1. Why did the ABC feel it was necessary to change the Catalyst format from a half hour,
magazine style program with flexibility to cover many stories to a one-hour format?
The new Catalyst model follows the audience trend that values impact over volume. A
single issue, one-hour format will allow us editorial depth; more effective promotion, and
more cut-through for ABC Science.
Catalyst is just one part of the overall ABC Science content offering, which provides a huge
volume of content across our news and radio platforms. The program will also be
supported by a range of new digital-first science content targeting younger audiences.
The new model is the result of the examination of the best practices from around the
world and to the feedback from the internal review and Science Reference Panel.
2. Why is such radical change required when recent problems with the program have centred
on one of its reporters?
This change is not the result of any particular breaches of ABC Editorial Policies or of any
one reporter. After 16 years of production, it was timely to review the format and
production model of Catalyst. This change is about what is best for audiences.
3. Why is the ABC sacking the other 4 reporters who have strong track records at Catalyst?
ABC TV is in a consultation phase during which we will discuss opportunities to redeploy as
many staff as possible.
However, a key rationale for the change is to move away from a fixed ensemble of
reporters to a more flexible model accessing specific scientific expertise suited to the
science content of each episode.
4. Where will the ABC find up to 17 ‘leading experts’ with broadcast skills to front future
Catalyst episodes?
Our view is that audiences are seeking highly authentic perspectives and Australia has an
abundance of world-class scientists.
5. How does the ABC propose to make 17 x 1 hour world class, science documentaries for the
same cost as delivering Catalyst? For example, Media Watch understands that the budgets
for the hour long, science program Horizons (BBC) and Nova (PBS) is upward of about
$400,000 and that the cost per hour of Catalyst is around $180,000.
Without aiming for the extravagant production values of some overseas productions, we
are confident our budget (significantly more than $180k per hour) will be sufficient for the
high quality programming we will aim to produce.
We will also have the great advantage of co-location with the ABC Science Unit, which will
provide a valuable resource for program ideas.
6. Will the New Catalyst have a dedicated timeslot? If not, why not?
Yes, Catalyst will have a dedicated timeslot when it goes to air in late 2017.
7. Will there be 17 1 hour programs in 2017? If not why not?
Yes, there will be 17 one-hour eps in 2017.
8. We understand that 6 half hour science programs were commissioned by ABC Factual for
the Catalyst timeslot this year, including 2 programs featuring Brian Cox. Media Watch
understands that 4 of these programs have not yet been delivered. The 2 programs that did
make it to air were delivered 10 weeks after they were scheduled to run (Becoming
Superhuman Pt 1 & 2). Doesn’t this suggest delivering 17 1-hour programs in the future will
be a difficult task?
ABC TV rejects these claims.
The Brian Cox productions have been rescheduled to 2017 to support another major
science program.
ABC TV produces nearly 2000 hours of original programming a year, including over 50
hours of documentaries. We are very confident of delivery to the schedule.
The new Catalyst will have a new production methodology and adequate time, budget and
resources.
Nick Leys
Media Manager, Corporate Affairs