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 nearly AUD$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 arrive on the heels of legislation passed in the Senate last week introducing mandatory Australian content obligations for subscription video-on-demand services.
Paul Muller, chair of the Streaming for Australia Coalition, said the figures demonstrate the new legislation is unnecessary.
“Contrary to misleading claims that SVOD services have been reducing investment in the Australian screen industry, the ACMA data clearly shows that Australia’s SVOD services are already investing at a higher rate than Australia’s broadcasters,” Muller said. “This further demonstrates that the legislation passed last week is trying to solve a problem that simply doesn’t exist.”
The ACMA data shows Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+ and Stan allocated AUD$414 million ($271 million) toward Australian content and AUD$687.8 million ($450 million) on Australian-related programs. The investment in new commissions and co-commissions reached AUD$316.6 million ($207 million), representing a 40% jump from the previous 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 now invest more in Australian scripted drama than all subscription and commercial broadcasters combined, despite accounting for only 23% of total television viewing time. The increase in streaming expenditure on Australian content nearly equals the AUD$72.8 million ($47.6 million) that all commercial broadcasters spent in total on Australian drama, children’s programming, documentary and other local content last year.
Over six consecutive years of voluntary reporting, streaming services have invested nearly AUD$4 billion ($2.6 billion) cumulatively in Australian production, supporting local employment, infrastructure and international exposure for Australian creative talent.
Muller noted that while the ACMA report shows streamers commissioned fewer total 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 AUD$97 million ($63.5 million) in acquired Australian content for global licensing during the reporting period. However, Muller warned the new mandatory investment obligations create a disincentive for continued licensing activity, as acquired content cannot be counted toward meeting the regulatory requirements.
Australian audiences had access to a record 3,919 titles of Australian content across the five major streaming services during the financial year, according to ACMA data.