3 of 4 free-to-air TV networks hit local quota

Three of New Zealand's four major free-to-air television networks met their local content targets in 2005, New Zealand On Air says.

Prime, TV2 and TV3 all met their targets, while TV One just missed, outgoing Local Content Group chairman Rick Ellis said.

TV One was committed to the largest amount of local content, 55 per cent, and came up just short on 54 per cent.

TV2 had 23.1 per cent local content, just above its 23 per cent quota. TV3 screened 21 per cent local content, above its 20 per cent target, while Prime's 8.7 per cent achievement was well above its target of 5.5 per cent.

The report showed an increase in documentaries of 122 hours across all channels over the previous year. Entertainment programming was up 162 hours, and news and current affairs up 395 hours.

"This latter figure is largely the result of including Prime in the study, which added 305 hours of news and current affairs to the 2005 total," Mr Ellis said.

- NZPA