Statement of Performance Expectations 2026
This SPE sets out our proposed performance targets and forecast financial information for the year ahead. It is produced in accordance with section 149E of the Crown Entities Act 2004 and should be read together with our Statement of Intent 2023-2027 (SOI).
The forecast financial statements and underlying assumptions in this document have been authorised as appropriate for issue by the board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority in accordance with its role under the Crown Entities Act 2004. It is not intended to update the forecast financial statements subsequent to presentation.
A copy of the full report for the year ending 30 June 2026 is available for download:
BSA Statement of Performance Expectations 2026
Te Whakatakinga | Introduction
This SPE sets out how we measure our performance, and reports on progress against our targets. Results against these and the longer-term goals set out in our SOI are reported in our Annual Report.
The year ahead
Our hope for the coming year is that we see progress towards an update of the laws and regulatory settings that have been in place for the last 35 years, governing a media sector that no longer resembles what it did in 1989 when the Broadcasting Act was passed. In February 2025 the Government opened consultation on a range of proposals to reform media regulation, including a new, platform-neutral, system for regulating professional media, and a range of measures designed to level the playing field for local content producers and distributors. We welcome this consultation and hope it will lead to legislative action in the current political term.
It has been said many times now, but reform is long past due. Traditional broadcasters are adapting, restructuring or closing up shop, audiences are firmly entrenched in digital platforms, and global tech giants continue to consolidate their dominance over content distribution and advertising revenue. Change has been accelerating for over a decade and a half, and yet our regulatory settings remain unchanged. This lack of reform leaves New Zealand’s media sector at a competitive disadvantage not of its own making, struggling to remain viable in an increasingly globalised and algorithm-driven market.
The BSA has a crucial role in ensuring a fair regulatory environment, where shared community standards are applied consistently and audiences have access to reliable, locally relevant content. Broadcasting standards exist to uphold free speech without harm, but they apply unevenly across different platforms, leaving significant gaps in accountability and public protection. Across all media platforms, audiences should have access to a fair and impartial forum for raising complaints about content that breaches the standards expected of professional media by the community.
The financial challenges facing the sector are stark. The closure of Newshub in 2024 and reductions in TVNZ’s current affairs programming, as well as the closure of a host of local newspapers, signal the deepening pressures on traditional media in both broadcasting and print. Industry levies, a core part of our funding model, are expected to decline further as broadcasters continue to move towards digital-first offerings. Meanwhile, major (overseas) digital platforms continue to expand their influence without regulation or obligation to contribute to the domestic market they are generating revenue from.
It is for the government – not the regulator – to decide what legislative solutions are most appropriate, but it is our strong view that the status quo is not financially or practically sustainable. Until meaningful reform is enacted, our focus remains on delivering our core functions to a high standard and championing our vision for freedom of expression without harm. We will continue the improvements we have been making to ensure our complaints process is effective, maintain broadcasting standards that reflect public expectations, and expand our engagement efforts to meet audiences where they are.
A limited number of print copies are available. To enquire about a print copy, email: info@bsa.govt.nz