Australian Screen Producers Call for Fairness Rules to Counter Streaming Giants’ Market Power

Screen Producers Australia submitted a 22-recommendation proposal to the Australian government's National Cultural Policy consultation on March 18, 2024, focusing on the market dominance of streaming platforms and its impact on independent producers. The organization argues that the transition to digital streaming has significantly changed how content is commissioned, disproportionately affecting small and medium-sized production companies. Their submission highlights concerns that streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney+, are leveraging their substantial market power to dictate terms, reduce upfront payments, and limit the rights of local producers. Screen Producers Australia is advocating for new regulatory frameworks that would ensure fairer competition and a more equitable distribution of revenue within the Australian screen industry. The proposed reforms aim to provide greater transparency in commissioning processes and establish clearer guidelines for intellectual property ownership. This initiative reflects a broader global trend of content creators and industry bodies seeking to address the economic challenges posed by the consolidation of power among major digital platforms.