Sydney – According to figures released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, all metropolitan commercial television licensees exceeded in 2008 the requirements of the Australian Content Standard and Children’s Television Standards in 2008. The Australian Content Standard sets an annual quota of a minimum 55 percent Australian content to be aired between 6 am and midnight. In addition there are specific minimum annual sub-quotas for Australian (adult) drama, documentary and children’s programs. In 2008, Seven Network’s licensees in the five mainland state capital cities broadcast around 64 percent Australian content while Network Ten licensees averaged 56 percent. Nine Network licensees in the three metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane broadcast more than 60 percent Australian content. The metropolitan networks exceeded the annual quota of 20 hours for first release Australian documentaries, with Seven broadcasting more than 82 hours, Nine Network 43 hours and Network Ten 24 hours. The networks also exceeded the annual requirement of 250 points for airing first release Australian drama programs during the year. Nine Network licensees averaged 286 points in their three metropolitan markets while Seven Network licensees averaged 276 points and Network Ten licensees scored 268 points in all markets. The metropolitan networks also met all the quota requirements for children’s programs in 2008 as well as the first release Australian children’s drama quota requirement of 96 hours over the three-year period from 2006 to 2008. Australian content fared well in the ratings for 2008. Thirty three of the 40 highest rating shows were Australian and 18 of the top 20 rating regular programs were local. All 20 top spots in the light entertainment and reality genre were Australian, and, in drama, the top four programs were home-grown, with seven programs finding a place in the top 20. The Beijing Olympics and major Australian fixtures accounted for the top 20 sports programs.