According to the latest figures, the subscription television industry recorded a 43 per cent increase in expenditure on Australian drama programs in 2006-07, with expenditure increasing from $18.41 million in 2005-06 to $26.44 million in 2006-07.
Results released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) show that 2006-07 expenditure on eligible Australian and New Zealand drama programs exceeded the 10 per cent obligation under the subscription television new eligible drama expenditure scheme set out in Part 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA).
These results are quite interesting when one considers that less than 30 per cent of Australia’s television homes subscribe to pay TV, compared to nearly 90 per cent in the United States, 50 per cent in the United Kingdom and about 45 per cent in New Zealand, according to officially available figures.
‘The subscription television industry is a major supporter of Australian drama production,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘This investment in Australian drama enhances viewer choice and access to Australian drama. It also provides opportunities for Australians to create and participate in a wide variety of productions, including feature films such as Romulus My Father and September, telemovies such as The King and drama series such as Love My Way-Series 3 and Satisfaction.’
