Why are NZ television documentaries
so crappy these days?

Well, most of them are, right? Why? The answer is fairly complex but includes a few easily identifiable elements.

First, the trend to "reality TV" described above has blurred the definition of what a documentary is. They appeal to the networks because they're easy, safe (ie. derivative) and cheap... and they can be relied on to get a reasonable audience. This is a worldwide trend sparked in part by new, very cheap broadcast quality cameras.

Second, we have a VERY commercial broadcasting environment in New Zealand. All five national network channels are commercial... we are one of the only developed countries in the world without a "public good" television network. Instead we have New Zealand On Air, who fund New Zealand programmes. This sounds OK, but in reality this agency has very little power, since they cannot fund anything until AFTER a broadcaster has made a commitment to show it. This turns them into something of a rubber stamp.

Third, budgets of New Zealand documentaries are very low at less than $100,000 per commercial hour. This is about half what Australia's ABC pays for the equivilant programme. The few big production companies here have to run their entire businesses on a few of these each year, so a large portion of most documentary budgets is never even spent on actually making the already-underfunded films (this occurs despite NZOA efforts to restrict it). This financial constriction creates an environment where most documentaries are made to a strict production formula... two weeks shooting, fifteen hours of tape, three weeks editing. Compare this to our "Campaign" film, still modest by international standards - six weeks shooting, fifty hours of tape, six months editing. The limitations imposed by the formula severely restrict the range of films that can be attempted.

Fourth, we have the most advertising in prime time of virtually any country in the world at about 15 minutes per hour. The fragmentation this forces on a documentary means it must be simple and repetitive to be able to stay coherent when broken into at least five segments per hour. Incidentally, it also makes New Zealand's television documentaries too short to sell in many overseas markets... you'd have five spare minutes an hour.

What can be done? Well, the problem is fundamentally political. We've seen what sort of television a market model produces. If you want better quality New Zealand tv programmes, tell your MP that you support public television. And remember that your broadcasting fee is at least getting some good local content on the air... the broadcasters could buy entirely overseas stuff even more cheaply, and no doubt would if NZOA didn't exist.

Design you own el-cheapo knock-off New Zealand TV documentary... it's fun & REAL easy!!