ABS Industry Update

15/06/2017

Today, our CEO Matthew Deaner noted the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistic's report Film, Television and Digital Games, Australia, 2015-16.

The ABS report, Film, Television and Digital Games, Australia, 2015-16 shows that compared to the previous report in 2011-12, the industry is growing, but growth is slow and not uniform, particularly for the independent production sector.

This report provides further evidence that the current environment for independent producers is challenging. Comparing 2011-12 to 2015-16, there has been negligible growth of five per cent in total income for production businesses from $2.2 billion to $2.3 billion. Production income is down six per cent over the same period to $1.6 billion. Employment is up 9 per cent to over 17,000 and labour costs are up signficiantly at 14 percent. I know labour costs are a particular concern to the ongoing viability of some production companies.

On the results for commercial television broadcasters, Mr Deaner said:

The significant decrease in total income for the commercial television broadcasters tells us what we already know - that they are under pressure. This pressure is felt down the value chain, these broadcasters reduced their drama and documentary hours by over 20 per cent from 2011-12.

Compounding this situation for the independent production sector is greater levels of in-house production who produced 55 per cent in house, compared to 44 per cent in 2011-12. I fear that if this trend continues and the Government does not address serious structural issues in the television market, it will come to be dominated by a handful of vertically-integrated bohemoths and no independent production sector.

On the growth in subscription broadcasters and channel providers, Mr Deaner said:

I am encouraged by the significant growth in subscription broadcasters and channel providers, such as Netflix. This shows the market is evolving and content regulation must be evolved similarly to capture these new market entrants, as is being done in Europe.

Mr Deaner continued:

This patchy growth for the independent production sector shows there are industry-wide issues that need addressing urgently. To get the best out of the independent production sector that last year produced award winning films like Lion and television like Cleverman, we need to remove barriers to growth so we can better compete in the international market for content.

These barriers include uncompetitive offsets, limited Government measures to greater engage in the global marketplace, regulatory and structural uncertainty for small businesses in a domestic market dominated by a handfull of big broadcasters, content regulation that needs evolution and continual cuts to screen agencies and public broadcasters.

Screen Producers Australia has provided options to the Government to remove these barriers. In the context of the Parliamentary Inquiry and the Content Review, we look forward to the Government's consideration of these options.

Media inquiries:

James Cheatley

james.cheatley@screenproducers.org.au

0419 482 680

Download the release.

LINK:	https://screenproducers.org.au/news/abs-industry-update/...
	See more stories from spaa

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026