The introduction of the TVNZ charter legislation in 2003 restructured the broadcaster from a state-owned enterprise (SEO) to a Crown-owned company (CROC). TVNZ was given a charter involving a dual remit obliging the delivery of extensive public service functions while maintaining commercial performance. The government also decided to directly fund charter initiatives through the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and TVNZ anticipated that the Treasury would forego any expectations of continued dividend payments. However, in 2004 TVNZ paid a $37.6 million dividend to the Treasury — double the amount it received from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Despite charter requirements, TVNZ remains disproportionately dependent on commercial revenue to fund programming initiatives. Drawing on original interviews with TVNZ and ministerial officials, and using the TVNZ charter as a case study, this paper explores how different institutional agents can engage with political-economic structures in the negotiation of broadcasting policy and funding mechanisms.
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