Produce Australian Content: New Requirements for Streamers

Australia is shaking things up in the streaming world by requiring platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime to invest a minimum amount of money in Australian content. This new law will apply to streamers with over one million subscribers, making them contribute at least 10% of their local expenditure or 7.5% of revenue on Aussie shows.

The goal behind this legislation, according to Arts Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Anika Wells, is to protect acting jobs and ensure that Australian stories continue to be made and seen. This move will cover a wide range of content including drama, documentaries, arts, and educational programs.

While the specifics of the legislation will be introduced to Parliament this week, the Australian government has been working on this plan for some time. There were concerns in the past about how these new rules might affect a free trade agreement with the US, but those worries seem to have been resolved.

Even though streaming giants like Stan, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Paramount+ have not yet commented on this development, it’s interesting to note that they released a report in 2022 highlighting their contributions to Australia’s creative economy. This move could potentially be seen as a response to any future regulation attempts.

It’s clear that the Australian creative industry has faced challenges in recent years, especially with the production slowdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. Investments in feature films and television dramas in Australia dropped by nearly 30% in the financial year 2023-24, as reported by Screen Australia, the government’s funding body for the industry.

Despite these hurdles, recent Australian shows like Heartbreak High, Territory, and Apple Cider Vinegar have found their way to Netflix, showcasing the diverse storytelling talent of the country. With these new regulations, it’s likely that we’ll see even more Aussie content on our screens in the future.