Childrens Television Foundation Ups Production Investment
The organisation invested $10.2 million into new content throughout the 2025-26 financial year.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Children’s Music
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The Australian Childrens Television Foundation increased its production investment to $10.2 million during the 2025-26 financial year. This follows a $14.5 million funding boost provided by the Government in 2024.
Why it matters
The foundation plays a key role in supporting local content production, with this year's higher expenditure reflecting a cycle where previous development efforts transitioned into full-scale production.
The foundation secured $5.7 million in international sales while its programmes reached 23 broadcasters and streamers. Additionally, 78,441 students across 1,951 schools participated in online education events supported by the organisation.
The players
Australian Childrens Television Foundation
This is a non-profit organisation that develops, produces, and distributes high-quality television programmes for children in Australia.
Screen Australia
This is the primary federal government agency charged with supporting the development, production, and promotion of Australian screen content.
Tropfest Foundation
This is an arts organisation that focuses on supporting short filmmaking and previously managed the Trop Jr competition.
The details
Development funding saw a decrease to $623,616 across 16 projects, down from $1.1 million for 25 projects in the prior cycle. Three new series debuted on YouTube through a partnership with Screen Australia and the ACTF Kids IP Incubator, while the organisation also released six new classroom resources.
Timeline
2024: The Government provided a $14.5 million funding boost.
2024-25: The foundation reported $11.14 million in production funding.
2025-26: The foundation invested $10.2 million in production.
2026-27: No commitments made for projects starting in this year.
Industry Dynamics
The Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator partnership provides a specific framework for distributing digital content that reflects broader shifts towards multi-platform delivery. This collaboration allows the foundation to maintain local content relevance in an increasingly globalised streaming market.
Families can expect new content to reach a wider range of platforms as the foundation distributes its programmes across 23 different broadcasters and streamers. Students and schools can also continue to access educational resources released by the foundation throughout the school year.
The takeaway
The foundation remains a central pillar for Australian children's content, balancing fluctuating development cycles with steady investment in major productions. Its recent success in international sales suggests a growing global appetite for local children's media products.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Children’s Music within the Australian media sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IF Magazine.
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