The nation's appetite for local television productions has been whetted and audiences want to taste more.
While Australian content all but destroyed overseas programming this year, thanks to high-rating TV gems such as Packed To The Rafters and Underbelly, networks risk taking has led to a record number of homegrown programs hitting the small screen next year.
New pictures: Filming of Sydney's Underbelly and its stars
Gallery: The stars of the original Underbelly
More sex, nudity, swearing in Underbelly prequl
Local production boasted a bumper season, with more than $256 million invested in Australian drama and an extra 75 hours of TV made this year.
With the mayhem of Channel 7's Packed To the Rafters, mystery of City Homicide (also on Seven) and the blood-shed of Channel 9's Underbelly returning in the New Year, networks have invested heavily in local-produced TV shows.
``We've got Australian drama more spot-on than we have for a long time,'' Seven's head of programming Tim Worner says.
``Television drama and comedy are possibly the healthiest we have seen in the last 10 years and looking forward it will just get better.''
Tapping into Underbelly's ratings triumph, Seven will premiere new docu-drama series Gangs of Oz, exploring the violence and deceit of Australia's ganglands, as well as unveiling makeover show 10 Years In 10 Days.
To counter-balance the violence of the original Underbelly and the wild antics of wayward girls in the first Australian version of Ladette to Lady, uplifting programming will dominate Nine next year with shows including Random Acts of Kindness, Bert Newton's When I Grew Up and Missing Pieces premiering.
New high-action Aussie drama Rescue Squad, is also expected to give the second series of Ten's Rush a run for its money.
``We are making more shows than we ever have,'' Nine chief executive David Gyngell said.
``Financially, we have got ourselves into a better position than we were. It gives the schedule a bit more variety.''
Vince Colosimo and Diana Glenn lead an ensemble cast for SBS's Carla Cametti PD, while new factual series Food Detectives and the drama series starring Claudia Karvan, Saved, will also debut.
Ten hopes to bounce back from a rough year with new seasons of Natalie Bassingthwaighte-fronted So You Think You Can Dance Australia and Biggest Loser Australia. MasterChef Australia, Bondi Vet and Recruits, a glimpse at the inner-workings of the NSW Police College in Goulburn, will also premiere.
ABC TV's director of television Kim Dalton says the public broadcaster's main vision for next year new is locally produced programs including The Cut, Project Next, a new development by Andrew Denton, Darwin's Brave New World and after a year off a new series of The Chaser's War On Everything.
Australia's Next Top Model, Project Runway Australia, plus new reality competition program The Phone and satirical Denton offering 30 Seconds will show on subscription TV.
``Our Australian production slate is more extensive than ever,'' Foxtel's Brian Walsh said.
(Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
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