Australia’s commercial free-to-air broadcasters have asked the government for sweeping changes to local content regulations.
Figures released today by Free TV Australia show commercial free-to-air broadcasters invested a record $1.54 Billion on free Australian content in 2013/14, up 11.6% from $1.38 billion in 2012-2013.
Australian TV drama expenditure has reached a record high of $376 million.
Key organisations from across the screen industry have made a united and formal commitment to work towards building a more inclusive sector.
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has warned that Free TV Australia's proposed voluntary points system for Australian content would have disastrous consequences for the screen sector.
Some $1.17 billion was spent on drama production in Australia in the last financial year - the second highest year on record and more than 50 per cent up on the previous year - driven by all-time high expenditure on local content and significantly bolstered levels of foreign spend.
There is no doubt that the future of children’s television quotas for commercial television is an emotive issue. But rather than hanging on to the current quota arrangements like an old and well-loved security blanket, it’s well past time to really look at whether they are delivering their intended purpose.