management system (wCMS) to transform the content creation process and support the delivery of more relevant digital experiences. Introduce new workflows that enhance Examples of work undertaken for this initiative include: collaboration, eliminate duplication, • A pilot in ABC Everyday to produce digital stories drawing on the broad range of and improve efficiency in creating and relevant topics covered on local radio. distributing content with a sharper • ABC Brisbane is delivering more text content for digital audiences, leveraging focus on specific audiences. the relevant stories of the day that are covered by local radio. • Work in progress to implement Audio Over IP (AoIP) to provide content makers with reliable, highly flexible audio network capability and enable the hyper- localisation of markets. • Work in progress to implement Workflow & Media Management (WAMM) to enable content makers to find, access and share content more easily and efficiently. Achieve production efficiencies Several reviews are underway as part of this initiative, with implementation to be with a more consistent approach to completed over the Plan period. These include reviews of operational areas for content-making, ensuring that similar efficiencies and reviews of the ABC’s property portfolio. productions use similar resources. An example includes the transfer of Entertainment & Specialist editorial operations staff to content teams, reducing duplication, increasing efficiency and cohesiveness of these teams with increased options for career development and pathways for progression. A fit-for-purpose TV set in Melbourne was created to form an efficient multi- purpose facility that can support four programs inside one studio. Seek further efficiencies in discretionary The Strategic Workforce planning stream of the ABC’s Future Workforce Project is spending and in support areas through progressing with two pilots due to conclude in June 2021. These pilots have also improved utilisation of staff. identified opportunities for workforce efficiencies. Invest in collaboration tools and Completed proof of concept for mobile journalism, enabling content makers to technology that enable a more capture and file content using lightweight technology. dispersed and mobile workforce. Further work will be undertaken over the Plan period to achieve this initiative. Minimise the impact of ABC operations Scoping work is currently underway for a range of initiatives, including a on the environment and update staff-led sustainability model, enhanced corporate site, and sustainable corporate plans, policies and targets production guidelines. for reducing the ABC’s impact on the environment.

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 23 MEASURES

The KPIs are linked to the strategic priorities identified above.

Element Measure Source 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 Why this is important

Vision: The home of Awareness of ABC Corporate 96% 96% 96% 96% Audience awareness of the ABC’s services is the foundation on which understanding, value and use depend. ABC survey Australian stories – the ABC among Tracking responses are used to track awareness. accessible, bold, creative all Australians Program Priority: Deliver Weekly active Google 14.2 million 14.6 million 15 million 15.4 million The ABC of the future must meet audience demand for digital experiences on a wide variety of devices. This measure is personalised digital digital users Analytics tracked with user-analysis tools. experiences Priority: Remain Australia’s The ABC is ABC Corporate 80% 80% 80% 80% The ABC is Australia’s most trusted media organisation and must maintain this position. ABC survey responses are used to best and most trusted trusted by all Tracking track its trust score. source of news and Australians Program information Priority: Strengthen local The ABC ABC Corporate 65% 67% 68% 69% Strengthening the role that the ABC plays in local communities is a key strategic priority that has grown in importance. connections connects me Tracking Responses to specific survey questions are used to generate a percentage value to measure this. to my local Program community Priority: Prioritise quality Quality ABC Q&D 87% 87% 87% 87% The ABC will maintain high standards and stand out as a unique provider of Australian content. Various measures are over quantity research aggregated to provide a percentage score for this. Distinctiveness ABC Q&D 85% 85% 85% 85% research Priority: Invest in the Staff Engagement Above Above Above Above Employee engagement surveys provide detailed data and insights for leaders and managers to use to improve the workforce of the future engagement survey Australian Australian Australian Australian workplace. Organisation responsiveness to employee feedback leads to higher retention rates, lower absenteeism, improved benchmark benchmark benchmark benchmark productivity, higher service levels and better employee morale. Indigenous Employee data 3.6% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% As Australia’s foremost cultural institution, the ABC’s purpose is to inspire and enrich the lives of all Australians, and it is employees incumbent on the ABC to show leadership in advancing reconciliation. As such, the ABC’s intent each year is to match, or better, the Indigenous population in Australia. Outer years to be confirmed by the Bonner Committee and key stakeholders. Culturally Employee data 15% 15% 17% 17% A broad range of perspectives, approaches and ideas makes the ABC a stronger, more creative and more diverse relevant organisation. Executives Culturally Employee data 15% 15% 17% 17% diverse content makers Employees with Employee data 8% 9% 9% 9% a disability Priority: Creative, flexible, Efficiency CFO report All All All All The ABC’s funding position requires that budgets be managed carefully and milestones for achieving savings are met. The efficient and accountable targets achieved achieved achieved achieved Corporation will measure the achievement of all efficiency targets.