Streaming platforms operating in Australia are already investing more in local content than traditional broadcasters, undermining recently passed legislation mandating content quotas for subscription services, according to new data released by the streaming industry.
Major streaming platforms invested nearly A$1.1 billion ($719 million) in Australia and Australian-related programming during the 2024-25 financial year, marking the highest level of content spending since self-reporting began in 2020, according to a report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The figures were released following legislation passed by the Senate last week introducing Australia’s content obligations for subscription video-on-demand services.
Paul Muller, president of the Streaming for Australia Coalition, said the figures showed new laws were unnecessary.
“Contrary to misleading claims that SVOD services are reducing investment in the Australian screen industry, ACMA’s data clearly shows that Australian SVOD services are already investing at a higher rate than Australian broadcasters,” Muller said. “This is further evidence that the bill passed last week is trying to solve a problem that simply does not exist.”
According to ACMA data, Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+ and Stan allocated A$414 million ($271 million) to Australian content and A$687.8 million ($450 million) to Australian-related programming. Investments in new and joint fees amounted to A$316.6 million ($207 million), an increase of 40% from A$225.2 million ($147 million) in the previous year.
Recent Australian content produced by global streamers includes Prime Video’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Netflix’s The Survivors.
Despite accounting for only 23% of total TV viewing time, streaming platforms currently invest more in Australian scripted drama than all subscription and commercial broadcasts combined. The increase in streaming spending on Australian content roughly matches the A$72.8 million ($47.6 million) that all commercial broadcasters collectively spent on Australian drama, children’s programming, documentaries and other local content last year.
Across six consecutive years of voluntary reporting, streaming services have cumulatively invested nearly A$4 billion ($2.6 billion) in Australian production, supporting local jobs, infrastructure and international exposure for Australia’s creative talent.
Mueller noted in ACMA’s report that while the total number of shows commissioned by streamers was down year-over-year, the increase in spending reflected a strategic shift toward larger-scale productions. “SVOD services operate in a highly competitive environment and have focused on what viewers want: bigger, bolder and more ambitious Australian stories,” he said.
The streaming coalition invested A$97 million ($63.5 million) in Australian content acquired for worldwide licenses during the reporting period. However, Muller warned that the new investment obligations would be a deterrent to continued licensing activity, as acquired content cannot be counted as meeting regulatory requirements.
Australian viewers had access to a record 3,919 titles of Australian content across the five major streaming services during the financial year, ACMA data shows.
