Creative industry takes fight to Canberra for SVOD local content requirements
The Australian television and screen industry has upped its campaign for greater investment in local content from streaming on demand video (SVOD) platforms. Representatives such as actors, crew, writers and producers have proposed that the major streaming platforms should be required to spend 20% of their local revenue on new Australian drama, documentary and children’s content.
Streaming providers such as Disney+, Netflix and Prime Amazon have been requested to submit investments made during 2020 to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) before the end of the month as part of the government’s review of the industry and proposed changes to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth), to place Australian content investment obligations upon streaming platforms.
Platforms such as Netflix could be required to spend 20% of revenue on local produced content.
Representatives from the industry are in Canberra this week in a united push to convince parliament to introduce local content requirements for the digital viewing platforms.
“With streaming platforms such as Netflix, Stan and Disney+ notching up 16 million Australian subscriptions, the time is right to ensure Australians can see their stories on those platforms too,” said Australian Directors’ Guild CEO, Alaric McAusland.
“The industry is calling on the Government to act with urgency in the wake of its Media Reform Green Paper,” added Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance CEO, Paul Murphy.
The industry’s proposal for streaming regulation also includes the commissioning of new Australian content, with obligations to commission into genres and engagement with non-Australian content in that genre, internationally competitive terms of trade, robust and comprehensive reporting to the ACMA.
A spokesperson for Amazon Prime Video told Mumbrella: “Prime Video Australia continues to support the ongoing government green paper consultation process as we continue to increase production of Australian Amazon Original series in the market.”
Disney+ and Netflix declined to comment when contacted by Mumbrella.
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Olivia Kruimel is the managing editor at Mumbrella. She has more than 15 years of experience in journalism, communications and marketing. Her journalism career began at Fairfax Media (now part of Nine) and includes various B2B publications such as B&T, Travel Today and ALB. As a marketer Olivia has worked for Standard Chartered and various global law firms.
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