Content specifications

Content is a critical factor in broadcasting policy, much of which is designed to ensure adequate provision of content suited to particular audiences, whether national, local, ethnic or sharing a common interest.

Perceptions of ‘content’ vary between agencies. MED defines ‘local content’ as programming generated within a licence coverage area, whereas NZOA defines it as content produced within New Zealand and TMP is primarily concerned with programmes broadcast in Te Reo.

Most licence agreements define content requirements in terms of hours broadcast ― local commercial FM stations, for example, must broadcast at least five hours of ‘local’ content between 0600h and 2000h. TPK, on the other hand, is as concerned with the quality as the quantity of Te Reo broadcasts by Māori stations, while MCH has content expressed as broad percentages of material meeting various criteria.

Draft content definitions are listed in the glossary under ‘Content’ (Appendix 2).

Issue 7

Do you agree with the content definitions listed in Appendix 2? Why or why not? If not, what alternative would you suggest?