ABC Bluey Deal: Billions Lost, Says Radio Host

The ABC may have lost billions on the Bluey deal. This is a huge amount of money that could have funded the ABC twice.
By Newsroom | Business, Australia |

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is facing sharp criticism over a past agreement concerning the wildly popular children's show Bluey, with allegations that the national broadcaster has forfeited billions of dollars. Radio host Ben Fordham has been a vocal accuser, framing the arrangement as a "financial fail" and "the world's worst deal."

Ben Fordham slams ABC over Bluey financial fail: 'The world's worst deal' - 1

Fordham asserts that the ABC's deal with the BBC, which involved the distribution and merchandising rights for Bluey, represents a colossal mismanagement of public funds. He claims the financial implications are so severe that the lost revenue could have funded the ABC's entire budget twice over. This alleged loss stems from a situation where the BBC reportedly contributed approximately 30% of Bluey's production costs in exchange for total global distribution and merchandising rights.

Ben Fordham slams ABC over Bluey financial fail: 'The world's worst deal' - 2

The controversy, amplified by Fordham on his 2GB radio program "Ben Fordham Live," points to a squandered opportunity for the ABC to capitalize on a show that has achieved significant international success. All 154 episodes of Bluey are currently available on Disney's streaming platform, and the brand has expanded into merchandise, toys, and even themed cruises sold in numerous countries.

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Ben Fordham slams ABC over Bluey financial fail: 'The world's worst deal' - 3

This "Bluey debacle," as it's being described, has apparently ignited a broader discussion about Australia's capacity to effectively manage and protect its intellectual property. Critics question whether the ABC underestimated the show's global appeal and failed to negotiate more favorable terms from the outset, particularly concerning merchandise rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the ABC accused of regarding the Bluey deal?
Radio host Ben Fordham claims the ABC lost billions of dollars due to a past deal for the children's show Bluey. He calls it a 'financial fail'.
Q: Who is Ben Fordham and what is his main point?
Ben Fordham is a radio host who believes the ABC's deal with the BBC for Bluey's distribution and merchandise rights was a major mistake. He says the lost money could have funded the ABC twice.
Q: How did the BBC get the rights to Bluey?
The BBC reportedly paid about 30% of Bluey's production costs. In return, they got all global rights to distribute the show and sell merchandise.
Q: Why is this deal causing problems now?
Bluey has become very popular worldwide, appearing on Disney+ and selling many products. Critics feel the ABC missed a chance to make much more money by not negotiating better terms for these rights.
Q: What does this Bluey controversy mean for Australia?
The situation has started a bigger talk about how Australia handles its creative ideas. People are asking if the ABC understood how popular Bluey could be and if they negotiated the best deal possible.