Local Australian drama boosted

Australian broadcasters spent nearly 20% more money on local drama programming this year than last.

Figures from the Australian Film Commission’s National Survey of Feature Film and TV Drama Production 2006/07 shows that A$253m (US$217.2m) was spent in 2007 compared to $205m la year earlier. The number of hours also increased to 615 from 583, although the amount of TV movies and children’s drama decreased.

This rise in drama production has been largely attributed to pay TV broadcasters, which have been ramping up the amount of local content they produce. Showtime, for instance, has recently found success with sex drama Satisfaction and has commissioned a second season.