Australian TV production rises 12 percent

Tuesday 25 Oct 2011
Australian television drama production is up, according to the 2010/11 annual Drama Report released by federal agency Screen Australia, The Australian reports.

TV drama production increased 12 per cent for the year and helped contribute to the highest level of expenditure by programmes for adults in more than a decade.

Among the bigger series to contribute to the rise were the Underbelly telemovies and Razor, Seven’s Wild Boys, ABC1’s Paper Giants, The Slap, Laid and Crownies, Movie Network’s mini-series Conspiracy 365 and subscription TV’s Spirited, Tangle and Small Time Gangster.

Overall, 40 Australian television drama programmes went into production during the year, accounting for expenditure of A$322 million (US$335 million).

This accounted for 581 hours of programming. Expenditure in children’s drama also rose off a low base.

“Australia is making some of the best television in the world at the moment and our stories are rating highly with audiences,” said Screen Australia’s Chief Executive, Ruth Harley.