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ABC bans ‘used formats’

ABC Director of Television Kim Dalton has ruled that the broadcaster will not commission 'used formats.'

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The ABC has now ruled that it will not commission used formats. The ban comes from Director of Television Kim Dalton.

Channel Controllers Brendan Dahill and Stuart Menzies addressed the SPAA Conference yesterday, outlining some of the strategies for ABC1 / ABC2.

Dahill said it was the role of ABC1 to take risks in commissioning that were not available to commercial broadcasters.

“In a world where the audience is fragmenting [and] fragmenting revenue means that you can’t afford to take as many risks” he said.

He described the role of the ABC as being “we find the talent, develop it, and then they [commercial broadcasters] nick it. But that’s OK. If we get three good seasons, that’s excellent.”

ABC1 retains the bulk of the funds for commissioning.

Menzies, Controller for ABC2, has a budget that is 95% devoted to acquisition and only 5% to commissioning.

“We’re the only broadcaster that won’t do second hand formats,” he said, describing his aim as making ABC2 “creatively and intellectually distinctive”.

Meanwhile in other SPAA news yesterday, RocKwiz and Wilfred producer Renegade was awarded the SPAA Award for Best Australian Documentary Producer.

Source: Screen Hub

18 Responses

  4. “We’re the only broadcaster that won’t do second hand formats,”

    Spicks and Specks = Never mind the Buzzcocks

    Slueth 101 = Cleudo/Whodunnit

    Just because they have different names doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly similar, near identical formats.

    I’m sure if they had the money we would have seen a Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Mary Queen of Shops & Masterchef from them.

    “we find the talent, develop it, and then they [commercial broadcasters] nick it. But that’s OK. If we get three good seasons, that’s excellent.”

    Well perhaps ABC if you actually had the money to spend on the productions instead of investing in OS tat all the time you might have the money to retain them. Then again paying 10 million to Chaser is exactly what a public broadcaster should not do to chase ratings.

    1. Why would they copy Strictly Come Dancing when they already had Strictly Dancing before the UK had SCD? Sleuth 101 was also an Aus original. Same genre as Whodunnit, Cluedo of course. Same genre as To Tell the Truth. Television is cyclical. Expect another one in the next ten years. I don’t think it means we stop creatives modifying a genre. Do you have a beef with public broadcasters over something you’re not telling us?

  6. Excellent move – public tv money shouldn’t be blown on the Biggest Apprentice Brother Geek Get Me Out of Here. They seem to be very aware of the troubled territory BBC now finds itself.

  7. This should be extended to canned shows which have been formated elsewhere around the world. Implement that!

    Honestly, not a bad thing for a public broadcaster to try for a while. Create, dont copy.

    @ Woody, highly likely!! 🙂

  8. “Used formats” refers to Aussie copies of specific overseas shows…. Top Gear Australia, Dancing With The Stars Australia, Masterchef Australia, Secret Millionaire Australia etc etc. It obviously doesn’t refer to entire genres. People should be applauding this move instead of complaining about it. The last thing TV in this country needs is more rehashed local versions of overseas shows. Good on the ABC.

  9. So I’ve got this idea. Blend horse racing with celebrity poker tournaments, mix in Australia’s Next Top Model.

    So celebrities and models have to ride showjumping horses and impress the judges, and gamble on winning at the end of each episode. Hosted by Bart Cummings and judged by Gai Waterhouse, Sarah Murdoch, and Jennifer Hawkins.

    Where do I sign?

  10. That’s right! And if you can do that and somehow make it through our interminable selection process…What do you mean it’s almost impossible to invent a totally new and original format?…Really?…Are you sure?…Well, do you have any formats that are only slightly used and still in very good condition?

  14. “we find the talent, develop it, and then they [commercial broadcasters] nick it. But that’s OK. If we get three good seasons, that’s excellent.”

    Referring to Kath and Kim maybe?

  15. Ok – well any new programs would be gratifying right now, but yeh good thought gentlemen, after a decade of remakes, reworks and derivative productions, a step in the right direction. Curious perception that commerical networks nick their stars – not any more!

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