Australian Theatre Live (ATL) has authored a submission to the Federal Government asking for support for the streaming of theatre productions akin to the support received by the film and television industries.
The submission asks for the implementation of recommendations made in the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry that ask for ‘platform neutral, future facing obligations and incentives that take into account individual platform offerings and audience engagement.’ In particular, it argues for public broadcasters to adhere to a quota of Australian ‘digital arts programs of high cultural merit,’ including the live theatre shows that ATL films and distributes. It argues that Australian theatre makers are at a disadvantage when streaming platforms prioritise international productions like Hamilton, which already have an enthusiastic international audience, and Australian theatre is relatively ignored.
