Swinburne Researchers want Parents’ Perspectives on the Future of Aussie Kids’ TV
Media Release
Parents Survey 2022
Image: Hardball (Provided by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation)
In Summary
A Swinburne-based research team have launched a new study that explores how audiences discover, consume and value local children’s television in the streaming era.
The research is a partnership with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), the production and policy hub behind iconic Australian shows like Round the Twist and Dance Academy.
The study looks at the role of television in the classroom, lockdown viewing habits, and what parents value in child-friendly streaming services.
Image: Little J and Big Cuz (Provided by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation)
Following a landmark study last year, the Australian Children’s Television Cultures research group have launched their 2022 Children’s Television Audience Study and they want parents and guardians everywhere to participate.
Australian Children’s Television Cultures is a Swinburne University of Technology-based research group working in collaboration with RMIT University to investigate the role of children’s television. Researcher A/Prof Liam Burke explains that this project is designed to help producers, policymakers, and parents navigate “a changing children’s television landscape that is increasingly dominated by streaming services while also responding to the removal of quotas that once protected local Kids TV”.
The research is funded by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), the production and policy hub behind such iconic Australian Kids TV shows as Round the Twist, Dance Academy, and Little Lunch. ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “Understanding parents’ perspectives on locally made children’s television helps us to gain a more informed picture about the way Australian families are watching and engaging with content and what they value. This knowledge allows us to ensure we’re continuing to support projects which families find engaging and entertaining and are a true reflection of Australian culture and values.”
Image: The PM’s Daughter (Provided by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation)
The first report published by research team in 2021 provided new insights into how audiences find, watch, and value local Kids TV. Among the key findings from the first study was the emphasis parents placed on locally produced shows to provide Australian “everyday” education, including about water and sun safety, history and culture, and preparing for school. That research has already been used in policy submissions that are helping to shape the future of local kids TV in Australia.
Researcher Dr Jessica Balanzategui notes that this year the research team is looking to “better understand what impact COVID lockdowns had on children’s viewing habits. We also want to find out parents’ perspectives on screen genres, and what features parents most value in child-friendly streaming services”.
Dr Djoymi Baker added, “we’re hoping that parents and guardians will participate in this year’s study, as this research provides a much-needed understanding of the complex role that local kids’ TV plays in modern Australia.”
You can have your say by completing this online survey
The Australian Children’s Television Cultures research group is based at Swinburne’s Centre for Transformative Media Technologies.