Netflix, Disney, and Other Streaming Platforms Required to Increase Payment for Australian Content

After years of back-and-forth negotiations, it looks like streaming giants like Netflix and Disney will soon have to step up and invest in more Australian-made content. Labor is gearing up to introduce a bill that will require these services, as long as they have over a million Aussie subscribers, to put at least 10% of their total spend for Australia into new local drama, children’s, documentary, arts, or educational programs.

If they prefer, these platforms can choose to invest 7.5% of their Australian revenues in the same type of content. Even services like Stan and Paramount+, which are linked to free-to-air broadcasters Nine and Ten, may have to comply with the new rules if they hit the subscriber mark.

This move is expected to bring in a lot more money for Australian content creation, especially since the investment in local productions has been dropping recently. For example, Netflix, the biggest streaming player in our market, might have to pony up anywhere from $97.5 million to $125 million, based on their revenue and expenses in 2024.

Arts Minister Tony Burke chimed in to express his excitement about the legislation, noting the amazing Australian stories that have already been told by these streaming platforms. The hope is that this new obligation will keep those stories – our stories – alive and well.

The ongoing debate over regulating streaming services has been heated for years, with different proposals and arguments thrown around. Labor’s current bill is a step towards ensuring that Australian content gets the support it needs in this changing landscape. While the specifics of the model are still being worked out, industry groups like the Australian Writers’ Guild and Screen Producers Australia are already showing support for the move, seeing it as a positive step for the Australian screen industry.