Streamer Coalition Opposes Australian Content Quotas, Highlighting Record $719 Million Investment: ‘Addressing a Nonexistent Issue’

Streaming services in Australia have now surpassed traditional broadcasters in funding local productions, according to recent data, raising questions about the necessity of newly introduced content quotas for subscription services.

During the 2024-25 financial year, major streaming platforms invested a combined total of nearly AUD $1.1 billion ($719 million) in Australian and Australian-themed programming. This represents the highest level of investment since voluntary reporting began in 2020, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reported.

The new data comes shortly after the Australian Senate passed legislation requiring subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms to meet minimum Australian content obligations. Paul Muller, chair of the Streaming for Australia Coalition, argued that the findings show the legislation is unnecessary. The ACMA data demonstrates that SVOD services are already investing more heavily than broadcasters in Australian content, Muller said. This legislation appears to address a problem that doesnt exist.

According to ACMA, Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+, and Stan invested AUD $414 million ($271 million) in original Australian content and AUD $687.8 million ($450 million) in Australian-related productions. Spending on new commissions and co-commissions reached AUD $316.6 million ($207 million), up 40% from AUD $225.2 million ($147 million) the previous year.

Recent Australian projects from global streaming services include Prime Videos The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Netflixs The Survivors. Despite representing only 23% of total television viewing, streaming platforms now invest more in Australian scripted drama than all commercial broadcasters combined. Their spending nearly matches the AUD $72.8 million ($47.6 million) invested by all commercial broadcasters last year in drama, childrens shows, documentaries, and other local content.

Over six years of voluntary reporting, SVOD services have cumulatively invested almost AUD $4 billion ($2.6 billion) in Australian productions, supporting local jobs, infrastructure, and international recognition for Australian creatives. While the ACMA report noted a slight decrease in the number of programs commissioned year-over-year, the increase in total spending indicates a focus on larger-scale, high-impact productions. Streaming services compete fiercely and are prioritizing bigger, more ambitious Australian stories that audiences want, Muller said.

The coalition also allocated AUD $97 million ($63.5 million) toward acquired Australian content for global distribution. Muller cautioned that mandatory investment requirements may reduce this licensing activity, as acquired content does not count toward regulatory quotas.

In total, Australian viewers had access to a record 3,919 Australian titles across the five major streaming services during the financial year, ACMA data shows.

Author: Sophia Brooks