Oz, NZ networks unfazed by UK EU vote

Australian and New Zealand networks are unperturbed by the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (EU), primarily because they acquire all or the vast majority of their UK programming in local dollars.

Andrew Shaw

The Leave campaign achieved victory in Thursday’s referendum with 52% of the public vote.

“We do not buy in sterling so the currency is not an issue for us,” Andrew Shaw, Television New Zealand’s general manager of commissioning, production and acquisitions, told C21. TVNZ has an output deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment and it buys selectively from BBC Worldwide.

“I don’t see Brexit as having any material impact on the volume of UK shows we might buy,” Shaw added. “I suspect it might mean less investment in UK production, though.”

A spokesperson for Australia’s Nine Network, which has no output deals with any US or UK supplier, said: “We purchase only a small percentage of our programming in GBP so it is not a major factor for Nine.”

From the seller’s point of view, Sharon Ramsay-Luck, head of pubcaster ABC sales and business development, said: “It’s too soon for us to be able to comment on any immediate impact but we expect that sales to the UK markets will continue to be driven by the demand for distinct and high-quality Australian content.”

In a similar vein, Cathy Payne, CEO of London-based Endemol Shine International, told C21: “It is very early days to predict anything. However, I can confirm that acquisitions are driven in the currency of the territory. For example, all our Australian sales are in Australian dollars and all our UK finished programme sales are predominantly in British pounds. In terms of finished programme sales for Australian product into the UK, they will always be driven by the appeal of that programming to the audience.”

However, the uncertainty over the withdrawal process is raising concerns among Australian producers who are keen to partner with the Brits on film and TV projects.

Historically the UK has been Australia’s second most active coproduction partner after Canada. Since the UK-Australia copro treaty was signed in 1990, there have been 43 copros including 12 TV dramas, six documentaries and two animated series, according to Screen Australia.

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner told C21: “It’s too early to fully understand the implications for producers and the Australian screen industry resulting from the Brexit referendum. We are part of a global industry in which the UK is an important partner so there are risks and opportunities. Our screen businesses are outward facing and so have a range of partnerships that will continue across Britain and Europe and the rest of the world.

“We will remain a proven and solid collaborator with our creative talent and stable producing environment providing real opportunity for growth in scale and overall output. However, in light of greater global uncertainty we must ensure that our sector is well supported domestically and not overly beholden to international fluctuations – something that may become increasingly critical. Needless to say, we will be maintaining a close watch.”