Overview of children’s television regulation

The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act) gives the ACMA the power to determine program standards for children’s programming on commercial free-to-air television. The CTS were determined by the ACMA following consultation with the commercial television industry and the public. Compliance with program standards is a licence condition for commercial television broadcasters under Clause 7(1)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Act.

The CTS does not apply to the ABC or SBS.

The CTS

The CTS regulate the content of children’s programs and non-program material (for example, advertising) during designated children’s viewing times on commercial free-to-air television.

The objectives of the CTS are to ensure that children have access to a variety of quality television programs made specifically for them, including drama and non-drama programs, and to protectchildren from possible harmful effects of television.

Children’s television quotas

The CTS require commercial free-to-air broadcasters to broadcast at least 390 hours of C and P television each year. Of the 390 hours, a minimum of 260 hours must be C-classified and a minimum of 130 hours must be Pclassified. These are the C and P quotas.

In addition, the Broadcasting Services (Australian Content) Standard 2005 (the ACS) requires that 50 per cent of the C-classified programs must be first-release Australian programs and that all P-classified programs are Australian programs.

A summary of the C and P quotas and the ACS requirements for Australian programming is provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Summary of C and P quotas and the ACS requirements for Australian programming

Classification type

C

P

C and P quotas (hours per annum)

260

130

Australian programs (per annum)

50% must be first-release Australian programs

All P programs must be Australian programs

Refer to the CTS and the ACS for more information about quotas (and sub-quotas) forC and P programs as well as matters relating to the repetition of broadcast of C and P programs.

When are C and P programs broadcast?

Licensees are required to broadcast C- and P-classified programs within a nominated C or P period.

Licensees can nominate to broadcast C programs within these periods: > 7.00 am to 8.30 am Monday to Friday > 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm Monday to Friday > 7.00 am to 8.30 pm Saturday, Sunday and school holidays.

Licensees can nominate to broadcast P programs between 7.00 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.