More NZ content being watched in Australia

We are today seeing an unprecedented amount of New Zealand television shows being screened in Australia.

These include shows such as Orange Roughies, Police Ten 7, The Zoo, Coastwatch, Wild Vets, Bro'Town, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby and Outrageous Fortune.

The NZ Herald reports that Coastwatch and Wild Vets were watched by 800,000 Australians last week, and that Police Ten 7 has drawn over a million viewers in the past.

But why is it now that Kiwi shows are popping up more and more across the Tasman?

One contributing factor is that the previous Howard Government in Australia allowed New Zealand-made shows to contribute to the "Australian content" quota required of all broadcasters.

Under the rule Australian networks are required to ensure at least 55% of their content are locally made shows. Last year the Ten Network met at least 20% of the quota by playing New Zealand shows.

Many Australians are up in arms and calling for the rule to be changed, as they believe that for every hour of New Zealand television that goes to air an hour is taken away from local production companies.

However Jane Wrightson, the chief executive of NZ On Air, believes that the sudden increase in Kiwi content in Australia is a great thing and that their presence is not taking away too much from the Australian industry.

Wrightson believes that our factual programming translates very well to Australian audiences and for this reason sees it more beneficial to screen these shows in place of the American content networks usually fill their schedule with.

"I know the Australian producers can get a bit twitchy about this but I don't think it's a matter of New Zealand content supplanting Australian content. I think it's more a case of New Zealand content supplanting American content."

New Zealand has been screening Australian-made television shows for many years to great responses, so it is about time that Australia gave our content the same opportunities.