Budget Impact on Radio

With the Federal Budget announced last night, Government Broadcasters like the SBS and the ABC have been affected, along with The ACMA.  And they didn’t miss the Community Sector either.

Here is a quick snapshot of the main financial impact for each along with links for more detailed reporting.

The ABC:

• Has their budget sliced down to $1.084 billion from $1.113 billion.
• ABC has slated more staff cuts.

SBS:

• Had their Budget cut as well. Down to $283 million from $285 million currently.

ACMA:

•  $15 million was cut for the Industry Regulator, they have $108 million to work with.

Department of Communications:

• Up a little, their budget actually increased by $2 million with $9 million now available for their activities.

Full Communications Portfolio Statements:

• You can view the 2015-16 Budget – Communications Portfolio including the ABC, SBS, ACMA and the Department of Communications here.

Community Programs:

• The Federal government’s support for Community Radio with the Broadcast Program has been cut to $16.8 million from $17.3.
• An Administered Program Indexation Pause was been applied for a further two years.

The peak industry body for the sector the CBAA, has said it is disappointing news.

“The extension of the Indexation Pause by a further two years ultimately represents an incremental withdrawal of Government support. The community broadcasting sector lost over $1 million in Australian Government funding support through the initial impact of the Administered Program Indexation Pause and now faces a further substantial loss through its extension,” said Community Broadcasting Association of Australia President, Adrian Basso.

 “If the pause continues, the Government risks the slow demise of some in our sector, which contributes so much to the cultural life of Australia. Community stations, particularly the two thirds of community radio stations that operate in regional and remote areas, cannot absorb the pause forever and, over time, this will see services lost. The social and cultural impacts of this loss would include a reduction in the creation of unique local content and services which support community identities and social inclusion, reduced media diversity and a diminished voice for communities not adequately serviced by other media.”

The CBAA also highlighted the need to address the community digital radio shortfall to ensure community radio stations maintain their presence on the new technology platform, saying: “Addressing this will be a key budget priority for the community broadcasting sector over the next period.”