A report released by Screen Australia on Wednesday revealed significant changes in the production and distribution of Australian television content. The analysis, which examined broadcasting patterns from 2000 to 2024, documented a substantial contraction in children’s programming, with average annual screen time falling to 65 hours between 2021 and 2024, representing a 42% decline compared to the 2000-2020 period.
The shift stems from two key developments: changes in audience viewing habits and reduced commissioning activity by commercial broadcasters. Channels Seven, Nine and Ten previously operated under government requirements to broadcast a minimum of 260 hours of children’s programs annually. Following the removal of these quotas, the free-to-air commercial networks have largely ceased commissioning children’s content. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has become the primary producer of first-run children’s television, with limited additional programming from SBS/NITV and Seven.
Australian television drama has followed a similar trajectory, declining 12.4% when comparing 2020-2024 averages to 2000-2019 figures. Streaming platforms have emerged as the dominant commissioners of Australian drama, while commercial broadcasters have redirected spending toward news, current affairs, lifestyle, and sports programming. Obligations introduced in 2025 now require certain streaming services to allocate at least 10% of total Australian program expenditure or 7.5% of Australian revenue toward Australian drama, children’s programs, documentary, arts, and educational content.
The research surveyed more than 13,550 respondents and found that Netflix leads as the most-watched platform, used by 69% of respondents, while commercial networks and YouTube follow with 63% and 56% respectively. Despite 84% of respondents valuing local content as important, the majority spend less than one-third of viewing time on Australian-made productions. The sector overall contributed more than $11 billion to the economy in financial year 2023-24 and directly employed nearly 70,000 people in 2024-25.
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