AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION CORPORATE PLAN 2021-22
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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
Cover image: Wakefield, 2021. This page: Nik (Rudi Dharmalingham) in Wakefield. Photo by Lisa Tomasetti. AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
CONTENTS
Opening Statement 3 ABC Operating Plan
FY2022–FY2025 15
The ABC’s Five-Year Plan 4
Deliver personalised digital experiences 15
Purpose 5 Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source
of news and information 16
Strengthen local connections 18
Key Activities 6 Prioritise quality over quantity 19
Invest in the workforce of the future 20
Operating Environment 7 Creative, flexible, efficient, and accountable 21
Audience Trends 7 Measures 22
Media Market Environment 9
Regulatory and Policy Settings 10 Managing Risk 26
Financial Context 11
The Technology Environment 11 Risk management framework 26
Workforce Capabilities 12 Significant risks 26
Cooperation 13
Financial Information 14
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 1
Bennelong, Bangarra Dance Company. Photo by Daniel Boud. 2 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
OPENING STATEMENT
The Board, as the accountable authority of the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation, presents the 2021–22 Corporate Plan, prepared in accordance with
section 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act
2013 (Cth) (PGPA Act) and associated rules.
This Corporate Plan is prepared for the 2021–22 In 2022 the ABC will celebrate its 90th anniversary.
reporting period (FY22), and covers the reporting It will be a splendid celebration reflecting on how
periods FY22, FY23, FY24 and FY25. far we have come since we were established in 1932.
We are proud of our achievements and look forward
The ABC is accountable to the Australian Government
to continuing to serve all Australians across our
through the Minister for Communications, Urban
vast continent.
Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.
As a Commonwealth entity, the ABC operates under
the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983
(Cth) (ABC Act) and the PGPA Act. The PGPA Act
sets standards of governance, performance and
accountability for the Corporation, with an emphasis
on use of public resources, planning, reporting and
risk management.
The ABC is committed to meeting these requirements
and its responsibilities as the nation’s independent
public service media organisation.
The ABC is a vital cultural asset and plays a
critical role in preserving Australia’s democratic
society. It provides trusted news and information,
and powerful investigative journalism. It keeps
communities informed, especially during
emergencies. It also contributes to media diversity
and shares Australian perspectives with the world.
No other institution reaches as many Australians.
Under its current Five-Year Plan, the ABC is focused
on listening to, and reflecting the diversity of,
Australian communities and making its services
even more accessible. It will share Australian stories,
showcase the arts, entertain all ages, and support
education and science. It will also continue to adapt
to technological change and pursue greater efficiency Ita Buttrose AC, OBE
and sustainability in its operations. Chair, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 3
PURPOSE The ABC’s Charter requires it to inform, educate, and entertain Australians as well as share Australian culture and perspectives with the world. For almost 90 years, the ABC has created and shared stories that have helped to shape Australia’s identity, strengthen its democracy, and nurture its artistic and cultural life. The ABC reflects the diversity of Australia’s people and communities in the wide range of services it provides and the content it creates. It is the nation’s largest producer of scripted content and delivers world-class comedy and children’s programs. It provides unique coverage of the arts, science, health, Indigenous affairs, and Australia’s rural industries. The ABC also discovers and celebrates Australian music and provides local radio and digital services for communities across the country. As Australia’s most trusted news provider, the ABC plays a critical role in holding those in power to account and ensuring free public access to accurate and essential information. Underpinning this is the ABC’s independence and its commitment to the highest standards of journalism, a vital capability that has increased in value with the rise of misinformation and “fake news”. These activities reflect the ABC’s purpose as a public service media organisation. It is a purpose with an important heritage, but one that is renewed daily, to create and share unique Australian stories and make them accessible to all. Director Wayne Blair and Director-DOP Warwick Thornton behind the scenes of Mystery Road Season 2. Photo by David Dare Parker. 4 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
KEY ACTIVITIES
The ABC makes its content and services accessible and available for free
to all Australians, on traditional broadcast as well as mobile and digital
platforms through a suite of websites and apps. It provides reliable services
that inform, educate, and entertain, reflecting the diversity of Australian life
and perspectives. More than two-thirds of Australians watch, read or listen to
the ABC each week through the range of available services.
Communicating emergency information to Australians The ABC runs four broadcast television channels
during critical times continues to be an ABC essential and is available on-demand via ABC iview. The ABC’s
service. While the intensity and severity of natural main channel, ABC TV, known for its high-quality and
disasters and emergencies vary year-to-year, the ABC’s distinctive programming, brings together drama,
role in supporting and communicating emergency comedy, factual programs, and an array of news
updates continues to grow to reflect the general programs. The secondary channel, ABC TV Plus,
upward trend. A new ABC emergency website which launched in January 2021, celebrates Australian
aggregates information from key national and state culture and arts.
emergency services was launched in October 2020 and
ABC News provides dedicated news coverage around
will make critical information easier to access.
the clock, and ABC ME offers a range of programs for
The ABC provides independent high-impact news children. ABC Kids and ABC TV Plus share a channel to
and information. Its reporters cover local, state, and deliver programs for the ABC’s youngest audiences,
national news, and it maintains its own network of as well as diverse new programs for older audiences
foreign correspondents, particularly in Asia and the alongside documentaries, and the best of the arts
Pacific, to tell international stories from an Australian later in the evenings.
perspective. The coverage includes in-depth reporting
In addition, the ABC delivers screen content to
and investigations into issues and events. The ABC
40 countries across Asia and the Pacific through its
News website and app are the leading destinations
international television service, ABC Australia. A
for news and information.
multi-genre, English-language service, ABC Australia
The ABC’s audio output includes live broadcasts and is targeted at English language learners and
programs on AM, FM and DAB+ radio, digital TV sets, speakers, including people wanting to visit Australia
smart speakers and digital products including the for trade or study and Australians living or travelling
ABC Listen app. People living in remote and regional abroad.
Australia can also access a wide range of ABC audio
In the Pacific, ABC Radio Australia provides a news
through the VAST satellite service. ABC radio services
and information service, increases awareness of
range from local, regional, and national networks that
Australia, and encourages English-language learning.
serve many different needs and interests.
It is broadcast via FM in 13 important population
ABC Local Radio stations connect local audiences centres in the Pacific and Timor-Leste and is also
with the news and issues of the day relevant to their accessible around the globe as a streaming service,
communities. They create conversations and help to live and on-demand.
connect communities, and the 48 regional bureaux
The ABC also produces a broad range of on-demand
are an integral part of providing support and vital
content for both audio and video. ABC iview and ABC
warnings during times of emergency. In the eight
Listen apps provide access to ABC video and audio
capital cities ABC Local radio stations reach two
streaming and on-demand programs, from Bluey to
million listeners each week.
Backroads, Hard Quiz and Old People’s Home for 4 Year
The ABC’s national radio networks and digital radio/ Olds as well as the popular podcast Conversations
streaming stations offer a range of choices to match and specialist music stations ABC Jazz and Double J.
audiences’ interests and moods. The ABC’s music
A range of other sites and apps are dedicated to
stations and audio streams include triple j, Double J,
specific audiences and interests, such as the triple j
ABC Classic, ABC Classic 2, ABC Jazz, and ABC
site and app for music, the ABC Kids app for children’s
Country. ABC News offers continuous national and
content and ABC Everyday designed for younger and
international news and RN is the place for in-depth
digital-first audiences. The ABC also makes extensive
analysis and thought-provoking ideas. ABC Kids Listen
use of social media and other third-party platforms to
caters for young children and ABC Grandstand for
reach and engage with audiences.
sports fans.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 5
THE ABC’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN
The ABC will be more relevant to more Australians with a greater focus on
accessibility and the on-demand digital services audiences now expect.
The pillars of the strategy provide the framework that Within the framework of its five pillars, the ABC will
will inform and shape decision making over the next focus on six strategic priorities. These address the
five years. Each pillar represents a goal that will keep changes the ABC needs to make and the areas where
the ABC focused on its priorities and help to drive it needs to focus its efforts and resources.
outcomes that will fulfil the corporation’s vision.
Purpose
To deliver valued services that reflect and contribute
to Australian society, culture and identity
Vision
The home of Australian stories – accessible, bold, creative
Pillars
Reflect Build a lifelong Continue to Provide Make sustainable
contemporary relationship with earn the trust entertaining, choices in
Australia Australians that audiences culturally allocating
place in the ABC, significant, and resources.
safeguarding ABC on-demand
independence content
and integrity
Priorities
• Deliver personalised digital experiences • Prioritise quality over quantity
• Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source • Invest in the workforce of the future
of news and information • Creative, flexible, efficient and accountable.
• Strengthen local connections
6 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
By 2025 we will
…have become a leaner, more adaptable …be more local. 75% of our content makers
organisation that aligns its resources to will be located outside of Ultimo. We will have
meeting audience needs and expectations. decentralised more of our operations and
This will help enable new investments that will grown our presence in outer suburban and
underpin the relevance and value of the ABC regional areas. We will better reflect the issues
into the future. that are important to local communities.
…have increased the relevance of the ABC for …be recognised, in a sea of global content, as
younger and newer Australians. Our digital the home of Australian stories. From drama
services will be more relevant and personal, to music to the arts, we will reflect national
and we will invest in ensuring audiences identity, celebrate Australian talent, and
are aware of the great content we offer. support the local creative sector.
…be spending a greater proportion of
…still be the most trusted source of news. In
our budget on content for, including
times of confusion, curiosity and crisis, the ABC
developing more stories specifically for,
will be there for all Australians.
our digital platforms.
Foreign Correspondent filming on Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo by Greg Nelson.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 7
ABC South East NSW reporter Vanessa Milton covers an Indigenous Cultural Burn at Tura Beach NSW. Photo by Greg Nelson. 8 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Last year, the ABC released its Five-Year Plan, designed to protect and
strengthen the ABC’s role in the life of the nation. The ABC’s Five-Year Plan was
designed to meet the ABC’s Charter obligations within its funding allocation and
has a clear focus on delivering outstanding and relevant Australian content.
The Five-Year Plan identified three broad social Figure 1: Total TV Broadcast Reach
trends that were central to informing the strategic 80% 77%
73%
pillars and priorities. The three trends identified
were: greater national diversity; the erosion of faith 70%
in the efficacy of democratic institutions, leaders and
60%
processes around the world; and the complex and
fast-moving media landscape. These trends remain 50%
relevant to the 2021–22 Corporate Plan and are
expected to endure over the Five-Year Plan period. 40%
The following sections provide more details on the 30%
environment in which the ABC operates.
20%
Audience Trends 10%
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an 0%
2019 2020
accelerator of change in many aspects of
Australian life. Source: OzTam, 2020
Prolonged lockdowns and isolation triggered a lift
Figure 2: Video-on-demand usage
in the use of Video-on-Demand (VOD) as audiences
80%
sought a wider range of entertainment options,
driving digital growth years ahead of previous 70%
forecasts. The increased use of VOD in 2020 is 64%
59%
expected to result in long-term changes in audience 60%
behaviour. In a survey conducted by the ABC, 64% of
50%
Australians claim to have used video-on-demand in
the past week, up from 59% in 2019.
40%
Traditional television remains important to viewers,
30%
particularly for live events and breaking news. While
broadcast television reach declined on average 20%
across 2020, from 77% in 2019 to 73% in 2020, weekly
reach nonetheless peaked at 79% during April 2020 10%
(OzTAM, 2020), which was the height of interest in
0%
COVID-19, and the use of news on television as the 2019 2020
main source of news increased markedly to 51% (up
Souce: ABC Video-on-demand Study, 2020
from 39% prior to the pandemic) (Digital News Report:
Australia 2020).
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 9In 2020, as Australians spent more time at home, The popularity of podcasts is growing, and weekly
Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) services podcast listening has increased from 10% of
thrived. Australians had a total of 16 million SVOD Australians in 2017 to 26% in 2021. Awareness of
subscriptions in 2020, with forecasts predicting an podcasts in Australia is now at 91% (The Infinite
increase to 23 million by 2024 (Telsyte). VOD users in Dial, Australia).
Australia are accessing an average of 2.7 VOD services
Smart speaker ownership has grown in Australia from
per week, up from 1.9 in 2019 (ABC VOD Study 2020).
13% of Australians in 2019 to 26% in 2021, a significant
Broadcaster Video-on-Demand (BVOD) services increase likely due to people spending more time at
have also experienced growth, with total minutes home over the past year (The Infinite Dial). ABC News
consumed across Australian BVOD services services on Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa have
increasing by 36% from 2019 to 2020 (OzTAM). similarly experienced remarkable audience growth,
and the ABC voice ecosystem continues to expand
In this competitive media environment, with ever-
to improve voice-accessibility of ABC content with
proliferating choices, drawing audience attention to
richer news experiences, live radio streams, podcasts,
new Australian content is a challenge. The ABC will
localised emergency information, ABC iview, and
continue to create high-quality Australian programs
interactive children’s content.
and make them available to as wide an audience as
possible across a range of platforms. Across the board, social media usage increased in
Australia over the past year. Monthly audiences were
More than half of Australian households now own
up year-on-year for most social platforms, including
a Smart TV, and it is the dominant device used
Instagram (+9%), Twitter (+11%), WhatsApp (+21%) and
to consume BVOD, SVOD and Pay TV services.
Reddit (+9%) (Nielsen Digital Content Ratings). TikTok
Prominence of platform apps within Smart TVs is
was the standout in terms of growth, increasing its
becoming increasingly important, and the ABC
Australian monthly audience by over 300% while also
is aware that Smart TVs and other connected-TV
doubling its time spent per person in 2020 (App Annie
platforms are becoming a new type of gatekeeper
Mobile Report – APAC Australia).
for Australian media services. This could have a
negative impact on audience access to, and easy Interest in news surged in 2020, as the bushfires,
discoverability of, ABC content. followed by the COVID-19 pandemic absorbed the
Australian community. However, in 2021 there has
The use of smart phones as the main device for
been a concerning drop in interest in news among
streaming all types of on-demand video content
Australians, as shown in Figure 3.
has also increased, from 16% in 2019 to 20% in
2020 (Telsyte).
Figure 3: Interest in news 2016–2021 (%)
With the success of VOD, consumers increasingly 100%
expect to access relevant content at any time, in any 90%
place, and in the format that best fits their needs. The
80%
ABC has begun evolving ABC iview to better meet
audience expectations, and in the second half of 70%
64% 64% 65%
58% 60%
2021 will commence the first phase of its audience 60%
52%
recognition and personalisation strategy. 50%
48%
Audio choices continue to increase but radio still 40% 42% 40%
dominates, with 86% of Australians listening to 36% 36% 35%
30%
over the air or online AM/FM/DAB+ radio or catch-
20%
up podcasts in the last month (The Infinite Dial,
Australia). 74% listen to online audio each month (AM/ 10%
FM/DAB+ radio stations online and/or audio content 0%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
available only on the internet, including podcasts and
High interest in news Low interest in news
streaming services).
Source: Digital News Report: Australia 2021
More than 12 million Australians now use music
streaming services via websites or apps. Spotify is the
clear industry leader, with nearly 8 million Australian
users, more than doubling its user base since 2017
(Roy Morgan, 2020). Supporting its commitment to
meet Australians when and where they are, the ABC
offers curated playlists and podcasts on Spotify.
10 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22While the use of television as a source of news Digital services are replacing broadcast for many
declined in 2020, it remains the most popular of all people, however the need to maintain some broadcast
sources of news. Online news has also decreased in services will continue for many years, reflecting their
2021, along with print and radio, reflecting the overall ongoing importance to audiences. Opportunities to
decline in interest in news. In contrast, the use of convert AM to FM will be explored wherever possible
social media for news has increased from 46% in 2019 to deliver better quality outcomes for audiences.
to 52% in 2021 (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). Maintaining broadcast operations while funding
modernisation will be a critical challenge for the
When it comes to news consumption, a significant
Corporation over the life of this Plan.
generational divide remains. Over half (54%) of 18–22
year-olds use social media as their main source of
news, whereas only 10% of 75+ year-olds say it is their Media Market Environment
main source (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). The ABC operates in a media environment that
Facebook remains the most used social media continues to evolve rapidly. Global digital platforms
platform for news, although the number of people continue to grow and displace traditional broadcast
who use it for news has been declining (from 45% in media for both news and entertainment as audience
2016 to 33% in 2021). The number of people who use behaviour shifts across all age demographics. SVOD
YouTube for news has plateaued at around 20% since services provide access to international content that
2018. Among 18–22 year-olds, more than one-third crowds out Australian content. At the same time,
(35%) use YouTube for news (Digital News Report: music streaming has replaced, or supplemented,
Australia 2021). The ABC is committed to reaching radio listening for many, and social media has become
audiences where they are, and in 2021 ABC’s two news a common way people find news.
channels on YouTube, ABC News Australia and ABC The disruption caused by technology and the growing
News In-Depth, increased substantially in both unique dominance of digital platforms across a range of
viewers per month and total hours watched. media service markets has created challenges
The number of Australians going directly to news for traditional media business models. Audiences
brand websites or apps for news is declining, while continue to spend more time on digital platforms to
a growing number of people are accessing news source their news and entertainment. The ACCC has
through mobile alerts and aggregator apps (Digital estimated that major digital platforms have more
News Report: Australia 2021). Despite the market than 80 per cent of the digital advertising market .1
trend, the ABC News App gained over 160,000 new The challenge this has presented to traditional
users during the eight days of the Facebook news ban media business models supported by advertising
(18–25 February 2021), and since then has sustained has been particularly felt in certain segments of the
higher daily usage than during 2021 prior to the ban. media market.
The ABC has also experienced audience growth within Local media outlets have struggled with the loss of
aggregator apps, with ABC News’s monthly unique advertising revenue to digital platforms and with the
audience in Apple News up 20% year-on-year in 2020 impact of COVID-19. Small newspapers have closed
(Apple News Analytics). or moved to digital-only and news organisations are
In the take-up of digital media technology, there providing less local coverage. This has a direct impact
continues to be a clear metropolitan and regional/ on communities in Australia’s regions and suburbs. It
rural divide. This is highlighted in the Australian also has an impact on public interest journalism as
Digital Inclusion Index, which is lower in rural areas issues in communities go unreported at both local
across all areas measured; access, affordability and and national levels.
digital ability. In regional and rural areas, VOD take-up The ABC plays a vital role in keeping communities
lags metropolitan areas (ABC VOD Survey). Take-up informed via local radio and its regional coverage,
of Spotify and podcasts is also lower among these especially during natural disasters. It continues to
audiences, who are more likely to listen via AM/FM look for opportunities to strengthen its local and
radio and have a higher level of listening to radio in rural coverage and this includes looking for ways to
cars (ABC Audio Survey). News consumers in regional support other local news outlets.
Australia are more likely to rely on TV as their main
source of news (43%) than those in major cities (38%), The video content market remains highly competitive,
and major city news consumers (28%) are more likely and audiences have a plethora of options to choose
to use online news compared to those in regional from. Drawing the attention of viewers to Australian
areas (22%) (Digital News Report: Australia 2021). content is becoming more challenging as audiences
are fragmented, while at the same time, increased
1. Hansard, Senate Committee Inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill, 22 January 2021, p. 53.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 11production activity within Australia, together with an Regulatory and Policy Settings
increase in production quality, have driven up the cost
of making content. The ABC is committed to enhancing Over the past year, the disrupted media environment
ABC iview to ensure it remains a compelling product has drawn increased attention from governments and
proposition, as well as commissioning high quality regulators around the world as they look to reform
content that reflects the nation and supports policy and regulatory settings to keep pace with
Australian culture. market changes.
Despite the focus on digital, the ABC expects linear The Australian Competition and Consumer
broadcast content to remain significant for many Commission’s (ACCC) Digital Platforms Inquiry
years to come, and to coexist with on-demand in the final report released in 2019 set the scene for the
media diet of most Australians. Live content such as commencement of a wide-ranging reform program in
sports, major events and breaking news will preserve Australia to attempt to modernise and harmonise the
the high importance of traditional, linear television. media regulatory settings.
Music streaming services are likely to continue A key plank in the reform program has been the
evolving to become more “radio-like”. The rise of development of the News Media and Digital
connected cars and smart speakers, together with Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code in Part IVBA
sophisticated personalisation and machine learning of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
algorithms, will make online audio platforms (“the Code”). The Code establishes a framework
increasingly compelling for listeners. The ABC must within which eligible news organisations could seek
evolve its ABC Listen product to ensure that it offers payment for their content appearing in ‘designated
audiences an equally compelling experience, while at digital platform services’, either though commercial
the same time maintain analogue radio services. negotiation or (ultimately) arbitration. It also includes
some minimum standards for designated digital
The latest Edelman Trust Barometer (Australia, platforms services. Following the enactment of the
2021) shows trust in traditional media has fallen, Code, Google and Facebook have sought to negotiate
reflecting the fracturing of many news sources into commercial agreements with several Australian news
ever more partisan enclaves, the rise in volume media businesses to avoid being designated under
of extreme voices, and the proliferation of “fake the code. The ABC has concluded letters of intent
news” and misinformation. These factors will all with both companies and is hopeful that it will soon
continue to put pressure on democracies and could conclude final binding agreements. The proceeds
potentially weaken them badly. In this environment, from these agreements will facilitate additional
the ABC’s news and current affairs content, which is investment in regional journalism.
highly trusted, and offers a distinctively Australian
perspective, is more important than ever. Several other regulatory and policy reforms processes
are still underway that may have a significant bearing
on the future media environment, including:
Figure 4: Trust in traditional media for general news and • The Government’s Media Reform Green Paper,
information, in Australia (%) released in November 2020, which sets out
61% 61% proposed reforms to the media industry, including
60%
56% potential changes to the spectrum allocated to
53%
commercial and public broadcasters, introducing
46% investment obligation for subscription and
advertising video-on-demand services, and
40% formalising the role of national broadcasters as key
providers of Australian content.
• An ongoing process for the review of the Privacy
Act 1988 which reached the discussion paper
20% stage in late 2020, with submissions from various
stakeholders now public.
• Various Senate Committees exploring issues
relating to Media Diversity, the role of the Creative
and Cultural Industries, and proposed amendments
0%
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
to the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
Source: 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer
The ABC has participated, and will continue to engage,
in these and other regulatory and policy processes.
12 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22Financial Context The Technology Environment
In 2020, the ABC implemented a range of initiatives Product and content technology is central to
to address the impact of the indexation pause much of what the ABC does, providing the critical
on operational funding for the current triennium backbone that supports and enables all parts of
(estimated at $84m over three years, 2019–20 to the organisation, as well as providing the tools to
2021–22). The measures achieved ongoing savings in innovate and improve the audience experience.
excess of $40 million per annum from 2021–22. Some
Key drivers for this include rapid technological
longer-term initiatives, including those related to the
change that continues to transform the media
ABC’s property portfolio, continue to progress.
industry, competitive forces, greater demands on
A key challenge is funding certainty beyond the ABC’s business, and audience behaviour changes.
current triennium. This impacts the ABC’s ability to Increasingly, digital transformation is playing a major
make longer-term funding decisions for large-scale role in the ABC’s operations – not only shaping and
technology modernisation and property efficiency enhancing the ABC of today, but also positioning the
projects. The ABC supports the certainty offered by ABC to better meet audience needs of tomorrow.
long-term funding, as recommended in the Tonagh
Underpinning the ABC’s transition from a traditional
and Bean efficiency review. The ABC’s operating
broadcaster to the nation’s most highly trusted,
plan assumes that the indexation of the ABC’s
valued, and leading digital content provider is
operational funding will resume, and the enhanced
a transformative program that includes further
news-gathering program, a supplementary, local
investment in key areas such as digital skills, products
news-focused grant, will be renewed in the 2022–23
and systems, additional integration of digital and
financial year.
broadcast systems; and the expansion of cloud-
The operating environment that the ABC works based and virtualised technologies. The ABC will
within is bringing cost pressures to bear, particularly also continue to explore and trial new and innovative
in relation to technology modernisation, content methods to produce and distribute content.
acquisition and production.
The ABC has prepared a Five-Year Capital Plan (2022–
While technology increasingly provides more 2026), that covers the ABC’s technology investment
efficient means of producing and delivering content, profile and supports ongoing modernisation to deliver
technology developments in the way audiences a leaner, more resilient and seamless technology
access content increase costs. Digital platforms environment. Some of the highlights include:
require investment to establish and upgrade as • Audio network transformation: Providing content
audience demands change, with a continuous makers with reliable, highly flexible audio network
upgrade cycle required. capability to create and share content, regardless
Increased production activity in Australia and of geographical location. Also enabling the
shortages in Australian crew and screen practitioners hyper-localisation of markets, with the ability to
have driven up the cost of production, while the halt individualise content in each region, and improved
in productions globally due to COVID-19, together with emergency broadcasting capability.
growth in the number of SVOD platforms, has created • Workflow and media management: Enabling content
unprecedented demand for program acquisitions. makers to find, access and share content more
easily and efficiently by replacing a multitude
The ABC has continuously found efficiencies, not only
of disparate systems with a streamlined multi-
in response to funding challenges, but to ensure it is
platform system.
investing its operational budget in ways that meet the
changing expectations of audiences. Providing the • Production enhancements: Delivering innovative
highest quality products and services to audiences is and comprehensive workflow and technology
a priority and will improve as the ABC’s infrastructure solutions to optimise operations, providing
migrates onto newer technologies. Identifying and production efficiencies and empowering content
delivering on efficiency programs is a core element makers with the tools to meet current and future
of the ABC’s Five-Year Plan and will continue to be a broadcast trends.
priority over the Plan period. • Digital products and personalisation enhancements:
Evolving the ABC’s core set of digital products
to grow reach, and expanding personalisation to
increase relevance and engagement – for example,
personalised recommendations across the ABC
iview suite, ABC homepage and ABC Listen app.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 13• People Hub Workforce: Delivering a new workforce Through the Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019–22 and
management solution that includes rostering and the Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019–22
leave management to improve the ABC’s employee (Elevate RAP), the ABC sets out its commitment to
experience, optimise business operations, reduce achieving its diversity and inclusion goals, and to
costs, and meet compliance obligations. championing initiatives that recognise and embrace
Australia’s Indigenous history and cultures. These
The Five-Year Capital Plan will also see the ABC
plans provide three-year strategic roadmaps to help
continue to optimise and simplify its technology
the ABC develop an inclusive culture throughout
environment, including moving to a more sustainable
the Corporation and in its content and services and
technology footprint, enabling teams with the most
sets out clear approaches and targets. The ABC has
appropriate tool sets, and removing ageing legacy
joined forces with a broad range of organisations
technologies. Work will also focus on reducing the
to work on diversity and inclusion initiatives and is
ABC’s exposure to cyber attacks, and technology
a proud member of the Australian Screen Diversity
innovation will allow the ABC to increase efficiencies
and Inclusion Network. Its Elevate RAP is endorsed
and strategically reduce costs, while also being
by Reconciliation Australia, and the organisation
a catalyst for fundamental change in the way the
partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
ABC operates. The ABC will continue to work with
bodies to support it in building a shared national
the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the
identity that recognises and embraces Australia’s
Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) on security
Indigenous heritage.
incidents and threat intelligence sharing.
The ABC’s Diversity and Inclusion Commissioning
Despite an all-important focus on digital, the ABC
Guidelines for Screen Content will deliver
will invest in appropriate areas in support of linear
outstanding content to audiences by requiring
television and radio services – this critical distribution
production companies to provide greater access
technology continues to deliver ABC services across
and opportunity to under-represented people and
the country and overseas.
perspectives – on and off screen. The guidelines build
on the ABC’s commitment under its Charter to reflect
Workforce Capabilities the cultural diversity of the Australian community.
The ABC’s people are essential to delivering high- The ABC must continue to build staff capability in
quality content and services. During the COVID-19 response to the increasingly complex technology
crisis, the ABC quickly adjusted its operations to environment, and also look outside the organisation
protect employees and continue to deliver the content for specialist expertise. This impacts all areas of
and services that Australians rely on. These changes, the organisation, and staff must have the support,
including social distancing and working from home, skills and information they need to do their jobs.
are likely to have an ongoing influence on the work Continuous training will be necessary in every role as
environment and may change the nature of office staff are required to adapt to new technologies and
utilisation in the future. The ABC will need to adapt processes. Many areas will require new skills that are
many of its ways of working to create sustainable in high demand across many industries. At the same
change and ensure staff cohesion, connection and time, the ABC must retain some operational skills in
collaboration are maintained. broadcast production that will inevitably become
Over the period of the Five-Year Plan, the ABC will increasingly rare.
be prioritising diversity and inclusion and placing
it at the heart of everything it does. It is essential
to the ABC’s success as a public media service
organisation and to achieve its vision to look and
sound like the Australia of today. The ABC’s broad
diversity remit includes gender, cultural and linguistic
diversity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
disability and LGBTQIA+. Other focus areas include
age, carer’s responsibilities, work and life balance,
geographic location and socio-economic status.
14 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22Cooperation
The ABC works closely with many Australian organisations, including Federal Government, State Government,
local Government, non-Government, and community organisations, to achieve its purpose. These organisations
are critical to the ABC delivering its content and services to audiences. Some examples are set out in the table
below. The ABC would like to thank all its partners for their valuable contribution.
Who Why Examples of Organisations
Government Agencies The ABC works in partnership with local, state and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
federal departments and agencies to bring large (DFAT)
live events to audiences, to communicate critical City of Sydney
information, and to deliver special projects to
Department of Premier and Cabinet
segments of the community.
Department of Veteran Affairs
National Australian Day Council
Victorian Council of Social Service
National and state-based The ABC collaborates with a broad range of National Gallery of Australia (NGA)
galleries, orchestras, institutions across the arts, music, and science, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
libraries, museums, to share information, ideas, exhibits and
Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO)
universities and science performances with audiences across all platforms.
organisations
Screen Agencies and Screen agencies provide funding support to ABC Screen Australia
Screen Organisations productions and work together with the ABC State-based screen agencies
to support broader policy objectives related
Screen Producers Australia (SPA)
to content, platforms, screen business, and
development of screen practitioners. Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
(MEAA)
The ABC also collaborates with a range of
screen industry organisations on content Screen Diversity Inclusion Network (SDIN)
initiatives, practitioner development, and Australian Film Television & Radio School
policy considerations. (AFTRS)
Australian Children’s Television
Foundation (ACTF)
Events, Festivals, and Local ABC teams collaborate with a diverse Women’s National Basketball League
Sporting Organisations range of organisations to bring coverage of Cricket Australia
important festivals, events and sports, with many
Football Federation Australia
longstanding relationships across the country.
WOMADelaide
Sydney Writer’s Festival
Garma Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Emergencies The ABC works with emergency and weather The Bureau of Meteorology
agencies across the country to deliver emergency State-based fire and emergency services
broadcasting and other important information
Australian Red Cross
to communities during disasters and major
weather events. Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
International The ABC engages with public media groups Public Media Alliance (PMA)
to share information and support public European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
media outcomes.
EBU Music Exchange
Music Bodies The ABC collaborates with music bodies on ARIA
content opportunities, including concert recording Sydney Opera House
and broadcasting, audience development
and conferences.
State Education The ABC works with state education departments State-based education departments
Departments to deliver high-quality education content that Australian Media Literacy Alliance
aligns with school curricula, and support materials
for remote learning, as was the case during 2020
as a response to COVID-19. ABC Education is
also a member of the Australian Media Literacy
Alliance, and cooperates regularly with museums,
universities, galleries, parks and others to deliver
educative content to Australians.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 15FINANCIAL INFORMATION
According to the Portfolio Budget Statements 2020–21, the ABC is appropriated funds to undertake two principal
activities. These activities and the forward estimates are set out below:
1. Providing Australian and international audiences with radio, television and digital
media services
2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
2021–22 Forward Forward Forward
Resources Budget estimates estimates estimates
Program 1.1 – ABC General Operational Activities
Expenditure ($’000) 931,222 922,998 934,487 946,152
2. Managing the broadcast and transmission of ABC radio and television services within Australia
2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
2021–22 Forward Forward Forward
Resources Budget estimates estimates estimates
Program 1.2 – ABC Transmission and Distribution Services
Expenditure ($’000) 191,852 193,094 195,304 197,524
A summary of financial information for the 2021–22 budget and the forward estimates for the ABC is set
out below:
Forward estimates
2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
2021–22 Forward Forward Forward
Budget estimates estimates estimates
Revenue $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000
ABC Government Appropriations
Operational Appropriations 1,070,097 1,061,739 1,076,059 1,090,595
Total Appropriations 1,070,097 1,061,739 1,076,059 1,090,595
Own Source Revenue 50,422 52,430 52,430 52,430
Total Revenue 1,120,519 1,114,169 1,128,489 1,143,025
Operational Expenditure 1,123,074 1,116,092 1,129,791 1,143,676
Capital Expenditure 82,519 95,614 101,904 99,271
Borrowings 2,230 2,230 2,230 2,230
Source: 2021–22 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Note: the inclusion of this table satisfies the requirement of s.31B(1)(b) of the ABC Act in relation to forecasts of revenue and expenditure
ABC cinematographer captures sunrise over the Dardanelles, Turkey. Photo by Greg Nelson.
16 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22ABC OPERATING PLAN FY2022–FY2025
In its Five-Year Plan, the ABC outlined the initiatives that it will undertake to
achieve its strategic priorities to be more relevant to more Australians, with a
greater focus on accessibility and the on-demand digital services audiences
now expect. A number of these initiatives are complete, many are underway, and
some will take until the end of the Plan period to complete. The section below
outlines the key initiatives, together with progress to date, demonstrating how
the ABC’s priorities will be achieved over the period of the Plan.
Deliver personalised digital experiences
The ABC’s strategy over the Plan period has a clear focus on understanding its audience and improving
their experience on digital platforms and devices. As digital media platforms grow in popularity, audience
expectations for digital products that are easy to use and personalised are increasing. Personalisation
and a focus on audiences will make finding relevant and interesting content easier, provide a superior
product experience – including across devices – and help to highlight the ABC’s best and most distinctive
Australian content.
In the second half of 2021, the ABC will launch mandatory sign-in, signalling the next phase of its personalisation
project. This has been a significant project, and further features and enhancements will continue over the Plan
period to better inform, educate and entertain all Australians.
Key Initiative Progress Update
Introduce personalisation across ABC ABC iview Login to Play, the first personalised product for the ABC, will commence
products, giving audiences the option to roll-out in the second half of 2021.
sign into one ABC account that records This initiative enables audiences to receive personalised content
their preferences across ABC platforms. recommendations, as well as pause and resume watching across different devices.
In preparation for personalisation, content teams across the ABC have worked
together with the ABC’s Technology team to deliver valued content for signed-in
users. For example, the ABC’s News team has created discrete, stand-alone audio
and video items.
Build ABC iview into the leading Additional effort and resourcing were applied in 2020/21 to boost the potential of
showcase for Australian content ABC iview as a core product platform and will continue over the period of the Plan.
and culture by enhancing its user Examples of enhancements include:
experience, video offering and • An expansion in the volume of acquisitions content including:
discoverability by audiences.
− Performing Arts – more than 40 works of theatre, opera, ballet and
classical music.
− Over 200 additional hours of Australian on-demand content.
• Improvements made to the user experience, including new ABC iview design, a
rebuild across the big screen experience and synchronisation across devices.
• Introduction of regional local news to ABC iview.
• Establishment of a specialised unit within the News Channel to publish a
greater volume of stories for on-demand viewing, and the introduction of a
“Stories from ABC News” rail in ABC iview to showcase the best news stories
from around Australia each day. The unit is also creating bespoke, on-demand
explainers on the big news stories of the day.
• Enhanced marketing efforts to raise awareness of ABC iview and the
content available.
Add robust profile management features Activities in this area include:
across the ABC’s digital product • Implementation of Consent Management on all ABC websites and mobile apps
ecosystem that respect and protect for logged-in users so they can provide informed consent and understand how
audience privacy. the ABC uses their data.
• Work in progress to enhance ABC Account profile experience and introduce
more preferences that can be shared across ABC’s digital product ecosystem.
• Robust encryption technology implemented for ABC logins.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 17Key Initiative Progress Update
Support and enable content-makers The ABC’s content teams are reviewing metadata protocols, and significant work
to apply metadata to their content, is underway on keywords in programs for search and recommendations. Further
providing information that helps training for content makers will improve metadata on audio and video content.
audiences find the stories that interest The ABC is also expanding the digitisation of the ABC archive to continue the shift
them more easily. towards greater self-service and automation.
Offer personalised emails, alerts, and Activity in this area includes:
other notifications to help audiences • An expanding suite of newsletters for local audiences, with eight additional
stay up-to-date and in touch with newsletters across regional centres.
breaking and daily news, new programs,
• An increase in the number of notifications being sent to ABC News app users,
and coverage of events.
driving return visits and increasing engagement.
• Building on existing app notifications, triple j to offer personalised notifications
from the second half of 2021.
• A refresh to the functionality and design of the ABC Yours personalised
newsletter, which launched in 2020. The ABC Yours newsletter has excelled in
all benchmarks and is the ABC’s most successful audience engagement tool.
• Work is in progress to drive more users to add a saved location in the ABC News
mobile app and enable more local news to be provided to audiences based on
their location.
Remain Australia’s best and most trusted source of news and information
The Five-Year Plan highlighted the threats to the democratic confidence of the Australian population, namely:
growing distrust towards media organisations, changes in news consumption patterns, a decline in media
diversity, and a reduction in the availability of local news.
This environment creates an imperative for the ABC to remain a strong, impartial, trusted and valued source of
news and information that all Australians can turn to with confidence. The ABC has commenced work on the
initiatives that will maintain and further strengthen its trusted position and will continue to be implemented
over the Plan period.
Key Initiative Progress Update
Introduce new quality review processes There are a range of training activities in progress to support this initiative.
to ensure stories are highly relevant and These include:
consistent with contemporary better • The ABC’s Regional and Local Quality team is offering regular training to
practice storytelling. support relevant and best practice storytelling.
• ABC News is introducing whole-story training for taking control and
responsibility for ensuring quality and impact of all stories.
• The ABC News team have set targets for quality reviews and impact reviews
in 2021.
• The past year has seen an increased focus on social media, with a re-working of
the guidance and policies on personal use of social media and through training
and communicating a clearer understanding of the guidance for staff.
Deploy audience insights and analytics New activities in this area include:
to commission for greater impact. • The ABC News Impact Editor works with teams to enhance and report on story
impact and is introducing a range of related training modules.
• Daily analysis of the performance of News Digital to identify areas of
opportunity for commissioning.
• Audience data integrated into the Entertainment & Specialist content
commissioning process.
Generate more approachable Solutions-based or useful approaches to journalism were explored in 2020, in
news stories by using a less response to the global trend towards news avoidance. A number of training
formal tone, plainer language and modules are being delivered to all News teams in 2021 to support this initiative.
providing more context.
18 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22Key Initiative Progress Update
Significantly increase the number of There are a range of activities across the ABC in support of this initiative.
video and audio news stories created as Examples include:
stand alone digital items for distribution • An increase in the number of video stories from the ABC’s Regional and Local
in different ways across on-demand team being made available on-demand. Workflows are being developed to
platforms and broadcasts, including allow for future digital-only storytelling.
commissioning stories specifically for
• The implementation of two projects in the ABC’s News division – the Audio News
on-demand use.
On-Demand Strategy and the Video News On-Demand Strategy. These projects
will impact on structures and operations, commissioning and workflows within
the News division.
• In Audio, there will be a revamp of the NewsRadio on-air product to incorporate
some on-demand elements, and experimentation with podcasts and briefings
on third-party platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. A dedicated
podcast studio will further develop the capacity for high-quality and efficient
News podcasts.
• In Video, the introduction of an on-demand video unit within the news channel,
with stories to be created with an “on-demand first” mindset. ABC News will
also develop a “Watch Live” section within the News website and app to
showcase the best news video.
Counter news avoidance with more ABC local radio teams incorporate positive news into their programming on a
stories that go beyond “bad news” regular basis, such as ABC Sydney’s Afternoons program ‘Good News Bulletin’
reporting and explore context as segment which features positive and constructive stories recommended by
well as efforts at finding constructive listeners within a Friday bulletin.
solutions to issues. Solutions journalism is a solutions-based or useful approach to journalism that
provides a more constructive news experience that contextualises “bad news”
stories, highlights potential solutions at personal and/or societal levels, and
provides information that people can directly use in their lives.
In ABC News, solutions journalism trials are underway with targets to be set for all
states and teams, and Solutions Journalism training is being delivered to all teams,
mid-level managers, and reporters in 2021.
Develop specialist reporting that Examples of activities in progress to achieve this initiative include:
supports greater public literacy • The series Indigenous Seasonal Weather, being made in partnership with CSIRO.
across topics such as weather, finance,
• The remote media literacy program, which connects with school students
science, religion and ethics, media,
in remote parts of Australia to support them to be responsible consumers
and technology.
of media, and the digital interactive tool ‘Spotting misinformation and
disinformation’ to educate students in how to identify misinformation.
• Appointing two new specialist reporters to the ABC’s Regional and Local
National Reporting and Weather Team.
• Introducing the ABC News consumer finance newsletter, which aims to
demystify business reporting.
• Creating a data journalist position within the News Channel team to help better
explain statistically-based stories.
• Increasing science short form content that is engaging and accessible to all
Australians. eg. Rad Experiments; How Deadly with Ann Jones.
Raise awareness of the ABC as a The ABC Emergency broadcasting campaign, which ran over Summer 2020/21,
reliable and comprehensive source of built community awareness and understanding of the ABC’s role as an emergency
important safety information during broadcaster, and provided information on how to connect to ABC content during
emergency situations. an emergency. The ABC partnered with local government, tourism bodies and
emergency services across its regional and capital city local bureaux to extend
the reach of the campaign. As a result, awareness of ABC Emergency platforms
grew from 44% to 50% across all Australians.
The ABC will continue to raise awareness of the ABC as a reliable
and comprehensive source of important safety information during
emergency situations.
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ABC CORPORATE PLAN 2021–22 19You can also read
