Australian content is king on free-to-view TV

Sunday 23 Oct 2011
Free TV Australia, the industry body that represents the commercial free-to-air broadcasters, has released figures that show Australian TV productions last year were at an all-time high, Encore reports.

The industry body states that A$1.23 billion (US$1.28 billion) was invested in local content over the 2010-2011 period.

The figures also report 25,650 hours of content was broadcast across all networks in 2010 while over 6,400 hours were broadcast on the multi channels, where no local content obligation is enforced.

On the network channels, where local content quotas of 55 percent are required, Free TV averaged 65 percent of Australian content, which includes 716 hours of drama and documentaries and 315 hours of news and current affairs each week.

The press release also points out that the nation’s top 40 rating programmes in 2010, all were Australian productions, such as Packed to the Rafters, Underbelly, Offspring Australia’s Got Talent, The Block, and Masterchef Australia.

Free TV CEO Julie Flynn said: “Media regulation hasn’t kept up with the technological advances and the changes in viewing behaviour. Free TV broadcasters are burdened by a raft of financial and regulatory obligations under the Broadcast Services Act, which was formulated 20 years ago; obligations other media do not have. Networks need greater flexibility”.

“We need a fair and balanced regulatory framework to ensure free-to-air commercial broadcasters can continue to do what they do best – delivering high quality television services to Australian audiences, for free.”