Australian local content threatened by US

Screen Australia has today released the Federal Government’s  convergence review, ‘Convergence 2011: Australian Content State of Play’ which revealed Australian local content was diluted by international products across the digital, multi-channel networks.

Since 2008, the hours of foreign content on free-to-air (FTA) television have increased 154 per cent greatly outstripping the growth in Australian content at 59 per cent.

Commercial free-to-air broadcasters are still the most significant investor in Australian screen stories and their main channels screen above the quota of 55 per cent Australian content required by the Australian Content Standard. When including the digital multi-channels however, where there is no content requirement, there is significantly less Australian content.

When including the commercial network’s multi channels Australian content accounts for 35 per cent of hours and 33.7 per cent of audience.