Section 4 Summary Reports
Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10
The Corporate Plan 2007–10 includes three levels Objective 1—Ensure the ABC’s of performance measurement. independence, integrity and high The first level measures the effectiveness or standards. outcome of ABC services in providing benefit to Efficiency of complaints management the Australian community. These measures and the measured by performance against statutory ABC’s performance against them in 2007–08 are and ABC-imposed timelines. set out in the Corporate Plan Summary (page 10). During 2007–08 the ABC responded to 11 431 The second measures how well the ABC performs written complaints. Of these 81% were responded in relation to four high-level objectives. The to within the 28-day time period specified in the measures encompass 11 key result areas across ABC Editorial Policies. Overall, 99.5% of written four dimensions of performance identified in the complaints were responded to within 60 days, Plan: good governance; output and audiences; which is the statutory period for response to value for money; and learning and growth. complaints about ABC Code of Practice matters.
The third level of evaluation relates to the During the same period, the ABC’s Complaints actions and performance targets set for each of Review Executive reviewed 70 complaints. Of these 18 strategic priorities. For reporting purposes, 98.6% were responded to within 28 days and these targets are assessed as “Achieved”, “On 100% within 60 days. Track”, “Not Achieved” or “Ongoing”, the latter Results of Editorial Policy Assurance Surveys. representing a commitment over the life of the Plan. The Director of Editorial Policies undertook five quality assurance projects. The first examined the quality of ABC processes for taking corrective Key Results Areas actions when they were warranted. The project found that in almost every case corrective Measuring how well the ABC performs in relation actions had been carried out. Some inconsistent to four areas of performance: good governance; practices in the handling of online corrections output and audiences; value for money; and were found and a series of recommendations for learning and growth—measured twice yearly. improvements were made.
The second project examined the accuracy of three of the ABC’s principal radio current affairs programs—AM, The World Today and PM. An independent panel reviewed a random sample of 150 items broadcast and determined that 95.3% of the items sampled were either wholly or substantially accurate for plain facts and 97.3% were wholly or substantially accurate as to context.
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Other projects examined samples of television ABC buildings by 2.3% from 878 megajoules per news content, radio topical and factual content, square metre per annum in 2007 to 858 in 2008. and online opinion content. The current ABC Fleet fuel intensity also fell by 2.3% from 3.84 Editorial Policies 2007 set out an impartiality megajoules per kilometre per annum in 2007 to requirement for each of these three categories of 3.76 in 2008. content. Final reports were due in July 2008. Electricity consumption increased by 0.8% and In August 2007, the Managing Director requested natural gas consumption by 0.6% in 2007–08 due a review of the adequacy of the Editorial Policies to the roll-out of new digital broadcast equipment in relation to journalistic sources and the in parallel with existing analog systems. reporting by journalists of events in which they are The Corporation has also established a Green participants. The Board approved the insertion of Futures Steering Committee to assist the ABC new sections (4.7 and 4.4.13–15) into the Editorial meet its performance targets and to ingrain Policies that, following a consultation period, take environmental best practices in the behaviour of effect on 1 July 2008. all staff. In the federal election coverage of October– See also Commitment to a Greener Future pages November 2007, the ABC used internal and 59 to 63. external resources to monitor the amount of coverage given to candidates and party officials (share-of-voice data) to help provide assurance Objective 2—To be recognised as the that coverage met all required standards of accuracy and impartiality. The election coverage leading Australian public media space monitoring work was reported to the Board and where people engage with issues published on ABC Online. and ideas.
Fulfilment of statutory and regulatory Percentage of first-run Australian television obligations. content (between 6 pm and midnight, between 6 am and midnight) annually. The Corporation believes it has fulfilled all of its statutory and regulatory obligations during • 6 pm and midnight: 52.8% (48.4% in 2007–08 with the exception of responding to all 2006–07) on ABC1 written complaints within the 60-day statutory • 6 am and midnight: 34.5% (35.0% in period. The ABC responded to 99.5% of written 2006–07) on ABC1. complaints within 60-days. Comment: These results reflect the hours Environmental impact assessment and broadcast from the Sydney transmitter, comprising evidence of response. national and local New South Wales transmission. Figures may differ slightly in other States and The ABC has established an Environment Territories as a result of varying levels of local Management System which sets out high-level content. The decline is not noteworthy. policies, objectives and targets and provides for monitoring and reviewing performance. Data for ABC2 is collected across total hours The System is based on international standard of broadcast. 9.9% was achieved in 2007–08 ISO14001:2000. compared to 8.6% in the previous year.
The Corporation has set targets to reduce its Percentage of Australian television programs greenhouse gas emissions by 40% (to 60% of in the ABC’s 20 highest rating programs. 1997 levels) by 2020 and by 60% (to 40% of 1997 • ABC1—Metropolitan: 65% (60% in 2006–07) levels) by 2050. • ABC1—Regional: 50% (55% in 2006–07). Overall during 2007–08 the ABC achieved a Comment: The increase in metropolitan reduction of 0.8% from 44 188 tonnes CO2-e to represents one additional program appearing 43 758 tonnes CO2-e. This was primarily due to in the top 20 list, while in the regional list it an overall reduction in the energy intensity of all represents one less program.
SUMMARY REPORTS 117 Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10 continued
Percentage of Australian music performance Critical recognition through major on each Radio network that broadcasts media awards. music. See Appendix 21 (page 208). • triple j: 41.1% against target of 40% • ABC Classic FM: 34.6% against target of 30% Overall ABC (combined) audience reach. • ABC Radio National: 30.2% against target 72% which is the same as in 2006–07. Source: ABC Awareness and Usage Survey 2008 and ratings analysis of 25% conducted in the same month in 2007 and 2008. • ABC Local Radio: 31.5% against target of 25% • dig: 40.5% against target of 40% Audience share for ABC Television and • dig jazz: 24.9% against target of 25% ABC Radio. • dig country: 25.6% against a target of 25% Television: • Radio Australia: 60% against a target of 60%. ABC1—Metropolitan (free-to-air, people share) • 6 am to midnight—16.5% (15.7% in 2006–07) Comment: The result for dig jazz is not • 6 pm to midnight—17.2% (16.3% in 2006–07) considered statistically significant. ABC1—Regional (free-to-air, people share) Percentage of original content scheduled • 6 am to midnight—18.4% (17.1% in 2006–07) across mainstream radio services and web • 6 pm to midnight—18.7% (17.3% in 2006–07) stories produced for ABC Local Online. ABC1—Metropolitan (total viewing, people share) • Original content: 88.1% (This is a new measure. • 6 am to midnight—12.4% (12.1% in 2006–07) No comparative data is available for 2006–07.) • 6 pm to midnight—13.9% (13.4% in 2006–07) • Web Stories: 11 818 (Measurement not ABC1—Regional (total viewing, people share) available as percentage. This is a new • 6 am to midnight—13.2% (12.7% in 2006–07) measurement. No comparative data is • 6 pm to midnight—14.5% (13.7% in 2006–07). available for 2006–07.) Comment: Share data for ABC2 was not available during 2007–08. Percentage of state/local “breakout” • Radio: 20.7% (20.5% in 2006–07). television broadcast hours. Of the 10 910 total ABC1 television hours 2 217 Audience reach by media platform and hours (20.3%) were unduplicated, state-based, network. first-run television broadcast hours compared to Television: 20.5% in 2006–07. Data is not collected for ABC2 • ABC1—Metropolitan (24 hour)—60.1% (60.4% as this network transmits a national feed only. in 2006–07) Comment: The decline is not considered • ABC1—Regional (24 hour)—62.4% (64.2% in noteworthy. 2006–07)
Percentage of people who consider the • Radio: 32.9% (32.7% in 2006–07) quality of programming on ABC Television, • Online: Active internet population—19.5% Radio and Online is good. (18.4% in 2006–07). • Television: 82% (81% in 2006–07) Comment: Declines are not considered statistically • Radio: 65% (64% in 2006–07) significant. • Online: 91% (88% in 2006–07). Total podcasts, vodcasts and streamed Source: Newspoll, ABC Appreciation Survey, 2007 and 2008. media. Comment: None of these changes are statistically • Podcasts: 41.5 million (22.9 million in 2006–07) significant. • Vodcasts: 18.6 million (5.5 million in 2006–07) • Streamed Media: Full-year data is not available due to a change of content delivery system during the year.
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Objective 3—Deliver maximum on 1 July 2007 and entered into an agreement benefit to the people of Australia with Vision Australia, providing access to the through the effective and efficient ABC back catalogue. ABC Commercial retained delivery of ABC services. the rights for digital download to audio product and continued to distribute BBC product. ABC Levels of resource utilisation. Commercial rationalised the number of key brands The level of resource utilisation of production managed by the Licensing business and licensed staff within the Production Resources Division the manufacture and distribution of gift products was 89.2% for 2007–08 compared to 89.5% for key brands to external partners. in 2006–07. ABC Commercial implemented a range of controls Comment: The decline is not considered and operational efficiencies to improve the statistically significant. financial performance of the ABC Books business.
Levels of asset utilisation. In May 2007, the ABC engaged the Boston Consulting Group to review its television Data collection for this measure has been production activities in conjunction with the ABC’s contingent on the deployment of suitable software Corporate Development team. The Review was to record asset usage. This occurred in January to determine and make recommendations on the 2008. Data will be available from 2008–09 most efficient and effective television content onwards. production model. The Managing Director in Efficiencies delivered through business March 2008 announced the first three of the process re-engineering. planned initiatives: the creation of a new division, The following provides a cross-section of activity ABC Resources, drawing together Production during 2007–08. Resources and Resource Hire, effective from 1 July 2008; the replacement of television news studio A number of business processes have been technology that is reaching the end of its life-cycle replaced with electronic systems which simplify with a more efficient, automated studio system; tasks and reduce the time and resources needed and the centralisation of graphics production for to complete those tasks, as well as reducing paper ABC Television News programs. and energy consumption. During 2007–08 these included: Levels of new business activities. The following is a cross-section of activity during • The Electronic Asset register (a web-enabled 2007–08. process for controlling asset registration into SAP to replace the existing paper process) ABC Innovation developed and launched a downloadable application for mobile phones to • The Electronic Remittance Advice system which receive ABC election coverage directly from the replaced the existing paper process. ABC. This free service was one of the first of its One Person Operation (OPO) has been type in Australia with users receiving content implemented in two television news studios. The directly from the ABC rather than via a mobile studio control rooms have been outfitted with phone carrier. The application had over 4 000 state-of-the-art equipment, where functions are downloads and is now being used for other ABC sufficiently automated to enable a news service content including news, sport and weather. to go to air with significantly fewer people in the ABC Commercial entered into new business control room and on the studio floor. ventures with–My Space (ABC content), News The Corporation has finalised an ABC Payroll Magazines (delicious and Gardening Australia), service delivery agreement that delivers a 25% National Geographic (Library Sales), Jasnor Pty Ltd reduction in annual fees. (gift manufacture and distribution), Dymocks and Australia Post (retail distribution), Vision Australia Following a review of businesses not operating (audio product), Harcourt Brace (educational on a profitable basis—Audio, Licensing and publishing), Telstra BigPond (ABC content— Gift—ABC Commercial closed the Audio business
SUMMARY REPORTS 119 Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10 continued
BigPondTV), YouTube (ABC content), Globecast Commission, State film funding bodies and the (APEC coverage), Air Sport Limited (Hang Gliding Australia Council. Minicam coverage), First Take Productions (Boxing Ongoing discussions with the Screen Producers outside broadcast coverage) and Best Picture Show Association of Australia on developing Terms of (Rights to Bindi: The Jungle Girl), Good News Trade. Week (high definition production), Fremantle Media (Studio productions), Film Australia Involvement in deliberations surrounding new (program sales), History Channel (DVD rights), agency, Screen Australia, implementation of new Universal Magazines (proposal for new magazine), producers’ offset, funding levels for television Vodafone (ABC comedy content licensing), Circe and public broadcasting and development of the Productions, Essential Viewing and Natural History government’s arts, film and television policy. New Zealand (footage sales clients). Networking events organised and well attended by Online developed iView, which was Beta tested ABC Television’s independent production partners. as a device called “ABC Playback”. iView is an Ongoing productive communication with strategic internet broadcasting service which provides a stakeholders such as the Australian Children’s selection of recently-aired television and archived Television Foundation and Foxtel. programming from the ABC. It offers high fidelity, full-screen video for high speed internet users. Parliament House provided approval for Australia Network to be transmitted through the Parliament Percentage of non-Appropriation revenue as House internal house monitoring system. The a percentage of total costs. approval came after considerable lobbying at 5.1% (3.9% in 2006–07). various levels including lobbying by the ABC Qualitative evidence of engagement with Chairman to the Prime Minister. Under the external stakeholders. arrangement Australia Network will be available to all parliamentarians on a 24-hour, seven-day-a- The following is a cross section of activity during week basis. 2007–08. During April 2008, Chief Executive of Australia 75th Anniversary celebrations of the ABC. A Network, Bruce Dover accompanied ABC series of 12 concerts and/or open days held Chairman, Maurice Newman and Managing around Australia from July to October 2007, Director, Mark Scott on a tour of several Asian attracting more than 300 000 people and countries. The purpose of the trip was to execute providing opportunities for engagement with key a content sharing agreement between the ABC stakeholders in each community. and Central China Television (CCTV) and to allow Pre-election engagement with both the the Chairman and the Managing Director to see Government and Opposition around policy first hand the challenges and complexities faced in priorities in communications and broadcasting. operating a television network in the diverse Asia region. Countries visited included China, Vietnam, Post-election engagement with the new Minister, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Senator Stephen Conroy, including discussion of the new government’s policy priorities. Australia Network’s new flagship program, Engagement also with senior departmental Newshour with Jim Middleton was launched at a officials around shifts in policy and budget cocktail reception in the Mural Hall of Parliament priorities for 2008. House, Canberra on18 February 2008. The function was attended by around 120 people Ongoing relationship with the Djilpin Art including Government Ministers, Members of Aboriginal Corporation in relation to licensing of Parliament, public service heads, members of Dust Echoes to external parties. the diplomatic corps and industry groups. The Production partnerships: ongoing relationships program was launched by the ABC’s Managing and initiatives being developed with funding Director, Mark Scott and Foreign Minister, agencies including Film Australia, Australian Film Stephen Smith.
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Objective 4—Sustain and grow the Performance against external occupational ABC through high-quality leadership health and safety benchmark standards. and an environment of responsibility In 2005 the ABC committed to national targets for and opportunity. occupational health and safety (OHS) performance for the period 2002–12. These targets relate to Employee survey results. achieving reductions in workplace injury, lost time Development of an employee survey has been and time elapsed for return to work. Comcare contingent on finalising the restructure of the measures performance against these targets for People and Learning Division. It is anticipated that all Commonwealth agencies including the ABC. the survey will be developed in the second half of These measures provide benchmarks for the ABC 2008 with the first survey planned for 2009. to assess its performance in this area.
Turnover and absenteeism benchmarked The ABC is on track to deliver on the targets externally. relating to reductions in workplace injury. The The ABC has begun tracking employee initiated ABC’s results for reduction of lost time and in time separation and unscheduled leave and measures elapsed for return to work have improved but are these against external benchmarks annually. To not on target for this year. However, the ABC’s date the Corporation has used free benchmarking results against this target are significantly better services (updated annually) through the Australian than other Commonwealth agencies and the Human Resource Institute (AHRI) and Info HRM overall trend indicates the ABC is on track to meet Consulting. this target over the long-term. (See Appendix 12, page 193.) Employee initiated separation (turnover) measures the proportion of the workforce that initiated its own separation from the ABC and indicates Performance Targets unplanned skill loss to the ABC. The ABC’s result of 10.14% places the Corporation between the The ABC Corporate Plan 2007–10 sets out 100 25th percentile (8.18%) and the median (11.87%) individual targets. In this, the Plan’s first year of of the All Industries Benchmark results. operation, 16 (16%) of the targets were achieved. Of the remaining 84 targets, 21 (21%) are on Unscheduled leave measures the percentage of track to be achieved as required, 2 (2%) have not available workdays employees are absent for been achieved and 61 (61%) were identified as an unscheduled reasons. This can be an indicator ongoing commitment over the life of the Plan. of employee morale and a predictor of future turnover. The ABC’s result of 6.70 indicates that each employee, on average, is absent from work Objective 1—Ensure the ABC’s due to illness for about seven days each year. This independence, integrity and high result places ABC above the All Industries median standards. result of 6.21. However, when compared with the public sector the ABC’s result falls between Key Directions 2007–10 the target 25th percentile (6.36) and the median Editorial Standards: Uphold the highest editorial (7.51). standards in Australian broadcasting.
Investment in staff learning and Corporate Governance: Advance the ABC’s development. reputation and high performance standards A level of 2.14% of base salary expenditure has through the ongoing evaluation of governance, been spent on staff learning and development. policies and procedures. This is in line with the Corporate Plan target of a Corporate Citizenship: Contribute to the life of minimum of 2% of base salary expenditure and is Australian communities and to the maintenance of the same level as achieved in 2006–07. a healthy environment.
SUMMARY REPORTS 121 Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10 continued
Editorial Standards Corporate Citizenship Strategic Priority 1 Strategic Priority 3 Strive for the highest editorial standards and Work with local and international in particular with regard to: communities to foster relationships and • Accuracy goodwill. • Impartiality and fairness Actions and Targets • Public debate. Undertake or participate in public events in association with local communities. Ongoing Actions and Targets Ongoing review of the ABC Editorial Policies to Through the ABC’s selective participation in charity ensure they are adequate for the changing media events, provide support to communities in need. environment. Ongoing Ongoing
Apply corporation-wide interpretation and advice Work with broadcasters internationally, especially on the implementation of the ABC Editorial in Asia and the Pacific, to develop strong and Policies. Ongoing responsible media institutions that operate in the public interest. Ongoing Ensure that all staff understand their obligations and comply with ABC Editorial Polices and that Contribute actively to policy and professional content makers are trained in the Policies to an discourse internationally, through participation advanced level. Ongoing in media organisations and regulatory forums. Ongoing Maintain quality control of ABC content through regular self-evaluation. Ongoing Strategic Priority 4 Minimise the impact of ABC activities on Review and develop quality assurance systems Australia’s environment, biodiversity and to generate regular, credible, evidence-based heritage places. assessments of compliance of ABC content with Editorial Policies. On Track Actions and Targets
Acknowledge and respond to audience complaints Set and achieve annual targets to improve energy in a timely and impartial manner. Ongoing and water consumption across the Corporation. On Track Corporate Governance Set and achieve annual targets to reduce the Strategic Priority 2 Corporation’s Co2 (carbon) emissions. On Track Apply best practice standards of corporate governance and public accountability. Undertake energy audits of ABC facilities. Achieved Actions and Targets Identify and take account of the environmental Maintain and provide best practice governance footprints when negotiating procurement or systems and reporting processes to enable the service contracts. Ongoing Board to fulfil its obligations under Section 8 of the ABC Act. Ongoing Identify and care for heritage places under the ABC’s control through the implementation of its Ensure that risks identified annually inform Heritage Strategy. Ongoing the development of strategic priorities and management responses. Ongoing Comply with the Corporation’s obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Ensure a working environment that meets Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth). Ongoing recognised occupational health and safety requirements. Ongoing Consider the whole-of-life impact of planned facilities and equipment on energy efficiency, the environment and biodiversity. Ongoing
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Objective 2—To be recognised as the Record 600 major music concerts performed leading Australian public media space in Australia, per year, over the life of the Plan. where people engage with issues Achieved and ideas. A minimum of five initiatives per calendar year, over the life of the Plan, to identify and support Key Directions 2007–10 new Australian artists. Achieved Content: Contribute to a sense of national identity. Maintain the level of Australian drama on ABC Audiences: Deliver great media experiences, in Radio National at 75% of all drama broadcast. more ways, more often. Achieved
Innovation: Build a digital public broadcaster Online and Other Platforms: to keep the ABC at the leading edge of media Strengthen the presentation and content offering development. of ABC News Online (audio, video and text) over Content the life of the Plan. Ongoing
Strategic Priority 5 Develop and support a parenting portal, Strengthen the distinctiveness of ABC educational and documentary portals and special content. regional animation and video do-it-yourself initiatives for children. Ongoing Actions and Targets Develop opportunities for new and existing Television: audiences to access Australian content by Increase the level of first-release Australian content providing material on new and emerging on ABC Television, year-on-year, with particular platforms. Ongoing emphasis on drama, documentaries and children’s drama. On Track Local Presence: Use the Corporation’s presence across Australia, to Broadcast at least 55% Australian content between provide engaging and compelling content for local 6 pm and midnight; and achieve a minimum of audiences—at least maintaining 2006–07 levels of: 50% Australian programs in the ABC’s 20 most popular programs as measured in the five biggest • unduplicated content on ABC Local Radio and cities and Tasmania/regional markets. Achieved the number of web stories produced for ABC Local Online. Ongoing Source and present content that will uphold the ABC’s reputation for quality programming as • state/local breakouts from the national perceived by a large majority (at least 80%) of television schedule. Ongoing Australians surveyed. Ongoing Continue to review the location of regional radio Increase the total value of investment in Australian stations to ensure they reflect significant changes television content, compared with 2006–07, taking in population demographics. Ongoing account of the ABC’s intellectual property interests. Emergencies and Events of Major Achieved Significance: Television content aimed at children will achieve a Continue to develop the role of ABC Local Radio minimum of 25% Australian content. Achieved and ABC Local Online as the primary point of Radio: connection for communities across Australia at times of emergencies. Ongoing Maintain the 2006–07 levels of Australian content scheduled across local and national radio services. Provide comprehensive coverage of events of On Track major significance and celebration across networks and platforms as appropriate. Ongoing Continue to give priority to Australian music performance by setting and achieving annual targets for all radio networks that broadcast music. Achieved
SUMMARY REPORTS 123 Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10 continued
Strategic Priority 6 Harness the strength of the ABC’s multiplatform Attract the maximum potential audience presence and leadership in a range of content respectively for Charter-based content of categories. Ongoing “wide appeal” and of more “specialised Develop the capacity to deliver continuous news interest”. on radio, television, online and on mobile devices. Actions and Targets On Track Apply an integrated programming and scheduling International: strategy across ABC Television channels, the Develop a cross-platform experience between internet and other emerging platforms, to increase Australia Network, Radio Australia and ABC total levels of content usage. Ongoing International Online that reflects the interests of Strengthen perceptions of the ABC brand through Asia and the Pacific and provides an Australian continual review of the way the Corporation perspective on events and issues in the region. projects and markets itself to the community. Ongoing Ongoing Expand the online content offerings available Cross promotion activities will constitute at least through the ABC’s international outlets, including 20% of promotions on ABC Radio, Television the multilingual presence of Radio Australia. and Online sites, inclusive of ABC Commercial. Ongoing Achieved Engage with audiences through alternative International: distribution paths such as mobile and on-demand forms of television. Ongoing Maintain and increase Radio Australia’s airtime with broadcasting partners by providing content Innovation in their own languages in response to their needs Strategic Priority 8 and interests. Ongoing Position the ABC for the successful Extend the carriage of Australia Network in introduction of digital radio broadcasting. territories within its target markets. Ongoing Develop an ABC digital radio content strategy, Ensure audiences receive timely and accurate focusing on the provision of new services to information at times of crisis. Ongoing audiences, by September 2007. Achieved
Audiences Establish the operational and resource base to Strategic Priority 7 enable a trial of the new digital radio services to begin in October 2008. On Track Use the ABC’s multiplatform presence to provide engaging and compelling content Launch ABC digital radio services and associated and to extend audience experiences across a online presence, in January 2009, and according variety of formats. to agreed industry rollout schedule. On Track
Actions and Targets Develop a strategy to extend digital radio content Increase the availability of content across the to regional areas to coincide with the launch in ABC’s total offering through means such as time- January 2009. On Track shifting, podcasts and vodcasts, video-on-demand Strategic Priority 9 and streamed content. Ongoing Research and develop digital content and Provide user-friendly tools that enable audiences services. to contribute appropriate content to the ABC and Develop a rich media player to allow time-shifting share with a broader community. Ongoing and downloads of content. Achieved Increase opportunities for audience engagement Establish effective tools and policies for the through forums, moderated blogging and other expansion of Web 2.0 media and user-generated social networking activities. Ongoing content. On Track
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Objective 3—Deliver maximum Deliver facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne that benefit to the people of Australia address operational requirements in the future. through the effective and efficient Ongoing delivery of ABC services. Complete a long-term strategic capital analysis by October 2008 as a key input into the 2009–12 Key Directions 2007–10 Triennial Funding Submission. On Track Efficiency and Effectiveness: Demonstrate better practice in efficient and effective resource Develop a rolling capital business plan and management. implement according to agreed time frames. Ongoing Commercial Revenue: Improved return on public investment in the ABC. Commercial Revenue Strategic Priority 12 Stakeholders: Advance the ABC’s reputation with key stakeholders. Position the ABC for leadership in new and sustainable business activities—in particular, Efficiency and Effectiveness opportunities arising from the digital media Strategic Priority 10 environment.
Maximise the relative efficiency of ABC Actions and Targets resource and asset utilisation. By August each year, review the ABC Commercial Actions and Targets Operating Charter to ensure its effectiveness in Improve the alignment of strategic priorities and guiding business development that is appropriate budget review processes. Ongoing and sustainable. Achieved
Identify and maintain the most cost-effective Based on agreed ABC Digital Download Policy model for sourcing and delivering content that (from October 2007), provide digital products satisfies Charter obligations. Ongoing (video, audio, music, archival material) through the ABC Shop Online by March 2008. Achieved Ongoing review of all stages in the distribution and transmission processes including key Explore opportunities for further digital contractual relationships to ensure maximum distribution of product over the remaining life of effectiveness of distribution and transmission the Plan. On Track expenditure. Ongoing Establish and develop new revenue streams in the Introduce new business systems and work digital space. On Track practices to facilitate the movement into and Repurpose and commercialise content across all maximise the opportunities of digital production new media digital platforms (including distribution and delivery. Ongoing to third party platforms as appropriate). On Track
Progressively deliver tools to better identify, Develop joint ventures and strategic business manage and account for resource and asset partnerships with major media industry players. utilisation over the life of the Plan. Ongoing On Track
Strategic Priority 11 Strategic Priority 13 Address the challenges of long-term financial Strengthen the overall financial performance sustainability through integrated operational of the ABC Commercial Division in and capital planning. contributing net profit to the ABC.
Actions and Targets Actions and Targets Develop and implement integrated capital From September 2007, work with the ABC strategies to address the future operational and Commercial Advisory Board to support the facility requirements for the ABC nationally. ongoing sustainability of the Corporation and On Track
SUMMARY REPORTS 125 Performance Against the Corporate Plan 2007–10 continued
increase the profitability of ABC Commercial Objective 4—Sustain and grow the activities to be reinvested in Australian content. ABC through high-quality leadership Ongoing and an environment of responsibility Review business operations and processes by and opportunity. January 2008 and implement strategies for Key Directions 2007–10 cost reduction/margin improvement across all businesses over the life of the Plan. Achieved People: Offer a high quality and adaptive work environment. Extend the retail distribution of ABC product. Ongoing Performance Culture: Provide individuals with the opportunity to excel. Stakeholders People Strategic Priority 14 Strategic Priority 15 Engage positively with public conversations about the contemporary role and Develop an ABC culture based on shared performance of the ABC in Australian life. values and common goals.
Actions and Targets Actions and Targets Maintain and develop partnerships with key Express and uphold ABC values through a revised community organisations, including arts and Code of Conduct by June 2008. On Track against emergency service bodies. Ongoing a revised target of December 2008.
Monitor and take account of the interests of key Promote cooperation and collegiality as essential stakeholders in all States and Territories in the to the successful delivery of content and services planning and delivery of ABC services nationally across all relevant media platforms. Ongoing and locally. Ongoing Review systems and programs such as recruitment, Consider and respond to advice from the ABC performance management and the leadership Advisory Council and conduct regular meetings capability framework to ensure integration with between the Council and the ABC Board Advisory and promotion of shared corporate values. Council Committee. Ongoing Ongoing
Support the ABC’s 2009–12 Triennial Funding Undertake a benchmark survey and, thereafter, Submission by demonstrating to the Parliament measure regularly levels of employee engagement the value for money the ABC delivers to the and alignment of organisational culture with community. On Track corporate values. Ongoing Strategic Priority 16 Develop and reward leadership which creates the opportunity for people to do their best work.
Actions and Targets Strengthen the ABC’s capability by developing current and future leaders through programs targeting senior, middle and new managers. Ongoing
Support an alumni of management program graduates with opportunities for continuing professional development. Ongoing
Provide managers with improved access to relevant workforce data and analysis. Ongoing
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Support and maintain continuous improvement Strategic Priority 18 of the management of the ABC’s workforce Provide a safe, positive work environment through performance management systems, the that enables excellent performance. senior executive bonus scheme and selection and retention processes. Ongoing Actions and Targets Provide occupational health and safety advice Performance Culture and improve systems, including the integration Strategic Priority 17 of effective risk management into work practices, Develop and align the ABC’s workforce with policy development and devolved divisional the capabilities needed to achieve strategic accountability. Ongoing goals. By December 2008, conduct an occupational Actions and Targets health and safety systems audit to measure health By December 2008 identify the workforce and safety performance and identify gaps in capabilities required to support ABC operational compliance or systems and annually thereafter priorities for the next three to five years. On Track (replacing audit services previously undertaken by the Commonwealth). On Track Implement measures to support effective restructuring, job design, succession planning and At least once during the life of the Plan, review other initiatives in a timely manner. Ongoing Discrimination and Harassment, Anti-bullying and Grievance Policies and ensure appropriate training Promote options for a diverse range of learning for managers and staff. On Track and development activities—eg mentoring, coaching, job rotations, projects and formal Organise quarterly events to stimulate cross- courses—to help ensure the Corporation maintains divisional understanding and cooperation. its required skills profile. Ongoing Ongoing
By July 2009, implement the Learning Gateway to facilitate development and the sharing of skills through implementation of a Knowledge Pool. On Track
Commit a minimum of 2% of base salary expenditure to staff development and training. Achieved
Actively identify, attract and retain key staff through opportunities available within the unique scope of the ABC’s media and operational areas. Ongoing
Seek to achieve a 2% level of Indigenous employment. Not Achieved
Seek to employ a minimum of 5% of people with disabilities. Achieved
Seek to achieve a workforce whose diversity enables the ABC to engage more effectively with all sectors of the Australian population. Ongoing
SUMMARY REPORTS 127 Outcomes and Outputs
6 pm to midnight Outcome 1 Households 2007–08 2006–07 Metropolitan Share % % Audiences throughout Australia—and Sydney 19.5 18.3 overseas—are informed, educated and Melbourne 18.6 17.4 entertained. Brisbane 18.1 17.3 Overall assessment Adelaide 17.4 16.3 Perth 18.6 18.4 Overall achievement will be measured by: Five-City Metropolitan 18.6 17.6 (a) Audience usage of ABC Radio, Television Regional Share % % and New Media Services Southern NSW 20.6 18.2 (b) Results of audience surveys. Northern NSW 19.4 18.2 Victoria 17.7 18.7 (a) Audience usage of ABC Radio, Television Queensland 17.8 16.2 and New Media and Digital Services Tasmania 29.5 25.2 Regional All 19.9 18.4
Radio Share Source: OzTAM Television Ratings and Regional TAM. Note: Regional Share includes ABC spill; historical data has been updated The ABC’s overall five-city metropolitan share in to reflect this. 2007–08 was 20.7%, a 0.2 share point increase on 2006–07 (20.5%). Online Access Metropolitan Share 2007–08 2006–07 Due to a change in measurement system part-way % % through the year, this data is no longer available. Sydney 19.1 20.0 Details about audience usage of ABC Online can Melbourne 20.7 19.8 be found in ABC Audiences (see pages 32 to 46). Brisbane 21.2 20.7 Adelaide 22.1 20.8 Radio Reach Perth 23.6 23.5 Metropolitan Reach 2007–08 2006–07 Five-City Metropolitan 20.7 20.5 Sydney 1 171 000 1 189 000 Newcastle 22.7 23.1 Melbourne 1 205 000 1 143 000 Canberra 44.7 41.0 Brisbane 555 000 539 000 Adelaide 340 000 341 000 Television Share Perth 493 000 475 000 6 am to midnight Five-City Households 2007–08 2006–07 Metropolitan 3 765 000 3 687 000 Metropolitan Share % % Newcastle 164 000 166 000 Sydney 17.6 16.7 Canberra 174 000 167 000 Melbourne 16.9 15.8 Seven-City Reach 4 103 000 4 020 000 Brisbane 16.6 15.7 Adelaide 16.1 14.8 Perth 16.6 16.1 Five-City Metropolitan 16.9 16.0 Regional Share % % Southern NSW 19.2 17.0 Northern NSW 18.3 17.5 Victoria 17.1 17.8 Queensland 16.8 15.2 Tasmania 26.9 23.0 Regional All 18.6 17.3
Source: OzTAM Television Ratings and Regional TAM. Note: Regional Share includes ABC spill (audiences receiving ABC Television signal from outside of the market area); historical data has been updated to reflect this definition.
128 SUMMARY REPORTS SECTION 4
Television Reach The Regional Production Fund (RPF) continued to Four-weekly 2007–08 2006–07 showcase new Australian content from external Metropolitan Reach % % producers in regional Australia across ABC Radio Sydney 78.5 78.4 networks and on ABC Online. In 2007–08, Melbourne 80.6 79.6 46 projects were commissioned, representing Brisbane 79.0 79.8 approximately 99.5 hours (duplicated) of Adelaide 83.7 84.4 broadcast content. This is compared to 64 Perth 78.4 81.6 projects and 94 duplicated hours in 2006–07. All Metropolitan 79.7 79.9 Several projects commissioned in 2007–08 will Regional Reach % % be broadcast in the next financial year. The RPF Southern 81.3 82.5 continued to focus on larger projects of significant Northern 79.1 80.3 benefit to regional communities which could Victoria 83.2 85.6 be delivered on a variety of platforms, including Queensland 79.4 82.1 interactive websites, videos and podcasts. Tasmania 85.4 88.3 All Regional 80.8 82.7 Australian Music Source: OzTAM Television Ratings and Regional TAM. All radio networks that broadcast music have a Note: OzTAM’s industry standard reach calculation now includes visitor viewing. Regional Share includes ABC spill. Historical data has been strong commitment to Australian music and have updated to reflect these changes. set annual targets. In 2007–08 all networks met or ABC Online Reach exceeded these targets, except for dig jazz which fell just short of its target of 25%. ABC Online’s monthly reach in the active Australian internet population averaged 19.5% Target Achievement in 2007–08 (18.4% in 2006–07), with a peak of 2007–08 2006–07 21.7% in June 2008. ABC Radio National 25% 30.2% 33.9% ABC Local Radio 25% 31.5% 30.8% (b) Results of audience surveys ABC Classic FM 30% 34.6% 34.8% triple j 40% 41.1% 39.6% The 2008 Newspoll ABC Audience Appreciation dig 40% 40.5% 42.2% Survey found that the majority of the community dig jazz 25% 24.9% 25.3% continue to believe that the ABC offers good dig country 25% 25.6% 25.9% quality programming and information. A summary of the findings is provided on pages 42 to 46. 2. Genre diversity See Appendix 2 (page 184).
Output 1.1—Radio 3. Community and peer recognition and feedback Provide distinctive radio programs that give See the summary of the 2008 Newspoll ABC an Australia-wide focus to local and regional Audience Appreciation Survey (pages 42 to 46) communities, and satisfy diverse audience and Appendix 21 (page 208). needs, nationally and internationally. 4. Number of artists first broadcast Performance indicators The difficulty of maintaining records across Quality multiple outlets throughout Australia has made 1. Level and mix of Australian content this an impractical indicator to measure for ABC Radio. However, commitment to new artists ABC Radio’s content, across its five domestic remains very strong as reflected in initiatives services, is primarily Australian except for ABC undertaken in 2007–08, including: NewsRadio which schedules 55% Australian content (same as in 2006–07) and 45% content • triplejunearthed.com allows unsigned musicians sourced from overseas public broadcasters to upload their music for review. In its first including the British Broadcasting Corporation, year, the site reported 10 400 artists, 80 000 Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands and National registered users, 1.6 million tracks downloaded, Public Radio in the United States. and 3.9 million tracks streamed. Throughout
SUMMARY REPORTS 129 Outcomes and Outputs continued
the year triple j broadcast tracks on-air and Quantity provided opportunities for artists to play at large 5. Number of broadcast hours festivals and as support for major artists touring Each domestic radio network broadcasts for 24 Australia. hours each day of the year—8 760 hours per • In a new initiative, triplejunearthed.com annum. 2007–08 was a leap year, taking this to launched Unearthed High—a quest to discover 8 784 hours per 366 days. Australia’s hottest high school band of any genre with original material. A three piece 6. Number of radio stations band from McDonald Secondary College in The ABC has four national networks, nine Strathfield, New South Wales, was chosen from metropolitan local radio stations, 51 regional six finalists to be recorded by triple j’s live music stations and three internet-based music services, production team for airplay on triple j. The band dig, dig jazz and dig country. The radio networks, will also be featured on triple j tv and in jmag. dig and dig jazz are available as audio services • The sixth annual 1233 Newcastle Music Awards on digital satellite subscription services and dig were held in October 2007 at the Civic Theatre. and dig jazz are available on digital free-to-air The Awards provide support and airplay to television. emerging artists living in the New South Wales 7. Level of radio content available through Hunter and Central Coast regions and this year the internet attracted a record number of 465 entries. Since All ABC Radio services have companion websites. inception, more than 700 new music tracks Each national network and ABC Local Radio have been included in the 1233 ABC Newcastle metropolitan station is streamed 24-hours-a-day playlist and other ABC Radio networks. (ABC Classic FM rights permitting). A range of • In June 2008, ABC Classic FM hosted the state sub-sites exists for specific programs and content finals of the ABC Young Performers’ Award in genres such as rural and sport. Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide. The concerts were broadcast live on ABC Classic FM and In 2007–08, 666 ABC Canberra and 612 ABC will also be broadcast later in 2008 on ABC1’s Brisbane were the last of the nine ABC Local Sunday Arts program. This annual event, jointly Radio metropolitan stations to commence online managed with Symphony Services, rewards streaming. and nurtures young musicians, providing rare The amount of content provided as podcasts was opportunities for performance careers. increased by all networks. In October 2007, ABC • ABC Radio’s Regional Production Fund launched Radio National recorded its 20 millionth download the 6th annual Short Story Project in July 2007, since it began podcasting in 2005. In 2007–08, it encouraging emerging writers from regional also launched the RN Shuffle, a podcast sampler Australia to reflect the diversity of communities of excerpts from a range of programs, designed through their storytelling. Winning entries were to whet the appetites of subscribers keen to produced and broadcast on ABC Radio National expand their listening range but not sure where to and ABC Local Radio. start. The total number of ABC Radio downloads • ABC Local Radio and ABC Television developed (including ABC News content) in 2007–08 was The Comedy Hour launched in Melbourne by 32.7 million. Spicks & Specks host Adam Hills and 936 ABC ABC Local Radio introduced two podcast-only Hobart’s Andy Muirhead. The project aims to series, The Great Train Show presented by former identify new and emerging comic talent to Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, aimed at train contribute to Australian content across ABC enthusiasts, and Multiple Choices, presented by services. It attracted approximately 500 comedy well-known columnist, Susan Maushart, focusing scripts from the public which will be used to on the choices people face in daily life. The Great produce ten, one-hour programs including a Train Show recorded approximately 20 000 mix of comedy formats for broadcast on ABC downloads per week. Local Radio in late 2008.
130 SUMMARY REPORTS SECTION 4
In March 2008, ABC Local was launched replacing increase of approximately 27 hours compared the former Backyard websites and providing each to June 2007 region with its own ABC Local site. ABC Local • 43.5 hours of new triple j content was posted delivers information and entertainment to local on the web each week compared to 38.2 hours communities and provides a gateway to other per week in 2006–07. regions and coverage and content across ABC Online and has built in functionality to increase In 2007–08 a total of 11 818 stories was interactivity with audiences. produced across ABC Local websites, including articles, recipes, audio, photo and video stories A vast array of content is available online from all and reviews. The use of blogs was introduced in networks, across genres and in a range of formats March 2008 and in three months, a total of 4 813 including streams, text, images, video, audio-on- posts had been received across ABC Local. demand, transcripts, podcasts, vodcasts and other downloads. Price 9. Price of Output—$265.045m In 2008–09, ABC Radio and Regional Content will be working on new measurements for online Total actual price of Output 1.1 for the year was content, with particular focus on audience $275.085m. consumption.
8. Level of radio content available through Output 1.2—Television audio-on-demand via the internet Present television programs of wide appeal At June 2008: and more specialised interest that contribute • 99.9% of ABC Radio National original to the diversity, quality and innovation of programming was available as audio on the industry generally. demand at any one time which is the same level as in 2006–07 Performance Indicators • An average of 110.5 hours of ABC Classic FM Quality programming was available per week—an 1. Level and mix of Australian content
Australian content on ABC Television as a percentage of hours broadcast ABC1 2007–08 2006–07 National Total National Total Transmitter Network Transmitter Network 6 am to midnight % % % % Australian first release 32.2 49.4 32.6 49.8 Australian repeat 19.7 16.0 19.2 15.6 Total Australian 51.9 65.4 51.8 65.4 Overseas first release 16.3 11.7 18.5 13.3 Overseas repeat 31.8 22.9 29.7 21.3 Total Overseas 48.1 34.6 48.2 34.6 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 6 pm to midnight Australian first release 47.4 72.6 48.4 73.1 Australian repeat 6.3 3.3 7.2 3.7 Total Australian 53.7 75.9 55.6 76.8 Overseas first release 30.0 15.6 34.3 17.9 Overseas repeat 16.3 8.5 10.1 5.3 Total Overseas 46.3 24.1 44.4 23.2 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Notes: National Transmission figures exclude local New South Wales transmissions. “Total Network” includes all State and Territory “breakout” services. SUMMARY REPORTS 131 Outcomes and Outputs continued
2. Genre diversity ABC1—Hours Broadcast by Genre, 24 Hours Australian Overseas Total % Total 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 Arts and Culture 197 209 149 107 346 316 3.9 3.6 Children’s 530 508 1 426 1 432 1 956 1 941 22.3 22.2 Comedy 14 21 113 118 127 139 1.4 1.6 Current Affairs 1 093 1 094 1 1 1 094 1 095 12.5 12.5 Documentary 183 177 389 411 572 588 6.5 6.7 Drama 56 46 676 651 732 697 8.3 8.0 Education 134 132 66 67 200 199 2.3 2.3 Entertainment 1 122 1 169 111 151 1 233 1 320 14.0 15.1 Factual 332 323 65 62 397 385 4.5 4.4 Indigenous 65 62 0 0 65 62 0.7 0.7 Movies 4 5 934 762 938 767 10.7 8.8 Natural History and Environment 20 15 81 87 101 103 1.1 1.2 News 366 365 0 0 366 365 4.2 4.2 Religion and Ethics 34 28 60 84 94 113 1.1 1.3 Science and Technology 34 37 4 4 38 42 0.4 0.5 Sport 314 371 0 13 314 384 3.6 4.4 Total Program Hours 4 498 4 564 4 075 3 951 8 573 8 515 % of Total Program Hours 52.5% 53.6% 47.5% 46.4% 100% 100.0% 97.6% 97.2% Other* 211 244 0 0 211 244 2.4% 2.8% Total Hours 4 709 4 808 4 075 3 951 8 784 8 760 % of Total Hours 53.6% 54.9% 46.4% 45.1% 100% 100% 100.0% 100.0% “Other” includes interstitial material, program announcements and community service announcements. Notes: This table reflects hours broadcast from the Sydney transmitter, comprising national and local New South Wales transmissions. Figures may differ slightly in other States and Territories as a result of varying levels of local content. Hours have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2007–08 is a leap year, ie 366 days.
132 SUMMARY REPORTS SECTION 4
ABC2—Hours Broadcast by Genre, 24 Hours Australian Overseas Total % Total 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 2007–08 2006–07 Arts and Culture 163 137 131 204 294 340 4.5 5.0 Business 0 11 0 0 0 11 0.0 0.2 Children’s 187 184 1 621 1 537 1 808 1 721 27.4 25.2 Comedy 4 4 192 19 196 22 3.0 0.3 Current Affairs 969 1 373 0 0 969 1 373 14.7 20.1 Documentary 180 294 323 65 503 358 7.6 5.3 Drama 67 0 77 0 144 0 2.2 0.0 Education 23 34 0 0 23 34 0.3 0.5 Entertainment 465 461 318 229 783 689 11.9 10.1 Factual 521 616 100 46 621 662 9.4 9.7 Features 39 72 0 0 39 72 0.6 1.1 Indigenous 34 48 0 0 34 48 0.5 0.7 Movies 14 2 168 56 182 58 2.8 0.8 Natural History and Environment 22 23 3 3 25 26 0.4 0.4 News 195 144 0 0 195 144 3.0 2.1 Religion and Ethics 42 55 0 0 42 55 0.6 0.8 Science and Technology 74 94 2 24 76 118 1.2 1.7 Sport 248 1 000 0 7 248 1 008 3.8 14.8 Total Program Hours 3 247 4 550 2 935 2 189 6 182 6 739 % of Total Program Hours 52.5% 67.5% 47.5% 32.5% 100% 100% 93.8% 98.8% Other* 409 84 0 0 409 84 6.2% 1.2 % Total Hours 3 656 4 634 2 935 2 189 6 591 6 824 % of Total Hours 55.5% 67.9% 44.5% 32.1% 100% 100% 100.0% 100% “Other” includes interstitial material, program announcements and community service announcements. Notes: This table reflects hours broadcast from the Sydney transmitter, comprising national and local New South Wales transmissions. Figures may differ slightly in other States and Territories as a result of varying levels of local content. Hours have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2007–08 is a leap year, ie 366 days.
3. Community and peer recognition and are covered separately in each State and Territory. feedback In 2007–08, ABC Television broadcast 2 379 hours See the summary of the 2008 Newspoll ABC of breakout programming compared with 2 388 Audience Appreciation Survey (page 42) and in 2006–07. Appendix 21 (page 208). ABC2 broadcast a total of 6 591 hours in Quantity 2007–08, compared to 6 824 in 2006–07. 4. Number of broadcast hours 5. Ratio of first run to repeat program hours ABC1 broadcast 24 hours each day for the 366 The percentage of first-release programs on days of 2007–08—a total of 8 784 hours. ABC1 between 6 pm and midnight was 77.3%, compared with 82.7% for 2006–07. Between The majority of these broadcasts are a national 6 am and midnight, first-release programming service transmitted from Sydney. However, the comprised 48.5% compared with 51.2% in national service is replaced at certain times with 2006–07. These figures are based on hours local “breakout” services of specific relevance broadcast from the Sydney transmitter and to State and Territory audiences. These include comprises the national transmission, excluding the State and Territory news, state-specific versions of local New South Wales transmission. Proportions Stateline, local sport, State and Territory elections may differ slightly in other States and Territories as and events such as the Anzac Day marches, which a result of varying levels of local content.
SUMMARY REPORTS 133 Outcomes and Outputs continued
The percentage of total ABC1 programs— Output 1.3—New Media including state and territory “breakout” services—transmitted between 6 pm and midnight Engage audiences through new media that were first-release was 88.2% in 2007–08, services including the internet and emerging compared to 91% in 2006–07. Between 6 am and broadband platforms. midnight, the proportion of total ABC1 programs Performance Indicators that were first-release was 61.0%, compared with 63.1% in 2006–07. Quality 1. Genre diversity The percentage of first-release programs on ABC2 was 9.9%, compared with 8.6% in 2006–07. The ABC Online homepage reflects the broad range of high quality content being offered from Price across the ABC. Current content from news, 6. Total price of output—$569.635m television, radio, kids and parenting, sport, Total actual price of Output 1.2 for the year was health and the ABC Shop are displayed on the $591.215m. homepage, along with clear links to ten major gateways. In addition to the major gateways, there are links directly from the homepage to 90 different sub-sites or subject areas, ranging from entertainment, news to state-by-state weather, science topics, international language services or the Indigenous portal.
In the past year the ABC has also developed a number of applications such as ABC Now and ABC Earth that aggregate content from different ABC output areas. This provides audiences with new and exciting ways to access ABC content.
New Media output by genre, as at 30 June 2008 ABC Online 2007–08 2006–07 Genre Number of pages % Number of pages % Arts and Culture 24 242 0.6 24 777 0.6 Children’s* 81 256 1.9 66 455 1.7 Current Affairs 144 257 3.3 121 430 3.1 Education 7 293 0.2 30 498 0.8 Indigenous 16 580 0.4 13 826 0.4 Music 31 764 0.7 26 237 0.7 Natural History and Environment 16 622 0.4 13 065 0.3 News 2 141 840 49.8 1 846 380 47.7 Religion and Ethics 2 071 0.1 2 868 0.1 Regional and Rural 491 596 11.4 419 521 10.8 Science and Technology 77 059 1.8 54 038 1.4 Sport 122 492 2.8 116 591 3.0 Youth 55 863 1.3 50 437 1.3 Other† 1 087 083 25.3 1 087 865 28.1 Total 4 300 018 100 3 873 988 100.0 * ABC Kids was added to the “Children’s” category for 2006. † The ABC Online “Other” category includes the Television Guide, ABC Broadband, About ABC Online, Radio Australia, ABC Radio National, ABC corporate information, Australia Network and functional pages such as forum user registration and search, which cannot be classified in a genre.
134 SUMMARY REPORTS SECTION 4
2. Industry ranking of ABC Online ABC Innovation developed an “off-deck” mobile In May 2007 ABC Online was positioned 14th in phone portal which was launched late in October the ranking of websites most often accessed by 2007 to support the ABC’s coverage of the 2007 Australians (Neilsen NetRating, Brand Rankings, federal election. The “Mobile Election” offering May 2007). From June to November 2007 ABC was an “off-deck” mobile service which allowed Online gained one position, averaging 13th, but the ABC to deliver election related content directly this dropped back to 14th by the quarter ending to users’ mobile phones under the ABC brand and in May 2008. ABC Online has maintained its independently of the mobile phone providers. position overall despite increasing competition in Another new application developed by ABC the online industry. Innovation was ABC Now, which launched in Community and peer recognition and feedback: December 2007. ABC Now enables audiences to aggregate a broad range of ABC Television, Radio See the summary of the 2008 Newspoll ABC and News content within a player or “widget” Audience Appreciation Survey (page 42) and downloaded to computer desktops. Version two Appendix 21 (page 208). was released in June 2008 with a number of Quantity improvements to functionality and layout. 4. Number of mailing list subscribers to In June 2008 Innovation launched ABC Earth, ABC Online which integrates ABC content—including video, At the end of June 2007 there were 250 000 audio and text—into a location-based web mailing list subscribers. A new email system was interface. A selection of ABC Television and introduced in 2007–08 which has affected the Radio archive material, news feeds and radio reporting parameters. Data will provided for this streams were incorporated into a layer for Google measure from 2008–09. Earth, and users can browse ABC content by geographical location. 5. Number of pages on ABC Online The public beta trial for Playback—a rich media At the end of June 2008, ABC Online hosted and player that offers high quality, full-screen, full- maintained 4 300 018 web pages, compared with length ABC Television programming via the 3 873 988 in June 2007. internet—was launched in March 2008. Playback 6. Number of gateways on ABC Online was designed and built by Innovation and is Following the relaunch of the ABC Online the first player of its kind to be launched by any homepage there are now ten major gateways that broadcaster in Australia. The full service, renamed can be accessed from abc.net.au. In addition to iView, will be launched in July 2008. the major gateways there are links to nearly 150 Price specific subject areas, all accessible directly from 8. Total price of output—$20.874m the homepage. Total actual price of Output 1.3 for the year was 7. Use of content on emerging platforms $21.664m. such as Broadband and WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) In the course of the year the ABC has launched a number of initiatives using new software and applications, to ensure ABC content has as wide a reach as possible.
SUMMARY REPORTS 135 Outcomes and Outputs continued
Outcome 2 Australian and international communities have access to at least the scale and quality of satellite and analog terrestrial radio and television transmission services that exist at June 2003. Overall Assessment
Overall achievement will be measured by: (a) The number of ABC analog terrestrial transmission services (b) Results of audience surveys.
(a) Number of ABC analog terrestrial transmission services
2007–08 2006–07 2005–06 1998–99 Analog Television 440 439 440 435 Domestic Radio 671 640 635 609 International Radio 8 8 8 8 Total 1 119 1 087 1 083 1 052
(b) Results of audience surveys
The ABC monitors audience responses to transmission issues via its Reception Advice Line (RAL). In 2007–08, this unit received the following television and radio services enquiries:
2007–08 2006–07 Total number of emails received 2 718 2 666 Total number of letters received 76 73 Total number of telephone enquiries received 23 534 22 937 Total enquiries 26 328 25 676 Total number of hits to the RAL website Not Available* 2 411 839
Note: These figures reflect both analog and digital transmission contacts. * Total number of hits to the Reception Advice Line are unavailable for 2007–08 due to a change in the web statistical systems used by the ABC.
The unit works closely with the ABC’s transmission providers to ensure that any transmission faults are rectified as soon as possible. The percentage of enquiries regarding transmission faults has remained relatively static during 2007–08, however the unit has seen an increase in the number of enquiries seeking information about terrestrial digital television, in part due to the re-branding of ABC Television and publicity surrounding ABC2. These have come from the Audience Advice Line and have been submitted to the Director of Communications.
136 SUMMARY REPORTS SECTION 4
Output 2.1
Provide ABC satellite and analog terrestrial transmission services through the effective management of Transmission Service Agreements. Performance Indicators Quality 1. Improvements in the level of reporting in relation to the ABC’s analog terrestrial transmission services compared with the reporting available immediately prior to the privatisation of the National Transmission Network (NTN)
The ABC and its transmission service provider, Broadcast Australia (BA), have implemented a comprehensive reporting system, with both reporting and notification ability. No changes were made to the system during 2007–08.
Quantity 2. Comparison of the number of individual analog terrestrial transmission services provided by the ABC with the number of such services provided immediately prior to the privatisation of the NTN
See Outcome 2 (a) above.
3. Comparison of the level of outages experienced by the ABC’s analog terrestrial transmission services with outages relating to the same services immediately prior to the sale of the NTN
The National Transmission Authority did not provide the ABC with this information prior to the sale of the NTN.
Price 4. Total price of output—$87.317m
Total actual price of Output 2.1 for the year was $85.445m.
SUMMARY REPORTS 137 Outcomes and Outputs continued
Outcome 3 The Australian community has access to ABC digital television services in accordance with approved digital implementation plans. Overall Assessment
Overall achievement will be measured by: The degree to which the Australian population has access to ABC digital television transmissions The coverage of ABC digital television transmissions by percentage of the population is as follows:
Australia NSW/ACT Vic Qld WA SA Tas NT 2007–08 97.30% 98.45% 99.18% 96.19% 93.57% 97.85% 95.98% 72.57% 2006–07 97.02% 98.23% 98.93% 95.73% 93.52% 97.85% 93.77% 72.56% 2005–06 96.19% 97.15% 98.76% 95.18% 93.18% 95.28% 89.89% 72.86% Note: 2007–08 population was derived from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006 Census data.
Output 3.1
Implement the roll-out of digital television Quantity transmission services while keeping the 2. The number of digital terrestrial television Australian community aware of the changes facilities in operation against the approved to broadcast services. Implementation Plans
Performance indicators There were 290 approved implementation plans, 279 digital terrestrial services in operation, Quality including two in test mode as at the end of June 1. That each terrestrial facility operates 2008. within the limits set by the relevant Transmitter Licence and the approved Price Implementation Plans 3. Total price of output—$80.060m
The ABC met this requirement. Total actual price of Output 3.1 for the year was $72.568m.
138 SUMMARY REPORTS INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT
To the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Scope
I have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for the year ended 30 June 2008, which comprise: a statement by Directors and Chief Financial Officer; income statement; balance sheet; statement of changes in equity; cash flow statement; schedules of commitments and contingencies; a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.
The Responsibility of the Board of Directors for the Financial Statements The members of the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the Corporation) are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the Finance Minister’s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and Australian Accounting Standards, including Australian Accounting Interpretations. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Auditor’s Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit. Our audit has been conducted in accordance with the Australian National Audit Office Auditing Standards, which incorporate Australian Auditing Standards. The Auditing Standards require us to comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Corporation’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
I believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT 139 Independence In conducting the audit, I have followed the independence requirements of the Australian National Audit Office, which incorporate the requirements of the Australian accounting profession. Audit Opinion
In my opinion, the financial statements of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:
(a) have been prepared in accordance with Finance Minister’s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, and Australian Accounting Standards, including Australian Accounting Interpretations; and
(b) give a true and fair view of the matters required by the Finance Minister’s Orders including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s financial position as at 30 June 2008 and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended.
Australian National Audit Office
Alana Foster Executive Director Delegate of the Auditor-General
Sydney 30 July 2008
140 INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT