Canadian actors say the CRTC can learn from TV regulations in Australia, where the majority of programs in the top 20 are domestically produced.

ACTRA’s comments came on Wednesday as it appeared before the TV watchdog, which is continuing its hearings into fee-for-carriage.

The performers union cited data from Oz audience measurement service OzTAM, which indicates that 14 of Australia’s top 20 shows are homegrown, including the number one-ranked Packed to the Rafters. The comedy-drama, about a couple of empty-nesters whose offspring gradually return home, generated over two million total viewers in Australia’s five biggest cities combined for the week of Nov. 22-28.

In contrast, ACTRA notes that only four shows in the top 20 in Canada for the week of Nov. 30 were Canadian-produced, including action drama Flashpoint.

Regulations Down Under require a strong contingent of Australian programming on all broadcasters and a certain minimum of homegrown drama, leading to an average 631 hours of drama on Australian screens every year.

‘It’s time the CRTC looked to countries like Australia to see what strong content regulations can do for Canadian TV,’ commented ACTRA national president Ferne Downey in a release.

But a closer look at the numbers shows that few programs in Australia’s top 20 are scripted. News programs account for almost a quarter, while reality, lifestyle, and format series like Australian Idol also make up a big piece of the pie. ACTRA and other unions including the Writers Guild of Canada have rallied for more drama and scripted programming on Canadian TV.

The union’s appearance at the CRTC followed the joint presentation of broadcasters including CTV, Global and CBC earlier this week, in which they offered a ‘consumer-first’ solution to the fee-for-carriage dispute. The networks suggested the CRTC implement a ‘skinny basic’ cable package that would cost consumers roughly $20 per month depending on the market.