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Matchbox Pictures and Tony Ayres Productions to Close Operations

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Matchbox Pictures and Tony Ayres Productions to Cease Operations

Matchbox Pictures, an Australian production company, along with Tony Ayres Productions, is scheduled to cease operations. Universal International Studios, the parent company, stated that the decision followed an extensive evaluation of its business and the broader production landscape, leading to an evolution of its operating model in Australia.

Universal International Studios stated that the decision followed an extensive evaluation of its business and the broader production landscape, leading to an evolution of its operating model in Australia.

The company affirmed its commitment to the Australian market, indicating it will evaluate future production opportunities and engage with local producers and talent on a project-by-project basis.

The company affirmed its commitment to the Australian market, indicating it will evaluate future production opportunities and engage with local producers and talent on a project-by-project basis.

Details of the Closure

Universal International Studios confirmed the closure of both Matchbox Pictures and Tony Ayres Productions. The decision by Universal International Studios involves a shift in its operating model in Australia, moving away from maintaining permanent overheads, such as physical offices and a staff of over 60 creatives in Sydney and Melbourne. Under the new strategy, the studio will invest in projects only once they are active.

Company Background and Key Productions

Matchbox Pictures was founded in 2008 by producers Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon, and Helen Panckhurst. Over 18 years, the company produced more than 55 movies and television shows for Australian networks and international streaming platforms.

Notable Matchbox productions include:

  • "The Slap"
  • "Secret City"
  • "The Survivors," which was reported as Netflix's most-watched local series last year and reportedly reached a global audience of 28 million.
  • "Safe Harbour," an international Emmy winner in 2019.
  • "Glitch," which received an AACTA for best TV drama and a Logie for outstanding drama series.
  • "Nowhere Boys," an international Emmy winner.
  • "Stateless," a co-production with Cate Blanchett, which received 13 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards.

NBCUniversal acquired a majority stake in Matchbox Pictures in 2011, taking full ownership in 2014. The status of a potential second season of "Dog Park," another Matchbox production, remains unknown. ABC TV did not provide comment regarding the series.

Tony Ayres Productions, established by Tony Ayres in 2018 in partnership with Matchbox and NBCUniversal, also for high-end international distribution, will also cease operations. Tony Ayres declined to comment on the decision.

Industry Reactions and Broader Context

Alastair McKinnon, Matchbox managing director, stated he was proud of the company's 18 years of work, noting its contributions to the Australian film and television landscape through programs that achieved local and international recognition.

Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, described the closure as "the end of a remarkable chapter in the modern Australian screen industry." Deaner stated that Matchbox Pictures contributed to redefining Australian television and film with productions characterized as ambitious, internationally confident, and locally voiced. He also highlighted the careers of writers, producers, and crew who developed through Matchbox productions, asserting that the company's legacy would persist through these individuals. Deaner added that Matchbox demonstrated that Australian stories could resonate internationally.

"Matchbox Pictures contributed to redefining Australian television and film with productions characterized as ambitious, internationally confident, and locally voiced." - Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia

The Australia Writers' Guild commented that Matchbox valued writers and employed many Australian professionals, expressing that its loss would be felt across the industry and emphasizing the need for robust, distinctly Australian screen sector solutions.

This closure occurs following the establishment of quotas for streaming services in January, which some industry observers anticipate will increase local Australian show production. According to a Screen Australia drama report, total expenditure on Australian dramas in 2024-25 reached $1.1 billion, representing a 14 percent increase from the previous year. This figure constitutes less than half of the $2.7 billion total spent on film and TV production in Australia in 2024-25. The number of Australian titles entering production last year decreased from 89 to 71.