Subscription television contributes $2.4 billion to Australia’s economy, ASTRA report finds – Subscription television contributed $2.4 billion in value to the Australian economy in 2025 and supported 15,728 full-time equivalent jobs. That is according to the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association’s (ASTRA) economic contribution report for the 2025 calendar year, prepared by Deloitte Access Economics.
The previous edition, which TV Central covered in August 2025, put subscription television’s contribution at $2.9 billion and 17,000 jobs. However, that report covered the 2024 financial year, so the figures are not a direct comparison. You can read the earlier findings in subscription TV represents one-third of the Australian broadcast industry.
Subscription television’s $2.4 billion contribution
The $2.4 billion figure includes a direct contribution of $759 million and an indirect contribution of $1.684 billion. Similarly, the jobs figure includes 2,205 direct full-time equivalent jobs and 13,524 indirect jobs.
In addition, the report says subscription TV has consistently contributed more than $2 billion every year to the Australian economy since 2019.
Key viewing findings from the report
Other highlights from the Deloitte Access Economics report include:
- Australians watched 2.6 billion hours of subscription television content in 2025, an average of 10.4 hours per subscriber each week.
- Australian-produced programming accounted for more than one third (36%) of all subscription television viewing.
- 68% of Australians watched paid subscription streaming services.
- Paid subscription streaming services remain the primary media platform for viewers, followed by user-generated or short-form online video services and free-to-air TV (excluding catch-up TV).
Sport leads subscription television viewing
Sport is the most popular content category across subscription TV and streaming, with one billion hours consumed in 2025. News, factual and documentaries followed with 490 million hours, ahead of light entertainment at 428 million hours.
High Country and The Twelve boost local economies
The report also outlined the economic and cultural benefits of Australian screen content beyond direct revenue, including jobs, economic activity and tourism.
For example, season two of High Country supported 895 Victorian screen workers. Meanwhile, season two of The Twelve, the biggest drama of its kind ever filmed in Western Australia, delivered $9.6 million in value added to the WA economy and supported more than 650 jobs. ASTRA notes those production figures count people employed during production and are not full-time equivalent.
Peter O’Connell calls for anti-siphoning reform
ASTRA Chairman Peter O’Connell, who was named Foxtel Group CEO in September, said:
Subscription television powers Australia’s media, sport and screen industries, delivering meaningful economic value, supporting over 15,700 jobs and backing the sport, news, entertainment and local stories audiences value.
Peter O’Connell, Chairman, ASTRA
What this report makes clear is that subscription viewing is firmly embedded in the way Australians consume content. Audiences have more choice than ever, but the demand for premium content and flexible viewing remains strong – that is exactly what subscription television offers: great content, on your terms.
Peter O’Connell, Chairman, ASTRA
The way Australians view their sport and entertainment has changed and policy must keep pace. Modernising the anti-siphoning scheme and maintaining a level playing field across all platforms will protect audience choice and enable continued investment in Australian sport, entertainment, innovation and jobs.
Peter O’Connell, Chairman, ASTRA
Who supported the ASTRA report?
According to ASTRA, the report comes as the industry continues to evolve through new technology, changing audience habits and partnerships that combine international capability with investment in Australian audiences, sport and content.
ASTRA members supporting the report include BBC Studios Australia, ESPN Australia, Foxtel Group, News24 (formerly Sky News Australia) and Warner Bros. Discovery. ASTRA notes that Warner Bros. Discovery has since been acquired by Skydance Corporation.
For more TV Central industry news, head here. To download the full report, visit ASTRA.