Streamer coalition challenges Australian content quotas
Streaming platforms operating in Australia are already investing more in local content than traditional broadcasters, according to new data that the streaming industry says undermines recently passed legislation mandating content quotas for subscription services.
Major streaming platforms collectively invested almost A$1.1 billion ($719 million) in Australian and Australian-related programming during the 2024-25 financial year, marking the highest level of content spending since voluntary reporting began in 2020, according to a report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The figures follow legislation passed in the Senate last week introducing mandatory Australian content requirements for video-on-demand subscription services.
Paul Muller, chairman of the Streaming for Australia Coalition, said the figures show the new legislation is unnecessary.
“Contrary to misleading claims that SVOD services have driven down investment in the Australian screen industry, the ACMA data clearly shows that Australian SVOD services are already investing at a higher rate than Australian broadcasters,” Muller said. “This further shows that the legislation passed last week is trying to solve a problem that simply does not exist.”
The ACMA data shows that Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+ and Stan have allocated AUD$414 million ($271 million) to Australian content and AUD$687.8 million ($450 million) to Australian programming. Investments in new committees and co-committees amounted to AUD$316.6 million ($207 million), an increase of 40% from last year’s AUD$225.2 million ($147 million).
Recent Australian content produced by global streamers include Prime Video’s ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’ and Netflix’s ‘The Survivors’.
Streaming platforms are now investing more in Australian scripted drama than all subscription and commercial broadcasters combined, despite only accounting for 23% of total television viewing time. The increase in streaming spend on Australian content is almost equal to the AUD$72.8 million ($47.6 million) that all commercial broadcasters spent in total on Australian drama, children’s programming, documentaries and other local content last year.
Over six consecutive years of voluntary reporting, streaming services have cumulatively invested almost AUD$4 billion ($2.6 billion) in Australian production, supporting local jobs, infrastructure and international exposure for Australian creative talent.
Muller noted that while the ACMA report shows streamers have commissioned fewer programs year over year, the increased spending reflects a strategic shift toward larger-scale productions. “SVOD services operate in a highly competitive environment and have focused on what their audiences want – bigger, bolder and more ambitious Australian stories,” he said.
The streaming coalition invested US$97 million ($63.5 million) in acquired Australian content for global licensing during the period. However, Muller warned that the new mandatory investment obligations pose a barrier to continued licensing activities, as acquired content cannot be counted towards meeting regulatory requirements.
According to ACMA data, Australian audiences had access to a record 3,919 titles of Australian content across the five major streaming services during the financial year.
