ABC operations

Television ABC
61

###Statement from Richard Finlayson, ABC Director Television

I have decided that after more than three very satisfying and rewarding years as Director of ABC TV, it is time to move on to the next stage of my career.

After a short break at Christmas I indicated to the Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, that as I finalise my next venture we should begin arrangements for my departure.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve our audiences and work with the best talent in the industry. I am very confident I leave the business well positioned to succeed.

We have an outstanding slate of original programs across every genre that has won unprecedented recognition and is attracting major international interest. I am very proud of distinctive and quality programs like The Secret River, The Code and Cleverman that have gone to air during my time as Director.

Amid fierce competition, iview remains the number one TV VOD service in the country with more than 50 hours of brilliant, original shows as well two new Kids apps that are already loved by children and parents.

We have learned how to make valuable funds go further and have made tough decisions that are the seeds of future success within an industry that is undergoing rapid change.

Most of all, I’m proud of the incredible team in ABC TV that we have recruited, nurtured and developed. I know that the future of ABC TV and the national broadcaster is in highly capable hands.

I will be assisting Michelle on transition arrangements through to the end of March.

Richard Finlayson

ABC Director Television

62

Any reason why all the ABC channels were off the air this morning?

63
1 Like
64

ABC announcement, Chief Operating Officer

The ABC’s Chief Operating Officer, David Pendleton, has notified the ABC that after 20 rewarding years he will bring his career at the national broadcaster to a close.

Mr Pendleton has indicated that he will leave at the end of the current financial year, allowing him to assist the Manager Director, Michelle Guthrie, and the ABC Executive in preparations for the next budget and in the transition to new financial and operational leadership at the Corporation.

Mr Pendleton joined the ABC in 1996 and has been on the Executive since 2002, first as Director of Business Services and then as the ABC’s Chief Operating Officer.

The ABC acknowledges the pivotal role Mr Pendleton has played in shaping the ABC’s operational base and in its digital expansion.

He has provided outstanding service to a succession of ABC Boards and Managing Directors and his operational knowledge and financial expertise will be sorely missed. His input, guidance and leadership have been invaluable in managing one of the most complex media organisations in the country.

Mr Pendleton said it was an appropriate time to flag his intention to leave the Corporation to focus on new challenges.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to contribute to Australia’s most respected media organisation. I am proud of my team’s achievements during my time here as we have evolved from an analogue to a digital broadcaster.

“Despite the many challenges, we have continued to innovate and provide outstanding service to the Australian public.

“I would like to acknowledge the many MDs, Chairs, Board Directors, colleagues and teams I have worked with in my time at the ABC. I am confident that I leave the ABC in great shape with its best years ahead.”

1 Like
65

##abc TV appoints Josie Mason-Campbell as the new Head of Non-Scripted Production

ABC Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie and ABC Director of Television, Richard Finlayson, today announced the appointment of Josie Mason-Campbell to the role of Head of Non-Scripted Production.

Josie joins the ABC with a wealth of experience in non-scripted production across a range of genres. She joined Foxtel in 2013 and currently holds the position of Head of Production and Development.

Josie has been instrumental in the production of Foxtel’s non-scripted slate including successful programs such as Gogglebox, The Great Australian Bake off and Coast Australia along with the upcoming original productions Unchartered with Sam Neill, Local Justice, The Archibald and Gene-Pool Productions, Lawless.

Ms Guthrie said: “Josie is a natural creative leader, who has thrived in the industry. We are looking forward to her helping the ABC create more great Australian shows that resonate with a broad audience.”

Mr Finlayson said: “Josie’s experience in managing a network portfolio as well as deep, hands-on production skills will equip her well for helping shape the ABC slate for the future.”

Josie Mason-Campbell said: “For me the ABC is, and has always been, an essential part of Australian life, providing a brave, bold yet strangely comforting stage on which to tell our stories. I am honoured Michelle and Richard have given me the opportunity to join them and play a pivotal role in shaping its creative output.

“I look forward to collaborating with our innovative independent production sector as well as the ABCs talented internal team to make quality, diverse and engaging television for all Australians.”

The Head of Non-Scripted Production reports directly to the Director of Television and is responsible for ABC TV’s Factual, Entertainment, Arts and Events slates. It was previously held by Brendan Dahill.

66

After axing it last year due to budget cuts, the ABC has relaunched its Fact Check service in partnership with RMIT. The service will begin publishing new information in March.

2 Likes
67

Losing the plot. Of course, this doesn’t “highlight change” at all - the ABC has had prominent female faces for decades. Actually, all Australian, and indeed western, television has. It’s simply to wind up conservatives. Throw out something ludicrous, wait for your enemies to elucidate common sense criticism, and then attack them for not supposedly supporting the underlying core principle. Yawn. Run by $2 losers of the far-left.

Male radio and television presenters have been ordered off air at the ABC with females taking over their roles to highlight ‘change and gender equality’.

No male presenters will be heard or seen on the ABC on Wednesday as the public broadcaster stacks the deck with females for International Women’s Day.

Presenters such as Michael Rowland and Mark Colvin will be replaced with women, including Yassmin Abdel-Magied, who recently caused outrage on ABC’s Q&A program for her views on Sharia Law, who will feature heavily.

Dr Susan Carland, wife of The Project host Waleed Aly, will also make an appearance, because of her expertise in areas such as ‘the modern Muslim experience’.

1 Like
68

Will it be embarrassing then if the current Australia vs India cricket test goes into a fifth day and ABC Radio has male commentators?

4 Likes
69

###$50 million audience investment in ABC transformation

The ABC will invest $50 million in new content and create 80 new jobs in rural and regional Australia under a new strategy and transformation program announced today by the ABC’s Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie.

“Investing in Audiences” involves a number of interlocking initiatives designed to strengthen the Corporation and enhance its ability to deliver on its Act and Charter and serve the community.

The key initiatives are:
• Creating a $50 million fund open to all employees to source new ideas for content
• Investing $15 million per year in regional jobs and extra digital and video output as a key part of the Fund
• Implementing a new streamlined leadership team and structure
• Reducing management by 20% and addressing duplication in support roles
• Signalling a transition to a more audience-focussed content structure over the next 12 months
• Delivering additional production and support efficiencies across ABC TV and ABC News.

Addressing ABC employees across the country, Ms Guthrie said both the Content Fund and the Regional Investment involved unprecedented financial commitments by the Corporation from within its own budget.

“The Fund enables us to respond with flexibility and speed to shifting audience trends and to extend our reach and engagement, especially with audiences who are infrequent ABC users,” Ms Guthrie said.

“Regional investment will be a priority. We’re committing to an injection of funds, ultimately building to $15 million a year, to provide more reporters and content makers, better tools and increased video and digital output. The ABC will recruit up to 80 new content roles in regional areas within 18 months.”

The ABC aims to reduce management by an average 20 per cent across the Corporation, with support areas to absorb a higher percentage of that cut. There will also be a process to address duplications across support roles. The savings will go directly towards the Content Fund. ABC TV and ABC News will also reduce production and support roles as part of internal efficiency targets.

It is expected that across these three exercises, 150 to 200 staff will leave the ABC by 30 June 2017.

Ms Guthrie said the ABC was not alone in the media sector in having to make painful decisions to reduce employee numbers. “These changes are essential to the long-term health of the Corporation, but I acknowledge that this is little comfort to those whose roles are impacted. We will work with unions and with affected staff. We will be open and move as quickly as possible to end the uncertainty in affected areas.”

Ms Guthrie said the ABC had to adapt to the changes that were sweeping through the media sector. The ABC was dealing with the challenges of new and powerful media competitors, fast-changing audience trends and fixed funding. Responding to those challenges required swift and strong action.

“These initiatives recognise that incremental reform isn’t the answer and that transformational change over the next year is essential if the ABC is to realise its full potential. Change that strengthens the organisation, empowers our people and delivers long-term results for audiences.”

The restructure reduces the number of main ABC divisions from 14 to eight, with the four existing content divisions balanced by new streamlined support functions. Sitting alongside the four content divisions (Television, Radio, News and Regional) will be new divisions for Finance, Technology, Engagement and Audiences. Editorial Policies and Government Relations will be specialist functions reporting direct to the MD.

The ABC has proposed integrating staff in ABC International into the ABC, enabling the Corporation to utilise all its knowledge, skills and platforms to better serve audiences in the Asia-Pacific region and deliver on its International Charter remit.

There are a number of new Leadership Team appointments. David Anderson, previously the Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning and Director of Digital Network with 25 years’ experience at the ABC, is the new Director of ABC Television.

There will be a new Audiences Team, led by Leisa Bacon, who was previously the Director of Audience and Marketing. The new Audiences Division has an expanded remit to oversee the use of the Content Fund and to provide an across-the-ABC approach to research and audience strategy.

Louise Higgins, who has a strong background in financial media management, including working at the BBC and at Nova Entertainment, joins the ABC as Chief Financial Officer. Sam Liston, formerly the Director of ABC People, becomes Chief Engagement Officer. The former COO, David Pendleton, will act as Interim Chief Technology Officer while the ABC recruits for that position.

Alan Sunderland will remain as Director of Editorial Policies and Michael Millett will be Director of Government Relations.

70

###Building the ABC’s services in regional and remote Australia

The ABC has announced its biggest ever single investment in regional and remote Australia, to expand the broadcaster’s coverage of news and information for audiences across the country.

The Connecting Communities package builds quickly to an extra $15 million a year ongoing, with almost $4 million more to be spent on new tools and technology.

Up to 80 new jobs, delivering regional news and information, will be recruited within 18 months as part of a broader content fund announced by the ABC’s Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, today.

“We want to ensure that the stories, issues and interests of the one-third of Australians who live outside the capital cities are well-represented across the gamut of ABC services and have a stronger voice in national conversations,” she said.

“The new jobs will boost video and digital reporting, increase coverage of local events and breaking news on weekends and enable reporters and program makers to spend more time in remote areas of the country.”

The ABC’s Regional Director, Fiona Reynolds, said that throughout its 85-year history, the Corporation has helped Australians share their stories, demonstrate their diversity and voice their views at a local, state and national level.

“Our teams are part of their local communities, providing them with daily news and information and supporting them through their darkest moments with emergency broadcasting. This is a critical and ongoing role for us.

“We also know that digital audiences, including on social media, have increased and will continue to in regional Australia as internet access and mobile coverage improves.

“Today’s announcement will allow us to maintain our highly valued existing services, like live local radio, while we expand our online, mobile and video storytelling,” Mrs Reynolds said.

The Connecting Communities package will enable the ABC to better reflect the breadth of Australian life by:

  • Boosting digital and video reporting capability in the regions
  • Increasing coverage of local events and breaking news on weekends
  • Enabling reporters and program makers to spend more time in remote areas
  • Working with regional communities to tell their distinctly Australian stories
  • Training and equipping regional teams to develop new content, including audio and video on-demand

Mrs Reynolds said the roll-out of the increased investment would be staged and work was continuing to confirm how the new resources would be spread across the country.

“We expect to begin advertising for the first tranche of new regional staff members as early as May this year,” she added.

71

Some good ideas there.

Lots of outlets focusing on the obvious downside - 200 redundancies - but considering how regional areas were hit the hardest by job cuts back during the Abbott era, more regional staff is a better move. Besides, who can argue against reducing management by 20%?

72

Goes to show what some of the ABCs problems are…

200 jobs being cut equates to a $50 mil saving.
This is $250,000 per person!!
And these are apparently mostly “middle management”!

How they can have that many middle management positions earning that kind of money that they can seemingly do without is beyond me.

1 Like
73

How much an employee costs and how much they’re paid are two different things. Plus, they’ve had to travel overseas for work and whatnot. They might have entitlements.

74

The vast majority of it would be salaries.

And if they are traveling overseas that much or have that many entitlements, that’s another issue.

1 Like
75

There’s a difference between take home pay, even gross salary and what it costs to employ someone.

Listening to ABC Melbourne last night, on air talent sound rather pleased at the removal of some management fat. By the sounds of it content production will be easier.

76

Insurance, office space, office equipment, HR, IT etc. etc. Costs build up.

77

So today, for ABC News WA and 7:30, instead of yesterday’s line up of Briana Shepherd, Clint Thomas, Rebecca Dollery and then Leigh Sales, we had a female presenter replacing Clint Thomas.

So, yes, that’s right, a line up for newscaff that the day before was 75% female, with only one male on the bulletin, required the removal of that man in the name of equality.

Let me put it simply - anyone that looks at a bulletin comprised of 2 female and 1 male presenter, and decides that male needs replacing, is actually mentally disturbed. They shouldn’t be working at the ABC.

If you want to be an alt-left news source, then privatise and become the sink hole that the Guardian is in the UK and Aus. But don’t waste our taxpayer dollars on nonsense discrimination.

1 Like
78

Bill Shorten and his far-left ministers who are dragging him to the left, often ask what conservatives want out of a Discrimination Act amendment.

How about, for a start, a DISCRIMINATION Act which prevents people being REMOVED FROM THEIR JOBS because of their GENDER?

How about something basic like that? You’d think a Discrimination Act might cover that, yeah?

Further, as it always seems to puzzle the dopey presenters at the ABC that obsess over these amendments - how about the Act prevents people from stating that it is discrimination to be removed from a university classroom because of your race?

Seriously. The alt-left, Labour, Fairfax, and the ABC, are a poison in modern day discourse. Have simply no want of engaging in logical discussion.

79

Oh, and then a report on International Women’s Day that was practically the top story in WA save for one or two other reports.

No, IWD is not news.

No, IWD is not news just because all your fellow twitter colleagues and journos talk about it.

In fact, IWD serves no purposes except for the far-left to make jokes about supposedly many thousands of men stopping their activities for the day and asking “Where’s International Men’s Day?!?”.

Silly. The ABC needs to be gutted.

80

Every other day. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: It’s actually November 19 every year and they do celebrate that too.

Sounds like you’ve been brainwashed by Newscorp who demand the same thing because they consider the ABC/BBC/PBS competition and a commercial threat to their business. Where’s your outrage at Hit radio stations doing exactly the same thing for the day?