'Idol' critics accused of singing off-key

By ALAN PERROTT

The producer of New Zealand Idol has attacked criticism of state funding for the show, describing it as illogical, irresponsible and lazy.

In a lengthy rebuttal in this month's Onfilm magazine, South Pacific Pictures managing director John Barnett said he was disappointed by debate over NZ On Air's $450,000 loan to the show.

South Pacific produced the NZ Idol series for TVNZ in a joint venture with Grundy TV, the Australian arm of FremantleMedia, one of the Idol format's copyright owners.

Critics such as Act Party MP Deborah Coddington have claimed NZ On Air had no place putting public money into such a successful franchise, especially with no guarantee it would be repaid.

National Party broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu accused TVNZ and NZ On Air of stitching up a secret deal to write off the loan, costing taxpayers a "significant" amount of money.

Mr Barnett said the loan arrangement was business as usual for NZ On Air. He compared it to the non-refunded $30 million the agency hands to Radio New Zealand each year.

"When the Opposition [party] winds itself up against an agency spending 0.5 per cent of its total annual budget on supporting something that was watched and enjoyed by nearly all New Zealanders, it has clearly lost the plot," wrote Mr Barnett. "More people watched Idol than vote in an election!"

He said the equity investment arrangement between TVNZ and NZ On Air was the only legal method of funding, as TVNZ is not permitted to receive funding loans for production purposes.

The confidential agreement says that NZ On Air will be first in line should TVNZ make a profit on NZ Idol.

Mr Barnett said the final financial outcome of the series would not be known for some time as merchandise such as CDs was still being sold.

He rejected the idea that income earned from advertisements run during the show should be in the calculation.

"Television is a 24-hour business and costs are generated every hour for 365 days and even a neophyte critic will know that over 80 per cent of revenue comes from just four hours a day and most of that on six days of the week."

TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser last week told Parliament's commerce committee he was "absolutely" convinced his company was justified in seeking NZ On Air funding.

"If there is a surplus, NZ on Air's position is that ... they'll be the first to be paid."

NZ On Air chief executive Jo Tyndall said NZ Idol met the agency's goals of promoting and fostering the country's culture and identity.

She said the show might not have happened without the funding.