ABC reveals plans for $50m funding windfall
The ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks has revealed the national broadcaster’s plans for the extra $50m in funding it will receive over the next three years.
The funding injection is the result of a side-deal struck between the Greens and Labor in late November to pass the Australian content requirement for online streaming services bill.
Labor Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah raised the topic during Senate estimates on Monday afternoon, asking Marks what the extra funding means for the ABC.
[Marks] said the ABC will announce a number of new dramas and children’s programs “within the next couple of weeks, or at least within the next month [and] you’ll see that the ambition-level of the shows that have been enabled by the particular additional investment is reflective of a higher ambition and a real sense of purpose to deliver really excellent content to the audience.”
The extra funding will allow the ABC to be “a key participant in a pretty important industry at a time where it’s probably increasingly reliant on us as opposed to others to tell those stories.”
When pushed for specifics on what exactly had been earmarked for funding, Marks said, “I’m not sure Senate estimates are the best place for program announcements”, before revealing that one program would be made in South Australia.
“A well-known brand coming back to life, for the benefit of children, to be produced by a company in Adelaide for the ABC.”
Marks said he will be travelling to Adelaide early next week where he expects “that particular program” will be announced.