From an economic development perspective, the Committee believes the production of Australian drama by government-funded national broadcasters is a key programming priority. Total spending on Australian television drama productions (including comedy) in 1996/97 was $365 million.110
The allocation of drama budgets on a geographical basis will have a significant affect of the development of a State's film and television industry. It is in this context that the Committee has reviewed the ABC and SBS drama productions.
The following section deals with three key issues of concern to the Committee:-
· the ABC's commitment to drama production and associated facilities in Victoria;
· the resources allocated to the production of the ABC TV drama series Wildside; and
· SBS Independent commissioning the majority of its drama productions in Sydney.
110 Australian Film Commission, `Get the Picture', 5th Edition, Dec. 1998
