Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman

Minister of Broadcasting

16 December 2009
Media Statement

Platinum Fund delivers

NZ On Air Platinum Fund announcements have delivered on the Government’s promise of high quality broadcasting content, says Broadcasting Minister, Jonathan Coleman.

NZ On Air yesterday announced investments in four significant new television programmes intended for screening in 2010. Two long form dramas, a documentary series and a TV special have been supported by the new Platinum Fund, all for prime time screening.

“The Platinum Fund was designed to open up public broadcasting funding to a range of producers and broadcasters. No one entity has a monopoly on the best ideas, and yesterday’s funding decisions prove that.

“Quite simply the Charter never worked. It saddled TVNZ with a dual mandate and didn’t deliver on its promise of quality public broadcasting. The Platinum Fund guarantees high quality public broadcasting.”

The Fund, administered by NZ On Air, totals $15.1 million and was previously allocated to Television New Zealand. It is now available on a fully contestable basis to all national free-to-air television broadcasters for high quality television programming.

“I very much look forward to seeing the results of the latest announcements on screen in 2010.”

ENDS

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