A new report from the ACMA shows commercial TV networks spent $1.67 billion on Australian programs in the 2022-23 financial year, representing an increase from $1.54 billion in the previous year.
Overall, the networks spent $1.91 billion on Australian and overseas programs, down from $1.94 billion in the previous financial year.
The report shows increases in spending on 'Australian sport', with expenditure of $635 million, up from $545 million in 2021-22, and 'Australian news and current affairs' with expenditure of $413 million, up from $361 million in 2021-22. 'Light entertainment-other', 'Australian documentaries' and 'Overseas drama' programs remained at similar expenditure levels to the 2021-22 financial year.
The increase in expenditure on Australian news and current affairs included an additional $4.96 million for licensees in regional Australia, reporting $35.32 million in 2022-23, up from $30.36 million in 2021-22 financial year.
The report also shows spending on 'Australian children's other (non-drama)' programs decreased to $743,820 in 2022-23, down from $883,445 in 2021-22. No expenditure was reported for 'Australian children's drama' programs in 2022-23, down from $2,027,426 in 2021-22.
The newly published data is part of the TV in Australia: Spending on commercial TV programs report which comprises commercial TV expenditure information by genre, provided on a voluntary basis on behalf of 69 metropolitan and regional commercial TV broadcasters.
This report is available in a digital format which provides program expenditure data for the past five financial years and contains interactive visualisations to offer greater insights into the data.
The TV in Australia: Spending on commercial TV programs report is available on the ACMA website.
