Piracy: Networks should open schedules to local producers

Murray

High rates of illegal downloads of foreign TV shows could have a positive impact on the Australian production industry Nick Murray, the managing director Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder, has claimed, if networks are prepared to open up their schedules more.

As networks suffer from the pirating of its international imports, they have cited first run local content as a way to protect their ratings and revenue. And Murray said this can present a real opportunity for Australian production companies if they invest in the development of new ideas.

However, he urged the local networks to look beyond just creating local dramas and big format shows, which are expensive to produce, and engage local production companies to develop new ideas and original shows, such as comedies.