AUSTRALIAN Series and serials

Number PRODUCED, HOURS, budgets, SPEND AND AVERAGE COST PER HOUR, 1990/91–2020/21

The production of Australian TV drama series and serials, made for general audience viewing, has been comparatively stable over the last 30 years, with only the last decade showing a slight decline in numbers, hours and budgets.

1990s - an average of 18 titles were made annually, generating an average of 522 hours of content. The average cost of an Australian series or serial in this period was $7.27 million, or $288,000 per hour.

2000s - the average number of titles remained the same as the previous decade, with average hours falling to 479. The average cost rose to $7.89 million per title, or $294,000 per hour.

2010s - this past decade saw the average number of titles made each year fall to 15, with an average of 304 hours. The average cost fell to $6.93 million, however the average cost per hour rose to $341,000.

An average of one foreign TV drama series or serial has been shot in Australia since 1990/91. Due to the small sample size, they are not included in the table below. For foreign TV drama figures see: All TV drama formats.

In 2020/21, there were 10 Australian series and serials made for general TV audiences, generating 265 hours of content with budgets of $92 million, or $349,000 per hour.

For a list of series and serials shot in Australia since 1990/91, see Titles produced.