July 22, 2008

Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEST)

73/2008

News, current affairs, sport and light entertainment and variety programs accounted for almost three-quarters ($986 million) of total television production costs ($1,366 million) in 2006-07, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Television, film and video production activity

• At 22,200 hours, sport accounted for the highest number of first release broadcast hours during 2006-07, followed by news and current affairs (20,600 hours).

• Feature films accounted for just over two-thirds (67%) of total costs ($273 million) for productions made other than for television.

Post-production businesses

• Generated $444 million in income during 2006-07, with more than half of this from visual editing services (58%).

• Employed 2,970 people. More than half (55%) were permanent full-time employees, and more than two-thirds (69%) were male.

Commercial television broadcasting

• Collectively, commercial free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters generated $6,813 million in income during 2006-07 and employed 10,032 people.

• Commercial free-to-air television broadcasters earned the majority of their income from the sale of air time ($3,611 million); the main source of income for subscription television broadcasters was subscription fees ($1,975 million).

More details are available in Television, Film and Video Production and Post-Production Services, Australia, 2006-07 (cat. no. 8679.0).

Media Note: This publication contains information about three distinct topics: (1) Television, film and video production activity; (2) Film and Video Production and Post-Production services, and (3) Commercial television broadcasting. Each topic should be reported in isolation.