Australian production company Matchbox Pictures is set to close, Universal International Studios confirms.
The studio behind acclaimed programs like ABC TV’s Dog Park, The Slap, and Secret City will wind down its operations after an extensive review of the business and the broader production landscape. Universal says the company will still maintain a commitment to Australia, but its operating model in the region is being restructured as priorities shift. Going forward, Matchbox will consider production opportunities and work with local producers and talent on a project-by-project basis as new ventures arise.
Matchbox managing director Alastair McKinnon expressed pride in the company’s 18-year history, noting the significant impact it has had on Australia’s film and television scene. The company, founded in 2008 by Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon, and Helen Panckhurst, has produced more than 55 titles across Australian networks and international streaming platforms. Highlights include The Survivors, which Netflix named its most-watched local series last year; Safe Harbour, which won an international Emmy in 2019; and ABC’s Glitch, which earned both an AACTA for best TV drama and a Logie for outstanding drama series.
NBCUniversal first acquired a majority stake in Matchbox Pictures in 2011 and later took full ownership in 2014. Tony Ayres Productions, established with Matchbox and NBCUniversal in 2018, will also be closing.
Details about the fate of Dog Park’s second season remain unconfirmed, with ABC TV not providing a comment by the deadline.
Industry perspectives emphasize the significance of this shutdown. Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, described the closure as the end of a remarkable chapter in Australia’s screen industry. He highlighted Matchbox’s role in redefining Australian storytelling—ambitious, globally confident, and proudly local—and acknowledged the careers it helped launch.
The decision comes after Australia introduced streaming quotas in January, a policy many anticipate will boost local production. Drama spending in 2024–25 reached about $1.1 billion, a 14% increase from the prior year, though total film and TV production expenditure still topped $2.7 billion. Production counts for Australian titles dropped from 89 to 71 in the same period.
Question for readers: Do you think the closure of a major local producer like Matchbox will hinder or help the Australian screen industry’s diversification and global reach? Share your thoughts in the comments.
