Investment up on Australian content

Free TV Australia has released figures which show commercial networks invested a record $1.35 billion in Australian content in the 12 months ending in June, up from to $1.23 billion.

The numbers have been released at a time when industry groups call on the Federal Government to implement key recommendations of the Convergence Review, and introduce content obligations on multichannels.

At the same time, Free TV Australia, which represents Seven, Nine and TEN, are looking to the government to extend licence fee rebates.

Free TV CEO Julie Flynn says: “We know audiences love Australian programming and the ratings confirm it.

“Every day, more than 14 million viewers choose to spend time with commercial free-to-air television.

“We are the leading investors in this industry, employing 15,000 people directly or indirectly while providing training and developing expertise.

“We also remain the major underwriters of the independent production sector, contracting with more than 70 independent producers.

“Commercial broadcasters continue to invest in local content, even as programming costs rise and revenues and budgets come under intense pressure from structural change.

“Those changes have permanently altered the media environment and reforms are urgently needed to ensure that broadcasters can continue to deliver a strong and vibrant Australian voice.”

Free TV claims 45 of the top 50 shows on TV so far this year are Australian-made, excluding Olympics. While it’s true that Australian content dominates viewing this year, its list of 45 shows includes strategically-titled shows for OzTAM such as The Voice: The Winner Announced, The Voice Sun, The Voice Grand Final, The Voice Launch etc.

Last week ASTRA Chairman Steve Bracks told TV Tonight, “The rebates were a temporary measure because of the Global Financial downturn in order to mitigate the financial squeeze which the industry was facing at the time. But of course it did recover. Advertising revenue increased but they kept the subsidy.

“We said at the time ‘We believe this subsidy will not come off,’ and it hasn’t. It’s still there and it’s largely a gift to the industry and reduced revenue to the taxpayers of Australia.”