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Australia Compels Streaming Giants to Invest in Local Content
4 Nov
Summary
- Australia introduces landmark bill requiring streaming platforms to invest in local programming
- Streamers must allocate 10% of Australian expenditure or 7.5% of local revenue to local content
- Move aims to ensure Australians see their own stories on all platforms
In a significant move, the Australian government has introduced a landmark bill this week that will compel major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Stan, to invest a fixed share of their Australian revenue or expenditure into local programming.
The new regulations will require streamers to allocate roughly 10% of their Australian expenditure or 7.5% of local revenue to Australian drama, documentary, children's, and cultural content. This brings the digital giants under a regulatory umbrella that traditional broadcasters have operated beneath for decades, signaling a major reset in screen policy.
Arts Minister Tony Burke framed the move as a matter of cultural importance, stating that Australians should never underestimate the significance of seeing themselves on screen. While free-to-air and pay-TV networks have long faced content rules, there was no guarantee that Australians could view their own stories on streaming platforms. The new obligations aim to ensure that these stories continue to be made, regardless of which platform viewers choose.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that the reform is about visibility as much as economics, ensuring that Australian narratives are a part of the viewing experience on any platform. The move is expected to be welcomed by the industry, with Screen Producers Australia calling it an "enormously significant moment" that levels the playing field after a decade of imbalance.
