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.