One of Australia’s most prolific television production companies, Matchbox Pictures, will close after 18 years, its parent company Universal International Studios (UIS) announced today. The closure marks a significant shift in the Australian production landscape and extends to Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), the company founded by acclaimed writer Tony Ayres in 2018.
UIS cited “extensive evaluation of the business and the broader production landscape” as the reason for the decision, stating it is “evolving its operating model in the region” despite maintaining a commitment to the Australian market. The studio plans to assess future production opportunities and collaborate with local producers and talent on a project-by-project basis, rather than through a dedicated production banner.
Matchbox Pictures, founded in 2008 by Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon and Helen Pankhurst, quickly established itself as a leading force in Australian drama. The company produced over 55 projects for all major Australian networks and numerous international streaming platforms, including the cultural phenomenon The Slap, the International Emmy-winning Safe Harbour, and the AACTA and Logie award-winning Glitch.
More recently, Matchbox Pictures produced The Survivors, a Netflix adaptation of Jane Harper’s novel, which became the streaming service’s most-watched Australian series in 2025, attracting 19.7 million views in the first six months of its release, and 8.3 million in the second. The company’s current project, the ABC comedy Dog Park, starring Leon Ford and Celia Pacquola, is currently airing. The future of a potential second season of Dog Park remains uncertain, as ABC TV did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
NBCUniversal first took a majority stake in Matchbox Pictures in 2011, marking its first investment in a production company outside of the United Kingdom, and acquired full ownership in 2014. TAP, which also ceases operations, was established with backing from Matchbox and UIS.
Alastair McKinnon, managing director of Matchbox Pictures, expressed pride in the company’s achievements. “Matchbox has made an enormous contribution to the Australian film and television landscape with groundbreaking programs that have defined our industry and captivated audiences here and around the world,” he said in a statement.
Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, described the closure as “the end of a remarkable chapter in the modern Australian screen industry.” He highlighted Matchbox’s role in redefining Australian television and film, emphasizing its ambition, international confidence, and uniquely Australian voice. Deaner also noted the company’s contribution to the careers of numerous writers, producers, and crew members, stating that its legacy would endure through the projects and people it nurtured.
The closure of Matchbox Pictures comes shortly after the implementation of new streaming service quotas in January, intended to boost local Australian production. Whereas total expenditure on Australian dramas increased by 14 percent to $1.1 billion in 2024-25, according to Screen Australia, the number of Australian titles entering production decreased from 89 to 71 during the same period.
Tony Ayres is reportedly shifting his focus back to writing following the restructure. UIS has not announced any further details regarding the transition or the future of projects previously in development with Matchbox Pictures and TAP.
