Australian Screen Producers Demand Fairer Streaming Deals

Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has submitted a 22-recommendation proposal to the Australian government's National Cultural Policy, focusing on the imbalance of market power between streaming platforms and independent producers. SPA argues that the current digital streaming landscape exposes smaller production businesses to unfavorable contract terms, jeopardizing the sector's long-term viability.

Mathew Deaner, SPA CEO, stressed the urgent need for regulatory intervention, noting previous attempts to raise these concerns, including with the ACCC. The submission proposes three core principles for commissioning relationships: good faith negotiations, fair value for intellectual property, and transparent data sharing on viewership and commercial performance.

While acknowledging progress on local content obligations, SPA deems them insufficient. A significant concern is "Offset Passthrough Arrangements," where streamers may recover Producer Offset value, reducing their effective investment. This comes as Australian children's programming on commercial free-to-air TV has plummeted from 391 hours to just 48 hours annually, with streaming platforms offering minimal Australian children's content.

Furthermore, Australian films secured only 2.6% of the local box office in 2025. Despite these challenges, First Nations screen storytelling is growing, with a rise in First Nations majority-owned businesses within SPA. The submission also calls for an export strategy review and the swift legislating of Producer Offset reforms.