SVOD platforms drive £902m in UK TV export sales

Streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix accounted for a quarter (£225 million) of UK TV export sales, which reached £902 million ($1.1 billion) between 2016/17, according to a report from Pact.

The report, produced in partnership with BBC Studios, ITV Studios and DIT, showed that US sales were £335 million making it the UK’s largest export market.

Australia and France were the next largest markets buying in £73 million and £60 million in programming respectively. Finished tape programming was the largest source of revenue, bringing in £404 million for the nation.

Entertainment was the best-selling genre, followed by factual and kids. The most highly exported shows included Planet Earth II, Sherlock, Midsomer Murders, The Crown and Victoria.

The report states that indies are confident that their revenues will grow, particularly as they focus on increasing sales in China.

A direct comparison to previous export reports is currently unavailable due to Pact’s change in research company and methodology.

Pact CEO John McVay said: “The new-look report shows that the UK continues to provide world class programming across a range of genres and indies are taking advantage of the opportunities that streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix have to offer.”