The commercial television networks have significantly reduced their spending on children’s content, which has raised concerns within the entertainment industry.
Investment in children’s programs, including both drama and non-drama shows, has fallen from $25.6m in 2017-18 to just $2.9m in 2021-22.
That’s according to the latest data released this month by the media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Screen Producers Australia’s chief executive Matt Deaner said the figures were of “great concern” to the industry, adding it was “tragic” for the screen sector and Australian children.
“Since the changes in the content standard that were made by the previous government, there has been a collapse in children’s content and we knew it was coming,” Mr Deaner said.
“Commercial television remains an important way for people to receive a lot of content including for children.
“There’s a lot of international content that is on commercial television services but increasingly we are not seeing any new Australian content being introduced,” he said.
Screen Producers Australia’s chief executive Matt Deaner.
The figures show children’s drama expenditure fell from $10.5m in 2017-18 to $2m in 2021-22, while in the same period other children’s content (non drama) fell from $15m to $883,000.
Locally produced children’s content was significantly compromised when the former Coalition government abolished quotas. Previously, free-to-air TV broadcasters were required to air 260 hours of children’s television – including 130 hours of newly commissioned material – annually.
The changes required 55 per cent of the programs broadcast between 6am and midnight to be local content.
But it could be a mixture of drama, children’s content or entertainment.
Mr Deaner said the ABC was the only broadcaster commissioning any children’s content “of substance” and it was “a lot to expect one broadcaster to deliver”.
“We think it’s critical the government intervenes … and makes it mandatory that if you are providing children’s content in this market you must make some of that local and Australian, otherwise children are not going to receive their local stories,” Mr Deaner said.
In the ABC’s 2021-22 annual report, it said it commissioned children’s content worth $26.3m, with its programs reaching more than 4.7 million Australian children up to 14 years of age.
The public broadcaster also has dedicated ABC children’s channels including ABC KIDS and ABC ME.
In the ABC’s 2021-22 annual report, it said it commissioned children’s content worth $26.3m. Picture: ABC Kids
Free TV Australia’s Bridget Fair said commercial TV networks were continuing to invest in Australian content.
“Content quotas were revised in 2020 to recognise that very few Australian children were watching quota driven programming, and to allow broadcasters to focus on providing other quality Australian programs that audiences wanted to watch,” she said.
“Free TV broadcasters continue to invest more money in Australian content than any other platform and we are very proud to be making the local content that is watched and loved by millions of Australians every day.”
The ACMA report also found commercial TV networks spent $1.54bn on Australian programs in 2021-22, compared to $1.62bn in 2017-18.
Australian adult drama took a hit, falling from $92m in 2017-18 to $65m in 2021-22, while spending on Australian documentaries rose from $10.4m to $14.8m in the same period.
Investment in Australian light entertainment (variety and other) climbed from $486m to $549m.
The federal government last week met with TV and streaming executives to discuss introducing screen content requirements on streaming platforms.
Among those to attend included Walt Disney senior vice-president and managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Nine’s chief executive Mike Sneesby, Seven’s head of regulatory and government affairs Clare Gill and ABC’s chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor.
The meeting was a closed discussion.
The government’s latest report on the subject, “Revive, Australia’s cultural policy for the next five years”, outlined the vital role streaming companies play in providing children’s content.
“It is important that streaming services invest in key genres, including children’s content, scripted drama and documentaries,” the report says.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland declined to comment.