Universal International Studios to Close Matchbox Pictures, the Producer Behind ‘The Survivors,’ After 18 Years
Universal International Studios to Close Matchbox Pictures After 18 Years
Universal International Studios (UIS) has announced the closure of Matchbox Pictures, a prominent Australian production house, after nearly two decades of operation. The decision comes as part of UIS’s strategic reassessment of its business portfolio, which has included the evaluation of local production opportunities.
Based in Sydney, Matchbox Pictures has been recognized for producing acclaimed series like The Survivors, Dog Park, Secret City, and the International Emmy-winning Safe Harbour. The company has been under the UIS umbrella for the last 12 years, following its acquisition by NBCUniversal.
In a statement, UIS confirmed the closure, stating, “Following an extensive evaluation of the business and the broader production landscape, Matchbox will be closing after eighteen years, 12 years since its NBCU acquisition. Universal International Studios maintains its commitment to Australia, but as strategic priorities shift the studio is evolving its operating model in the region. Moving forward, the company will evaluate production opportunities and engage with local producers and talent on a case-by-case basis as new projects emerge.”
The decision occurs at a time when the Australian production industry is undergoing significant changes, particularly following the introduction of legislation mandating that streaming services invest a portion of their local earnings into original Australian content. The industry grapples with concerns on whether these regulations will benefit or hinder local companies, and UIS appears to be opting out of this evolving landscape.
Previously, UIS had also made job cuts at its offices in the U.S. and Australia, reflecting ongoing financial adjustments within the company. Additionally, Tony Ayres Productions, founded by one of Matchbox’s original creators, Tony Ayres, will also cease operations as a consequence of this decision.
Ayres, along with co-founders Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon, and Helen Pankhurst, established Matchbox Pictures in 2008. The company sold a majority stake to NBCUniversal in 2011 and was fully acquired three years later. Notable senior staff have included Chris Oliver-Taylor and Matt Vitins.
Alastair McKinnon, Managing Director of Matchbox, expressed pride in the company’s contributions to the Australian film and television landscape. “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 stated.
Matchbox Pictures became a cornerstone of the Australian production scene, delivering works such as The Survivors, Critical Incident, House of Gods, Irreverent, Stateless, and The Slap, the latter of which is considered instrumental in the international distribution of Australian dramas. Other significant productions include the BAFTA-winning Nowhere Boys and Mustangs FC.
Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, remarked that the closure of Matchbox Pictures signifies the end of a pivotal chapter in the Australian screen industry. He noted, “Over nearly two decades, Matchbox helped redefine what Australian television and film could be – ambitious, internationally confident and unapologetically local in voice.”
Deaner further praised the company’s impact across the industry, highlighting its awards and the careers it helped launch. “Matchbox helped demonstrate that Australian stories could resonate far beyond our borders, and that contribution will endure across the industry.”
Matchbox’s recent work included the hit ABC series Dog Park and The Survivors, which became Netflix’s most-watched Australian show in late 2025. The company’s legacy in Australian media is expected to remain influential in the years to come.
