ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019-20 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 Contents Opening Statement 3 Financial Information 12 Purpose 4 ABC Operating Plan Vision 5 FY2020-FY2023 13 Strategy 5 Distinctive Content for All Australians 13 Outstanding Audience Experiences 16 Investing in Audiences 5 Reaching and Engaging More People 17 Operating Building a Great Place to Work 20 Environment 6 Managing Our Risk 21 Audience Trends 6 Media Landscape 7 Technology 8 Regulation 9 Funding 10 Adam Steer presents Mornings on ABC Radio Darwin AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 1 WANDER WOMEN COLLECTIVE 2 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 Opening Statement The Board, as the accountable authority of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, presents the 2019-20 Corporate Plan, prepared in accordance with section 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) (PGPA Act) and associated rules. This Corporate Plan is prepared for the 2019-20 Our strategy, outlined in this plan, reflects our reporting period (FY20), and covers the reporting focus on providing high-quality, distinctive content, periods FY20, FY21, FY22 and FY23. on connecting communities and on delivering outstanding experiences for all Australians. The ABC is accountable to the Australian Government To achieve this, we must continue to improve our through the Minister for Communications, Cyber technology and processes while continuing to be an Safety and the Arts. innovative leader in the Australian media sector. As a Commonwealth entity, the ABC operates under This plan sets out the challenges and opportunities the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 we see over the next four years and provides details (Cth) (ABC Act) and the PGPA Act. The PGPA Act on the measures we will take to maintain the ABC’s sets the standards of governance, performance value and essential place in Australian life. and accountability, with emphasis on use of public resources, planning, reporting and risk management. The ABC is committed to meeting these requirements and its responsibilities as a cornerstone of Australian culture and the nation’s independent and most trusted source of news and information. The ABC Act and Charter are explicit about the importance of an independent public broadcaster to Australian culture and democracy. They drive the ABC to tell Australian stories for Australians and share their perspectives with the world. The ABC also serves the public’s interest through its commitment to, and defence of, rigorous journalism, press freedom and the public’s right to know about the decisions and issues that shape their lives. There has never been a more important time, or greater need, for the ABC. Ita Buttrose Chair, Australian Broadcasting Corporation AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 3 Purpose The ABC was established in 1932 and is one of Australia’s most important civic and cultural institutions. It was built on the idea that all Australians should have access to news and entertainment services which served their needs and interests, beyond any commercial considerations. The ABC is now a public broadcaster of international renown and a much-loved part of Australian society and its cultural fabric. It delivers Australian stories and conversations across the nation. While the country has changed significantly since Through its people and services, the ABC makes a 1932, the community’s need for independent public vital contribution to society by creating engaging service media is stronger than ever. The ABC’s Charter, and educational children’s content and iconic dramas set out in section 6 of the ABC Act, states that the and documentaries that explore what it means ABC must provide innovative and comprehensive to be Australian. It brings Australians together broadcasting and digital services that inform, through coverage of national events and elections, entertain and educate all Australians as well as and supports democracy through civic journalism contribute to a sense of national identity and share that helps to keep industries and institutions Australian perspectives with the world. In doing so, accountable. The ABC discovers and celebrates it must also reflect the diversity of interests and Australian music and the arts, shares the wonders experiences of the Australian community. of science, and explores the culture and experiences of Indigenous Australians. Today, the ABC delivers services to all Australians across five national radio networks and four TV The ABC’s purpose has lost none of its relevance, in channels, international services for radio and TV, and spite of profound and radical change in the media a variety of streaming and other digital platforms, environment. It continues to serve as a foundation for including iview and ABC Listen. Operating from 56 Australian media and remains one of the country’s domestic and 11 international locations, the ABC’s largest and most important cultural institutions. services and programs tell the nation’s stories and At the same time, as a voice for the Australian people, help Australians understand their place in the world, the ABC helps them to understand and navigate the connecting communities and touching the lives world. Through initiatives like our Navigating the of millions of Australians every day. News media literacy project, the ABC strives to have a positive impact on the community. And, at times when The ABC is also Australia’s largest creative employer. extreme weather events stretch emergency services, More than 2,000 content makers create distinctively the ABC is there, helping people to be prepared and Australian stories and programs with both broad and to feel safe. special interest appeal, and more than 800 journalists deliver the most trusted news service in Australia. The loyalty of our audiences is crucial to our success. Another 1,000 people work to make the ABC’s content They trust us and we do our best to live up to their and services accessible to all Australians. expectations. We value their support. 4 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 Vision To be the independent source of Australian conversations, culture and stories. Strategy Investing in Audiences The ABC’s strategy contains four key objectives: 1 2 Creating distinctive content that matters for Providing an outstanding audience experience – all Australians – We are committed to creating Meeting audience expectations is a top priority. content that reflects our Charter obligations, We want audiences of every age to discover and delivering the services people expect and finding enjoy more of what the ABC offers across TV, radio, new and innovative ways to tell stories. Our aim websites, apps, podcasts and social media. We is to deliver an ABC that looks and sounds like will continue to produce content that audiences Australia, both in terms of its contents and teams. can trust and rely on to keep them informed. 3 4 Delivering programs that reach and engage with Building a great place to work – Our people are more people – Broadcast and digital platforms our greatest asset. In a supportive, creative will be used to shine a light on important issues environment they will continue to deliver the through conversations and coverage that high-quality work for which the ABC is known will contribute to a sense of national identity. and respected. We will build a culture of We will explore new and innovative ways to collaboration within the ABC and also outside engage with local and regional communities the Corporation through local, national and throughout Australia. international partnerships. AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 5 Operating Environment Over the past decade, the way people consume content has transformed radically as digital innovation and global competition have disrupted the media landscape. Australians now have access to a wider range of platforms and greater choice of content than ever before. The increasing demands for people’s attention, from video-on-demand (VOD) services, social media, messaging apps, music streaming, podcasts, gaming, and other online activities, continues to challenge all media providers. In this environment, the ABC needs to find innovative ways to invest further in distinctive high-quality content and improve audience experiences. Audience Trends Audiences have embraced services that allow them to access content how, when, and where it suits them. Mobile viewing continues to grow, with almost a quarter of Australian smartphone users viewing long-form content on a regular basis.1 Australians are also increasingly adopting internet-connected TVs and speakers – an estimated 13% of Australians own a home smart speaker2 and 4.9 million access internet content via their TV each day.3 Nearly 14 million Australians have access to some form of subscription TV. More than 11.5 million Australians now have a Netflix subscription in their household.4 In this competitive media environment, where people can choose from huge volumes of international content, drawing audiences’ attention to new Australian content is becoming increasingly difficult. Netflix’s content catalogue contains thousands of titles, but it is estimated that only 1.6% of those are Australian.5 The viewing habits of children are also changing. Children have an abundance of choice when it comes to screen entertainment options. 61% of Australian children watch YouTube at least once a week, 42% watch Netflix or Stan, 20% use a Foxtel service and 38% watch free-to-air broadcast television. 37% of children use broadcaster VOD services at least once per week.6 ABC News SA presenters Jessica Harmsen and Emma Rebellato 6 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2019–20 More than 5.4 million Australians now use music Media Landscape streaming services available via websites or apps. Spotify is the clear industry leader, with nearly Australians now have an abundance of content 3.6 million users in an average week.7 Research they can choose to listen to, watch or read.