Australia’s subscription television industry contributed $2.4 billion to the national economy in 2025, with a new report finding the sector supported more than 15,700 full-time equivalent jobs across the country.
Prepared by Deloitte Access Economics for the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), the report highlights the industry’s broader economic reach, with most of its contribution generated indirectly through spending across other sectors.
The report found that around 69% of the industry’s total economic contribution was generated indirectly, highlighting the activity it supports well beyond subscription television itself.
Subscription TV supports more than 15,700 jobs
According to the report, subscription television contributed $2.443 billion in value added to the Australian economy during 2025, including $759 million generated directly through industry operations and a further $1.684 billion indirectly.
The industry supported 15,728 full-time equivalent jobs, comprising 2,205 direct roles and 13,524 jobs across other industries.
Sport and recreation accounted for the largest share of indirect employment, supporting approximately 4,500 jobs, more than double the number employed directly within the subscription television industry.
The report also found the industry has consistently contributed more than $2 billion annually to the Australian economy since 2019, supporting an average of 16,782 full-time equivalent jobs over that period.
Sport leads subscription TV viewing
Australians watched 2.6 billion hours of subscription television content during 2025, averaging 10.4 hours per subscriber each week.
Sport was the most-watched content category, accounting for one billion hours of viewing across subscription television and streaming services.
News, factual and documentaries followed with 490 million hours, while light entertainment accounted for 428 million hours.
Australian-produced programming also maintained a significant share of viewing, accounting for 36% of all subscription television content consumed during the year.
The report further found that 68% of Australians watched paid subscription streaming services in 2025, with paid subscription streaming remaining the most-used media platform ahead of user-generated and short-form online video services and free-to-air television, excluding catch-up viewing.
Australian productions deliver economic benefits
The report also highlights the economic contribution of Australian screen productions beyond their direct revenues, including the jobs and activity generated across local production industries.
Season two of High Country supported 895 Victorian screen workers, while season two of The Twelve delivered $9.6 million in value added to the Western Australian economy and supported more than 650 jobs.
The figures highlight the broader economic impact of local productions, with investment extending beyond the screen industry into other businesses and services.
ASTRA calls for policy changes
ASTRA Chairman Peter O’Connell said the report highlighted the industry’s contribution to Australia’s media, sport and screen industries.
“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,” O’Connell said.
O’Connell also pointed to changing audience habits, arguing that policy settings need to reflect the way Australians now consume sport and entertainment.
“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.”
The report’s analysis covers ASTRA members including BBC Studios Australia, ESPN Australia, Foxtel Group, News24 (formerly Sky News Australia) and Warner Bros. Discovery, which has since been acquired by Skydance Corporation.
The full report is available via the ASTRA website HERE.
