UK TV Show Sales Overseas Rise 20%

Sales of British television programmes overseas have risen by 20% in the past year, with shows like Doctor Who pushing revenues up to just shy of £600 million.

Figures compiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on behalf of Pact, show that total revenue from the exploitation of TV programmes and their associated activities internationally reached £593 million in 2006, up from £494 million in 2005.

A quarter of the increase in total revenue was due to an 87% hike in income derived from licensing formats overseas.

The rise can be attributed to the continued distribution of UK factual entertainment formats and the renewed interest in game show and studio-based formats around the world.

However, more than half of the total revenue increase in 2006 came from pure television programme sales. This rose by 21%, with money received up from £242 million to £294 million.

Europe came out as the biggest buyer of UK product, generating £125 million which accounted for 33% of total television sales.

TV sales to North America came in at £77 million, while total revenue from the USA increased by 30%.

The biggest increases in sales overall were to countries in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Sales to these territories saw increases of 54% and 42% respectively.

“The 2006 TV export figures show the appetite for UK programming around the world continues to grow,” said Pact chief executive John McVay.

“The quality and range of UK programming means UK companies always have a broad range of compelling content to offer international buyers. They consistently deliver significant revenues back to UK PLC.”

Managing director of All3Media International and chair of the Pact Exports Policy Group, Louise Pedersen, added: “2006 has been another great year for the export of British TV programmes and especially for UK formats, which have seen a whopping 87% increase in revenue from 2005.

“We make great shows that audiences throughout the world are watching and the UK distribution industry has benefited from the fact that, as rights owners, production companies are increasingly conscious of the international marketplace when they are developing ideas.”

DCMS: www.culture.gov.uk