Foxtel has announced plans to double its investment in new Australian scripted, factual, lifestyle and entertainment programming by 2018.
Over the next three years, Foxtel will build its drama slate to at least five major series each year, up from the current average of two. There will also be an increase in investment in new comedy programming.
Foxtel will also commission at least nine new premium entertainment programs and six new documentary series per year. The budget for factual programming will also triple.
Further, Foxtel will grow the local lineup with a series of new local dramas, factual and entertainment programs, several of which are already being developed.
The first new series to be announced is Secret City, a political thriller inspired by the novels of journalists Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlman to screen in 2016.
“We’re passionate about growing the depth and breadth of Australian content on our platforms and we’re significantly boosting our investment in local commissions,” said Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein.
Foxtel also announced plans to increase its investment in international programming both for its main platform and for Anytime, the on-demand service available to all Foxtel subscribers.