The subscription television industry has invested a record $796 million in Australian screen content in 2014/15, according to new figures released today at the ASTRA Conference.
The investment included a record $25 million in factual programming to coincide with the centenary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, with programs including Deadline Gallipoli and The Memorial: Beyond the ANZAC Legend, as well as local documentaries Abalone Wars and Coast Australia.
ASTRA chief executive, Andrew Maiden said the industry’s $796 million investment in local screen production was at a record high, "reflecting the unprecedented desire of Australian audiences to watch Australian stories,” he said.
“Audience research shows a renewed interest in local content, making Australian production a key differentiator for the subscription television industry at a time when new streaming services are entering the market.
“This year’s expenditure brings to $6.5 billion the value of our total investment in the Australian production sector in the past decade,” he said.
Measured by hours, sport represented the largest genre on subscription television, with more 23,180 hours of first run Australian content broadcast during the period.
ASTRA members also exported 13,119 hours of local content to overseas audiences, helping promote Australian stories to audiences throughout the world.
For the first time the ASTRA survey measured the production of digital content by subscription television channels, revealing that 1243 hours of digital content had been produced for digital consumption outside traditional broadcasts.
The figures, audited by PwC, also showed that employment had grown to 8370 jobs, and the industry grew the economy by more than $2 billion.
The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) is the peak body representing the subscription media industry in Australia. Members include television operators, independent content companies, technology companies and the industries that support them.