We spend more per viewer than FTA: Pay TV

The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association has revealed, for the first time, data about its investment in local content, with $541.4m spent in production in 2009.

“FTA invested almost $1b in that period, but they reach 100 percent of the audience. Considering that we reach a third (34 percent) of the population, the fact that we’ve spent that amount is very significant given our reach in the market,” said ASTRA CEO Petra Buchanan.This figure is the result of ASTRA’s survey of its more than 30 members, in the areas of local production and employment. Figures were only released as an aggregate of total industry investment, and no individual channel/organisation data is available. ASTRA did not provide an investment breakdown by genre, but said that the figures include all genres including news, sport, drama, light entertainment, movies, lifestyle, documentaries, music and children’s programming.

The latest report from the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that the sector had spent $28.47m on Australian drama in the 2008/09 financial year, but ASTRA’s finding were much higher.

“That amount is what the Government would be aware of in terms of expenditure, but coming up with this $541.4m is significantly different,” said Buchanan.