ABC pressured to outsource TV production

The production of all ABC programs except news and current affairs would be outsourced under a proposal by an Abbott government cost-cutting review.

The review's confidential report estimated the national broadcaster would save about $70 million a year by using external, private sector studios to produce its non-news programs, according to Fairfax Media.

The ABC already outsources some of its programs but still makes signature shows in-house, such as Play School, At the Movies and Spicks and Specks.

The review criticised the ABC's "build and own it" culture as out of step with modern media.

But any decisions on changing the ABC's levels of internal and external television production would be made independently by the ABC board and management, Fairfax reports.

"If that in-house capacity goes then Australia can say goodbye to the great dramas and edgy comedies which are such a central part of who we are," Community and Public Sector Union president Michael Tull was quoted as saying.

Fairfax quotes sources as saying the review is "more speculative than prescriptive in nature" and includes estimated savings for various cost-cutting proposals but does not make firm recommendations.