42 Annual Report 2003-04 through australian eyes Seda Douglas

Cambodian-born Seda Douglas is an original Broadcaster member of the Khmer Program Unit in Radio Australia—the ABC’s international radio service.

‘I had a good job and it was a very big decision for me to move to the ABC but it was something I felt I was doing for my home country and still serving Australia, my adopted land.’

Seda’s father and five siblings were killed under the murderous regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. She and the rest of the family escaped and spent four years in a refugee camp in Thailand before coming to Australia.

‘Radio journalism was not something I thought of doing when I was young,’ she says, ‘I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer.’ However, Seda felt ‘a sense of responsibility for my country because I had left it by force not by choice. I also wanted to make a small contribution to the people here who have always been so friendly and helpful. This job gives me the opportunity.’

Seda and her three colleagues present news and current affairs reports, and package feature programs. ‘We were trained to be producers and studio operators as well as presenters. It’s an interesting job. Every day there is something happening and you talk to such a range of people.’ section 3 43 Annual Report 2003-04

awareness understanding australians overseas our neighbours are listening everyone’s 44 Annual Report 2003-04 Sue Howard Director of Radio Sue Howard worked in the publishing industry and as a teacher before joining the ABC as a radio presenter in 1986. Prior to taking a management role in 1995, she was a broadcaster with , ABC Classic FM and Local Radio. Sue was appointed Director of ABC Radio in July 2000. ABC Radio In November 2003, ABC Radio opened its Another National Interest Initiative, 107.9 60th Local Radio station, 92.5 ABC Central ABC Ballarat was officially launched in July Coast, at Erina in . The new with a community Open Day at the station. service was made possible by the provision of a new transmitter servicing the Gosford/Central In March 2004, ABC Radio relocated its Mid Coast region and National Interest Initiatives North Coast New South Wales studios from (NII) funding. A new local weekday afternoon Kempsey to Port Macquarie bringing them program provides a voice for the region and an closer to the centre of regional business and estimated 780 hours per annum of additional community activity. With a Radio News post local ABC programming. 702 ABC is in , the new location strengthens carried for the remainder of the day. The station ABC Radio’s ability to better serve the whole is located in a shopping centre and is the Mid North Coast region. first ABC service to be collocated with an ABC Shop.

Local Radio’s 60th station, 92.5 ABC Central Coast, opened in November 2003 at Erina in New South Wales. section 3 45 Annual Report 2003-04

In June, following extensive community In its second year, the RPF Fresh Air project consultation, new transmission arrangements invited unsigned, unpublished artists from were introduced by Local Radio in the Northern regional Australia to submit broadcast-quality Territory to provide more relevant programming recordings of their music; selected artists then to local audiences. The Top End is now serviced received airplay on ABC Radio. The first two of by 105.7 ABC Darwin, while 783 ABC Central a series of live Fresh Air concerts featuring the Australia broadcasts from Alice Springs to successful artists were held at Port Macquarie communities south of Newcastle Waters. and Bundaberg. Further concerts across regional Australia are planned. ABC NewsRadio was launched in Launceston in September 2003, increasing the network’s Short Stories 2004 called for regionally-based potential reach in by approximately writers to submit unpublished works, with 130 000 listeners. winning stories produced and broadcast on ABC Radio. The winning stories were also published The Internet music service, dig, also available online on a site featuring transcripts and audio- on digital television, continued to build audience on-demand readings of the stories. In its third in its first full year of operation with average year, Short Stories 2004 attracted more than weekly page accesses of more than 122 000 2 000 entries. in 2003-04. Australian Music ABC Radio is participating in two digital radio ABC Radio exceeded its Australian music trials in Sydney and Melbourne conducted performance targets on all networks in 2003-04. by Digital Radio Broadcasting Australia The amount of Australian music played on each (a consortium of Commercial Radio Australia, network was: Radio National 28.3%; Local Radio the ABC and SBS) and Broadcast Australia 31.5%; 42.76%; ABC Classic FM 34%; respectively. ABC Classic FM and dig are and dig 41.2%. carried on both trial services and ABC NewsRadio is also carried in Melbourne. In 2003-04, ABC Classic FM broadcast 11% Australian composition, less than its 12% New Australian Content annual target. The network appointed composer The ABC Radio Regional Production Fund (RPF), Stephen Adams as Australian Music Curator to established as a National Interest Initiative in advocate and assist in the programming of 2001, continued to identify and showcase new Australian music composition. The Curator will talent in regional Australia. In 2003-04, the play a critical role in assisting ABC Classic FM RPF commissioned more than 120 hours of to raise its level of Australian composition. new Australian content. Since 2001, the total amount of original content commissioned from Local Radio launched the Oztrax website regional Australia has exceeded 300 hours. in February to promote Australian music and More than 50% of this content has been performance. Oztrax provides over 100 tracks regional arts programming profiling regional as music-on-demand, together with background writers, composers, musicians, poets and information and photographs of performers. performers. This resource will grow as musicians submit more music for consideration. 46 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Radio (continued) This year triple j’s unearthed initiative, which In 2003-04, triple j continued its strong seeks unsigned Australian musical talent, partnership of the NOISE festival, a Federal focussed on the , New South Government and Australia Council initiative Wales and , with concerts in each profiling the work of young, creative Australians. capital city that attracted capacity audiences. Winners supported high-profile local bands Broadcast Highlights and their performances were broadcast live Local Radio across Australia hosted a special on triple j’s Australian music program Home broadcast to commemorate the first anniversary & Hosed. This year, unearthed attracted of the Bali bombing on 12 October 2003. The approximately 3 800 entries in total, around program, presented by Jon Faine, included live 1 600 of which were submitted online through crosses to the ABC’s Indonesia correspondent a new MP3 upload facility on the triple j website. Tim Palmer and reporter Mark Bowling at the This facility enables entrants to upload their Memorial Service in Bali, as well as interviews tracks and profiles, giving audiences and tributes from survivors and friends and opportunities to listen to all entries and read families of victims. about the artists throughout the duration of the competition. The funeral services of some well-known Australians were broadcast live on Local Radio Arts and streamed online through The Backyard. Greek Imprints: Olympic Odyssey was launched Across Australia, the funeral service for on Radio National in March to explore and R.M. Williams was broadcast from ABC celebrate ancient and contemporary Greek Toowoomba, while Slim Dusty’s State funeral culture and its presence in the Australian was broadcast from St Andrew’s Cathedral in multicultural context in the lead-up to the Sydney by Saturday Night Country presenter Olympic Games in Athens. John Nutting and Richard Glover from 702 ABC Sydney’s Drive program. In partnership with the Houston Grand Opera, ABC Classic FM broadcast La Traviata, featuring In Queensland, Local Radio broadcast the State the title role debut of internationally-renowned funeral of one of Australia’s last remaining original American soprano Renée Fleming, and World War One Diggers, Ted Smout, who died premiere of Rachel Portman’s The Little , in at of 106. The State funeral based on the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry book, of former Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon was featuring the tenor Teddy Tahu Rhodes. broadcast on Local Radio throughout Tasmania. 936 ABC Hobart Morning presenter Tim Cox Moffatt Oxenbould, former artistic director hosted the funeral service in Hobart’s Federation of Opera Australia and a major figure in Concert Hall and Breakfast presenter Ric the development of opera in Australia, was Patterson delivered the broadcast commentary. appointed as presenter of ABC Classic FM’s Sunday Night Opera. His unique passion Tony Delroy presented Nightlife from Tasmania for opera and his wealth of knowledge and capturing the celebrations of the wedding of involvement in the development of opera in Mary Donaldson to Crown Prince Frederik of Australia over more than 40 years adds Denmark. 936 ABC Hobart Breakfast’s Ric great benefit to listeners. section 3 47 Annual Report 2003-04

Patterson filed reports into the program from to cover the Australian Open in 2005, 2006 the ceremony and celebrations in Denmark. and 2007, and for the first time, at the BBC’s invitation, an ABC Radio Sport commentator Radio National’s Late Night Live travelled to the (Quentin Hull) joined the BBC commentary Solomon Islands to record a series of programs team for the 2004 Wimbledon Championships. involving major political and cultural figures, including the Prime Minister, Sir Allen Kemakeza, For the 2003-04 Australian Cricket season, as well as the civilian and police leaders from former Australian Cricket captains, Greg Chappell the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission and Kim Hughes joined the ABC Radio Sport to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). team of Jim Maxwell, Glenn Mitchell and Roger Wills. The 2003 Boyer Lectures were broadcast on Radio National featuring International Affairs Co-Productions/Partnerships expert Owen Harries. The lectures took a For the second year in a row, Radio National timely look at the world’s only superpower, co-produced documentary series with the BBC the United States, and generated wide-ranging World Service. The five-part series Children of critical discussion in the media and significant Heaven visited Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam audience interest. and Japan to explore how traditional Asian family values survive in communities sharing In May 2004, Radio National launched the common and controversial heritage of Counterpoint, a program which examines social, Confucianism. The fifth program, ‘Australia’s economic and cultural issues in Australian life. Asian Way’, looked at multi-generational Asian Presented by publisher and newspaper columnist communities in Australia. Michael Duffy, the program aims to challenge assumptions and introduce some new and Radio National continued its partnership with seldom-heard commentators. the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Technology which provides funding The major sporting highlights for 2003-04 were to support cross-media production skills training World Cup rugby union and tennis, broadcast for new graduate scientists, and yearly nationally across Local Radio. fellowships for mid-career scientists. The aim is to improve communication skills and After lengthy negotiations, ABC Radio Sport facilitate a better understanding between the finalised agreement with the Rugby World Cup science community, the public, industry and for the Australian non-commercial radio rights. the media. All matches involving Australia, the semi-finals and grand final, were broadcast nationally with triple j is a media partner for the British selected matches broadcast to local audiences. Council Australia’s Realise Your Dream competition which aims to provide opportunities Rights were acquired to broadcast the Davis for development for Australia’s most talented Cup tennis semi-final between Australia and people aged 18 to 24. Three winners will Switzerland in Melbourne in September and more each receive an award valued at $10 000, than 30 hours of commentary was provided including a four-week trip to the UK. from the 2004 Australian Open Tennis. Radio Sport is negotiating with Tennis Australia for a Radio Broadcasting and Online agreement 48 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Radio (continued) Community Focus Government. However, it welcomes the 105.7 ABC Darwin and Territory Radio captured Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries the atmosphere, anticipation and excitement and Forestry, which has joined the Rural of the inaugural journey of The Ghan from Industries Research and Development Adelaide to Darwin. Four outside broadcasts Corporation and the Australian Institute were conducted from Alice Springs to Darwin of Sport as major supporters of . culminating in the ‘Don’t Miss the Train’ broadcast tracking the train’s progress on Local Radio and the Victorian the final part of the journey into Darwin. Emergency Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing the organisations 774 ABC Melbourne and Victorian Local to work more closely together. This followed Radio launched a three year community project, the recommendation of the Victorian Emergency Get Involved, encouraging listeners to participate Services Commissioner’s inquiry into the 2003 in their communities in a range of capacities. bushfires that emergency services work more Various groups have been selected as Get closely with the ABC to assist people Involved partners including the Country Fire during disasters. Authority, Victorian State Emergency Services, Sharecare Respite Care, Foster Care, During floods in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Palliative Care, the Bendigo Brass Band Grace, ABC Far North Queensland (Cairns) and Lifecare Ballarat. provided information to affected communities, including up-to-date information on the state In 2004, triple j’s Splendour Comes to You of roads, latest rainfall figures and other competition invited country towns across emergency information. Australia to compete to win a live, free concert featuring three Australian bands—Powderfinger, ABC Classic FM’s Grab The Goanna Magic Dirt and Jet—from the Byron Bay competition, open to all primary and secondary Splendour in the Grass Festival. Entrants schools across Australia, was launched in submitted a homemade souvenir representing March with a live-to-air concert featuring two their community and over 50 entries were young pianists from the Sydney Conservatorium received. Singleton in New South Wales was of Music. The competition runs every four the winning town and attracted approximately years in conjunction with the Sydney International 16 000 people to their concert. Piano Competition and it requires schools to answer seven questions about ABC Classic Heywire: the ABC Gives Regional Youth a Voice FM, and provide a written reason why they entered its sixth year in 2004 and to date has would benefit from the prize—a new piano. attracted the views of over 2 000 young Australians, with 200 of their stories produced Looking ahead and broadcast on ABC Radio. Heywire 2003 In 2004-05, ABC Radio will again provide attracted a record number of 689 entries. ABC comprehensive Olympic Games coverage Radio was disappointed by the withdrawal of from Athens in August 2004. Building on the long-time supporter, the Federal Department success of dig, two new specialist music of Regional Services, Territories and Local streams, dig country and dig jazz will be launched in late 2004. section 3 49 Annual Report 2003-04 Sandra Levy Director of Television Sandra Levy was appointed the Director of Television in June 2001. She has an impressive list of production credits, including A Difficult Woman, Come In Spinner, True Believers, Police Rescue, Secret Mens Business and GP, as well as feature films Serenades, The Well and High Tide.

Sandra was part of the independent production house Southern Star for ten years and before that was ABC Head of Drama from 1986 to 1989. She has served as a board member with the Australian Film Finance Corporation, the Australian Film Commission and the Australian Film Television and Radio School. She is on the Board of the Sydney Theatre Company and the NSW Cultural Management Committee. ABC Television ABC Television provides a comprehensive public on 53.5% in 2002-03. Similarly, the level of broadcast service of high quality, diversity and first release Australian content between 6pm innovation. It offers audiences the widest range and midnight increased to 48%, compared of genres on free-to-air television. In 2003-04, with 46.7% in 2002-03. Repeat Australian its distinctive mix of arts, entertainment and programs comprised 6% of hours broadcast, information attracted record audiences: a decrease on the 2002-03 figure of 6.8%. average prime time household share was 17.8%, the highest recorded since the introduction of Correspondingly, Australian content between ‘people meters’ in 1991. Record shares were 6am and midnight decreased slightly to 48%, also achieved in every capital city, with lower than the previous year’s level of 52%. recording the highest share of 19.6%. First release content during these times was 29%, compared to 32% in 2002-03; repeat In 2003-04, 51 programs attracted metropolitan content was 19%, compared to 20% audiences of over one million; of these 17 were in 2002-03. Australian. In 2002-03, a total of 18 programs attracted this level of audience, six of them Genre Diversity Australian. Children’s ABC Television continued to be Australia’s Australian Content most comprehensive and diverse free-to-air ABC Television has adopted a strategy of broadcaster of children’s and pre-school focussing limited resources to increase levels of children’s programs. Providing quality viewing Australian content during peak viewing times. according to need, age and maturity is Australian content comprised 54% of prime time paramount in the production and programming (6pm to midnight) programming, an increase of this genre. 50 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Television (continued) In 2003-04, 1 882 hours of children’s television In 2004, a new documentary timeslot premiered were broadcast, an increase of 105 hours on Wednesdays at 9.30pm creating an evening compared with 2002-03. This figure included of factual television. Australian documentaries 418 hours of Australian children’s programs. included Dhakiyarr vs the King, a story of two laws, two cultures and two families; and The In morning children’s timeslots, ABC Television Mascot, which explored how a five-year old recorded a 63% share of the 0-12 audience, Jewish orphan became a poster boy for the an increase of 13% over 2002-03. In the Nazi ideal. afternoon audience share was 62%, an increase of 6%. The ABC had 99 of the top Sunday evening history continued to showcase 100 children’s programs, improving on its landmark series with strong dramatic narratives. 2002-03 achievement of 98 programs. Highlights were the Australian music series Love Is In The Air, which celebrated pop music Three Australian series premiered: Noah and its role in Australian culture, and the British and Saskia, Bootleg, and Backyard Science. series Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, A series about the cyberspace friendship which documented 19th and 20th century between an Australian teenager and her English engineering achievements. In 2003-04, this counterpart, Noah and Saskia achieved an series achieved a peak audience of 1 723 250. average share of the target 5-12 audience of almost 60%. Creature Features and repeats Drama and Comedy of Australian series continued to be popular, ABC Television broadcast 457 hours of including The Saddle Club, Round the Twist first-release drama programs, a considerable and Ocean Girl. increase on 370 hours in 2002-03. Australian first release drama also increased from 31 Factual to 49 hours. Weekly series included Feedback, Media Watch and . Dimensions Australian drama broadcast was diverse in changed its title to George Negus Tonight and both subject and format. Long-form series continued to cover a diverse range of subjects. were well represented by the return of the A significant proportion of the series is produced medico-legal series MDA, and the premiere outside Sydney and Melbourne. New series of Fireflies, about life in a small rural community. included Kylie Kwong: Heart and Soul (cooking) This series premiered with a household share of and Surfing the Menu (food, travel and adventure). 40%, but averaged only 14.5% as audiences declined over the series’ run. Documentary The Reality Bites strand broadcast more than In 2003, two mini-series were broadcast to 40 half-hours of Australian documentary series. critical acclaim: contemporary drama Marking Twenty-seven of these episodes were produced Time, which tells the story of a young man’s with the independent sector. The series average coming of age, and The Shark Net, set in late household share was 19.8%, an increase of 1950s Perth, which explored themes of lost 3.2 percentage points over the 2002-03 innocence and guilt. The series gained an timeslot average. average share of 31.9% in Perth, well above the 2002-03 timeslot average of 18.5%. section 3 51 Annual Report 2003-04

Most Popular Television Programs Most Popular Television Programs 2003-04, 5-City Metropolitan 2003-04, Regional Average Audience Average Audience Kath and Kim (Series 2) 1 754 501 Kath and Kim (Series 2) 771 080 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World 1 490 326 Honey Badgers of the Kalahari 716 983 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2003 1 308 134 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World 703 627 Murder Investigation Team 1 306 050 Elephants: Spy in the Herd 669 659 The Bill ( Saturday) 1 269 621 The Bridge on the River Kwai 650 305 Who Killed Alexander the Great? 1 248 790 Polar Bear Battlefield 627 720 Wild Australasia 1 248 094 Lights on the Hill: The Bridge on the River Kwai 1 235 303 A Musical Tribute to Slim Dusty 624 495 The Bill (Tuesday) 1 233 144 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2003 616 353 Wire in the Blood 1 230 780 Wild Australasia 605 607 Honey Badgers of the Kalahari 1 227 349 592 859 Britain’s Real Monarch 1 221 352 Britain’s Real Monarch 585 938 Polar Bear Battlefield 1 216 796 Murder Investigation Team 585 763 Blue Murder 1 209 915 The Bill (Saturday) 581 596 Schools Spectacular 2003 1 193 600 Killer Ants 576 015 Taggart 1 191 471 Who Killed Alexander the Great? 574 146 Dynasties: From Macarthur to Murdoch 1 176 787 Dynasties: From Macarthur to Murdoch 560 798 Elephants: Spy in the Herd 1 175 696 Blue Murder 555 425 Diana: The Night She Died 1 165 169 Schools Spectacular 2003 555 342 Mother and Son 1 143 896 Monarch of the Glen 553 230 Diana: The Night She Died 552 558

In 2004, the telemovie Loot, about a forensic Sharing the 2004 Logie for Most Outstanding accountant, gained an audience of over Comedy Program with Kath and Kim was one million. the inventive news satire CNNNN. Series 2 received an average household share of 16%, Angels in America, the multi-award winning above first series average of 14.4%. American series linking interconnected stories of relationships, religion and politics, was Arts and Culture screened over three consecutive nights. This ABC Television is Australia’s leading arts landmark six-hour television event gained an broadcaster, programming performance, average household share of 18.5%; each night’s documentary, review and analysis. share was an improvement on the 2002-03 timeslot average. In 2004, Sunday Afternoon received a three-fold rise in resources enabling arts stories ABC Television’s Kath and Kim (Series 2) to be sourced from more locations throughout proved an exceptional success with critics Australia, a greater engagement with local and audiences. The final episode earned an contemporary arts, and an increase in artist average share of 37.9% and 2.15 million viewers, interviews. A new initiative of themed making it 2003’s top rating comedy program programming premiered and covered subjects on Australian television. Series three of Kath such as photography, film, classical music, and Kim will be broadcast in late 2004. 52 Annual Report 2003-04

99–00

00–01 ABC Television(continued)

and the visual arts. Critical Mass and Words 01–02 continued to provide a focus for critique and discussion. 02–03

Prime time arts documentaries included 03–04 Obsessions: Worries on a String, a portrait

of Australian classical composer, Elena Australian First Release and 0 10203040% a percentage of Hours Broadcast a percentage Kats-Chernin; Wildness, the story of Australia’s Repeat Content 6am-midnight, as greatest wilderness photographers; and Much Repeat First Release Ado About Something, a feature-length investigation of the origins of the work of William Shakespeare. 99–00 Entertainment Consistently gaining audiences of over one 00–01 million, Enough Rope with Andrew Denton entertained with its eclectic mix of interview 01–02 subjects and audience participation. 02–03

03–04

0 102030405060 Australian First Release and % a percentage of Hours Broadcast a percentage Repeat Content 6pm-midnight, as Repeat First Release

In 2004, four new weekly entertainment series were launched. Mondo Thingo takes a light-hearted look at the week’s entertainment news and the many products of pop culture. The New Inventors is a series where a panel of Australia’s leading architects, designers, and engineers evaluate three new inventions each week. The series attracted an audience share of 23.1%, a large increase over the 2002-03 timeslot average of 16.7%. Strictly Dancing is a competitive dance series featuring Australia’s most accomplished dancing couples. The series attracted new and loyal viewers to the ABC, evidenced by its average audience of 1 059 093, an increase of more than 300 000

Some of Australia’s most exciting dancing viewers on the 2002-03 timeslot average. couples competed in the series, Strictly Dancing. section 3 53 Annual Report 2003-04

The Einstein Factor is an offbeat quiz show Religion and Ethics that pits ordinary Australians with specialist The year-round series Compass continued knowledge against a ‘brains trust’. The series to provide a diverse exploration of faith, ethics achieved an average household share of and values from Australian and global contexts. 18.2%, well above the 2003 timeslot average Australian documentaries broadcast included of 13.2%. Tomorrow’s Islam and Life After Josh, about a magistrate’s quest for justice after the death Younger audiences were attracted to Double of his son in the Bali bombings. the Fist, a new cult adventure series, and the return of the irreverent The Glass House. Science and Technology This year, The Glass House gained a household At the forefront of science on television, Catalyst share of 15.9%, compared to the 2002-03 features the latest information and scientific timeslot average of 12.3%. breakthroughs from Australia and around the world. Education There were major changes to ABC Television’s Highlights included two ABC Television education production output, as current levels programs: Deadly Enemies, about the Cold of funding did not permit the commissioning War development of biological weapons, of new schools programs. In December 2003, which featured the last interview with the new episodes of the long-running series Behind late Dr David Kelly, and the international the News ceased to be broadcast. However, co-production Primal Instincts. a weekly education service continued to be broadcast throughout 2003-04 utilising previously Special Events commissioned and acquired material. In September 2003, the network broadcast the State funeral of Australian country music Indigenous legend, Slim Dusty. On Australia Day 2004, a The fifth series of Message Stick continued special event was broadcast to try to answer to provide audiences with access to Aboriginal the question ‘who is our greatest Australian?’ and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles, perspectives Eight of Australia’s leading figures tried to and aspirations. From September 2003, the convince the nation of the merits of their series aired in prime time. choice in The Greatest Australian.

A broadcast highlight was the arts documentary Sport Jimmy Little’s Gentle Journey that explored the ABC Television broadcast 182 hours of national life of Australia’s first Aboriginal pop star. sport including basketball, bowls, cricket, hockey, netball, soccer, and tennis. Tennis Natural History and Environment highlights included the 2004 Hopman Cup In addition to the weekly prime-time strand, and highlights of the French Open. In addition, Richard Morecroft Goes Wild, ABC Television 461 hours of regular state and territory sport broadcast the series Wild Australasia, an was produced and broadcast in the originating international co-production, and From the state or territory. The World Netball Heart (Series 2), produced using ABC archival Championships, broadcasts of the Women’s resources. Both series attracted average National Basketball League and the Women’s audiences of over one million. The ABC Champion’s Trophy Hockey series continued Television documentary Platypus: World’s ABC Television’s commitment to women’s sport. Strangest Animal aired to critical acclaim. 54 Annual Report 2003-04

99–00

00–01 Production Outside of Sydney and Melbourne 01–02 In 2003-04, Television production presenting the diversity of Australia to all Australians through 02–03 national broadcast continued as a key strategy. A total of 37.8% of ABC-made programs were 03–04 produced outside of Sydney and Melbourne, compared with 42.8% in 2002-03.* 40 45 50 55 60 65 % In August 2003, the ABC announced proposals

Australian Content as a percentage of Australian Content as a percentage 6am-midnight 6pm-midnight Hours Broadcast 1999-2000 to 2003-04 Hours Broadcast for cuts to program and non-program functions in order to operate within budget. In Television, budget cuts were made to schools production, live sport and factual programming. This has 99–00 resulted in a 5% decrease in production outside Sydney and Melbourne compared to 2002-03. 00–01

01–02 Production in capital cities outside of Sydney and Melbourne continued with series such as 02–03 George Negus Tonight (Tuesday night) from Perth; George Negus Tonight (Monday night), 03–04 and Feedback from Adelaide; 0 500 1 0001 500 2 000 2 500 Gardening Australia and Big Country Revisited from Hobart; and Big Country Revisited and 6pm-midnight 6am-midnight special event programs from Brisbane.

* ABC internal producations and co-productions; excludes ABC Commissioned Programs,* first ABC Commissioned Programs,* pre-purchased programs (including many documentaries The weekly series Catalyst, Compass, Message

release, broadcast 1999-2000 to 2003-04 broadcast release, and children's drama programs) Stick and Sunday Afternoon included a large proportion of segments produced from centres outside of Sydney and Melbourne. The drama series The Shark Net was co-produced by

Sport Religion and Ethics a Western Australian production company. News 4%

Movies 3% 5% Arts High Definition Broadcasts Factual 2% ABC Television broadcast 1 381 hours of 7% 29% high definition material, including 1 080 hours

2% Childrens in prime time, in accordance with legislative Entertainment requirements. 8%

5% Current Affairs

Education Comedy Docu

3% * These statistics exclude the music video program Rage,

13% mentary which is produced from Sydney but relies entirely on production from outside the ABC.

Drama 12% 7% ABC Television Genre Mix 2003-04 Genre ABC Television as a Percentage of Hours Broadcast of Hours Broadcast as a Percentage 6am-midnight (excludes interstitial material) section 3 55 Annual Report 2003-04

Lynley Marshall Director of New Media and Digital Services Lynley Marshall has over 17 years experience in the broadcasting industry and has held a series of senior business positions in New Zealand, including Director of the Independent Business Units of The Radio Network, GM of The Radio Bureau and GM of TVNZ Enterprises. New Media and Digital Services New Media and Digital Services produces and New Media Audiences delivers the ABC’s Internet activities and is ABC Online content spans many genres, with responsible for developing new media and a focus on news, current affairs and business, digital ventures. In 2002-03, the Division sport, children, youth, science and health, continued to increase its audience reach regional and rural, arts, education and radio and deliver innovation on existing and and television. The year saw growth in audience emerging platforms. numbers across many of these areas. The Backyard, the collective of 49 Local Radio Throughout the year, New Media and websites, has increased its audience by 48.3% Digital Services launched new websites and over the period, with the average number of broadband services, originated interactive Australians accessing The Backyard each television content and developed new mobile month increasing from 174 513 in 2002-03 phone and wireless services. The ABC provides to 258 767 in 2003-04. The ongoing success quality content to increasingly mobile audiences of new media regional content and services across a range of platforms, particularly in the indicates the importance and effectiveness of areas of news, information and entertainment. communicating online with regional and local New Media and Digital Services collaborated communities. Other areas of high growth for with ABC Television and ABC Radio to develop ABC Online include Broadband, Sport Online, a number of cross-media programs that Rollercoaster (for 8-14 year olds), TV Online, capitalised on the synergies available within ABC News Online, Business and Current Affairs. the ABC as a multi media organisation. New Media and Digital Services has established The Division further refined ABC Online to a large number of online communities and ensure fast and reliable content delivery and continues to maintain and encourage audience a user-friendly environment. The website’s interaction via online forums, guestbooks and navigation and searchability were further email newsletters. At the end of June 2004, enhanced to ensure a more satisfying there were 304 385 subscriptions to ABC user experience. Online email newsletters and 100 705 registered users of ABC Online Communities, which provide 56 Annual Report 2003-04 New Media and Digital Services (continued) ABC Online’s award-winning Greek team of web developers, producers and mythology site, Winged Sandals. journalists and draws on ABC News and Current Affairs output.

In 2003-04, ABC News Online delivered an average of 3 270 891 pages of content each week. The number of Australians visiting the site each month increased by 12.7% from 283 171 in 2002-03 to 319 237 in 2003-04.

Changing Audiences, New Services New Media and Digital Services has adopted strategies to ensure the continued relevance of ABC services in the face of changes in Australians’ lifestyles and media consumption habits. Emerging technologies are permitting audiences to consume content when, how and wherever they choose. In response to increasingly mobile lifestyles, New Media and Digital Services has responded by delivering users with a unique identity and increased quality content offerings to audiences in a access privileges to participate and contribute range of formats and across a range of platforms, to ABC Online forums and guestbooks. including narrowband Internet, broadband, The increasing popularity of these features digital television, DVD and wireless technologies. demonstrates a high level of loyalty and engagement amongst the audience. A key focus is interactivity as a means of engaging audiences in the digital media News and environment. Over time, New Media and Information Programming Digital Services has developed and encouraged One of the most successful areas of ABC an audience expectation of active engagement Online is its dedicated news site, ABC News and interaction with content and the creation Online, which provides a variety of content, of online communities through forums, polls, continually updated throughout the day. The chat, quizzes, guestbooks and SMS. site covers all areas of news and includes ABC Current Affairs program-related information The Division is central to the Corporation’s and an on-demand broadband video news efforts to fully integrate new technologies service updated six times each day. ABC and platforms into cross-media production. News Online also delivers a regular news Cooperation with ABC Television and ABC email to subscribers and content for mobile Radio has led to a collaborative production phones for special events such as state approach to such production and the elections. The site is created by a dedicated development of several cross-media projects. section 3 57 Annual Report 2003-04

The ABC’s traditional media platforms have DVD was released in April 2004 after a television been able to engage their audiences further broadcast in March, and was at the top of by integrating online, mobile and wireless ARIA’s national music DVD charts and the ABC content into programs. For example, in April Shop Online bestseller list across all product 2004, WildWatch Australia, which was categories throughout April. broadcast on ABC Television and supported by Local Radio, invited audiences to complete Building Partnerships a survey about wildlife in their backyard. In five Partnerships play an important role in the weeks the WildWatch online survey attracted development of content and services for 27 364 responses and over 3 000 comments New Media and Digital Services. The Division in the website’s guestbook. has received important development funds and expanded the reach of its content by working New Media and Digital Services has implemented with both government organisations and private mobile phone services for a selection of Television sector partners. and Radio programs, and inbound SMS services for a full range of programs on ABC Local Radio New Media and Digital Services has fostered stations in metropolitan areas. In January 2004, close working relationships with industry funding triple j introduced ‘Hottest 100’ voting via mobile bodies, resulting in new media projects such phones, as well as an SMS option for its as the Broadband Production Initiative with the ‘Super Request’ program and gig guide Australian Film Commission, which provided information; triple j fans can also download funding for four broadband productions to mobile phone ringtones and logos from the be hosted on ABC Online. In 2003-04, Film triple j website. During the Queensland State Victoria also contributed to the production of election in 2003, ABC News Online offered 4 Minute Wonders, an initiative to encourage an outbound SMS service which allowed the development of digital media skills among subscribers to receive updates to their established and emerging digital artists and mobile phones during election night. filmmakers. Such initiatives ensure the production of dynamic projects produced The Division managed the cross-media specifically for delivery on ABC Online, as well components of the Love Is in the Air program, as contributing to the development of the which was broadcast in late 2003. Interactive Australian independent production sector. television content designed to support viewers curious for extra information was available to One of the best examples of the Division’s all Austar subscribers. Broadband video content cross-media content is the Winged Sandals from the program was also available through website, launched in November 2003. The site ABC Online. is an educational resource on Greek Mythology created by the ABC Online Arts team in In collaboration with ABC Enterprises, conjunction with The University of Melbourne, New Media and Digital Services also initiated with funding support from the ABC Development production of a Midnight Oil DVD/CD pack Division. The site has received industry featuring the triple j-supported Midnight Oil recognition, winning both ‘Best of the Web’ concerts recorded at Goat Island in Sydney and ‘Best e-Learning’ Awards at the 2003 Harbour in 1985 and Sydney’s Capitol Theatre AIMIA Awards, as well as international animation in 1982. These concerts were recorded for prizes. Winged Sandals continues to attract television and radio broadcast respectively but audiences for its innovation and best practice. had never been commercially released. The 58 Annual Report 2003-04

John Cameron

Acting Director of News and Current Affairs John Cameron has been Acting Director of News and Current Affairs since May 2004, when the incumbent, Max Uechtritz, left the ABC. John has been with the ABC for 20 years, most of these in Queensland as a radio and television reporter and producer, and five years as the Queensland State Editor. Before that, John was Washington Bureau Chief for three years, including the period of the first Gulf War. He also worked as State Editor in Victoria, before becoming the ABC’s National Editor four years ago. News and Current Affairs

News and Current Affairs is one of the largest Coverage production areas in the ABC. The Division International coverage was dominated this produces news bulletins, current affairs year by issues of international security, events programs and a substantial quantity of other in Iraq and the role of the US-led coalition material for use across all ABC domestic and forces in the lead up to the handover of international platforms. The programming is sovereignty to the Iraqi interim government. aimed at providing audiences with the most ABC News and Current Affairs has maintained comprehensive, respected, accurate, impartial a presence in Bagdad since the war ended and independent news and current affairs in 2003, with the security of reporters and in Australia. camera crews under constant review.

After the introduction of a range of new Domestically, there was extensive coverage programs in the previous year, 2003-04 and analysis of Australia’s involvement in Iraq, was a period of consolidation. including the role of Australia’s intelligence services in the decision to take part in the The Division’s national and international Iraq operation. Other significant coverage coverage was again acknowledged through included the debate over the Free Trade peer recognition with dozens of awards, Agreement between Australia and the US, including Walkleys and Logies. a foreign exchange scandal at the National Australia Bank, Melbourne’s gangland killings, The Director of News and Current Affairs, Max allegations of sexual misconduct by footballers, Uechtritz, left the ABC to take up a position in and rioting in Sydney’s Redfern after the death commercial television. Mr Uechtritz had been of an Aboriginal teenager. In politics, the at the ABC for 18 years, serving four years Federal Labor Party chose a new leader, as Director of the Division. Mark Latham, there was a State election in Queensland and the former Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon died a few months after being diagnosed with cancer. section 3 59 Annual Report 2003-04

Audiences Adelaide and Brisbane. The exhibition News and Current Affairs audience figures focussed on the ABC’s enduring commitment have grown across many programs, with to international reporting. A public forum key programs attracting strong audiences in was held in conjunction with the exhibition’s 2003-04. The 7.45am news on Local Radio opening in Sydney, as well as a workshop achieved a five-city average weekly audience for university journalism students. reach of just under one million (a 3% increase on the previous year) and AM on both Radio Four Corners and New Media and Digital National and Local Radio attracted a combined Services are completing a pilot broadband average weekly audience reach of more than interactive television project that provides a 1.1 million (up 4%). On Television, the 7pm rich and complex viewing experience using News had a five-city average audience of several Four Corners programs on terrorism. 1.1 million (1% up) and 7.30 Report 910 000 The aim is to extend Four Corners material (up 7%). Australian Story’s average audience for interactive broadband, online and interactive was 1.1 million (up 12%), while one in two digital TV, with the capacity to position the episodes of the program achieved an audience ABC as a world leader in this field. of at least 1.2 million. Online audiences continued to grow, with the average weekly News and Current Affairs continues to develop page access total for all sites containing a divisional training plan for a series of flexible, News and Current Affairs content competency-based accredited courses to be approaching 3.3 million. delivered in the working environment of ABC newsrooms. Initiatives The renewal of Federal Government funding for National Interest Initiatives has allowed the Division to continue programs funded from that source. These included local weekend Television News bulletins in the ACT and the Northern Territory, enhanced business coverage across a range of programs and the appointment of two reporters in the new ABC studios in Ballarat.

In an effort to bring a sharper focus to the ABC’s prime-time coverage of national and international sports-related news stories, a new segment presented by Peter Wilkins has been introduced in the 7pm Television News bulletins each weeknight. The new segment complements local coverage of sports news stories in each state and territory.

Through Australian Eyes, an exhibition on the history of the ABC’s foreign reporting from the 1930s to the present visited Sydney, Emma Griffiths and John Hinde, the newest and oldest living ABC foreign correspondents, at the opening of the Through Australian Eyes exhibition of the history of ABC international reporting. 60 Annual Report 2003-04

News and Current Affairs

As part of the Division’s continuing commitment senior management, executive producers and to leadership development, a three-day State representatives from the network on which the Editors’ conference was held in mid-October. program is broadcast. In addition to formal This was the first time that State Editors from reviews, output is monitored on a daily basis around the country and the News and Current and there are occasional reviews of coverage Affairs executive had met together in Sydney across programs of particular topics, such since collocation was completed at Ultimo in as sport or business. 2001. Workshops included leadership, the effectiveness of bi-media newsrooms around All program-making staff in News and Current the country and the potential of such to achieve Affairs have copies of the revised News and greater efficiencies. Twelve Executive Producers Current Affairs Style Guide. This advises on and other senior staff are taking part in a language, presentation and production. management development program; two members of the Division’s executive and two Resources and Efficiencies State Editors participated in a pilot senior To meet budget targets the Division made executive development program run by the certain adjustments to programs and other Australian Graduate School of Management; areas of activity. The resources of Business and Production Managers attended a two-day Breakfast and World at Noon were combined training workshop in Adelaide in October. to create a new program, Midday News and These development programs followed a Business. Some state-based weekend successful three-day forum for women afternoon and evening radio news bulletins, who have the potential to move into produced in capital cities around the country, leadership roles. were replaced with national bulletins produced from the newsrooms in Adelaide and Perth. To ensure greater accountability, the Division has entered into Service Level Agreements The annual journalism cadetship intake was or Arrangements with all output areas. suspended and a two-year program of attrition These agreements set out the programming and expense cuts was imposed across all requirements of the networks and the agreed areas of local, national and international processes in News and Current Affairs to coverage and management. meet these requirements, as well as a range of mutual obligations. The agreements are In international operations, the Brussels expected to be reviewed annually. bureau was closed, with some of the savings from this closure used to augment Europe News and Current Affairs has a range of coverage from the London bureau. A mechanisms to ensure programs are meeting correspondent’s position in China was also expectations of integrity and quality. All programs abolished. Despite the reductions, the ABC are subjected to regular formal reviews which remains the best-represented Australian consider story choice, talent, production, media organisation overseas. presentation, writing and adherence to program briefs, ABC Editorial Policies and Field video store-and-forward technology has the Style Guide. The reviews generally involve been further developed and expanded. This section 3 61 Annual Report 2003-04

system employs a satellite phone connection Radio Current Affairs to a laptop, allowing crews in the field to file Outlet Hours edited television packages at significantly AM (Early) Local Radio 43 lower cost and with greater convenience than AM (Radio National) 87 traditional satellite feeds. First used by ABC AM (Main) 130 reporters to file footage during the Iraq war, The World Today 197 it is now used widely overseas on a variety PM (Radio National) 177 of assignments and has also been used PM (Local Radio) 197 domestically. Business Report 12 Sat AM (Local Radio and Radio National) 24 The Division is trialling an Internet system which Correspondents Report 20 allows free calls between London and Sydney Finance Market Report at Noon 9 over a broadband link. This is likely to be Finance Market Report PM 13 extended to the other overseas bureaux. TOTAL 909

Annual Production of News and Current Affairs TV News and Current Affairs In 2003-04, the ABC broadcast approximately Outlet Hours 14 000 unduplicated hours of television 7pm News (all states) 1 455 and radio news and current affairs on its News Updates 94 domestic services. Asia Pacific Focus 23 Australian Story 19 These figures do not include material provided Business Breakfast (ceased) 21 to News Radio, Radio Australia and the ABC 4 Corners 21 Asia Pacific service; live crosses for ‘Q and A’s Foreign Correspondent 27 by reporters into radio programs; election Inside Business 20 night broadcasts; budget specials and any Insiders 30 rolling coverage. Landline 38 107 Order in the House, Parliamentary Question 7:30 Report 105 Time and National Press Club Luncheon Seven Days 22 have also been excluded. The figures do Stateline 156 not include seasonal variations such as sport World at Noon 27 broadcasts that interrupt bulletin schedules. Midday News and Business 79 All radio figures are national totals. TOTAL 2 244

Radio News Outlet Hours Local Radio and Radio National 7 009 Regionals 3 285 triple j 282 Classic FM 542 TOTAL 11 118 62 Annual Report 2003-04

International Broadcasting

The ABC operates two international broadcasting Over the past twelve months, Radio Australia’s and online services, Radio Australia and ABC shortwave broadcasting capacity to Asia has Asia Pacific, to encourage awareness of increased by 15% and now stands at 200 Australia in the Asia-Pacific region and offer transmission hours per day across Asia and an Australian perspective on world affairs. the Pacific. Additional transmission hours The services also provide information for have helped boost capacity for broadcasts to Australian citizens living or travelling abroad. Asia in Indonesian, English and Vietnamese.

Radio Australia In May 2004, Radio Australia celebrated 60 Radio Australia sought in 2003-04 to extend years of shortwave broadcasting to the Pacific its direct transmission capacity and develop and eastern Indonesia from transmitters at its rebroadcast network in Asia and the Pacific. Shepparton in Victoria. Ongoing additional transmission funding announced in the May 2003 Federal Budget In 2003-04, Radio Australia made significant provided resources to expand shortwave progress in securing new local FM relays. broadcasts to Asia and to fund new FM relays. Radio Australia’s broadcasts in English can now be heard 24 hours each day in Suva,

Asia Pacific Focus presenter Michael Maher has been covering the Asia Pacific region for more than fifteen years. section 3 63 Annual Report 2003-04

Phnom Penh and Port Moresby, with three more a 13-part radio series produced with Monash 24-hour FM services planned for the end of University, aims to explain Australia to overseas 2004 in Honiara, Port Vila and Dili. New partial audiences. In a first for the ABC, Radio Australia relays have been secured in Indonesia, as well produced a Hindi language version of this site as Bangkok and Phnom Penh. For the first with the support of the Australia India Council time since 1996, a range of Radio Australia and La Trobe University. The Australia China programs is available on local relay in Thailand. Council is supporting the production of a Chinese language version of the site. Radio Audience survey figures indicate that Radio Australia also commenced production of a Australia enjoys an annual audience reach of series on the Vietnamese community in Australia. 7 million in Indonesia and confirm its ranking The first programs of the series have been alongside other key international broadcasters. welcomed by Radio Vietnam, which will Radio Australia’s Indonesian language programs rebroadcast the programs. are heard via 38 local stations, including 22 live satellite relays. A third of Radio Australia listeners Radio Australia co-produced public lectures with claim to listen to the service via local relays. major Australian universities: a public forum at the University of Melbourne’s Asialink Centre with In 2003-04, Radio Australia provided specialist Indonesia’s presidential candidate Mr Yudhoyono; coverage of key events in the Asia Pacific region. the Second Herb Feith Lecture with Monash Radio Australia’s Chinese service and the Asia University at Southbank delivered by Professor Pacific program covered the presidential election Wang Gungwu; and a public forum held with in Taiwan with live broadcasts and reports in Sydney University at the Eugene Goosens English and Chinese. Radio Australia’s Auditorium on ‘Smart Societies in Asia and Indonesian service and the Asia Pacific program the Pacific’ for a new 13-part radio series. provided live coverage of 2004 Indonesian presidential election campaign and the 2003 As a further commitment to education, Radio commemorations of the Bali bombings. Australia signed an agreement with Adult Multicultural Education Services Victoria (AMES), Radio Australia covered major political to develop a vocational English-teaching developments in the Pacific in Pidgin and language series. The series will be produced English. The Pacific Beat program was in Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and broadcast live from Fiji on two occasions Khmer for distribution across Asia through covering local political issues and HIV/AIDS Radio Australia’s rebroadcast network. issues in the Pacific. Radio Australia’s specialist reporters provided coverage of the South In 2003-04, Radio Australia further developed Pacific Games and key regional issues for partnerships with major institutions in Asia. ABC Asia Pacific Television. A distribution agreement was signed with India’s Indira Gandhi National Open University for In 2003-04, Radio Australia maintained close the rebroadcast of educational programs on relationships with Australian institutions to IGNOU’s radio network across India. In Thailand, deliver educational programs to Asia and a cooperation agreement was signed with Pacific audiences. A new educational web Chulalongkorn University for the co-production site, Understanding Australia, complementing of educational series in English and Thai. The co-production of a series on Asian cities with 64 Annual Report 2003-04

International Broadcasting(continued)

Radio Chulalongkorn and MediaCorp ABC Asia Pacific Singapore is planned for later this year. The ABC’s international television arm, ABC Thailand’s Ministry of Education also expressed Asia Pacific, grew rapidly throughout 2003-04. interest in Radio Australia’s educational programs The service was the fastest growing channel in and in co-producing new English learning series Asia according to the PAX Synovate audience for Thai students. survey. The service is now seen in 32 countries. It is retransmitted by more than 150 pay television In the Pacific, Radio Australia and Pacific Island operators, is available in more than 190 000 broadcasters have agreed to the development hotel rooms and can be seen in seven million of a Pacific Radio Network to support public homes across the region. broadcasting and governance principles in the Pacific. The network will facilitate the exchange The service is designed for an audience of program material informing public debate on demographic comprising decision makers and key regional issues. Meanwhile, Radio Australia opinion leaders in the private and public sector, continued in 2003-04 to provide training and including emerging middle-class community professional attachment opportunities to segments, student and learning communities, Pacific broadcasters. Radio Australia is and international expatriates as well as working closely with AusAID on a partnering Government missions based in the region. arrangement with the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea to support ABC Asia Pacific has enjoyed considerable public broadcasting in PNG. success in a crowded and highly competitive market (most countries in the region offer between 40 and 100 channels).

ABC Asia Pacific, the ABC’s international television service, is now seen in more than 32 countries. section 3 65 Annual Report 2003-04

Programming Australian sports coverage was extensive, with ABC Asia Pacific offers a diverse range of seven games of AFL or NRL broadcast every quality programming rather than a single week of the football season, as well as coverage program genre such as movies, sport or of the Victorian Spring racing carnival, with the 24-hour news broadcasts. This makes the Melbourne Cup as the highlight. service unique amongst the international broadcasting community. This programming Some of the programs that proved most strategy has played an important role in the successful were: rapid take-up of the service. • 36 ABC Asia Pacific half-hour news programs each week; During the past year, ABC Asia Pacific • Australian dramas such as The Shark Net, substantially redesigned and upgraded its Blue Healers and MDA; program schedule to better meet audience • International dramas such as Forsyth and pay operator expectations and demands. Saga, State of Play and Frost; All programs shown are high quality, up-to-date • Documentaries on a wide range of issues and recently produced. The news, current and from differing perspectives; and affairs and information programs aim to be • Australian information programs such as credible and independent. The channel RPA, Getaway, Catalyst, The New Inventors is committed to showcasing the best of and Enough Rope with Andrew Denton. Australian television by broadcasting a minimum 60% Australian content. Distribution During 2003-04, 75% of the schedule Among the countries and territories to was Australian content. launch ABC Asia Pacific in the past year were Singapore’s sole pay television operator, The nightly prime time programming StarHub, and Hong Kong’s dominant cable line-up is built on four main strands: operator, I-Cable. Negotiations continued with • ABC news and current affairs produced Chinese media authorities for the rights to limited for the Asia Pacific region; transmission in mainland China. Detailed planning • a quality Australian or international is now underway to expand the service into drama series; India and surrounding nations in 2005. • a world class documentary; and • an informative and entertaining feature Online or lifestyle program. The companion website to ABC Asia Pacific television, abcasiapacific.com, provides a Another significant programming strategy comprehensive program listing and television includes transmitting education programs of schedule, and an up-to-the-minute regional real benefit to audiences across the region. news service produced specifically for an Feedback through the ABC Asia Pacific web international online audience. During the year, site suggests that such programming, weekly accesses to the service doubled to in particular English learning content, is nearly 100 000. extremely popular. The popularity of ABC Asia Pacific education programs Nexus and English Bites were a major factor in this growth. 66 Annual Report 2003-04 Andrew Lean

Director of Production Resources Andrew Lean was appointed Director of Production Resources in 2000. Prior to joining the ABC, he was Director of Production for the . Andrew worked for the Seven Network for 23 years.

Production Resources Production Resources operates broadcast and in 2003-04, a level slightly above that of production centres in the capital city of each 2002-03. The balance undertook ancillary state and territory. It manages the broadcast of activities, including transmission support and ABC Radio and ABC Television, and supports marketing activities through ABC Resource the production needs of ABC Television and Hire, part of ABC Enterprises. News and Current Affairs. In 2003-04, the Division provided a total of The Division contributes to the distinctiveness, more than 1.66 million workforce hours for level, mix, quality and diversity of Australian television program production, an increase of content produced for national and local television. over 4% on 2002-03 levels largely reflecting In addition to broadcast use, these programs an increase in hours provided for general provide opportunities for international program television production. sales and additional products and services for ABC Enterprises. Broadcast Operations From December 2003, Production Resources Program Genre Diversity became fully responsible for the broadcast and Australian Content operations of ABC Radio and Television In 2003-04, programs produced using through the addition of radio and television Production Resources’ workforce and facilities master control rooms. The Division operates covered all television program genres and broadcast facilities for the presentation and contributed directly to ABC Australian content switching of radio and television broadcasting levels. Almost 70% of the Division’s workforce for transmission and distribution by external activity contributed to production of television providers. It also arranges and schedules programs in five genres: news, current affairs, transmission facilities used for the production factual, entertainment and drama. and distribution of ABC content.

Production Support Facilities Marketing The production resources requirements of In July 2003, responsibility for facilities marketing ABC Television and News and Current Affairs of production resources was transferred to the accounted for approximately 92% of the new ABC Resource Hire group within ABC Division’s costed production workforce resources Enterprises. Production Resources continued section 3 67 Annual Report 2003-04

to be a provider of production workforce and state or territory audiences, they also produced facilities resources for hire by external clients. The programs for the national network. These revenue generated from this activity was used included Australian Story, Landline, George to boost ABC production and programming. Negus Tonight and The Hopman Cup, as well as a number of specials and sports programs, National Production and such as coverage of Anzac Day marches, Broadcast Centre Presence annual football award ceremonies and local The Sydney and Melbourne production and sport. Perth and Adelaide provided resources broadcast centres provide the majority of for the production of ABC Asia Pacific news resources used to make programs and to and education programs, respectively. broadcast programming for the ABC national television network. These centres provided Sydney Production resources for television news and current Centre Move affairs and for major television programs By the end of 2003-04, the Sydney production such as Fireflies, Silver Sun, Strictly Dancing, centre had moved from Gore Hill to new, purpose- Kath and Kim and Enough Rope with built premises in Ultimo and modified premises Andrew Denton. at Lanceley Place in Artarmon. In late 2003, drama facilities were relocated to new purpose- While the other six capital city production and built accommodation and the set-making broadcast centres provide resources primarily workshop at Lanceley Place was completed. for the production of local television news and Field operations and outside broadcast current affairs and other local programming for operations are now located at Lanceley Place.

The studio set for the popular Strictly Dancing in the ABC Ultimo Centre in Sydney. 68 Annual Report 2003-04

Production Resources (continued) With completion of these moves, Production within the Corporation. This transfer involved Resources’ Sydney-based production and moving about 20% of the production workforce. broadcast operations are now fully established at Ultimo and Lanceley Place. Start-up issues Production and with new equipment, facilities, accommodation Broadcast Facilities and processes have largely been resolved. During the year, Production Resources continued to expand digital production and Resources Workforce broadcast operations. In accordance with With a workforce of over 1 000, Production legislative requirements, High Definition (HD) Resources is the single largest employer within on-air transmission began in late 2003. The the ABC, accounting for about one quarter Division participated in the development of of all ABC staff. Almost two-thirds of the native HD playout infrastructure planned for production workforce is based in Sydney and operation in 2004-05. A new radio switcher Melbourne, with the remaining third in the was installed and began operation at Ultimo other six capital cities. The utilisation rate of the in late 2003-04. The Division took delivery of production workforce for 2003-04—measured another four widescreen television Outside by chargeable time as a proportion of paid Broadcast vans, bringing the total number time—was 78%, maintaining the same levels of operational vans to eight. as 2002-03.

The Division aims to provide workforce capabilities for the full range of production skills needed to make television programs. However, when production requirements exceeded the base capacity of the production centres, or the capabilities required were not available at those centres, the Division engaged additional employees from the external television production industry. Similarly, where required and where facilities were not available, the Division hired facilities from the external television production industry.

Awards won by the Division’s employees recognise the capabilities of the ABC production workforce. At Australian Cinematographers Awards ceremonies, Production Resources employees won awards across a wide range of categories.

At the end of 2003-04, television production pool staff were transferred to the Television Division to better realign editorial responsibilities section 3 69 Annual Report 2003-04

Helen Hughes Director of Development During a twenty-year career in broadcasting, Helen Hughes has worked in a range of programming roles, including journalist and news producer. Positions held at the ABC include Head of News and Current Affairs Queensland from 1990-92 and Network Editor of the 7pm News Sydney from 1993-97. Management roles have included General Manager Local Content Development and Development Manager Local Television. Helen was appointed to the role of Director Development in September 2001.

Development The Development Division supports the ABC A pitching round was held for ABC Radio in media platforms to develop new programs October 2003. Twenty-nine proposals were and content sourced from within and outside received with 12 selected for development the ABC. support, including We’re All Very Tired Now, a humorous look at parenting from social In its fourth year of operation, the Division formally commentator Susan Maushart. Two history assessed 1 564 proposals and approved 174 projects were also approved: Patriots Three, (11%) for development support. The high a four-part radio documentary for Radio number of proposals assessed reflected efforts National from producer Jill Kitson, and In the made during 2003-04 to source ideas as Wake of the Caledonia from triple j presenter widely as possible. Daniel Browning, which traces the adventures of one of his sea-faring ancestors. From August to December 2003, a round of television pitching sessions was held across The Division participated in a number of the country to provide a forum for producers industry events in 2003-04 including the from both within the ABC and the wider Australian International Documentary production community to discuss ABC Conference at Fremantle, . priorities and to present ideas. It also co-sponsored Pitch ’n’ Punt with Arte France and conducted one-on-one pitching Pitching sessions were held in all capital cities, sessions with producers. with ten projects approved for development support. These included SAS: The Soldier’s Story While expenditure on program and content from Mianjin Entertainment, which traces the development was the highest in four years, the history of the elite Australian SAS Regiment. total number of projects supported was smaller This project attracted matching development than 2002-03, reflecting several programming support from the Pacific Film and Television initiatives of significant scale. The greatest Commission and Screenwest. activity was recorded against the genres of history, drama and arts and entertainment. 70 Annual Report 2003-04

Research and Development Expenditure and Approved Projects 2003-04: Television, Radio and New Media Development(continued)

$1.29m Different ways of telling Australian history were 00–01 explored with projects such as Outback House 70 Projects and Rewind. New arts and entertainment programs such as The New Inventors, Strictly $2.54m Dancing and The Einstein Factor, and drama 01–02 projects, including Loot, were funded in 19 Project development. Development funds were committed to a number of new comedy projects, including Double the Fist, Stand Up! $3.70m 02–03 and a third series of Kath and Kim. 211 Projects In 2003-04, fifty documentary programs or series covering a wide range of subjects $3.97m 02–03 and sourced from across Australia attracted development support. Projects included The 174 Projects Shearers, following the fortunes of a group of young shearers selected to enrol at Tasmania’s highly competitive shearing school; Street Approved Projects Expenditure Practice, a four-part series about young lawyers moving from university to a busy legal aid practice; the third series of the highly successful Dynasties; and Air Australia, Television Development Activity exploring the history of Australian aviation. by Genre 2003-04 Development supported the cross-media initiative Wildwatch, which featured the television and radio promotion of an online wildlife survey 7% designed to capture information about wildlife in people’s backyards in Australia. The initial survey attracted more than 27 000 respondents,

Children's 19% and led to support for a second survey to be Drama conducted in late 2004, along with further Factual 44% radio and television programming.

Development applied National Interest Initiative Entertainment funds to place a Development Officer in the Arts and Northern Territory. This has resulted in a series of content initiatives in 2003-04, including arts segments for Sunday Afternoon, the thirty 30% minute documentary Goannas and Canetoads for Richard Morecroft Goes Wild and a range of stories for George Negus Tonight, such as section 3 71 Annual Report 2003-04

Boys’ Business, about a music program at In areas of Australia where people meter panels Wanguri Primary School in Darwin aimed at are not established, television audiences are re-engaging boys in the classroom. measured by the completion of viewing diaries. Using weekly diaries members of households For Radio, The Idlers, a series on travel in record their daily television viewing, on a regional Australia, contained a mixture of stories quarter-hour basis. Diary surveys of television about life on the road, travel information, places are usually conducted over a two-to-four–week of interest and tips on travelling. Under the period. Welcome Mat was a series of programs that allowed listeners to ‘pitch’ a town for the This year the Corporation participated in diary presenter to visit and profile. surveys in Darwin in August 2003 and May 2004, and in regional Western Australia in August 2003 Significant New Media projects included Health and March 2004. Diary surveys were also Matters, the regional health gateway, and Kids conducted in August 2003 in Mildura, and Science Cross Media, a new interactive science July/August in the remote central and eastern resource for young teens. Both projects were areas of Australia. The Corporation also funded from Development’s National Interest participated in a diary survey of the Griffith Initiatives allocation. television area in October/November 2003.

Audience Research Radio Development Division manages Audience Nielsen Media Research carries out audience Research on behalf of the Corporation. In measurement for the major metropolitan markets 2003-04 the ABC subscribed to a range of eight times each calendar year, with listening audience measurement data and commissioned captured on a quarter-hour basis in five-week research to help measure its audiences; inform tranches in each survey period. In regional and programming, scheduling and marketing rural areas, Nielsen Media Research conduct decisions; and gauge audience attitudes less frequent radio surveys. to its services. In 2003-04, the Corporation participated The main data sources subscribed to in in regional surveys at the Gold Coast and 2003-04 were: Wollongong. Due to the lack of interest among commercial radio networks in conducting Television radio diary surveys in regional Australia, the Audience measurement data was collected Corporation initiated the first of a series of via the OzTAM people meter panels in Sydney, radio diary surveys at Mt Gambier, Albany Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth and and Orange in May through June/July 2004. reported on a daily basis. Regional TAM supplied data from their people meter panels in the Online aggregated regional television markets covering The ABC’s two primary audience measurement most of the regional coastal areas of Queensland, methodologies for ABC Online are Site-Centric Northern and Southern New South Wales, page access measures and the Nielsen// regional Victoria and Tasmania. Generally NetRatings service. The Site-Centric this information was reported as the share page access measures provide insights of viewing achieved and the percentage of the population reached. 72 Annual Report 2003-04

Development (continued) into traffic volume to ABC home page and The Nielsen//NetRatings service uses a national ABC Online Gateways. To ensure compliance panel that provides more in-depth data on with Audit Bureau of Circulations standards the number of users (both at home and work), for the measurement of page accesses, the reach and the demographic profiles of Corporation undertook a review of the audiences to ABC Online. mechanisms for capturing accesses. This review resulted in some changes in the mechanics of collecting page accesses which took effect from January 2004.

One of the many programs supported by Development, Loot is a forensic accounting drama, starring Jason Donovan and Anita Hegh. section 3 73 Annual Report 2003-04 Robyn Watts Director of Enterprises Robyn Watts has been Director Enterprises since the establishment of the restructured commercial operations division in July 2003. Robyn commenced at the ABC in July 2000 as Director of Content Rights Management. Prior to joining the ABC, Robyn was CEO of Southern Star Sales, a division she established for the company and grew to a worldwide distribution force of 13 000 hours of television programming. ABC Enterprises ABC Enterprises contributes to the role of $8.19 million in 2003-04, compared the ABC by selling and distributing ABC with $8.72 million in 2002-03. programming and content, hiring spare ABC resources capacity, and developing and retailing The best selling adult titles for ABC Books were quality consumer products associated with On the Road with Macca, The Bill, Surfing the ABC programming or relevant to Charter roles Menu and delicious: Let’s Entertain. Other titles and values. In this way, the Division extends the included Enough Rope, Gardening Australia’s life of ABC programming, assists in fostering Flora and The Coroner, which featured in the and developing Australian talent and creativity, Book Bestseller list for six weeks. and makes a financial return to the Corporation for investment in programs. The leading ABC Children’s Book was the Saddle Club Friendship Book. Award-winning ABC Enterprises began operating in an and shortlisted children’s titles throughout the expanded form on 1 July 2003, when the ABC year included Zoo Album, Baby Boomsticks, Board endorsed the proposal to integrate all The Naming of Tishkin Silk, Old Tom’s Man revenue-generating business activities. The of Mystery and Antarctica, which won the Board’s decision aimed to provide clear Wilderness Society Environment Award. separation of ABC commercial and editorial activities and focussed management of sales ABC Audio released its first MP3-CD consumer and revenue generation. product, Taim Bilong Masta, in March. The MP3 format allows each audio CD to hold up to ten The Division is currently structured into the hours of book reading. Christmas and Father’s three businesses—ABC Consumer Publishing Day greeting cards with an attached audio and and Content Sales, ABC Retail and ABC music CD were the best selling audio products Resource Hire. During 2003-04, ABC Content for the year. Sales and ABC Consumer Publishing were merged into a single business unit. The ABC food magazine, delicious, won four awards at the 2003 Magazine Publishers ABC Consumer Publishing of Australia Awards, including the coveted In 2003-04, ABC Consumer Publishing Magazine of the Year. Saddle Club magazine released over 800 consumer products relating was another success, with a recorded readership to ABC programming and Charter activities. of 136 000 among girls aged 6-13. A triple j The business unit made a net profit of annual magazine, entitled Beat the Drum, was published in December. 74 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Enterprises(continued)

Consumer products associated with Kath and Kim topped the bestseller lists for the second consecutive year, with the Kath and Kim Series 2 DVD selling more than 80 000 units. A Kath and Kim video boxed set was released for Magazine Publishers of Mother’s Day, along with a Kath and Kim Australia named ABC food magazine delicious Party Tape music CD. the Magazine of the Year in 2003.

Sales of DVDs from perennial ABC for Kids favourites The Wiggles totalled more than 150 000 units in Australia. In the United States, the Wiggle Bay video sold more than 500 000 ABC Content Sales copies. ABC Content Sales distributes content and programming produced by the ABC’s ABC Music artists won a total of nine Golden Television, Radio and Online platforms and Guitars at the Country Music Association of leading independent content producers. Australia (CMAA) Awards. Sara Storer won a Global clients include broadcasters, filmmakers, record seven Golden Guitars, including Album airlines, multimedia producers, internet portals, of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. and wireless and broadband service providers. ABC Music released Midnight Oil: Best of Both Worlds, the first music DVD from the triple j Revenue from the sales of ABC-owned and archival collection. independently-acquired content decreased with a net profit of $2.22 million in 2003-04, Composers on the ABC Music Publishing roster compared to $3.74 million in 2002-03. The won the 2003 Screen Music Award for Best result was partly due to a decrease in available Music for a TV series for MDA, and the APRA ABC-produced content, an increase in sales 2004 Award for Most Performed Jazz Work of third party acquired content, and an for If You Loved Me. associated increase in costs.

ABC Classics won ARIA Awards for Best In 2003-04, ABC Content Sales attended Classical Album for Saffire and the Best Jazz international television markets and launched Album for Mikrokosmos. ABC Classics’ 100 hours of new programming. Surfing the highlights for the year included the releases Menu, Kylie Kwong: Cooking With Heart and of the CDs Bach Arias and Duets, Praise, Soul, Deadly Enemies, series 1 and 2 of Kath Cinema Paradiso, Brazil, Felix and Me, and Kim and Moulin Rouge Girls attracted and Margaret Throsby Collection. global buyers. International broadcasters NHK, TVNZ and Al Jazeera continued their supply ABC Events staged over 300 events and agreements for Foreign Correspondent. exhibitions over the year and entertained more than 200 000 children. The major exhibition In an increasingly competitive market, ABC for the year was Gardening Australia Live, Content Sales continued to increase revenue from which was staged in Sydney in August and sales of footage, although revenue expectations Brisbane in April. from collecting agencies and third party sales of section 3 75 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Enterprises Revenue Reso

by Activity 2003-04 Content Sales urce Hire Gift Classics Licensing Magazine

Events s

Retail ABC Enterprises Revenue Video (incl. Non Theatric)

94–95

95–96

96–97 Contemporary Music Audio

Books 97–98

98–99

a 99–00

00–01

01–02

02–03

03–04b

0 2 000 4 000 6 000 8 000 10 000 12 000 14 000 16 000

$’000 a. includes cash from Program Sales, BDU, Non-Theatrics and Stock Footage b. includes cash from new Enterprises departments—Content Sales and Resource Hire

radio programs were not met. The continued Telstra, Yahoo and Austar. The unit attracted reduction of new, saleable ABC footage was new wireless clients such as Telstra Mobile and offset by increasing sales of represented Optus Mobile for SMS, WAP News and Sport, collections (National Geographic and Associated and sold ABC news and transcripts to new Press Television News) and by packaging platforms such as MarketWatch and high-demand material such as bloopers and MacquarieNet. popular music from the Countdown and the GTK collections. The unit launched WILD, an ABC Retail online ABC Natural History stock-shot database. ABC Retail opened one new ABC Shop at Bondi in NSW in November 2003. In the same month, ABC Content Sales continued to ensure that the ABC Shop at Erina on the New South Wales content was licensed for all major technology Central Coast was relocated to a new position platforms, establishing a long-term, multi-faceted alongside the newly-built ABC Radio studio agreement with OptusNet to supply news and within the Erina Fair Shopping Centre. During entertainment content for their online service, the year, eight new ABC Centres opened and and expanding its news relationships with three existing Centres closed. By the end of 76 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Enterprises (continued) 2003-04, ABC Retail had 124 outlets in and overseas. Revenue generated from its operation, comprising 39 ABC Shops, 84 activities is channelled into program production, ABC Centres and an Order Centre which and provides ABC staff with exposure to a provides home delivery of products ordered wider range of production genres and disciplines. by phone, fax, mail and online. The unit’s net Services offered are digital outside broadcast, profit increased from $2.77 million in 2002-03 live minicam sports coverage, production to $4.88 million in 2003-04. services, and costume hire and manufacture. Also available for hire are studios, rehearsal During the financial year, ABC Shop Online rooms and theatres. The business unit was sales grew to $1.4 million, an increase of 41% moved from the Production Resources on the previous year. Online sales now account Division into ABC Enterprises on 1 July 2003. for 71% of all home delivery sales. The ABC Shop loyalty program, Reward, continues to be ABC Resource Hire made a net profit of $1.56 a significant promotional tool and accounted million in 2003-04 compared to $2.50 million for 28% of all shop sales. In 2003-04, 65 000 in the previous financial year. In a competitive new customers were added to the program, market, the unit successfully won contracts bringing the total number of people using their to provide content for all Australian television Reward card during the year to 131 000. networks, working with many of the country’s leading producers and production companies. Sales of DVDs increased from 18% of all products sold last financial year to 26% in In 2003-04, ABC Resource Hire provided 2003-04, and video and DVD sales accounted studios, facilities and crew for television for 45% of all products sold. The most programs such as Bambaloo, Active Kidz and popular genres of products sold were comedy, Mars Venus and the production of corporate children’s, factual and drama. The best selling videos and DVDs. Outside broadcast facilities product in the ABC Shops included Kath and and crew covered the World Track Cycling Kim Series 1 and Series 2 DVDs, The Bill Book Championships in Melbourne and provided and The Goodies DVD. National catalogue national sports coverage ranging from AFL promotions for Father’s Day, Christmas and in Western Australia, the Northern Territory Mother’s Day were all successful and exceeded and Tasmania to basketball coverage in previous years’ sales results. Queensland and Western Australia and soccer coverage in Western Australia. ABC Resource During the year, the most successful of the Hire provided Minicam facilities and crew for 230 local promotions undertaken included the the V8 Motor Racing series around Australia Gardening Australia Live exhibition, a Gordon and in New Zealand. Ramsay lunch for delicious magazine, book signings by Kylie Kwong and John Eales, and In association with ABC Asia Pacific, ABC a David Attenborough dinner and book signing. Resource Hire provided facilities and crew for coverage of the South Pacific Games in ABC Resource Hire Fiji. Minicam coverage of international events ABC Resource Hire uses spare capacity in included the Suzuka Motorbikes in Japan, ABC facilities and crews to offer services in Macau Grand Prix, Korean F3 and the television production to clients Australia-wide Bicycle Tour of Malaysia. section 3 77 Annual Report 2003-04 David Pendleton Director of Business Services David Pendleton joined the ABC as the ABC General Manager of Group Audit in 1996. He went on to become General Manager of Financial Operations and Accounting, and later Head of Finance. In February 2002, he was appointed to the position of Director of Finance and Support Services, which was re-named Director of Business Services on 1 July 2003. Prior to joining the ABC, David held senior management positions in the public sector at the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and State Super Investment and Management Corporation. Business Services On 1 July 2003, the Finance and Support implementing the NII in the first two years of the Services Division was renamed Business four-year program. This review was included in Services, reflecting the incorporation of Archives a funding submission to the Federal Government, and Library Services, Rights Management and which included a request for the renewal of Business Affairs. NII funding from 1 July 2004. This bid was successful, with NII funding committed until Completion of Annual the end of June 2008. An additional $4.2 Financial Statements million per annum for acquisitions was also The Corporation’s Annual Accounts were appropriated to the ABC. completed within the required time frame and received an unqualified audit opinion from Finance Systems the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). During 2003-04, work commenced on several major Finance System-related projects that are ABC Asia Pacific’s Annual Accounts were scheduled for completion in 2004-05. completed and submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after the ANAO As Finance System hardware is approaching the delivered an unqualified audit opinion. end of its useful life, a Request For Proposal for new infrastructure and related application Budget and Funding support services was issued to the market in The 2003-04 Budget was submitted to and May 2004. It is anticipated that this process approved by the ABC Board in July 2003 will allow implementation in early 2005. The following extensive negotiations with all Divisions. new system is expected to deliver ongoing The 2003-04 Budget encompassed reductions savings to the Corporation. to programming and non-programming budgets amounting to some $26m. Further business process improvements will be delivered in 2004-05 with the redesign With National Interest Initiatives (NII) funding and full integration of foreign currency payment due to expire on 30 June 2005, the ABC processes into the Finance System and an undertook a review of its performance in interface to the new Enterprises Sales Management System. 78 Annual Report 2003-04

Business Services (continued) Finance Committee broadcast in Television and News programs The ABC Board Finance Committee met on were also installed at the Ultimo Centre. The four occasions during the year to consider commencement of this project moves the papers prepared by the Division. Papers ABC closer to its long-term goal of retaining the included the Corporation’s annual budget, Corporation’s content collection in a high quality quarterly financial reports, revenue information, durable format that allows desktop access. accounting policies and capital planning. Accommodation NOIE Sydney During 2003, the ABC trialled three In July 2003, the ABC completed the relocation electronic solutions as part of an eProcurement of all planned activities from Gore Hill to its new, demonstration project facilitated by the National purpose-built building in Ultimo. Following Office for the Information Economy (NOIE). completion, the achievements of the Sydney The solutions comprised a B2B facility, a Accommodation Project were recognised with catalogue punchout tool and shopping cart, awards for excellence from the Institution of and an expense management system. The Engineers Australia (NSW Division), the National Australian Government Information Management Electrical and Communications Association Office (AGIMO) will commence a review of the and the Master Builders Association. project in July 2004 and it is intended that findings will be made available to Australian On 15 December 2003, the Chairman Government agencies and the business sector, of the ABC Board formally unveiled an and will be incorporated into a revised whole- installation dedicating the new ABC Archives of-government eProcurement strategy. and Library facilities in the ABC Ultimo Centre to Brian Johns AO, the Corporation’s Managing Digital Conversion Director from 1995 to 2000. The dedication In August 2003, the ABC, in partnership with IBM recognises that under his management the Global Services Australia, commenced a project Corporation decided to proceed with the to convert 60 000 hours of ABC analogue consolidation of Sydney activities at the television and radio content to a digital data Ultimo Centre. format. To facilitate the project, IBM commenced fit-out of a purpose-built facility in Pyrmont Gore Hill (close to the ABC’s Ultimo centre), which will The last stage of the redevelopment of the be operational in early September 2004. It is production support base at Lanceley Place, anticipated that the conversion of material Artarmon was completed with the construction will take three years. of new garage and maintenance facilities for the digital outside broadcast van fleet, together The project partners also began to develop with a new set-manufacturing workshop. hardware and software solutions for storing and accessing digital data files. Robotic libraries On 5 March 2004, the ABC entered into an were installed at the Ultimo Centre for system agreement which it is confident will result in and user testing and will be rolled out nationally the sale of the remainder of the Gore Hill site by the end of October 2004. Specialised PCs by March 2005. Net proceeds from the sale providing access to the converted material for of the site will contribute to the ABC’s digital conversion program. section 3 79 Annual Report 2003-04

Perth Since 1997, the ABC had been examining Construction of the ABC’s new Radio, Television options to provide improved administrative and and Online centre at East Perth in Western operational facilities in Canberra. The previous Australia is well advanced. facility consisted of six ageing buildings unsuitable to meet the Corporation’s current and future To complement the ABC’s decision to include operational requirements. The scattered a significantly enhanced television production arrangement of the buildings made it difficult facility as part of the project, the Western to achieve effective working relationships Australian Government has committed funding between operational units, and electrical and of $3.2m to assist film and television productions mechanical services were generally dilapidated in Western Australia co-produced by independent and in need of replacement. filmmakers in partnership with the ABC. The television production studio, part of the new ABC The new premises have been designed to Centre at East Perth, will provide the ABC with meet the current and future accommodation, significantly enhanced production capability in program and technical support needs of the Western Australia. branch. To improve work practices, work areas have been collocated where appropriate Practical completion of the building is scheduled and staff located in closer proximity to each for October 2004 with the new facility to be other and the studio facilities that they use. fully occupied and operational by May 2005. The project also focused on the upgrade of technical infrastructure, in particular the Canberra digitisation of television news equipment and On 3 December 2003, the then Minister for the digitisation and collocation of radio and Communications, Information Technology television central equipment rooms. and the Arts, the Hon. Daryl Williams officially opened ABC Canberra’s refurbished Northbourne Construction for the refurbishment of the Avenue facilities. The opening marked the Canberra premises commenced on 1 May 2002 culmination of five years of project work for the and was completed on 28 November 2003. Branch, including the return of local Television News and introduction of weekend Television News and a local Stateline program.

The newly refurbished ABC Canberra offices have been designed to meet current and future operational needs. 80 Annual Report 2003-04

Business Services (continued) Following the official opening, ABC Canberra Other Projects held an Open Day to present the new building Legal Services continued to provide the and studios to the community. It was attended Corporation with pre-publication advice, by thousands of people. Tours were conducted litigation and submissions on law reform through the Television Studio, new combined to government. During 2003-04, legal Television and Radio Master Control areas and representatives of the Corporation participated the greatly enhanced Radio Studios. in the Federal Attorney General’s proposed review of national Defamation laws; settled Other Facilities major defamation litigation brought against The ABC continued to focus on implementing the ABC; and renegotiated major supply its strategic property plan for capital cities and agreements for ABC Television and Radio. regional areas. Legal Services also resisted applications to restrain broadcasts proposed by the ABC; Three new regional radio stations were opened negotiated retransmission arrangements for during the year with the assistance of NII funding. ABC television broadcasts, and infrastructure The Chairman opened the new facility at Wagin, and software contracts for the ABC’s analog Western Australia on 22 July 2003, while the new and digital services; documented distribution Ballarat studio was opened by the Minister for and sale arrangements for ABC Enterprises; Communications, Information Technology and and renegotiated the ABC’s agreement with the Arts on 28 August 2003. A new collocated the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. ABC Shop and regional studio facility was leased at the Erina Fair shopping centre in Several significant rights research and clearance Gosford, New South Wales. The facility projects were undertaken on behalf of ABC’s commenced on-air operations on 28 November output Divisions and ABC Enterprises. These 2003 and was officially opened by the Managing projects include the new Comedy Kitchen Director on 29 January 2004. broadband service for New Media and Digital Services, episodes of Play School for rebroadcast The first broadcast from new premises at on Asia Pacific Television, republishing of the Nowra, New South Wales took place at the ‘Sing’ book for Enterprises and the Dynasties end of July 2003, with the official opening held documentary series for Television and on 17 September 2003. Construction of a international sales. purpose-built studio in Port Macquarie, New South Wales was completed, from where the The ABC’s Archival collections inspired program ABC Mid North Coast team commenced on-air makers during the year, helping to provide our operations on 9 February 2004; their former audience with new perspectives on Australia’s premises at Kempsey were sold at auction. social, political and cultural history. Archival material was sought for programs including The ABC leased vacant office space in the Local Radio’s Voice from the Vault, Radio building adjacent to its existing Darwin premises National’s Sports Factor, The Night Air, The to alleviate overcrowding. Administrative and World Today, Australian Story, George Negus management staff and functions were moved Tonight, Love Is in the Air, Dynasties, Rewind to the new space in March 2004. The lease and The Way We Were. will allow the exploration of options for the future collocation of News and Current Affairs. section 3 81 Annual Report 2003-04 Colin Palmer Director of Human Resources Colin Palmer joined the ABC in 1974 and went on to manage industrial relations in the Television Division in 1988 and later for the entire ABC in 1996. Colin has played a key role in the evolution and negotiation of ABC enterprise agreements and acted as the Corporation’s advocate prior to his appointment as Director of Human Resources in June 2001. Colin has studied employment law, organisational behaviour, personnel management and has senior-level management experience in all disciplines of human resources. Human Resources In 2003-04, the Human Resources Division To build on the Corporation’s objective of pursued strategies and projects aimed at encouraging a supportive and flexible work/life delivering improved leadership, a more culture, the Division collated a booklet for supportive workplace environment and managers and staff covering entitlements, forward-looking workforce planning and resources, guidelines and childcare. Called development. These strategies are aimed ‘About Choice’, these booklets, which included at ensuring that ABC staff have or be able a parental leave supplement, were launched to acquire the skills to develop and broadcast at Ultimo in June 2004. leading edge programming in a changing media environment. Human Resources continued to implement Indigenous employment initiatives aimed at Policy Initiatives attracting, developing and retaining Indigenous In May 2004, Human Resources launched a staff as part of the Corporation’s objective of comprehensive conflict resolution web page a minimum of 2% Indigenous representation. for managers and employees. The site provides During the year the ABC conducted an updated policies on harassment, discrimination Indigenous Staff Conference at Penrith, and grievance resolution, as well as a new policy New South Wales with 36 participants; addressing workplace bullying. The Division hosted an Ultimo-based careers open day provided assistance to employees for resolving for Indigenous students; established a cross- conflict and to raise complaints. divisional Indigenous committee and awarded scholarships for Indigenous staff under a pilot A key strategy to support managers and staff scheme. Indigenous representation remains with these new tools was the development of at 1.3% at year-end, with a number of a training program called ‘Creating a Better appointments in the pipeline expected to Place to Work’. This aimed at providing a raise the ratio in the early part of 2004-05. forum for information, discussion and case During the year, Divisions focussed on the studies on discrimination, harassment, targeting of positions and specific recruitment anti-bullying and resolution processes. initiatives, which resulted, along with other Workshops were undertaken in Brisbane, strategies, in an increase of ten Indigenous Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne. By the staff members. However, this increase was end of 2005, all ABC staff will have received offset by a substantial number of Indigenous this training. 82 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Staff by Division 2003-04 ABC Staff by Region 2003-04

State and Territory Directors 0.3%

ACT

WA Technology and Distribution 4% 6% Corporate Affairs Human Resources

20.8% 9.1%

Business Services Radio Victoria 0.9% 2.3% 18% 47% 8.8% NSW 3.2% ABC Enterprises Television 5.4% New Media and Digital 0.4% Development Services 2.6% 4% 26.8% International Tasmania News and Current Broadcasting 2.1%

Affairs 9% 8% 17.3% SA

sland 3% Production Resources

Queen NT NT

Overseas 1%

1993–94 5 523

1994–95 5 437

1995–96 5 343

1996–97 4 887

1997–98 4 177

1998–99 4 134

1999–00 4 293

2000–01 4 116 ABC Staff numbers ABC Staff (Full-Time Equivalent) 2001–02 4 260

2002–03 4 321

2003–04 4 244

0 1 000 2 000 3 000 4 000 5 000 6 000

Admin/Professional

Program Maker

Senior Executive

Technologist

Retail Staff

ABC Staff by Job Group 2003-04 by Job Group ABC Staff 0 500 1 000 1 500 2 000 2 500 3 000 section 3 83 Annual Report 2003-04

Human Resources (continued) staff leaving the ABC for a range of individual coaching; and developing a course on reasons and an increase in the overall number ‘Managing Under-Performance’ as part of a of ABC staff. suite of performance management training tools. A cross-divisional group has continued Training and Development to monitor compliance and exchange ideas The ABC is committed to national quality on improving application of the system. standards for training. Following a successful In 2004-05, a customised performance audit, the ABC retained its Registered Training management module will be added to the Organisation (RTO) status for a further five payroll system, enabling managers to more years (2004-08). The ABC is registered to effectively administer and monitor all aspects deliver 14 qualifications, mainly in media skills. of the performance management system. This year the ABC RTO issued 146 complete qualifications and a further 49 Statements of Workplace/Industrial Relations Attainment to staff. In total, ABC staff received The Division addressed two major over 77 000 hours of structured training. workplace relations issues during the year. Both involved disputes with the Community A key focus in 2003-04 was developing and and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Media, promoting leadership and senior management Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) over capability across the Corporation. Human consultation processes and led to hearings in Resources introduced the ABC Leadership the Australian Industrial Relations Commission Capability Framework which articulates the (AIRC). The first related to editorial and program characteristics, capabilities and competencies decisions, while the second concerned the required from ABC managers. Further, the application of provisions in the ABC Employment Division implemented Corporation-wide Agreement 2003-06 dealing with programs to develop the skills and under-performance management. competencies of managers. This included the ABC Senior Management Development The ABC is also working with Comcare Program, which was designed to build individual to address a tension, common across and collective capabilities while also delivering Commonwealth agencies, between immediate results in the workplace, and the compensation legislation dealing with ABC Executive Scholarship program. psychological injuries and performance management actions. Performance Management After three years, performance management is now in place in the Corporation as a standard business process and key management accountability. Throughout 2003-04, Human Resources focussed on improving support for the system, including redesigning and updating the performance management intranet site and guidelines; further tailoring the system to suit specific operational needs; providing regular induction, training and

Coordinator Indigenous Employment, Paul Brant. speaking during NAIDOC week 2003. 84 Annual Report 2003-04

Geoff Crawford CVO Director of Corporate Affairs Geoff Crawford joined the ABC as Director of Corporate Affairs in May 2002. Prior to that, he worked for twelve years at Buckingham Palace, the last four years as the Queen’s Press Secretary. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra in 1974, working in a number of areas within the Department, as well as undertaking overseas postings to the Middle East and Pacific regions.

Corporate Affairs

ABC Corporate Affairs provides a range The unit also concentrated on research and of Corporation-wide administrative support analysis of brand perception and values, with functions in relation to corporate policy, additional research on usage and opportunities strategy and governance and the ABC’s to reach new audiences. position and influence in the internal and external environment. To assist in its work, Corporate Marketing managed the appointment of two new Corporate Marketing advertising agencies and a number of design The Corporate Marketing unit manages the companies to work with all divisions on external ABC brand, including partnerships, cross- communication campaigns. The unit organised promotions, community events and advertising for triple j and ABC Shops, and cross-divisional marketing needs. additional brand research for ABC New Media and Digital Services. In 2003-04, the unit increased the number of community events held using the ABC’s Work also continued on servicing existing On The Road Exhibition Trailer, which visited partnerships with festivals and non-profit 19 sites across all states and territories. The organisations and maintenance of logo and trailer supported outside broadcasts by ABC brand use across the entire Corporation. Radio and Television, and promoted ABC Enterprises products and talent. It was Corporate Communications visited by an estimated 350 000 people. The Corporate Communications unit oversees ABC media relations and the distribution of A major focus for the year was better internal and external communications, such management of cross-promotional campaigns as the ABC’s corporate website, About the and a more effective use of the Corporation’s ABC; the ABC Intranet; the staff newsletter 20% allocation of on-air promotion time. abcXchange and the external publication Inside section 3 85 Annual Report 2003-04

Stateline broadcasting from the ABC On the Road Exhibition Trailer in Northern Tasmania.

the ABC. The unit also manages major Intranet to provide ABC staff with a more Corporate events and policy announcements. user-friendly internal information and communications service. During 2003-04, Corporate Communications managed a number of significant media issues, Audience and including the response of the Complaints Review Consumer Affairs Executive to complaints about the AM program ABC Audience and Consumer Affairs logs by the then Minister for Communications, audience feedback and coordinates responses Information Technology and the Arts, the Hon. where required. One of the unit’s key roles is Senator Richard Alston; the announcement ensuring that program complaints are handled of cuts to programs and non-program functions in accordance with the guidelines set out in of $26.1 million per year after the ABC’s failure the ABC Editorial Policies and to investigate to secure additional funding from the 2002-03 complaints relating to issues covered by the Federal Budget; the release of the fourth Newspoll ABC’s Code of Practice. ABC Appreciation Survey; the resignations of Mr Maurice Newman AC from the ABC Board In 2003-04, Audience and Consumer Affairs and the Director of News and Current Affairs, dealt with more than 160 000 contacts Mr Max Uechtritz; changes to the 7pm television (for further details, see ABC Audiences, p.27). news in Victoria; and the renewal of National Interest Initiatives funding in the Federal A major project for Audience and Consumer Government’s 2004-05 Budget. Affairs was the introduction of a new audience contacts database and workflow management During the year, Corporate Communications system. The unit will begin using the database re-designed and overhauled the ABC on 1 July 2004. In addition to streamlining 86 Annual Report 2003-04

Corporate Affairs (continued) the processing of audience contacts, the Government and new system will allow more information to be Parliamentary Relations recorded about each contact, enabling more The Government and Parliamentary Relations detailed and flexible reporting. unit oversees the Corporation’s relationship with the Parliament of Australia and Commonwealth Planning Activities Government departments. During the year under The Corporate Planning and Governance unit review, the unit coordinated and responded to coordinated the preparation of a new ABC Parliamentary and departmental requests for Corporate Plan for 2004-07. This included information, built relationships at the Federal a series of strategy and planning workshops Parliamentary level and monitored developments with the ABC Board and Executive Directors. in Parliament of interest to the ABC. It is anticipated that the new Corporate Plan will receive Board approval early in 2004-05. The unit coordinated visits to ABC facilities by Government Ministers and Opposition The unit also continued to monitor performance spokespersons, Parliamentary committees, against the current ABC Corporate Plan senior departmental officers and official guests. 2001-04 and Divisional plans. The ABC provided formal submissions to a Corporate Policy number of Parliamentary inquiries including The Corporate Planning and Governance the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, and Unit continued to coordinate the ABC-wide reviews including the Tobacco Advertising implementation of the Designing and Prohibition Act, the Digital Agenda Review Implementing Record Keeping Systems and reviews of the Copyright Act. (DIRKS) methodology used by the National Archives of Australia (NAA). This entailed The ABC appeared before the Senate Estimates the development of a business classification Committee on three occasions during 2003-04 scheme covering all aspects of ABC activities. and answered 52 written questions on notice. Step B received provisional approval from the NAA on 30 June 2004. International Relations The ABC continues to strengthen its The unit contributed to an interdivisional review relationships with a range of like-minded of the ABC’s application of National Interest overseas broadcasters to focus its public Initiatives funding, and the supplementary service remit and national strategies. The funding submission to Government requesting ABC participated in a number of international continuation of funding for those initiatives. conferences, including the General Assemblies of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in The unit coordinated submissions to Sweden in July 2003 and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary inquiries on issues related to Broadcasting Union (ABU) in Turkey in October the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, 2003. The Director of Corporate Affairs delivered and contributed to submissions coordinated a presentation on ‘Audiences: The Profile of the by other Divisions. Public Broadcaster’s Audience’ at the Public section 3 87 Annual Report 2003-04

Broadcasters International (PBI) conference in Poland in October 2003, while the Chairman State and delivered an address at the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association conference in Fiji Territory in February 2004. Directors The ABC also welcomed a number of The ABC appointed State and Territory delegations from China, Thailand, Vietnam Directors in July 2000. These roles oversee and South Africa, as well as the Director of content and operations at a state and territory the Asia Institute of Broadcasting Development level, add value to strategic directions and (AIBD); the Director of Program Department of decisions and provide a key point of external the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU); the contact. Directors represent the Managing British Secretary of State for Culture, Media Director in high-level negotiations with and Sport; representatives of Swedish Radio; government bodies, liaise with community the Director-General of Radio and Television leaders, and brief state and federal politicians of Afghanistan; and the Ambassadors of about activities of the ABC in their state. France and the Republic of Indonesia. Represented at corporate management meetings by one of their number, currently Geoff Duncan from Western Australia, the State and Territory Directors liaise with Divisional Directors on key decisions affecting their state or territory. They also Primary school students from Smithton, Tasmania provide feedback to the Managing Director line up for the ABC On the on local issues relevant to the ABC. Road Exhibition Trailer.

Although these positions do not have general line-management responsibility they are important in drawing together local Managers from various Divisions to solve Corporation-wide problems. To that end, they lead State Executives and facilitate information flow to staff and management.

During the year, State and Territory Directors were allocated responsibility for major property projects in Canberra and Perth. 88 Annual Report 2003-04

Colin Knowles

Director of Technology and Distribution Prior to joining the ABC in 1997, Colin was General Manager of Planning and Corporate at the Australian Broadcasting Authority, where he was responsible for development of digital broadcasting strategies for Australia. He has been actively engaged in regulatory and engineering developments in digital broadcasting technology since 1983. Colin has over 30 years experience in the broadcasting, telecommunications and engineering industry and has degrees in Communications Engineering, Management and Business Administration.

Technology and Distribution The Technology and Distribution Division These redesigned areas are aimed at improving develops and supports the ABC’s technology working relationships with the introduction of new infrastructure and transmission services. technology, as well as addressing compliance issues of fire safety, security and disabled access. During 2003-04, the Division continued to install digital production equipment and extend the The technical fit-out of three new regional studios ABC’s digital television transmission services, was completed during the year. The 97.3 ABC as well as completing technical fit-outs for Illawarra facility at Nowra was relocated to more a number of significant ABC property suitable premises within the town and the main developments. studios for the ABC Mid North Coast service were moved from Kempsey to the growing New radio and television studio facilities were regional centre of Port Macquarie. The new completed in Canberra, including an upgraded Port Macquarie studio features state-of-the-art television control room to allow the reintroduction technology, including digital on-air broadcast of local Television News bulletins. This project consoles. In January 2004, the new studios for required the creation of temporary radio studios 92.5 ABC Central Coast opened at Erina in and the use of an outside broadcast (OB) van Gosford, New South Wales. These innovative to produce the News while the existing work studios are incorporated into the main regional areas were refurbished. A key outcome of the shopping centre and are highly visible to redevelopment was the relocation of technical the public. maintenance and transmission activities to locations combining radio and television In accordance with legislative requirements, the functions. Canberra is the first site to have ABC commenced broadcasts of High Definition a single Content Distribution Centre that Television (HDTV) on 29 August 2003. Late in incorporates Radio and Television Master 2003-04, the ABC Board approved an HDTV Control Room functions and Television production facilities strategy that will provide Presentation in a single work space. HDTV studio and control facilities, including section 3 89 Annual Report 2003-04

5.1 surround sound capability, for television In April 2004, the ABC began trial transmissions Studio 21 at Ultimo; an outside HDTV broadcast of an interactive electronic program guide (EPG) van for national use; and HDTV production field on ABC digital channel 22 in Sydney. The EPG kits and post-production facilities. was developed by the Technology Research and Development group and provides viewers The digital conversion of the ABC’s production with regularly updated program details up to and transmission facilities continued throughout a week ahead. In addition, the ABC has the year. All capital cities now have widescreen participated with other broadcasters in the capable OB vehicles, with the deployment of development of the specification and standards the remaining digital television OB vans for necessary for a common EPG that carries all Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and delivery of the networks’ program details. The service of a refurbished van to Darwin. on ABC channel 22 currently carries information from two other broadcasters, but it is anticipated During 2003-04, the ABC’s satellite-based other broadcasters will participate in future. television interchange system, which provides the national distribution of television program The ABC has been an active participant in two material between all states, was upgraded to digital radio broadcasting trials on VHF Band III meet the demands of a multi-channel digital Channel 9A which commenced during the television environment. The new system year, providing the dig Internet radio service began operations on 26 November 2003 and and ABC Classic FM for both trials. In Sydney, provides higher-quality vision and audio circuits the DR2000 L-Band trial incorporating the ABC and greater operational flexibility. In addition, Classic FM service is continuing, providing it has enabled 12 regional centres to uplink participants with the opportunity to test and and transfer video content to the television directly compare the capabilities of the L-Band interchange network, resulting in savings from and Band III services. In Melbourne, the ABC reduced itinerant satellite transponder hire. is also trialling the use of data exchange technologies including the transmission of dig The ABC is progressively rolling out a new website information (such as current song title radio switching system to replace the existing and artist) for display on digital radio receivers. ageing hardware, for which spare parts are now unobtainable. The introduction of this system is a major step towards the digitisation of the radio production process, integrating on-air studios and signal routing in one cohesive digital platform. The new radio switchers allow the automated incorporation of audio content from a variety of sources, including news segments and outside broadcast feeds, into a single program stream, and are capable of exceeding current program switching requirements by 25% or more. The system has already been deployed in Canberra and was commissioned in June 2004 for the national radio network hub in Ultimo.

Interior of one of the ABC’s new digital outside broadcast vans. 90 Annual Report 2003-04

Technology and Distribution(continued)

Archives Project foundation for future network growth without Preservation of the ABC’s unique audio and the constant replacement of expensive video media archive is a key component of infrastructure components. the Corporation’s digitisation strategy. In July 2003, a contract was awarded to implement A standardised and centralised disc storage a digital archive solution for the ABC to store, infrastructure has also been implemented across manage and preserve content and to convert all capital cities, allowing for cost-effective over 60 000 hours of analog archive content storage management. The infrastructure has into digital form over a three-year period. been designed to accommodate storage The system has been installed at the Ultimo requirement growth over the next five years, site and is being tested prior to commissioning. minimising storage expenditure over that period. Once fully implemented, this will ensure a sustainable, robust system for the future Technical Project Management preservation and online access of ABC During 2003-04, the Technology Project audio and video archives. Office continued to oversee and assist in the implementation of capital projects, co-ordinate Broadband project status reporting and promote A year-long project to upgrade the Brisbane Division-wide project management disciplines. New Media and Digital Services broadband More than one hundred Divisional staff have facilities was completed in March 2004. The received training in the new project management upgrade has enabled the ABC to explore a methodology and tools and are applying these range of emerging distribution opportunities, in daily work. Work is underway to extend and the production and delivery of more project management training to ABC internal broadband program content and services customers to ensure a common approach via the Internet. It has also enabled the across the Corporation. introduction of redundant equipment to minimise the impact of primary equipment Technology and failure on broadband audiences. Distribution Realignment Following the conclusion of the conversion of IT Infrastructure the ABC’s core broadcasting facilities to digital, and Applications and the transfer of television production from During the year, the Information Technology Gore Hill to Ultimo in Sydney, the Division (IT) group completed an upgrade of the network commenced a realignment process. Staff links between capital city sites (as well as involved in operational roles in transmission Newcastle and Launceston) to a modern ATM were transferred to Production Resources, (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) system. The while the internal Divisional realignment gave new system allows for much faster information enhanced focus to: service and support for sharing between sites, as well as sharing ABC technologies; management of new ABC audio, voice and, potentially, video over the technology projects; management of contracts same capacity. It also provides for more flexible with external technology and communications network management and provides a solid services providers; and developing agreed technology strategies for the ABC. section 3 91 Annual Report 2003-04

Technical Training Transmission Over 11 000 hours of technical training were The ABC manages analog and digital delivered to Divisional staff during the year, transmission contracts in excess of comprising more than 4 000 hours of technical $108 million per annum with transmission training, 3 000 hours of IT software and systems service providers Broadcast Australia. training, and nearly 2 000 hours each of Project Management and Occupational Health and Transmission Safety (OH&S) training. As well as the on-going Fault Restoration training of staff in new technology, there were a During 2003-04, the average time for restoration significant number of re-certification programs of service after a transmission fault was 15.89 for technical staff who maintain a wide range minutes (15.17 minutes in 2002-03) for A-Class of digital television, radio and transmission transmitters (state capital works) and 42.01 equipment. The strong focus on OH&S training minutes (39.14 minutes in 2002-03) for B-Class this year included attendance at courses transmitters (major regional centres). The relating to the Radiofrequency Safety project, decrease in performance reflects the impact of which is ensuring compliance with new the continued roll-out of new digital television Australian Communication Authority (ACA) services to major regional centres and the regulations and the Australian Radiation associated installation of improved monitoring Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency equipment at transmission sites throughout (ARPANSA) standard. the year.

Government New Analog Services and Regulatory Issues The ABC’s minor extension program established The ABC’s technical interests were the following new services in 2003-04: Local represented at national bodies such as the Radio in Port Stephens, New South Wales; International Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) Radio National in Port Stephens, New South and international bodies including the Asia-Pacific Wales and Horsham, Victoria; and analog Broadcasting Union (ABU) and the International television at Northam, Western Australia. Telecommunications Union (ITU). In June 2004, the ABC reconfigured the During the year, the Corporation worked with Northern Territory Remote Area Broadcast the other free-to-air broadcasters on a range Service (RABS) to provide two distinct regional of common technical issues, and has been radio services: a southern service with a central actively involved in industry consultations Australian flavour from Alice Springs feeding with Commercial Television Australia (CTVA), ABC transmitters south of Newcastle Waters, Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and the and a northern signal from Darwin feeding community broadcasting sector. Other transmitters in the north and providing residents consultations on a range of technical in that part of the Territory with a more relevant issues have involved the ACA (Australian Local Radio service. The new service was Communications Authority), ABA (Australian launched with outside broadcasts from Alice Broadcasting Authority), Department of Springs and Nhulunbuy on 25 June. Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA), ACIF (Australian Also in June 2004, the ABC Board committed Communications Industry Forum), and to continuing the High Frequency domestic WTF (Wireless Technology Forum). shower services providing Local Radio to remote areas in the Northern Territory until at least 2009. 92 Annual Report 2003-04

Technology and Distribution(continued)

This commitment will ensure that Broadcast : Adelaide Foothills, Australia upgrades the facility to improve Renmark/Loxton, South East, Spencer transmission performance levels and provide Gulf North and Victor Harbor. a more reliable service to audiences. Tasmania: Hobart NE Suburbs, Launceston New Digital and Taroona. Television Services In 2003-04, the ABC commenced digital Western Australia: Albany, Bunbury, Central television in 48 locations, continuing to provide Agricultural, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Manjimup the largest terrestrial coverage of all Australian and Southern Agricultural. broadcasters. New services were established at: To accommodate the introduction of digital New South Wales: Armidale, Batemans Bay, television, the ABC’s analog television services in Bathurst, Broken Hill, Central Western Slopes, Cooktown, Miriam Vale, Mossman, Ravenshoe Central Tablelands, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, and Tully in Queensland; Hay in New South Grafton/Kempsey, Lithgow, Lithgow East, Wales and Taroona in Tasmania were required Manning River, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, to change channel. Portland/Wallerawang, Richmond/Tweed, South Western Slopes, Tamworth, Ulladulla, Upper Namoi and Wagga Wagga.

Queensland: Babinda, Cairns, Cairns East, Darling Downs, Gordonvale, Mackay, Noosa/Tewantin, Rockhampton, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Townsville, Townsville North and Wide Bay.

In 2003-04, the ABC commenced digital television broadcasts in 48 new locations. section 3 93 Annual Report 2003-04

ABC Distribution and Transmission Network Aggregated 2003-04 Performance as Reported by Broadcast Australia

ABC Service No. of ABC Distribution Broadcast Australia Total ‘On-Air’ Transmitters Network Transmission Network Availability (See Note 1) (See Note 2) (See Note 3) 2003-04 2002-03 Target 2003-04 2002-03 2003-04 2002-03 %% % %% % % Classic FM 67 99.98 99.98 99.83 99.91 99.94 99.84 99.91 triple j 57 99.97 99.98 99.82 99.90 99.93 99.83 99.91 Local Radio 238 99.79 99.70 99.79 99.84 99.88 99.63 99.85 NewsRadio 12 98.98 98.12 99.89 99.95 99.95 99.90 99.93 Radio National 257 99.96 99.91 99.74 99.82 99.82 99.72 99.80 Analog Television 441 99.97 99.92 99.75 99.82 99.85 99.77 99.77 Digital Television 96 99.68 99.92 99.81 99.90 99.87 99.15 99.78

State (Analog services only) New South Wales 252 99.91 99.73 99.80 99.86 99.89 99.71 99.87 Northern Territory 55 99.94 99.82 99.71 99.72 99.81 99.66 99.76 Queensland 310 99.84 99.92 99.76 99.81 99.83 99.65 99.74 South Australia 76 99.96 99.71 99.79 99.88 98.88 99.83 99.85 Tasmania 83 99.99 99.98 99.81 99.74 99.88 99.68 99.85 Victoria 120 99.97 99.97 99.82 99.89 99.85 99.83 99.85 Western Australia 179 99.96 99.87 99.75 99.86 99.82 99.82 99.79

Notes: 1. ABC Distribution Network (included contracted service providers): The ABC distribution network ensures that programs are delivered from the studio to local transmitters throughout the Australia. The network includes outsourced satellite and terrestrial broadcast distribution services from telecommunications carriers such as Optus and Telstra. This measure has been designed to be consistent with the contracted transmission targets and represents the aggregated performance of the more than 60 agreements the ABC has in place to distribute programs. The ABC’s performance in this area improved over the previous year.

Note: Local Radio, serving remote and regional Australia, is reliant on non-redundant Telstra broadcast lines. These performed as expected in 2003-04.

2. Broadcast Australia Transmission Network (ABC Transmission Contractor): The reported transmission network performance, provided by Broadcast Australia, was above the contracted performance targets but continued to reflect declining performance relative to corresponding periods in the previous two years. The performance was affected by the continued roll-out of new digital television services and the associated installation of improved monitoring equipment at transmission sites throughout the year.

The new digital television services are performing above the agreed performance targets.

3. Total “On-Air” Availability: The total ‘On-Air’ availability shows the availability of a radio or television service, regardless of quality or coverage where some level of service continued to be provided throughout periods of on-air faults and diminished power levels due to maintenance. It is the time where there was no total loss or denial of service to the majority of the audience. This measure shows that Broadcast Australia reported an overall increase in the total period when services were ‘off’, in comparison to the previous year. Digital television performance was significantly lower for this financial year.