Purpose
We use data quality statements to:
- communicate the quality of data to users
- help users interpret data
- record the strengths and limitations of data consistently across time
- determine how applicable the data is when sharing or promoting re-use
- allow for quality comparisons of data.
| SVOD content in Australia: Data on spending on Australian programs by SVOD platforms | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 2023 |
| Business data steward | ACMA Content Safeguards Branch |
| Purpose | To report on subscription video on demand (SVOD) providers’ expenditure on Australian and Australian-related programs, and on the availability of Australian content on SVOD services both in and outside of Australia. |
| Description of data asset | Data in the file format of .xlsx or .pdf is provided to the ACMA by SVOD providers through voluntary reporting. |
| Legislation and authority | The data is provided on a voluntary basis as there is no legislative obligation for SVOD providers to report on investment, genre, hours, and titles of Australian content. |
| Scope and coverage |
The data supplied enables the ACMA to assess and aggregate information on:
|
| Reference period | Annual (reporting for financial years). Information was first collected for the 2019–20 financial year for 4 SVOD providers. The 2021–22 financial year saw the inclusion of a fifth SVOD provider. |
| Frequency and timing | Data is collected by 29 August each year for the previous financial year. |
| Formats available | .xlsx files |
| Other notes | The ACMA uses the data to report on the SVOD expenditure information by type of expenditure for the relevant financial year. The data is used to observe trends across reporting years. |
Data quality description
Accuracy
The ACMA reviews the data provided by the SVOD providers. If errors are identified which cannot be easily reconciled, they are queried with the relevant reporting entities to confirm the accuracy of the data provided.
Completeness
Information was first collected for the 2019–20 financial year for 4 SVOD providers. The 2021–22 financial year saw the inclusion of a fifth SVOD provider.
Relevance
The data informs the ACMA and other relevant stakeholders about the availability of Australian content in Australia and throughout the world on SVOD services. SVOD providers also report on expenditure on commissioned and acquired Australian and Australian-related programs.
Given its voluntary nature, the data is aggregated and reported on according to SVOD providers’ confidentiality requirements. The aggregated data is broken down by genres and allows for the analysis of both genre and expenditure levels and trends over time.
Timeliness
Data is reported to the ACMA by 29 August each year for the previous financial year. The ACMA has a KPI of publishing the data within 6 months of its receipt. This is consistent with, but not expressly detailed in, our corporate plan.
Collection
There is no legislative basis for the collection of the SVOD providers’ data. The information is collected on a voluntary basis.
We work with the SVOD providers by providing a standard reporting form for completion. The form requests the following information:
- Expenditure on commissioned, co-commissioned and acquired Australian programs.
- Availability of Australian programs (hours and number of titles) at 31 December and 30 June for the preceding financial year.
- Total content on Australian services.
- Australian content on rest-of-the-world services at 31 December and 30 June for the preceding financial year.
- Expenditure on commissioned, co-commissioned and acquired Australian-related programs.
- Additional information on initiatives to support Australian content production and distribution.
- Discoverability of Australian titles on SVOD platforms.
Consistency
The ACMA has documented processes and procedures for the handling, storage and analysis of the data, including confidential information, provided to it by the SVOD providers.
Fit-for-purpose
The availability of Australian programs on SVOD services contributes to strong and vibrant communities and a shared sense of who we are as Australians. It does this by building a common understanding of Australian experiences and stories, enhancing our understanding of the Australian national identity. Relevantly, this data is fit-for-purpose as it informs the ACMA of investment and trends over time of the availability of Australian content on SVOD services.