With the Producer Offset now 10 years old, this report collates the experiences of producers and broadcasters to analyse its effects in a time of continued change. Key findings include:
91% of surveyed production companies indicated that the PO was “critically important” to the operation of their businesses.
- 92% of respondents considered their equity stake in projects had increased since the introduction of the PO, with 61% indicating that it had “significantly increased.”
- 98% of companies working in the TV/ streaming sector retained all of their PO equity.
- While 37% of respondents working on features had traded some equity, the majority of these respondents retained at least half of their equity stake.
- Where equity in feature film projects was traded it was most commonly traded to Australian private investors (36%) followed by foreign private investors (15%) and local cast (15%).
- 87% of respondents said the PO contributed to their ability to consistently produce content.
- The Producer Offset has positively contributed to business revenue.
- Producers and broadcasters consistently called for the Offset to be lifted to 40% for all projects.
- Most respondents called for the abolition of the 65 hour cap on projects, as it was seen to work against the production of successful series.
- Respondents called for reform of the definition of formats including documentary, as certainty is needed.