Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: June 2024
ANZSIC J5621Revenue
$4.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
12,396
Businesses
11
Wages
$X.Xbn
Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia industry analysis
Changes in Australian viewing behaviours, marked by increased preference for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services like Netflix, have affected traditional broadcasters, leading to decreased advertising demand. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to drop at an annualised 1.9% over the five years through 2023-24 to $4.8 billion, including an anticipated dip of 0.9% in the current year. Major broadcasters have launched streaming platforms like Nine’s 9Now to counter this competition, offering on-demand access to their programming. Despite these setbacks, the industry has seen a slight increase in profitability through cost-saving measures, including wage cuts and reduced depreciation expenses. Furthermore, live sports and local light entertainment programs also continue to draw viewership, with shows like The Block and MasterChef Australia maintaining popularity.
Trends and Insights
- Free-to-air TV networks are grappling with shifts in consumer preferences as Australians increasingly consume TV content online. This shift has precipitated a trend where advertising budgets gravitate more towards online platforms.
- Live sports have become a major driver for ratings growth, with major industry broadcasters jostling for sought-after broadcasting rights. Regulatory measures like anti-siphoning laws ensure key sporting events remain accessible on free-to-air stations, countering subscription services’ potential monopoly.
- Companies in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry tend to be located in densely populated areas. Most television networks are based in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
- Four major broadcasters dominate the industry, but online media like SVOD Services challenge them heavily for viewership. They remain viable through strategic acquisitions and leveraging their own online platforms.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Advertising spending is dropping as broadcasting viewership declines
- Australians’ altered behavioural patterns, characterised by reduced hours spent watching TV, have decreased demand for advertising slots.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Enhancements in internet connectivity and speed are set to escalate external pressure on the industry
- The widespread deployment of NBN and 5G mobile networks, supplemented by projected growth in the number of Australians with internet connections, is poised to enhance access to subscription video on demand (SVOD) services. For example, improving network capabilities and faster internet speeds can facilitate a seamless streaming experience, encouraging more consumers to opt for SVOD services. This increased accessibility will likely broaden these platforms’ customer base, contributing to their market growth over industry-specific growth.
Biggest companies in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Nine Entertainment Co | 1,418.7 | |
Seven West Media | 1,286.3 | |
Network 10 | 775.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Australian sport, Australian light entertainment and Overseas drama and other programs. Australian sport is the largest segment of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Sought-after broadcasting rights, coupled with favourable regulatory measures, propel Australian sports broadcasting
- Live sports have emerged as a crucial driver for ratings growth, with considerable demand among major broadcasters.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in Australia
Complementors
- Motion Picture and Video Production in Australia
- Radio Broadcasting in Australia
International industries
- Television Broadcasting in the US
- TV Broadcasting in Canada
- Television Broadcasting in New Zealand
- Television Programming & Broadcasting in the UK
- TV & Radio Broadcasting in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry players broadcast visual content using over-the-air transmission networks. Players broadcast TV programs at no cost to consumers.
What's included in this industry?
Australian sportAustralian light entertainmentNews and current affairsOverseas dramasChildren's programsLocal dramasLocal documentariesCompanies
Nine Entertainment CoSeven West MediaNetwork 10Purchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
FREE-TO-AIR (FTA)PAY TVNARROWCASTERINTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION (IPTV)Industry Code
ANZSIC 5621 - Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Free-to-air TV networks are grappling with shifts in consumer preferences as Australians increasingly consume TV content online. This shift has precipitated a trend where adv...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Live sports have become a major driver for ratings growth, with major industry broadcasters jostling for sought-after broadcasting rights. Regulatory measures like anti-sipho...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Companies in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry tend to be located in densely populated areas. Most television networks are based in New South Wales, Victoria a...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Four major broadcasters dominate the industry, but online media like SVOD Services challenge them heavily for viewership. They remain viable through strategic acquisitions an...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Large commercial and government-funded TV networks dominate the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry. Several smaller regional, community, not-for-profit and rural fr...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Nine Entertainment Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Seven West Media's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Network 10's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Nine Entertainment Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Seven West Media, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Network 10, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Free TV Australia is the peak industry body promoting the interests of commercial free-to-air TV providers in metropolitan, regional and remote licence areas. The organisatio...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
While SVOD providers and online media competition have pressured advertising revenue, broadcasters have counteracted this by cutting costs, leading to slightly increased profi...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia is $4.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia industry in 2024?
There are 11 businesses in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 7.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia has been declining at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting market in Australia are Nine Entertainment Co, Seven West Media and Network 10
What does the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia include?
Australian sport and Australian light entertainment are part of the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Nine Entertainment Co.
How competitive is the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Free-to-Air Television Broadcasting industry in Australia.
