Production activity
by production type

Value and share, 1996/97, 1999/00, 2002/03 and 2006/07

2006/07 | 2002/03 | 1999/00 | 1996/97

2006/07

According to Service Industry Survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, news and current affairs was the top production category in 2006/07, as it has been for the past three surveys, accounting for 22 per cent of all production costs. This was followed by light entertainment and variety at 16 per cent and sport at 14 per cent. Television drama (including situation and sketch comedy) was sixth highest, at 9 per cent of total production costs. Documentary production (both for television and other mediums) was valued at $44.6 million (around 2–3 per cent of the total).

Production activity is that of television broadcasters (both free-to-air and subscription) and subscription television content providers as well as businesses in the film and video production and post-production services industry. Historical comparisons are problematic as 2006/07 figures include significant non-employing businesses whereas previous years do not and the ABS revised some, but not all, 2002/03 data (see About the data).

Commercials production increased to $243.1 million in 2006/07, with non-broadcasters spending $111 million for the Australian market and $85 million for overseas.

Feature film production appears to have increased significantly to $183.8 million in 2006/07. This represents almost 10 per cent of total costs, almost double the 2002/03 share.

Production activity estimates for corporate/marketing/training videos more than doubled to $71.7 million. However, this increase is likely to be due to the change in survey scope as there was also a dramatic increase in the number of businesses undertaking this production from 254 (excluding non-employing units) to 454 (including non-employing units).

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Television, Film and Video Production and Post-production Services, 2006/07 (cat. no. 8679.0).

Notes:
Includes film and video production and post-production businesses, free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters and subscription television channel providers. Unlike previous years, includes significant non-employing businesses: see About the data.
^ Estimate has a relative standard error of 10–25 per cent and should be used with caution.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25–50 per cent and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50 per cent and is considered too unreliable for general use.
n.a. Data not available.
1. Children’s production figures are included in total as part of ‘Other TV programs’.

2002/03

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Television, Film and Video Production, 2002/03 (cat. no. 8679.0).

Notes:
Includes film and video production and post-production businesses, free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters and subscription television channel providers. Unlike some 2002/03 top-line figures, these estimates were not revised in 2006/07 and do not include non-employing businesses.
^ Estimate has a relative standard error of 10–25 per cent and should be used with caution.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25–50 per cent and should be used with caution.
n.a. Data not available.
1. With the release of 2006/07 data, the ABS issued revised top-line figures for 2002/03, including revised production costs of $1,492.4 million, $195.6 million for commercials and $73.6 million for feature films: see About the data.
2. Children’s production figures are included in total as part of ‘Other TV programs’.

1999/00

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Film and Video Production and Distribution, 1999/2000 (cat. no. 8679.0).

Notes:
Includes film and video production and post-production businesses, free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters and subscription television channel providers. Does not include non-employing businesses.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25–50 per cent.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50 per cent.
n.a. Data not available.
n.p. Not available for publication but included in totals where applicable.

1996/97

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Film and Video Production and Distribution, 1996/97 (cat. no. 8679.0).

Notes:
Includes film and video production and post-production businesses, free-to-air and subscription television broadcasters and subscription television channel providers. Does not include non-employing businesses.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25–50 per cent.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50 per cent.
n.a. Data not available.