$40 million boost for broadcasting

The Government will spend almost $40 million in new funding to boost local programming on radio and television, under measures announced in the 2003-2004 Budget today.

State-owned Television New Zealand will get an additional $17 million over the next four years to implement its new public service charter.

New Zealand on Air, the government agency that funds local TV productions, will receive $8 million over four years in new funding.

Last month, the Government announced that state-owned Radio New Zealand would receive an additional $14 million over four years.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority gains an additional $288,000 over the same period.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said the new funding would assist TVNZ to "commission and screen programmes for a wider range of New Zealanders than would be possible if only commercial considerations were taken into account".

Maori radio will receive an extra $250,000 a year for four years to provide professional development of radio staff and managers.