8679.0 - Film and Video Production and Distribution, Australia, 1996-97  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/11/1998   
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  • Film and video production and distribution industries employ more - ABS (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

November 23, 1998
Embargoed 11:30am (AEST)
126/98

Film and video production and distribution industries employ more - ABS

People employed in Australia's film and video production industry increased by over 50% in the three years since 1994, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The film and video production industry employed 9,438 people at the end of June 1997 up 3,440 since the end of June 1994.

Similarly, employment in Australia's film and video distribution industry grew with the number of people employed up 360 to 1,341 people employed at the end of June 1997.

These and other details are contained in the publication Film and Video Production and Distribution, Australia 1996-97. Other highlights include:

Film and video production industry
During 1996-97 the 2,003 film and video production businesses generated $1,129 million in total income, an increase of 86% since 1993-94. Most of the industry's income increase was due to a $441 million increase in the production of commissioned works since 1993-94 to $681 million.

Although the industry's total income had increased, overall the film and video production industry recorded a negative operating profit margin of -6.1%. However this was a significant improvement on the 21% loss recorded in 1993-94.

Businesses who employed less than 10 people were the most profitable, with an operating profit before tax of $29 million, compared to businesses who employed between 10 and 49 people who incurred an operating loss of $75 million.

Film and video distribution industry
The 66 businesses in the film and video distribution industry generated $974 million in total income during 1996-97, a 52% increase since 1993-94. Total expenses for the industry was $971 million resulting in an operating profit before tax of $3 million. However, the industry's operating profit margin was only 0.3%, a considerable drop compared with 6.9% in 1993-94.

During 1996-97 the 14 businesses who employed of 20 or more people dominated the industry as they accounted for 80% of employment and 73% of total industry income. However the profit margin for these businesses was only 0.6% compared to 10% for businesses who employed less than 5 people.

Production activity
Film and video production activity is undertaken by businesses in both the film and video distribution industry and the film and video production industry, as well as businesses in the television services industry. During 1996-97 these combined businesses incurred total production costs of $1,577 million, with television industry businesses accounting for over one-third ($600 million) of this.

Over two-thirds (69%) of total production costs was spent on productions made specifically for television, at an average cost of $18,200 per commercial broadcast hour. During 1996-97, the total production costs of feature films was $192 million, which represented an average of $3.2 million per production.

More details are in Film and Video Production and Distribution, Australia 1996-97 (cat. no. 8679.0) available from ABS bookshops. A summary of the publication is available on this site.